Interview with John Sebastian (2022) 

We saw John in concert in Florida and after the show John signed anything you wanted and answered any questions you might have. My teenage son loves John but plays trumpet and when John Sebastian found out that my son played Trumpet he spent almost 10 minutes giving him suggestions of trumpet players he should check out. Who does that? Only John Sebastian. My son learned what being a legend in music was really about. Thank you John. A true legend.

John Sebastian is a national treasure.

In 2013 when I was a rising senior in high school, I wrote John a fan letter and mailed it to his home in Woodstock. Living only 30 minutes from him and being a longtime fan, I had hoped I would run into him at some point, and asked if I could meet him in person in my letter. I wasn’t shocked to have not received a response. That same summer, I went to a memorial celebration for Richie Havens at Bethel Woods, who had performed at the Woodstock Music Festival like John. John was there to support Richie and after waiting behind security for hours, I was able to call to John and have him come over to meet me. He signed some of my albums and told me that he had gotten my letter. He was so sweet and genuine; truly such a gentle soul. Flash forward to 2017, I was going to school in Albany. One night, I was volunteering with a local NPR affiliated radio station, WAMC, by answering phones and taking donations for the station. Over 20 of my classmates and I sat in a room with phones ringing all night. We were instructed to write down the name, credit card info, and message from donors who called in, and they would get a shoutout on the radio. By some strike of luck, I was taking down the information of a certain donor who happened to be John. I was in total shock that John had called my phone to make a donation out of everybody in the room! I asked if he remembered me and he said he did, and he mentioned the letter and meeting me in 2013. I’ve always felt such a strong connection to this amazing person! Thank you for a lifetime of music John ❤

Having met him once or twice, he really is as kind and genuine as he seems.

John was the reason I went to the 1970 Isle of Wight festival. He was the coolest guy on the planet,

I have always been a fan of John Sebastian

Why did I never know that John was of Italian heritage? Love those Spoonful songs! What a guy!

This guy's a fucking genius and more people need to recognize and be aware of that.

He's such a great guy! The grooviest! 😁I love that he kept the sideburns!

Thank you. Well done. Time well spent listening.

Bless you, John Sebastian. You're such a bright light. I was just a baby when Lovin' Spoonful was a thing, but I appreciate that band to this day.

Hi John, wow! I'm so glad you're here. Thanks for so much joyful music- thanks Jeff Burger. Love Richie Havens too- sounds like an amazing time to be young- better vibes, values? Namaste

Thanks for all you've done for world of music!

Welcome back

John Sebastian and Don McLean are American treasures!! Every lp a must!!

I was just thinking of an album i had years ago. It was John's album "The Four Of Us".♥️ I wish i still had it. It was great. ( I can still hear John singing "Dominica"🎶🎶🎶" The Four Of Us is a wonderful song.♥️

To me it's all about creating original melodies and adding the magic to make them memorable hits.

Thanks for this! John is such a legend.

Great interview👍love John!

LOVE THIS MUSIC....takes me back to my childhood....when days were golden....everyone got along....Love & Hugs to John and the Lovin Spoonful guys.

I was really blessed to get to meet John Sebastian at the Kent Stage in Kent, Ohio in 2016 and he was so thrilled that we loved his music so much and took a photo with me because he had seen me singing along to every song, word for word and he was glad to have such an avid fan! I still love this music today, just as much as I did when it first came out, and I was so impressed with him because he was so down to earth. There wasn’t a conceited bone in his body, and yet he had every reason to be conceited, if he wanted to be. After all he and so many others of his era were responsible for writing the soundtrack of our life. I just really love him and I’m so grateful I got to see him perform. He’s a truly great guy.

I LOVED those guys----------loved them. RIP. ---------------------MJL, 76 y/o

Welcome back Kotter.

I just love hearing the legends. TLS was one of my top faves. Herman's Hermits too.

John and Arlen is a fantastic recording. The musicianship is first rate. Johns vocals with the guest artist harmonies sound great.

Always a treat to hear his stories Wish he would elaborate on his relationship with Lightnin' Hopkins

Legendary

You wrote a book on my Most Perfect Man, Leonard Cohen- and I don't own it?!? This is strange- must rectify- what an amazing life you've led- the kid in Almost Famous- gotta watch that today- love that film. Wow! You got THE MOST COVETED JOB- have you met my female counterpart to Leonard Cohen- Marianne Faithfull? I've followed her career, haven't bought a Stones' album in years but Lady Faithfull...Faithfull forever...I prefer my idols well tarnished- I have some bad habits too. I haven't heard of any of the musicians John listens to- gotta check them out- thank you for posting, I am mired in deep depression and not much helps, but John has always made me smile- and he really seems to be humble, honest - just what you wished more musicians were- I can think of one that "seems" to be a real condescending pr. Won't say who- Namaste

I love John he's such a down to earth guy

The first platinum album was Cream's *Wheels Of Fire* (1968).

He played on a Doors track called Roadhouse blues on Morrision Hotel album.

I seem to remember Jim Morrison introduced him on stage on a live Doors album.

On the one hand, what a five years it was (1963 to 1968, when his first solo album was recorded). On the other, after such a glorious start mustn't it have been a letdown to have one's accomplishments (aside from "Stories We Could Tell" "Welcome Back" and session work for The Doors and CSNY) all be in the rear view before one has even turned 25?

4:44: I wonder why they saved his first song for the group's second album???

I wonder if he still sings?

Ethel Mertz godson...luv ya John!

Why was he in the mamas n papas song

4:16: What is a "toy meeting"?

7:05: "some of the criminals that began ??????" (can anyone make it out - thanks)?

Was he mates with Ed Sanders and David Bowie?

I 100% get it must be annoying to get the same question about Woodstock over and over. But the interviewer isn't just asking out of an ignorance that could be remedied by simple research. He is asking in order to provide firsthand information to the viewer, listener, or reader. IOW, the interviewer may already know the answer but want his audience to hear or read a firsthand account.

Jerry Springer