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Pete Johnson

Pete Johnson

I WAS 14 in 1954 when my family moved from Texas to Massachusetts, where I discovered Arnie "Woo Woo" Ginsburg and Joe Smith, disc jockeys who mixed doo wop with rock & roll and street-level rhythm & blues. I began collecting singles in pursuit of their mysteries.

I was a white kid going to a mostly-white high school. We didn't have a TV set and singles came in generic jackets, so I was surprised to learn that most of the artists I liked were Black.

One of the first rock & roll albums I bought was Here's Little Richard, yellow-orange and cover, Richard full face, mid-scream. That album still thrills me and I credit it with teaching me how to hear music. Richard himself was high voltage, but his New Orleans band cooked like a thousand watts.

We moved to Los Angeles in 1958. Radio was less alluring, though there were glimmers like Art Laboe, Hunter Hancock and Huggy Boy. I went to college, majored in English Lit. Saw Ray Charles, Bobby Bland, Junior Parker, Fats Domino, Ike & Tina Turner in local Black clubs.

Started at the Los Angeles Times as a copyboy. After a time I graduated to reporter trainee working the police beat and City Room. My father, a journalist, suggested that I introduce myself to the Entertainment Editor. The editor assigned me a music review. I didn't know how to write a review and my first was clumsy, but it was published. A month later he sent me on another and this time I found my balance.

That was in 1965. Soon the editor hired me as a reviewer and assistant editor. I wrote a million reviews and 500,000 interviews during the next several years. In 1968 KHJ contracted me to write "The History of Rock & Roll." The Times kept me on payroll but when the show aired in 1969 I was burned out. A few months later I left the Times for Warner Bros. Records.

I had a variety of jobs at WBR for 17 years, then bounced around, then went to Apple in 1992. I was there about 11 years, mostly writing, editing, managing writers and coding websites.

Now I'm retired, living in San Jose, California, listening to music, reading novels, walking our greyhounds and playing on the computer.

113 articles

List of articles in the library

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The 5th Dimension, Etta James, Smokey Robinson & The Miracles: Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, the Fifth Dimension, Etta James: Long Beach Arena, Long Beach CA

Live Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 19 March 1968

Long Beach Hosts Pop Music Concert ...

The 5th Dimension, Johnny Rivers, Jimmy Webb: Jim Webb: Flood Of Grammys — Songwriter Hits the Top at 21

Interview by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 24 March 1968

AT THE AGE of 9, Jim Webb took up the organ, a utilitarian move since his father was (and is) a Baptist minister in Oklahoma ...

David Ackles, Cream, Aretha Franklin: Albums from Cream, David Ackles and Aretha Franklin

Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 1968

Second Thoughts on Cream Album ...

Herb Alpert, Sergio Mendes: A&M Records Tooting Its Own Horn

Interview by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 29 September 1967

ON A 2.3-ACRE lot near the corner of La Brea and Sunset in Hollywood sits one of the most successful record companies in the country, ...

Eric Andersen, Blood Sweat & Tears, Hamilton Camp: New Albums from Blood, Sweat and Tears, Eric Andersen, and Hamilton Camp

Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 31 March 1968

New Album Issued by Rock Octet ...

The Animals, Big Brother & The Holding Company, Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Electric Flag, Jefferson Airplane, Beverley Martyn, Steve Miller, Moby Grape, The Paupers, Otis Redding, Simon & Garfunkel: At Monterey Fairgounds: 1st Pop Music Festival Draws Large Crowds

Report by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 1967

MONTEREY — Thirty thousand people swelled the city of Monterey over the weekend for the first International Festival of Pop Music, held in the outdoor ...

The Animals, Big Brother & The Holding Company, Captain Beefheart, Aretha Franklin, Bobbie Gentry: Albums from Bobbie Gentry, Aretha Franklin, Big Brother, Captain Beefheart and the Animals

Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 10 September 1967

New Album From Bobbie Gentry ...

The Asylum Choir: Look Inside the Asylum Choir (Smash SRS 67107)

Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 29 September 1968

Superlatives for Latest Rock Album ...

The Asylum Choir, Marc Benno, Leon Russell: The Asylum Choir: A Home Set Up Beats the System

Interview by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 25 November 1968

ROCK ARTISTS have been spending increasing amounts of time in recording studios during the past couple of years. Many contemporary albums now require several months ...

