John Sebastian
John Sebastian
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Full Name and Common Aliases
John Sebastian is best known by his birth name, but he is also commonly referred to as the "King of Folk Rock" due to his influential work in shaping the genre.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on March 17, 1944, John B. Sebastian passed away on March 3, 2021.
Nationality and Profession(s)
John Sebastian was an American musician, singer-songwriter, and record producer of Italian descent. He was active in various professions throughout his life, including music composition, recording, and production for film and television.
Early Life
Growing up in the Bronx, New York, John Sebastian was exposed to a diverse range of musical influences from a young age. His family's background in jazz and classical music laid the groundwork for his future pursuits as a musician. Sebastian began playing the guitar at 10 years old, influenced by the likes of Chuck Berry and Hank Williams.
Early Career
Sebastian's first professional engagement was with the folk group The Village Folk, which later morphed into The Weavers' spin-off, The Tarriers. He played the accordion with this group before switching to the banjo and guitar. In 1964, Sebastian joined The Lovin' Spoonful, an American folk rock band that achieved significant commercial success in the mid-1960s.
Major Accomplishments
As a member of The Lovin' Spoonful, John Sebastian contributed significantly to the development of folk rock as a genre. Some of his most notable contributions include:
"Do You Believe in Magic?" (1965) - The band's debut single and their first major hit.
"You Didn't Have to Be So Nice" (1966) - Their second successful release, showcasing Sebastian's skill as a singer-songwriter.
Notable Works or Actions
Sebastian is also notable for his work outside of The Lovin' Spoonful. Some key highlights include:
The Weavers (1950s-1960s): As a member of this influential folk group, Sebastian contributed to their repertoire and helped shape the genre's sound.
Songwriting and Composition: Throughout his career, Sebastian wrote or co-wrote numerous songs for various artists and projects, solidifying his position as a talented songwriter.
Impact and Legacy
John Sebastian's impact on music is multifaceted:
He played a pivotal role in shaping the folk rock genre with his work in The Lovin' Spoonful.
His songwriting skills have been praised by critics and peers alike.
As a musician, producer, and composer, Sebastian has contributed to numerous films, television shows, and commercials.Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
John Sebastian's legacy is built on his:
Groundbreaking contributions to the development of folk rock as a genre.
Innovative approach to songwriting and composition.
Enduring influence on subsequent generations of musicians and artists.
Quotes by John Sebastian
Geez, I wish I could tell you I had a whole bunch of ’80s hair bands, you know something you really wouldn’t expect, but I don’t know that the music police would be that surprised, because most of the stuff that I am influenced by is in evidence in the music.
I certainly hear the Trombones Unlimited version of ‘Daydream’ in a lot of elevators.
I was wildly out of style when that television theme song suddenly pushed its way onto the Top Ten. It was certainly not the record company trying to make that happen.
My father was invited to play on a television show when I was 17 or 18 that was an early equivalent of educational television, a Sunday afternoon kind of variety art show.
First of all, I think that is true, if you are a musician, particularly on the come, that you do have to end up in one of these musical centers, some way, to be viable, saleable and so on.
I'm seeing and hearing lots of B to B instruments, and everybody isn't, you know, using them... a lot of these guys are trying to do it on conventional guitars, although that has its own sound, and maybe its okay.