Posts From Jeff Tamarkin

Carlos Santana Interview: ‘Music is a Beam of Light’

Now in his 70s, the guitar master is as prolific as ever, touring more than 100 nights per year and continuing to innovate. There is, simply, no one else like him.

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Mar 25, 1967: The Who, Cream Make U.S. Debut on Same Bill

Amidst the many bands playing at a New York concert hosted by DJ Murray the K were two that were new to American audiences.

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March 20, 1971: Janis Joplin Hits #1 With ‘Bobby McGee’

When Janis heard Kris Kristofferson’s song she had to record it. A few days later she was dead, but it went on to become her only #1 single.

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Feb 8, 2021: Mary Wilson, Co-Founder of The Supremes, Dies

Along with Diana Ross and Florence Ballard, she was an original member of the best-selling group on the Motown roster, scoring a dozen #1 singles

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Dec 23, 2020: Leslie West, Hard Rock Guitar Hero—Obituary

When the history of heavy rock is traced today, it invariably points to him as one of the origin points—it was no accident that he called his band Mountain

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Oct 24, 2017: Fats Domino Dies at Age 89

A New Orleans icon and massive influence on later rockers, his hits included “Blueberry Hill,” “Ain’t That a Shame” and “I’m Walkin’.”

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Oct 19, 2020: Spencer Davis, Leader of Britain’s “Gimme Some Lovin”’ Band, Dies

The band that bore his name was best known for a pair of 1967 top 10 hits, both sung by Steve Winwood, who wrote, “He was like a big brother to me”

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Remembering Toots Thielemans, Harmonica Master

He has been described as the greatest harmonica player in the world. Though most of his career was in jazz, he collaborated with many rock legends

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Aug 21, 2021: Don Everly, Older Half of the Everly Brothers, Dies

The siblings, among the first inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, influenced the Beatles, the Beach Boys, Simon & Garfunkel and many others.

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When Pete Best Was on a U.S. Game Show in 1964

As Beatlemania was in full swing, their former drummer was relegated to appearing on “I’ve Got a Secret.”

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