Jeff Tamarkin, Author at Best Classic Bands

Posts From Jeff Tamarkin

Jeff Tamarkin

Best Classic Bands Editor Jeff Tamarkin has been a prolific music journalist for nearly five decades. He is formerly the editor of Goldmine, CMJ and Relix magazines, has written for dozens of other publications and has authored liner notes for more than 80 CDs. Jeff has also served on the Nominating Committee of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and as a consultant to the Grammys. His first book was 'Got a Revolution! The Turbulent Flight of Jefferson Airplane.' He is also the co-author of 'Shell Shocked: My Life with the Turtles, Flo and Eddie, and Frank Zappa, etc.,' with Howard Kaylan, and 'Carlos Santana: Love, Devotion, Surrender: The Illustrated Story of Santana's Musical Journey.'

The Day the Music Didn’t Die—14 Rockin’ Tunes from 1959-64

The Scene: The Classic Rock Legacy

The Day the Music Didn’t Die—14 Rockin’ Tunes from 1959-64

While some artists who would later comprise the first class of Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees sat out the period of 1958-64, new trends developed and the music morphed in several new and different directions.

Donovan Interview: ‘Sunshine Superman’ and Jimmy Page

FEATURES: Interviews

Donovan Interview: ‘Sunshine Superman’ and Jimmy Page

In a freewheeling, often revealing conversation, the Scottish singer-songwriter and Rock Hall inductee talks about his first big hit of the psychedelic era.

A New Book Looks at New York City Rock/Pop of the ’60s: Author Interview

The Scene: Legendary Locales

A New Book Looks at New York City Rock/Pop of the ’60s: Author Interview

What did Dion, the Lovin’ Spoonful, Simon & Garfunkel, the Rascals, Bob Dylan and the Blues Project have in common? They all came up in the city that never slept.

The Glory of ‘Gloria’: Behind the Resilient Van Morrison Rock ’n’ Roll Anthem

The Scene: How the Song Came to Be

The Glory of ‘Gloria’: Behind the Resilient Van Morrison Rock ’n’ Roll Anthem

One of the most beloved and oft-covered songs in the garage-rock canon started life as a single’s B-side. We take a look at the wonders of ‘G-L-O-R-I-A.’

The Beatles’ Forgotten Top 20 Hit: A ‘Sweet’ Story

The Scene: How the Song Came to Be

The Beatles’ Forgotten Top 20 Hit: A ‘Sweet’ Story

A top 20 hit in the U.S., yet it has received virtually no radio airplay in decades and is almost never mentioned in accounts of the band’s early days.

Frank Beard, ZZ Top Drummer, Dead at 77

NEWS PLUS: News

Frank Beard, ZZ Top Drummer, Dead at 77

“Today, Elwood and I lost a great friend and collaborator, and the world lost one of the most naturally innovative drummers,” said guitarist and co-founder Billy Gibbons.

BS&T’s David Clayton-Thomas on Woodstock & More

FEATURES: Interviews

BS&T’s David Clayton-Thomas on Woodstock & More

DC-T on Woodstock: “The road manager told us, ‘I don’t think the show tonight’s going to happen. All the traffic is jammed. Nothing is moving.'”

Jimmy Webb Interview: Hits & Misses

The Scene: The Classic Rock Legacy

Jimmy Webb Interview: Hits & Misses

In our 2016 chat with the legendary songwriter, we discuss the unpredictability of writing a hit song and how the art of songwriting has changed.

Remembering King Curtis, Saxophone Giant Who Was Brutally Murdered

The Scene: Key Players

Remembering King Curtis, Saxophone Giant Who Was Brutally Murdered

Born Curtis Ousley, he also had his own hits like “Memphis Soul Stew” and recorded a steamy album at the Fillmore West.

Woodstock Performers: Where Are They Now?

The Scene: The Classic Rock Legacy

Woodstock Performers: Where Are They Now?

Many are still creating brilliant music. Here is a brief guide to the status of most of the artists who performed at the legendary 1969 festival.

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