Why Did The Rascals Change Their Name? The Story Behind The Renaming

The Rascals faced a bit of a naming dilemma. You see, another group, Borrah Minnevitch’s and Johnny Puleo’s Harmonica Rascals, already had the rights to the name “The Rascals”. To avoid any legal issues, the band’s manager, Eddie Bernstein, decided to rename the group “The Young Rascals”. This change also made sense because all the members were indeed under 25 years old!

It’s interesting to note that “The Harmonica Rascals” was a popular musical act during the 1950s and early 1960s. Led by Borrah Minnevitch, a renowned harmonica player, the group was known for their energetic performances and unique sound. While “The Young Rascals” were rising to fame, “The Harmonica Rascals” were still performing and recording music, which ultimately led to the name change.

This renaming strategy proved to be a clever move, as “The Young Rascals” continued to achieve great success, becoming one of the most popular rock and roll bands of the 1960s. While the band eventually shortened their name back to “The Rascals”, their initial decision to go by “The Young Rascals” allowed them to establish their own identity and avoid any legal complications.