From Our Forum:

"John Sebastian has always been a huge hero of mine. Growing up the Spoonful were my favorite band. As in I bought everything (LPs & 45s) as they came out. I love asking country rock fans if they think the Byrds invented the style. As to the harmonica minutiae, Sebastian mostly played on blues harps (Hohner Marine Band etc), but on a few tunes he picked up the chromatic harp. With the aid of the pitch device on the end of the harmonica, players are able to play sharps and flats without bending the notes. Think Toots Thielemans, Johnny Puleo or Stevie Wonder. A sweeter, more melodic sound. Actually, Sebastian's father (John Sebastian) was a respected Classical harmonica virtuoso; I have an LP by him and one can readily hear the genetic blueprint for the son. Legend has it when our John first recorded with the Even Dozen Jugband (LP on Elektra inc Josh Rifkin, Maria Muldaur, Eric Weissberg) that he changed his performing name to John Benson to avoid association with his then more famous dad." -- largebirdy

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