Posts From Jeff Tamarkin

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 Scene: The Classic Rock Legacy

Over Under Sideways Down: Making Sense of the Yardbirds’ Album Releases

The Yardbirds’ recorded legacy was just as convoluted as their personnel timeline, with few correlations between their American and British output.

Read More
FEATURES: Interviews

A Vault Interview with Drummer John Barbata of the Turtles, CSN&Y & Jefferson Starship

From “Happy Together” to “Ohio” to “Miracles,” he drummed on them all.

Read More
The Scene: The Classic Rock Legacy

The Summer of Love and That Song About ‘San Francisco’

It was a song of its time, inviting “gentle people” to wear flowers in their hair and migrate to California. Many thousands took Scott McKenzie’s advice

Read More
The Scene: The Classic Rock Legacy

Procol Harum and ‘Whiter Shade of Pale’: That Melody!

To this day, fans still debate the meaning of the song. But more than half a century after its release, it remains one of the most popular of all-time.

Read More
NEWS PLUS: RIP – Rock In Perpetuity

John Barbata, Drummer for Turtles, CSN&Y, Airplane/Starship, Dead at 79

The musician had a long list of credits with some of the biggest acts of the late ’60s and well into the ’70s

Read More
FEATURES: Interviews

The Vaults: An Interview with Twang Guitar Innovator Duane Eddy

“I got tired of hearing those rock ’n’ roll licks on the high strings. It was always the same thing,” said Eddy, and so he invented a new style.

Read More
FEATURES: Interviews

Judy Collins Then, Judy Collins Now: Interview

We spoke with the remarkable singer about her long, amazing career.

Read More
The Scene: The Classic Rock Legacy

First-Generation Rockers: Who’s Still With Us?

With the deaths of Don Everly, Jerry Lee Lewis and Little Richard, we wonder: Which of the earliest rock ‘n’ rollers are alive? Here are 5 who made the music what it was

Read More
The Scene: How the Song Came to Be

Joan Baez ‘Diamonds & Rust’—Reflections on Her Friend Bob

Dylan asked her who her new song was about. She told him it was about her ex-husband. It wasn’t, of course. It was about Bob Dylan.

Read More
The Scene: The Classic Rock Legacy

How Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders Led to 10cc: A Groovy Kind of Story

Two related British “one-hit wonder” bands had to come and go before one of their members finally found lasting success. It’s a groovy tale indeed!

Read More