Over 58 years ago in the summer of 1965, The Lovin’ Spoonful asked the musical question: “Do You Believe In Magic?” and they had their first top ten hit with that single.
I remember when their song, “Summer In The City” came out a year later, I asked my brother Jim what city were they singing about. He told me that they were singing about New York City and I became fascinated about that city and 27 years later I moved to New York City.
The original band consisting of John Sebastian, Zal Yanovsky, Steve Boone and Joe Butler only lasted for two years, from 1965 to 1967. I’ve always felt they were an underrated part of rock ’n roll history and so today I’m featuring six links to online articles about the band and its brief history.
Then there’s the MBIP Coming Attractions for next week!
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Sunday Links
Songfacts About The Lovin’ Spoonful - Lots of factoids about the band including that their first seven singles all charted in the top ten. Pretty amazing, especially when this was the era of the “British Invasion.”
The Lovin’ Spoonful’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Page - This is the band’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame page. They were inducted in 2000 and here’s a clip of the induction.
John Sebastian on the ‘Magic’ of the Lovin’ Spoonful - John Sebastian was the main songwriter and vocalist in the Lovin’ Spoonful and in this article he remembers those years, plus there’s information on his career after he left the band he founded.
The Lovin’ Spoonful on Rate Your Music - There’s a discography here along with all the band members, past and present and a mini biography of the band.
The Lovin’ Spoonful’s Steve Boone Opens Up About The Infamous Pot Bust That Broke Up The Band - This is a great interview with Steve Boone, who played bass and co-wrote several tunes with John Sebastian. He discusses the band, the time he and Zal got busted for pot and ratted out a dope dealer and his book, “Hotter Than a Match Head: Life of the Run with the Lovin’ Spoonful.”
Zal Yanovsky, 57, Guitarist With Lovin’ Spoonful in 60’s - The person I always considered the heart and should of the Lovin’ Spoonful died in 2002 at the age of 57-years-old. He went from playing a guitar in one of the ’60’s biggest bands to running a restaurant in Canada. This is his NY Times obituary.
The Lovin’ Spoonful/John Sebastian - Summer in the City - The Story Behind The Song - This is a fun video with John Sebastian talking about how the aforementioned song, “Summer in the City” was written and produced back in the day.
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MBIP Coming Attractions
Monday: Tomorrow is Labor Day and that can only mean one thing: Lou’s Drive-In is closed for the season. I went Saturday for one last meal and there’s pictures up at tomorrow’s post. If you’re reading this, head on over, this is the final day of the season for Lou’s Drive-In!
Tuesday: The MBIP Grilled Cheese Tour is over and I went with my friend Jason and had a palate cleanser at Twistee Treat and then we dove right in to the next MBIP food tour which will be announced on Tuesday!
Wednesday: Last week I went and saw the theatre production of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels at Cornstock Theatre and it was a fabulous evening. I’ve got photos from that night and of the cast this Wednesday.
Thursday: I’ll be taking Thursday off to work on my forthcoming book, Travelings With Marty.
Friday: Get ready to hit the road for the monthly edition of The Scott Turley Road Trip! This time we’re traveling to Haynes On Main in Mackinaw, Illinois!
Saturday: We’ll take another backwards glance at Peoria as we put up another, Meanwhile, Back In Peoria’s Past post.
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Sunday Comic
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Related Posts: Sunday Links: Keith Moon, Woodstock and Dan Fogelberg.