Lovin' Spoonful

The Lovin' Spoonful was formed in Greenwich Village in the 1960s by John Sebastian and Zalman Yanovsky. Sebastian had grown up in the Village, where his father, a classical harmonicist also named John Sebastian, had been a fixture on the music scene for many years. Yanovsky, a Canadian, had been in a group called the Mugwumps, along with Cass Elliott and Denny Doherty, later of the Mamas & the Papas. Drummer Joe Butler and bassist Steve Boone were recruited before the group's first recording session. Yanovsky was eventually kicked out of the band when he objected to what he considered its increasing commercialism -- his drug bust and potential deportation didn't help -- returning to Montreal where he opened a restaurant. He was replaced by Jerry Yester, also kicked out when he was arrested for child pornography.

The Spoonful continued performing with various lineups for many years. Sebastian had a solo career. There were a few reunions.

Posting this today because they were one of the few American groups to resist the British invasion.

The father on harmonica:

The son on harmonica

Comments

[anon]

Lubet states: "Posting this today because they were one of the few American groups to resist the British invasion."

Aside from dubiously comparing Beatlemania and all that adoration of the British to the American Revolution rejecting the British rule over its colonies, here are various excerpts from interviews with John and other reputable sources:

“Butler and Boone had their own band — the Sell-Outs ("a folk band selling out with rock and roll songs," Butler tells me) — and they performed Animals and Beatles covers at a Greenwich Village club called the Village Music Hall.” Sheila Weller in Next Avenue.

“Sir Paul graciously said that "Daydream" played heavily in the creation of "Good Day Sunshine", so to have influenced those boys is a wonderful thing for a songwriter because of course they influenced me, they influenced all of us.'” John, quoted in the Guardian.

“In the wake of the Beatles, folkies began transforming into rockers--witness the Byrds, Dylan and the Lovin’ Spoonful, which Sebastian formed with lead guitarist Zal Yanovsky, bassist Steve Boone and drummer Joe Butler.” (LA Times)

“The guys are variously coming forward and saying “Oh, no, that was totally trying to steal ‘Summer in the City.’” Clapton said that about “Tales of Brave Ulysses.” That’s the thing—you never know what part really. We were all stealing from each other. That was all part of the fun.” John, interviewed in Transatlantic Modern.

As usual, dogmatic statements intended to convey deep insights, authority and dominance are usually plainly wrong and overstated.

[DennisF]

Great group from the '60s. I always liked "Butchie's Tune" written by the bassist Steve Boone. It's about a girl who married Sebastian to try to keep him from being drafted. The tune may be heard in the movie "Blowup" (1968) as well as an episode of "Mad Men".

Here's the link to the tune:

https://youtu.be/BRTkqGSKTts