John Sebastian
Musician · b. 1944 · New York City
Best known for
Songwriter
John Sebastian is the Greenwich Village-born songwriter, singer, and autoharp/harmonica player who co-founded the Lovin’ Spoonful in 1965 and wrote the band’s long string of Top-Ten hits — “Do You Believe in Magic,” “Daydream,” “Summer in the City,” “Nashville Cats” — before going solo and earning a 1976 No. 1 Hot 100 single with the Welcome Back, Kotter theme.
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- Born John Benson Sebastian on March 17, 1944, in New York City, to classical harmonica player John Sebastian Sr. and radio writer Jane Sebastian; grew up in Greenwich Village.
- Played jug-band and folk material on the early-1960s Village circuit, befriending Bob Dylan and Maria Muldaur along the way.
- Co-founded the Lovin’ Spoonful in 1965 with Zal Yanovsky, Steve Boone, and Joe Butler.
- Wrote and sang lead on the Lovin’ Spoonful’s string of mid-1960s Top-Ten hits, including “Do You Believe in Magic,” “Daydream,” “Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind?,” “Summer in the City” (No. 1, 1966), “Nashville Cats,” and “Darling Be Home Soon.”
- Left the Lovin’ Spoonful in 1968 for a solo career.
- Played a memorable unscheduled set at Woodstock in August 1969, debuting “Younger Generation.”
- Wrote “Welcome Back,” the theme to the ABC sitcom Welcome Back, Kotter; his Reprise single reached No. 1 on the Hot 100 in May 1976.
- Inducted with the Lovin’ Spoonful into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000.
