Posts From Jeff Tamarkin

13 Books That All Hippies Owned

In order to be a bona fide hippie, it was imperative to familiarize oneself with certain books. We’ve chosen a baker’s dozen

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‘One Toke Over the Line’ on ‘Lawrence Welk’—Huh?

In what has to be one of the most surreal moments on TV, the song was interpreted for viewers of a show that had no idea what a toke was.

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That ‘Don’t Touch My Records!’ Scene in ‘Diner’

The film is a portrait of a time in America when all seemed innocent and carefree but was not: bubbling just underneath, trouble and tension.

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When Zappa Was ‘Only In It for the Money’

The third album from the genius and his motley band lampooned society and the hippies escaping it. We look back at a ’60s masterpiece.

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Tom Rush Has No Regrets—And a Great New Album

Not only a renowned singer-songwriter in his own right, Tom Rush helped popularize peers like Joni Mitchell, James Taylor and Jackson Browne.

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A Chat with ‘Leave It to Beaver’s Stephen Talbot: ‘I May Be a Dirty Rat, But I’m Not a Dumb Rat’

The filmmaker recalls the other ‘Beaver’ kids, offers his views on being a child actor, and muses on the impact of the show.

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‘Dancing in the Moonlight’—The Circuitous Path of the One and Only King Harvest Hit

Everybody was “Dancing in the Moonlight” in the early ’70s, but who was the band that recorded this catchy one-hit wonder? We decided to find out.

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Blood, Sweat & Tears—Groundbreaking Debut: Rewind

The idea was simple but brand new: a rock band augmented by a jazz-influenced horn section. Soon, a classic album was born

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Yoko Ono: A ‘Lost’ Interview, From the Dakota

In honor of this true individualist, we present a “lost” interview from 2003, when Yoko was emerging as a dance music star.

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From Bobby Freeman to the Beach Boys, Mamas & Papas and Ramones: How ‘Do You Wanna Dance’ Became a Rock ‘n’ Roll Classic

You’ve heard Freeman’s 1958 hit—and most famous song—performed by John Lennon, the Ramones and the Beach Boys. Here’s how it evolved

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