Bruce Springsteen Reveals the Forgotten Band He Called "New Jersey's First Great Rockers"

Before Bruce Springsteen became the main symbol of rock produced in New Jersey, other groups were already helping to build the musical identity of the American state. Among them, one received a special praise from Boss himself. Springsteen named The Rascals as the true pioneers of New Jersey rock, going so far as to classify them as the region's "first great rockers." Formed in the 1960s, the band mixed rock, soul and rhythm and blues in an innovative way. The group achieved enormous popularity with hits such as "Good Lovin'", "Groovin'" and "People Got to Be Free". For Springsteen, the Rascals paved the way for an entire generation of musicians to follow. Its success showed that New Jersey artists could compete on equal terms with the top names in American music. Despite their enormous influence, the band often ends up being left out of discussions about the greats of classic rock, something Springsteen considers unfair. By highlighting the importance of the group, the singer reinforces the need to recognize artists who helped build the foundations of modern rock, even if they do not receive the same attention as later generations.