Brian Auger, The Bee Gees, Arthur Brown, Julie Driscoll, Jimi Hendrix, The Moody Blues, Pentangle: Albums from Jimi Hendrix, the Bee Gees et al

Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 27 October 1968

Sun Hasn't Set on British Sound ...

Hoyt Axton, Kaleidoscope: the Troubadour, Los Angeles CA

Live Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 24 February 1967

Hoyt Axton Sounds of Sad, Glad ...

Burt Bacharach, Dionne Warwick: Composer Burt Bacharach Avoids Pop Music Pitfall

Interview by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 1966

BETWEEN BITES of eggs Benedict in an elegantly subdued lunchery, Burt Bacharach, the gold-fingered composer of 'What's New Pussycat?', 'Wives and Lovers', 'What the World ...

The Band, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Vanilla Fudge: A Band by Any Other Name...

Interview by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 11 August 1968

SEVERAL WEEKS ago I reviewed an outstanding album titled Music From Big Pink (Capitol SKAO 2955) and identified the group playing as the Band, formerly ...

The Beach Boys, Van Dyke Parks: Van Dyke Parks: Pop Music's Pilot Through the Aesthetic Shoals

Profile and Interview by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 10 December 1967

WHAT FOLLOWS is an exorbitant number of words about and from an insignificant recording artist named Van Dyke Parks. He is insignificant at the moment, ...

The Beatles: Revolver (Capitol ST-2576/T-2576)

Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 7 August 1966

New Beatles Album Best Yet ...

The Beatles: Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Capitol)

Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 1967

'Hearts' of the Beatles Beat as One on New Disc ...

The Beatles: The Beatles (Apple SWBO 101)

Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 8 December 1968

Another Beatles Winner ...

The Beatles, Buffalo Springfield: The Beatles: Magical Mystery Tour (Capitol); Buffalo Springfield: Buffalo Springfield Again (Atco)

Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 10 December 1967

Beatles Back With Another LP ...

The Beatles, The Byrds, Jefferson Airplane: Pills and Pop Music: A Psychedelicate Subject

Comment by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 1967

One pill makes you larger And one pill makes you small And the ones that mother gives you Don't do anything at all." ...

The Beatles, The Cyrkle, Bobby Hebb, The Remains, The Ronettes: The Beatles, the Ronettes et al: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles CA

Live Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 29 August 1966

40,000 Yell, Weep as Beatles Belt Out 10 Hits at Stadium ...

The Beatles, Donovan, The Happenings, Bobby Hebb, The Kinks, The Lovin' Spoonful, Billy Stewart: Summertime Songs on the Heat Parade

Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 28 August 1966

THIS SUMMER may rank along with most Christmases for the number of seasonal records it has produced — every radio station's hit list is loaded ...

Big Brother & The Holding Company, Fraternity of Man, Iron Butterfly: Big Brother & the Holding Company, Iron Butterfly, the Fraternity of Man: Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles CA

Live Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 9 September 1968

Big Brother in Concert at Bowl ...

Big Brother & The Holding Company, Janis Joplin: Big Brother & the Holding Company: Cheap Thrills (Columbia KCS 9700)

Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 18 August 1968

Big Brother Album Out ...

Blue Cheer, Aretha Franklin: Aretha Franklin: Lady Soul (Atlantic); Blue Cheer: Vincebus Eruptum (Philips)

Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 3 March 1968

Aretha Just Keeps Rolling Along ...

Blue Cheer, Them: Whisky A Go Go

Live Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 9 December 1967

THEM, THAT is, a group called Them, and the Blue Cheer are the current attraction at the Whisky A Go Go, where they will play ...

Booker T & The MGs, Carla Thomas: Stax Horns Into the Pop Market for Sound Success

Profile and Interview by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 22 June 1969

MEMPHIS — A run-down movie theater in a threadbare black neighborhood is the home of Stax Records, a label whose 40 employees and 10 or ...

Brewer and Shipley, Laura Nyro: Laura Nyro, Brewer & Shipley: the Troubadour, Los Angeles CA

Live Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 1969

LAURA NYRO reminded me that she is my favorite female singer Thursday night at the Troubadour, where she will appear through Sunday for two reserved-seat ...

