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

New Book Celebrates Trouser Press Music Mag’s 50th Anniversary

“We called ourselves ‘the alternative to the alternative alternatives,'” says co-founder Ira Robbins.

Read More
FEATURES: Interviews

Herb Alpert Interview: Still Trying to Reach the Promised Land

For a while, in the mid-’60s, he was outselling the Beatles with his group the Tijuana Brass. Now in his late 80s, he still goes to work every day.

Read More
FEATURES: Interviews

John Sebastian Interview: Recapturing the Lovin’ Spoonful ‘Magic’

After refusing to re-record his old hits with the Lovin’ Spoonful for decades, John Sebastian did just that with guitarist Arlen Roth. He tells us why.

Read More
The Scene: The Classic Rock Legacy

Mike Bloomfield & the Electric Flag: Long Time Comin’

He was an American guitar hero before there was such a thing. In 1967 he put together a new but short-lived band that combined blues, soul and rock.

Read More
REVIEWS: Films/DVDs

Beatles Documentary, ‘Eight Days a Week’: Review

The 2016 film is “a nonstop rush of adrenaline, a comfort-food feast of melodic guitars and impeccable harmonies, unbridled creativity and boundless artistic determination, cheeky wit and newness and wonder and youth. And screams—lots of screams.”

Read More
FEATURES: Listicles

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

Read More
The Scene: Rocking The Tube

‘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.

Read More
FEATURES: Through The Lens

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.

Read More
REVIEWS: Album Rewinds

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.

Read More
FEATURES: Interviews

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.

Read More