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Biography
John Sebastian, son of accomplished harmonica player John Sebastian, grew up around music and musicians towards the end of the American folk music revival. Alongside guitarist Zal Yanovsky, formerly of The Mugwumps, Cass Elliot and Denny Doherty, who would later form the Mamas & the Papas, bassist Steve Boone and drummer-vocalist Joe Butler. The band made their recording debut with four songs on the multi-artist compilation “What’s Shakin’” in 1966 on Kama Sutra records.
With producer Erik Jacobsen at the reigns, the Lovin’ Spoonful’s first official single “Do You Believe in Magic” reached No. 9 on the Billboard Singles chart. The group, who wrote all of their own songs and released the subsequent smash hits “You Didn’t Have to Be So Nice”, “Daydream”, “Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind?”, and the No. 1 instantly recognisable Hit “Summer in the City” all before 1966.
In 1967, the Lovin’ Spoonful were the recipients of a drug bust, and Boone and Yanovsky were arrested for marijuana possession. The pair were later freed for revealing their source, though came under particular scrutiny from the growing hippie counterculture, who called for a boycott of all Spoonful products. However, the Lovin’ Spoonful were undeniably more pop than folk and rock, and largely appealed to mainstream teenagers thus weren’t affected as much as they could have been by the boycott.
Later in 1967 Yanovsky left the group and was replaced by Jerry Yester, formerly the producer of the Association. After the release of albums “You’re A Big Boy Now” (soundtrack) and “Everything Playing”, band leader Sebastian left the group, ending the Lovin’ Spoonful’s most successful period.
In 1991, Butler, Boone and Jerry Yester reconvened the band, and after three decades released a new album “Live at the Hotel Seville” in 1999. In 2000 the original members were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and performed “Do You Believe in Magic” at the ceremony.
Live reviews
There are plenty of artists from the sixties that have endured in one way or another - where The Beatles were concerned, it’s through the sheer enormity of their legacy, whilst The Rolling Stones actually remain a going concern all these years later - but some bands of the era do sound very much rooted in that time, and accordingly haven’t been remembered quite as sharply - The Lovin’ Spoonful are a fine example of one such band. Technically speaking, they’re actually still going, although they were inactive, save for one quick reunion in 1979, between 1969 and 1991. They’re best known for their number one hit ‘Summer in the City’, and whilst they were very much a singles band, not an albums outfit - in fact, they haven’t released a full-length since 1969 - they remain on the road, sporadically, today, playing their very sixties style of rock and roll with three members from the most recognised lineup remaining involved - guitarist Jerry Yester, singer Joe Butler and bass player Steve Boone. Their last UK dates were over a decade ago now, with the band mainly focusing on their native United States; they’re undoubtedly straight-up nostalgia trips, but for their audience, that’s apparently quite alright.
Joeg_67
It is pretty difficult when achieving your chart highs many decades ago to feel as though you have a place in the modern, everchanging music scene. It is probably due to this reason that New York folk rock Lovin' Spoonful stayed away for so long after achieving success in the 60s. There is no sign of original material in the making, the last studio album was released in 1969 however the band made such an impact with its sound and songs that the fans do not particularly mind the remaining musicians are revisiting old territory.
Although the original lineup is no longer in place, the musicians tonight know the discography well and play classics such as 'Summer in The City' with a good proficiency. They have a lot of skill for their years of practice and although they are not the liveliest group onstage, there is an endearing quality in the way they play 'Daydream' to close tonight before saying their thank yous and goodbyes.
sean-ward
Saw these guys last night here in Citrus County at the Curtis Peterson auditorium, and they were fabulous, as usual. Even WITHOUT John Sebastian. All the songs sounded just like the original versions, and the group did a great job, as well as the whole show overall and the banter that they put on. Even had the opportunity to speak with them afterwards, what a nice group of Gentlemen. Will be glad to see them again in the future! Thanks guys!
Peter Mitros
peter-mitros