James Brown: Brown Arrives in His Own Style

Report and Interview by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 15 September 1966

JAMES BROWN, who will appear at the Hollywood Bowl for a concert Friday night, has built up a 10-year momentum which catapulted him out of ...

James Brown: the Royal Tahitian, Ontario CA

Live Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 14 July 1967

JAMES BROWN has sustained 12 years of rock solid solid rock popularity, carving his career scream by scream, frantic performance after frantic performance, building a ...

Tim Buckley, Pat Paulsen, The Stone Poneys: Pat Paulsen, Tim Buckley, the Stone Poneys: Troubadour, Los Angeles

Live Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 1967

Pat Paulsen Sparkles at Troubadour Outing ...

Buffalo Springfield, Canned Heat, Country Joe & The Fish: Buffalo Springfield, Country Joe & the Fish, Canned Heat, the Hook, Smokestack Lightning: Long Beach Arena, Long Beach CA

Live Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 1968

Springfield Plays Farewell Concert ...

Buffalo Springfield, Johnny Rivers: Johnny Rivers, Buffalo Springfield: Whisky A Go Go, Los Angeles CA

Live Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 1966

Rivers Returns to Discotheque for Another Spin at Vocalizing ...

Buffalo Springfield, Neil Young: Neil Young Charts His Own Course

Interview by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 28 October 1968

"MAYBE SOME group will come along and be big, you know, but who cares," Neil Young says in his slow country way. "It's just happened ...

Solomon Burke, Laura Nyro: Laura Nyro: Eli and the 13th Confession (Columbia)

Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 7 April 1968

Laura Nyro Makes a Change ...

The Byrds: Some of the Byrds Fly the Musical Coop

Interview by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 21 April 1968

THE BUFFALO Springfield replaced Bruce Palmer with Jim Messina. Grace Slick joined the Jefferson Airplane when Signe Anderson left. Paul Revere has had 27 Raiders. ...

The Byrds, Penny Nichols: Troubadour, Los Angeles CA

Live Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 27 April 1968

'New' Byrds Make Bow at Troubadour ...

Canned Heat, Fever Tree, Jefferson Airplane: Jefferson Airplane, Fever Tree, Canned Heat: The Kaleidoscope, Los Angeles CA

Live Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 25 March 1968

Rock Club Opens in Hollywood ...

Vikki Carr, Aretha Franklin, Gale Garnett, The Mothers Of Invention, The Rolling Stones: Albums by the Mothers of Invention, Rolling Stones et al

Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 1966

POPULAR RECORDS: PASS ASPIRIN, PLEASE ...

Cat Mother & the All-Night Newsboys, Jimi Hendrix: Jimi Hendrix, Cat Mother, Chicago: Inglewood Forum Inglewood CA

Live Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 29 April 1969

THE JIMI Hendrix Experience was an unpleasant one at the Forum in Inglewood Saturday night. ...

The Chambers Brothers, The Doors, Steppenwolf: The Doors, the Chambers Brothers, Steppenwolf: Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles CA

Live Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 1968

THE DOORS' concert at the Hollywood Bowl Friday night should have been an exciting event, the high point of the career of a local rock ...

The Chambers Brothers, Otis Redding, The Who: Albums from the Who, Otis Redding and the Chambers Brothers

Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 17 December 1967

Biggest Happening in Album Covers ...

Clifton Chenier, Bob Dylan, Bert Kaempfert: Bob Dylan: Blonde on Blonde (Columbia C2L 41 028 841)

Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 1966

Playboy Hops on Dylan Bandwagon ...

Chicago, Spooky Tooth: Spooky Tooth, Chicago Transit Authority: Whisky a Go Go, Los Angeles CA

Live Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 11 September 1968

SPOOKY TOOTH, a British quintet with a sound similar to that of Traffic, is appearing at the Whisky a Go Go with CTA (the Chicago ...

Eric Clapton, Cream: Cream Guitarist a Reluctant Idol

Interview by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 13 October 1968

ERIC CLAPTON is a guitarist who has had the misfortune of being nearly deified by rock 'n' roll fans at the age of 23. Clapton ...

