Posts From Jeff Tamarkin

Pilot’s ‘Magic’ Trick: Never Believe It’s Not So

The Scottish band’s one great hit was the type that you might not hear for years, but when you do, it’s instantly familiar.

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Three Dog Night: Under the Covers

Their value lie not in their compositional skills but in their knack for choosing songs by others that fit their style and broadened their appeal.

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Bobbie Gentry ‘Ode to Billie Joe’: Another Sleepy, Dusty Delta Day

Why did he kill himself? What was thrown from the bridge? What became of the singer-songwriter behind it? Here’s what’s known.

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Full Cyrkle: The ‘Red Rubber Ball’ Band Bounces Back

They scored a smash single with an unreleased Paul Simon song, were managed by Brian Epstein and disappeared after two hits.

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When Brownsville Station Were Smokin’

Back in 1973, lots of high school students took extra bathroom breaks since that was generally the only place they could light up. The backstory of a classic.

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Janis Joplin & Jorma Kaukonen: The Tale of the Typewriter Tape

Before they became rock icons, Janis and the Jefferson Airplane guitarist played acoustic blues. Here’s the tale of their fascinating 1964 duets.

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Peter Asher Interview: Pop Star to Top Producer

He arrived with the British Invasion as half of Peter and Gordon, then went on to produce such greats as James Taylor and Linda Ronstadt.

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Friend & Lover ‘Reach Out of the Darkness’: So Groovy Now

The peace-and-love message of the song resonated in 1968, a relic of its time.

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Lou Christie, ‘Lightnin’ Strikes’ Singer, Dead at 82

Originally named Lugee Alfredo Giovanni Sacco, his other hits included “Two Faces Have I,” “Rhapsody in the Rain” and “I’m Gonna Make You Mine.”

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Gregg Rolie on Santana, Woodstock and Journey

Rolie: “I’ve said yes to almost every right thing I should do, and I’ve said no to the things I don’t think I should. I’m proud of everything I’ve done.”

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