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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZLOVIN' SPOONFULFolk-rock quartet of the 1960s: John Sebastian (b 17 March 1944, NYC), lead singer and co-founder with Zal Yanovsky (b 19 December 1944, Toronto; d 13 December 2002), plus rhythm guitarist Steve Boone (b 23 September 1943, NC), drummer Joe Butler (b 19 January 1943, Long Island). The founders had been members of the Mugwumps with future Mamas and Papas; they took their name from a line in Mississippi John Hurt's 'Coffee Blues', and had seven top ten singles in a row '65-6 on Kama Sutra in a feckless, almost sentimental electric jug-band style, mostly written by Sebastian and still redolent of the period's optimism: 'Do You Believe In Magic', 'You Didn't Have To Be So Nice', 'Daydream' and 'Did You Ever Have To Make Up Your Mind?' (the last both no. 2), 'Summer In The City' (no. 1), 'Rain On The Roof', 'Nashville Cats'. Like the optimism of the decade, it ended in tears: members of the group were arrested for possession of marijuana and allegedly incriminated others; there were more hits '67-9 but only three in the top 40. Sebastian's 'Darling Be Home Soon' was no. 15 '67, from the score of You're A Big Boy Now (a Francis Ford Coppola film); Yanovsky left the group replaced by Jerry Yester (former producer of the Association). LPs in the '60s included Do You Believe In Magic, Daydream, What's Up, Tiger Lily? (soundtrack of the Woody Allen film), Hums Of The Lovin' Spoonful, first Best Of (no. 3 LP '67), Everything Playing (the first album without Yanovsky; Sebastian left to go solo). Revelation-Revolution '69 was credited to the Spoonful, but was a Butler re-formation without Sebastian. Sebastian's albums '70-1 included John B. Sebastian on MGM and Reprise (no. 20, his best), Live on MGM, cheapo-cheapo productions presents Real Live John Sebastian and The Four Of Us on Reprise; then Tarzana Kid '74 (a collaboration with Lowell George), Welcome Back '76 on Reprise; there was a fluke no. 1 single with the latter's title track, from a TV show. Tar Beach '93 on Shanachie was followed by I Want My Roots '96 on MusicMasters with the J Band, with guests John Simon and Yank Rachell. Compilations on Buddah, One Way, Rhino, other labels. The original Spoonful sorted out problems with record labels and re-formed in the '90s and had fun playing gigs for old fans. |