When Rolling Stone, the most widely circulated music magazine in the country, labels The Good Rats, "the world's most famous unknown band," that would seem like a classic oxymoron.

Since its inception in 1969, the band has aquired many notable accolades. It has been inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame alongside the likes of Tony Bennett, John Coltrane and Mariah Carey, played a withering schedule of tour dates every year and has opened for the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Aerosmith, The Ramones, Ozzy Osbourne, Kiss and Journey, just to name a few. 

The band also numbers among its fans Bon Jovi, Billy Joel, Alec Baldwin and Rosie O'Donnell, all of which renders that "unknown" label more than a bit facetious.   

Glen Covers, however, can form their own opinions on Friday evening, when The Good Rats headline the second installment of the city's Downtown Sounds concert series. The band will feature Peppi Marchello on the vocals, Dan Ratchford on guitar and vocals, Stefan Marchello on bass and vocals, Dan Smiraglia on keyboards and Hugo Lopez on the drums. 

In the words of the band's Long Island Music Hall of Fame citation, "though the group never made Billboard's Top 40, the loyalty and love of the band's fans at their live shows continue to prove that The Good Rats are a rock 'n roll success story."

But Friday's entertainment does not end there.  

Glen Cove's own Times Ten will also hit the stage to perform selections from their extensive songbook. The quartet members said they were all drawn to music early on.   

"I've loved the sound of rhythm since I was five," said drummer Dave Losee. "I've been doing this my whole life." 

Losee, who also runs Dave Losee Sign Company on Morris Avenue, explained that most of the time when he is going about his business around the city, people want to know about the music.   

"The Downtown Sounds Concert Series is like the town's musical medication," he said. "We have a large repertoire. We've got a great 35-minute show planned. We can do The Stones for straight up rock 'n roll. If people want to dance, we can do KC and the Sunshine Band. You name it."  

Other members of the band are also life-long music addicts. Vocalist Alfredo Manno began singing as a tenor in his third grade chorus. Guitarist Tommy De George started playing at age 9 when he turned on to Jimi Hendrix. Bassist Todd Davies began playing at 13.   

The free concerts will be held every Friday between Glen and Bridge streets at 7:30 p.m. until Aug. 27. Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair and there will be free parking in the nearby municipal garages.

Visitors can also take advantage of the $15 Music Box Special, a fixed price dinner program being offered by a number of local restaurants as part of their participation in the concert series. Choices include entrées that range from chicken wraps to chicken parmesan, shrimp tempura to monster ribs.   

For more information, visit downtownsoundslive.org.