Lovin’ Spoonful to share the magic

By John Benson

Do you believe in magic?

Steve Boone, bassist for the Lovin’ Spoonful, says feeling enchanted is nothing new to the ’60s folk rock act, which over the past decade has watched its music lead to induction into not only the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum but also the Vocal Hall of Fame.

“The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was quite an honor, and I think the band certainly deserved to be in there,” said Boone, calling from his home outside Wilmington, N.C. “And the class of 2000 was a good class, so it’s an honor to be recognized by your peers. It’s a thing where you’re voted on, so that’s nice.”

During the band’s heyday from 1965 to 1969, it produced numerous radio hits; however, its biggest moment is the piano-driven “Summer in the City,” which Boone co-wrote. Rolling Stone magazine listed the classic track among its “500 Greatest Songs of All Time.” Today the 66-year-old musician remains surprised about the song that for the most part is different from the typical Lovin’ Spoonful mold.

“For me, it’s the satisfaction of having a No. 1 song, and of course, for the band, it’s the satisfaction of having a hit that gets played and keeps our name in the fans’ eyes over the years,” Boone said. “Other artists have done the song, and it’s been in movies and TV commercials. So I guess the impact that ‘Summer in the City’ had was more than just a hit for a band, it was also a departure from the style of music that we were normally associated with.

“It was a little bit more hard-edged than what the Lovin’ Spoonful is normally known for. So I’d say that ‘Summer in the City’ was a unique hit for the band, whereas ‘Do You Believe in Magic’ or “You Didn’t Have to Be So Nice’ or ‘Daydream’ would be considered more folk rock or mellow, just easy listening type of music.”

The Lovin’ Spoonful will come to Stambaugh Auditorium Thursday for a concert.

Boone said the group provides something special that its fans can’t get enough of.

“I think our motto was always good-time music, and so I think it gives folks a chance to take a deep breath and enjoy,” Boone said. “It’s not politically oriented, and it’s certainly very mellow. Our legacy can be a very calming factor in people’s lives. Plus a lot of folks who grew up with the music have specific memories.

“Like a lot of guys who returned from Vietnam told us that they really had a special place for ‘Summer in the City’ or ‘Do You Believe in Magic’ or ‘Daydream.’ It got them through war years. Other folks had their first date with our song playing in the background. So it’s that kind of a nice relationship with our fans.”