Joe Cocker: With a Little Help From My Friends (A&M SP 4182)

Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 4 May 1969

Singer Has Help From Ray Charles ...

Leonard Cohen, Judy Collins: Judy Collins Discovers Success as Folk Singer

Interview by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 24 November 1967

FIVE ALBUMS, one each year, established Judy Collins as a very good folk singer, though not as important as Joan Baez. She was one of ...

The Collectors, The Fugs: The Fugs, the Collectors: The Cheetah, Los Angeles CA

Live Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 22 April 1968

ABOUT 20 people walked out on their first set. The remainder of the audience — about 500 Friday night — tittered as the Fugs preached ...

Albert Collins: The Ash Grove, Los Angeles CA

Live Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 28 March 1969

ALBERT COLLINS, appearing at the Ash Grove through this weekend, is an electric Texas bluesman who appears destined, for — and deserves — the kind ...

Sam Cooke, Jan & Dean, The Mamas and The Papas, Barry McGuire, Johnny Rivers: Lou Adler: Producer in the Groove at Picking Hit Records

Profile and Interview by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 19 April 1967

LOU ADLER, one of the best known and most respected record producers, is a defier of stereotypes: ...

Sam Cooke, Jan & Dean, The Mamas and The Papas, Barry McGuire, Johnny Rivers: Lou Adler: Producer in the Groove at Picking Hit Records

Profile and Interview by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 19 April 1967

LOU ADLER, one of the best known and most respected record producers, is a defier of stereotypes: ...

Bill Cosby, Charles Wright & The Watts 103rd St. Rhythm Band: Bill Cosby & Watts 103rd St. Rhythm Band: Whisky a Go Go, Los Angeles CA

Live Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 22 August 1967

Bill Cosby Begins Career as Singer ...

Crazy Horse, Neil Young: Neil Young & Crazy Horse: Troubadour, Los Angeles CA

Live Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 13 March 1969

Neil Young Featured in Show at Troubadour ...

Cream: Wheels of Fire (Atco SD 2-700)

Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 23 June 1968

Cream Rises to Top ...

Creedence Clearwater Revival, Don Ellis, The Sir Douglas Quintet: Creedence Clearwater Revival, Sir Douglas Quintet: Santa Monica Civic Auditorium; Don Ellis: Pilgrimage Theater, Los Angeles CA

Live Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 22 April 1969

In Southland Concerts, Creedence and Ellis Perform ...

Creedence Clearwater Revival, Marvin Gaye, Gladys Knight and the Pips: Creedence Clearwater Revival: Bayou Country (Fantasy 8387)

Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 19 January 1969

Second Album for Clearwater ...

Delaney & Bonnie: Delaney and Bonnie: The Original Delaney and Bonnie (Elektra EKS 74039)

Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 20 April 1969

Debut Album for Duo ...

Donovan: Sunshine Superman (Epic 26217)

Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 18 September 1966

DONOVAN, A very talented, if unearthly, writer and singer of folk songs, croons 10 songs to form an album follow-up to his very popular single ...

Donovan, The Modern Folk Quartet: Donovan, the Modern Folk Quintet: The Trip, Los Angeles CA

Live Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 26 March 1966

Donovan Ranges From Satire to Folk ...

The Doors: Waiting for the Sun (Elektra EKS- 74024)

Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 28 July 1968

The Doors Find Love ...

The Doors: Whisky a Go Go, Los Angeles CA

Live Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 1967

Doors Rattle Hinges at Whisky a Go Go ...

Dr. John, Tiny Tim: Albums from Tiny Tim and Dr. John

Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 17 March 1968

Bless You, Tiny Tim ...

Eire Apparent, Jimi Hendrix, Soft Machine, Vanilla Fudge: Jimi Hendrix, Vanilla Fudge, Soft Machine, Heir Apparent: Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles CA

Live Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 16 September 1968

THE JIMI HENDRIX Experience was too much for the ushers who have managed to confine spectators to their seats during the summer series of rock ...

Lu Elliott, B.B. King: B.B. King, Lu Elliott: Gazzarri's, Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles CA

Live Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 15 February 1967

Blues Singer Conquers Opening-Night Jitters ...

"Mama" Cass Elliot: Mama Cass Will Sing for Her New Kitchen

Interview by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 9 October 1968

WHAT'S A poor working girl to do when she needs a new kitchen, one "big enough to sit around in, drink coffee, hang out, you ...

