The Lovin' Spoonful Members Reunite At California Benefit Concert [Videos]

Members of The Lovin’ Spoonful reunited on stage for the first time in two decades over the weekend during a benefit concert in Glendale, CA where the band’s music was the event’s official theme. The semi-reunion included original members John Sebastian, Joe Butler, and Steve Boone who performed some of the band’s well-known songs during the annual Wild Honey Orchestra benefit at the Alex Theatre, which raises money for the Autism Think Tank.

The night of music saw the three men perform “Summer in the City” and “Do You Believe in Magic?”, which marked their first public performance together since their induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame back in 2000.

Other musicians who were on hand to perform tunes out of The Lovin’ Spoonful songbook included Micky Dolenz (The Monkees), Carnie Wilson (Wilson Phillips), Dave Alvin, Iain Matthews (Fairport Convention), and Susan Cowsill, to name a few.

Watch Sebastian, Butler, and Boone perform “Summer in the City” and “Do You Believe in Magic” with help from the event’s other special guests on Saturday below.

The Lovin’ Spoonful – “Summer in the City” – 2/29/20

[Video: Prestoff2001]

The Lovin’ Spoonful with Special Guests – “Do You Believe in Magic” – 2/29/20

[Video: Rik Converse]

Additionally, Sebastian also performed his 1976 solo single, “Welcome Back”, which also served as the familiar opening theme from popular television show Welcome Back Kotter.

John Sebastian with Special Guests – “Welcome Back” – 2/29/20

[Video: Prestoff2001]

It’s worth mentioning that co-founding member Zal Yanovsky died of a heart attack back in 2002, thus not making Saturday’s event an official reunion, according to Sebastian.

“I want to clarify,” Sebastian mentioned in a statement ahead of Saturday’s benefit. “Spoonful reunions without Zalman (Zal) Yanovsky are more like get-togethers. Most of the music at the show is played by a great assortment of studio musicians, not always including us. It’ll be a blast but a reunion would be a misnomer.”

Autism Think Tank is a non-profit which brings together teams of medical specialists over the Internet to tackle the medical/psychological issues faced by kids diagnosed with autism.

[H/T Rolling Stone]