John Sebastian
Biography
John Sebastian, an American singer, songwriter and musician, started the Lovin' Spoonful with Zal Yanovsky in 1964 and wrote and sang many of the group's hits, including Do You Believe in Magic, Daydream and Summer in the City. Raised in New York City, he played harmonica, guitar and autoharp on the Greenwich Village folk and blues scene before leaving the band after its 1968 album Everything Playing to work solo. His solo debut, John B. Sebastian, came out in 1970, and his unscheduled set at Woodstock in 1969 put him in the Woodstock (1970) documentary. He also wrote the score for the Broadway play Jimmy Shine and had a US number one in 1976 with Welcome Back, the theme of the sitcom Welcome Back, Kotter. In 2000 he entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the Songwriters Hall of Fame followed in 2008.
82years old
Turns 83 on March 17in 127 days
- Born New York City
- Star sign: PiscesThe sign runs February 19 to March 20
- Also credited as John Benson Sebastian, John B. Sebastian, G. Puglese and Giovanni Pugliese
Movie Career
- Films
- 5
- Career span
- 53 years1966 to 2019
Every film, newest first
- 2019Echo in the CanyonIMDb rating 7.0
- 1996Message to Love - The Isle of Wight FestivalIMDb rating 7.6
- 1976The Pom Pom GirlsIMDb rating 4.9
- 1970WoodstockIMDb rating 8.1
- 1966What's Up, Tiger Lily?IMDb rating 5.8
Genres
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A role that slipped away
Crosby, Stills & Nash had asked Sebastian to become a fourth member of their group, but he declined, and that led to their association with Neil Young.
A role that slipped away
Sebastian declined Bob Dylan's invitation to join his new electric touring band because he wanted to focus on his own project, the Lovin' Spoonful.
Big break
In August 1969, Sebastian went to Woodstock as a spectator. After a rain break, the organizers needed an acoustic performer and asked him to appear, so he made an unscheduled appearance.
Behind the camera
After leaving the Spoonful, Sebastian wrote the music and lyrics for Jimmy Shine, a play with music by Murray Schisgal. Dustin Hoffman played the title role when it opened on Broadway in December 1968.
A change of course
Sebastian learned tie-dyeing from Ann Thomas of Water Baby Dye Works, then made his own outfits and wore them in public. He is credited with helping popularize tie-dyed clothing among festival goers and music fans in the late 1960s.
John Sebastian movies on Netflix
Worked with
John Sebastian shares two films with Joan Baez, and one with each of the others. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
Joan Baez's page
Jimi Hendrix's page
Kris Kristofferson's page
Ringo Starr's page
Robert Carradine's page
Woody Allen's page
Michael WadleighDirector, 1 film, 1970
All films by Michael Wadleigh
Senkichi TaniguchiDirector, 1 film, 1966
All films by Senkichi Taniguchi
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.