Wild Man Fischer: An Evening With Wild Man Fischer (Bizarre 6332)

Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 5 May 1969

A RATHER unusual album froze me between my loudspeakers one late night last week and, though I am not sure it is entertainment and would ...

The Four Seasons, Jimi Hendrix, Sam & Dave: The Four Seasons: Civic Auditorium, Santa Monica; Sam & Dave, the Jimi Hendrix Experience: Whisky A Go Go, Los Angeles CA

Live Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 1967

Two Pop Groups in Los Angeles Debuts ...

Aretha Franklin, King Curtis, The Marvelettes, Peaches and Herb, Billy Stewart: Albums from Aretha Franklin, the Marvelettes et al

Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 15 April 1967

Blues Singers Make Comeback ...

Fraternity of Man, Jefferson Airplane: Jefferson Airplane: Crown of Creation (RCA Victor LSP-4058); The Fraternity of Man: The Fraternity of Man (ABC Records ABCS-647)

Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 1 September 1968

THE JEFFERSON Airplane has a fan club in Beverly Hills (P.O. Box 1077, Beverly Hills, Calif. 90210), according to a note in its new album, ...

Genesis, Grateful Dead, Taj Mahal, The McCoys, Moby Grape: The Grateful Dead, Taj Mahal: Shrine Shrine Exposition Hall; Moby Grape, Genesis, the McCoys: the Kaleidoscope, Los Angeles CA

Live Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 26 August 1968

AT THEIR best, wthe Grateful Dead are a wondrous group and they were at their best for a weekend dance concert sponsored by Pinnacle at ...

Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane: Jefferson Airplane, the Grateful Dead: Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles CA

Live Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 18 September 1967

S.F. Rock Groups in Bowl Show ...

The Illinois Speed Press, Slim Harpo: Slim Harpo, The Illinois Speed Press: Whisky a Go Go, Los Angeles CA

Live Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 7 March 1969

SLIM HARPO, a harmonica-playing Southern bluesman, is headlining at the Whisky a Go Go through Sunday with the Illinois Speed Press, a hard rock quintet ...

The Impressions: Whisky a Go Go, Los Angeles CA

Live Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 1967

Impressions Win a Warm Welcome ...

Jefferson Airplane: After Bathing at Baxter's (RCA)

Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 27 November 1967

Airplane Album to Be Released Friday ...

Jefferson Airplane: Up, Up and Away With the Jefferson Airplane

Interview by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 25 February 1968

How old are the people in the group? Grace: Oldest group in the country. Spencer: Between 25 and 30. Manager: Between 23 ...

Kaleidoscope, Seatrain: the Ash Grove, Los Angeles CA

Live Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 13 September 1968

THE KALEIDOSCOPE is possibly the most underrated rock group in the country, a local group which has been playing for two years waiting for audiences ...

Led Zeppelin: Led Zeppelin (Atlantic SD8216)

Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 2 March 1969

Zeppelin: Fresh Sound ...

The Lettermen: Lettermen Make Team With Haircuts

Interview by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 18 September 1966

"THE WEIRD thing about us is that we're not weird. We're what you call the All-American boys. When we first started we wore our hair ...

Ramsey Lewis, The Monkees: The Monkees: The Monkees (Colpix COM/S-101); Ramsey Lewis: Wade in the Water (Cadet LP/S-774),Swingin' (Cadet LP/S-771)

Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 25 September 1966

Monkees Ape Their Betters ...

Love, Harry Nilsson: Love: Forever Changes (Elektra); Nilsson: 'One' (RCA); History of Rhythm and Blues (Atlantic, four volumes)

Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 25 February 1968

Love's Third Album Out on Elektra ...

Taj Mahal: Taj Mahal (Columbia)

Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 4 February 1968

TAJ MAHAL, a talented blues singer who has kicked around Los Angeles for several years as a soloist and a member of the now-dead Rising ...

Taj Mahal: The Natch'l Blues (Columbia CS 9698)

Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 23 March 1969

Monumental Album From Taj ...

Taj Mahal, Steve Mann: Ash Grove, Los Angeles CA

Live Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 2 September 1967

Taj Mahal Back With Blue Flames Band ...

