John Sebastian | |
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![]() Sebastian in 1974 | |
Background information | |
Birth name | John Benson Sebastian |
Also known as | Giovanni Pugliese |
Born | New York City, U.S. | March 17, 1944
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Years active | 1964–present |
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Formerly of | |
Website | johnbsebastian |
John Benson Sebastian (born March 17, 1944)[1] is an American singer, songwriter and musician who founded the rock band the Lovin' Spoonful in 1964 with Zal Yanovsky. During his time in the Lovin Spoonful, John would write and sing some of the bands biggest hits such as "Do You Believe in Magic", "Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind", and "Daydream". Sebastian would leave the Spoonful in 1968 after the album Everything Playing. After leaving the Spoonful, Sebastian would focus on a solo career, releasing his first solo album in 1970 titled John B. Sebastian. Sebastian would continue on recording solo albums.
He made an impromptu appearance at the Woodstock festival in 1969[2] and scored a U.S. No. 1 hit in 1976 with "Welcome Back", which was used as the theme song on the sitcom Welcome Back, Kotter.
Sebastian was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000 as a member of the Lovin' Spoonful.[3]