Posts From Jeff Tamarkin
The Youngbloods’ ‘Get Together’: Unique Path to Success
The song had been kicking around for a few years when they recorded it. Their first release of the tune bombed. Then it became a timeless anthem.
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The Cowsills—The Hits, the Misses & Other Things: Interview
“We were told that they were going to put our mom in the group. No one asked us. In she comes.”—Bob Cowsill
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Zager & Evans’ ‘In the Year 2525’: The Gloomiest #1?
It was, to be sure, one of the bleakest songs ever to hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. And then the duo never charted again.
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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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