The Lovin' Spoonful - biography

 

The Lovin' Spoonful were formed in New York in 1965 by singer John Sebastian and guitarist Zal Yanovsky, two folkies of the early 60s. The precocious Sebastian had played the harmonica for several stars of the movement, and the two were briefly involved with future Mamas and Papas Cass Elliott and Danny Doherty in the Mugwumps. The Loving Spoonful began as an "electric jug band" that tapped the folk clubs of Greenwich Village. The band's eccentric arrangements (banjo, dobro, clarinet, whistle, washboard) and their goofy stance on stage grabbed everybody's attention. After the British Invasion they adapted to the prevailing rhythms and melodies. Do You Believe In Magic (1965) is a tribute to the suggestive power of rock music, the idealism of the Kennedy years, and a refresher course on Rock and Roll Music (Chuck Berry). Consistent with the mood of the time, Do You Believe In Magic (Kama Sutra, 1965) is an eclectic album, a tribute to the emerging hippie society.

That marked the beginning of a series of eccentric releases, from September 1965 to December 1966, among them the optimistic tap dance Daydream (1966), seemingly the American version of the Kinks' Sunny Afternoon, Did You Ever Have To Make Up Your Mind (1966), Rain On The Roof (1966), and the surrealistically country Nashville Cats (1966). Throughout this period the media portrayed them as imitators of the Beatles' mawkish pop genre to which they contributed with You Didn't Have To Be So Nice (December 1965), Darling Be Home Soon (1966), She Is Still A Mystery (1967).

The cacophonous nightscape of Summer In The City (1966) stands out with its baroque tone, stretching between swoops and syncopated crescendos, creating a film noir atmosphere. With these pieces the Loving Spoonful influenced the San Francisco sound and established themselves among the most creative leaders of the folk revival.

Daydream (1966) is a much less eclectic album almost entirely composed by Sebastian. The same can be said for Hums (1966), which contains the masterpiece Summer In The City. What's Up Tiger Lily (1966) was the first soundtrack recorded by a rock band for a movie that wasn't about the band. John Sebastian was 22 years old when he wrote that score for Woody Allen. Another soundtrack, You're A Big Boy Now (1966), mostly instrumental, for a movie by Francis Ford Coppola, was even better.

After substituting guitar player Zal Yanovsky (involved in a small sandal) with Jerry Yester from The Association, the Loving Spoonful recorded one more dignified album, Everything Is Playing (1968), containing two little anthems by Sebastian: Younger Generation and Boredom.

Best (Kama Sutra, 1967) is a compilation of the group's hits.

Sebastian's solo career has not been particularly brilliant, like that of many veterans of the hippie period, although he enjoyed a moment of notoriety at Woodstock with I Had A Dream (1969). Sebastian became a mainstream songwriter playing the "melody for the charts" (She's A Lady, 1970), then he vanished, sunk by the end of an era and by drug problems. He reemerged with the soundtrack Welcome Back (1976) for the television sitcom Welcome Back Kotter, and ended his career as he began, playing in a jug band.

Yanovsky manages a restaurant in Canada.

Sebastian still hits the stage occasionally, by himself or as the leader of yet another jug band.