Roger Miller: A Punny Man

Profile and Interview by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 1966

"A WOMAN'S place is in the stove," Roger Miller drawled over the babble of four housewives sitting behind him in a plush Encino restaurant. ...

Joni Mitchell: the Troubadour, Los Angeles CA

Live Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 1968

Canadian Singer in U.S. Debut ...

Moby Grape, The Monkees: The Monkees: Headquarters (Colgems); Moby Grape: Moby Grape (Columbia)

Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 1967

Monkees Upgrade Album Quality ...

Moby Grape, James Taylor: James Taylor: James Taylor (Apple SKAO 3352); Moby Grape: Moby Grape '69 (Columbia CS 9696)

Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 16 March 1969

James Taylor: Fine Folk Feeling ...

Van Morrison: Astral Weeks (Warner Bros. 1778)

Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 1969

VAN MORRISON is one of the rock vocalists. He was lead singer and primary writer for Them during their 'Gloria', 'Baby Please Don't Go', 'Here ...

The Nazz, Red Beans & Rice (US): The Nazz, Red Beans & Rice: Whisky a Go Go, Los Angeles CA

Live Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 1968

Two Rock Groups at Whisky a Go Go ...

Fred Neil: Sessions (Capitol)

Sleeve notes by Pete Johnson, Capitol Records, 1968

EIGHT TRANSCRIPTS of Fred Neil's life rise from a grey-crinkled formica counter, plastic on plastic, half-inch dun highways which had whispered through the antiseptic jaws ...

Wayne Newton, Sonny & Cher: Ray Charles: Invites You To Listen (ABC); The Canned Heat Blues Band: Canned Heat (Liberty)

Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 6 August 1967

The Comeback of a Potent Singer ...

Harry Nilsson: Nilsson: Aerial Ballet (RCA Victor)

Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 1968

A Second Helping of Nilsson Songs ...

The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, The Seeds: Popular Records: Dirt Band and Seeds Sprout Hits

Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 2 April 1967

TWO LOCAL groups straddling different sectors of pop music, each of which ripened amid the musical upheaval of the past year, have emerged from months ...

Elvis Presley: From Elvis in Memphis (RCA LSP-4155)

Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 1969

Voice Saves Elvis in Memphis ...

Otis Redding, the Rising Sons: Whisky a Go Go, Los Angeles CA

Live Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 2 April 1966

Otis Redding's Southern-Style Blues Band Lets Off Steam ...

Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, The Rising Sons: Martha & the Vandellas, the Rising Sons: The Trip, Los Angeles CA

Live Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 12 March 1966

Martha and Vandellas True to Motown Sound ...

Paul Revere & The Raiders: Revere's Raiders Attack the Treasury

Interview by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 1967

YOU CAN'T identify Paul Revere and the Raiders without a program and to get a program you have to buy it from Paul Revere, the ...

The Rising Sons: Rising Sons Sing Blue Tunes

Profile by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 18 March 1966

THEY RADIATE a complete spectrum of Pop haberdashery — odd vests, coats of varying cuts, one or two neckties, assorted shirts and a miscellany of ...

The Rolling Stones: Their Satanic Majesties Request (London)

Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 3 December 1967

Can't Tell an Album by Its Cover ...

The Sandpipers: Grads Graduate to Big Time

Profile and Interview by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 5 February 1967

SUCH DIVERSE elements as a book on zoology, the Mitchell Boys Choir and a Spanish song all conjoined one day to produce one of the ...

Simon & Garfunkel: Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme (Columbia CS-9363, CL 2563)

Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 20 November 1966

S and G Sing of Sly Sociology ...

Simon & Garfunkel: Snap, Crackle, Pop World of Simon and Garfunkel

Interview by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 24 July 1967

"I WAS NOT prepared for success. My image of myself was not that of a teen star, a Monkees type of scene. I felt very ...

Simon & Garfunkel: Snap, Crackle, Pop World of Simon and Garfunkel

Profile and Interview by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 24 July 1967

"I WAS NOT prepared for success. My image of myself was not that of a teen star, a Monkees type of scene. I felt very ...

Nina Simone: Troubadour, Los Angeles CA

Live Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 14 March 1968

ONE OF Nina Simone's songs contains the line "He'll find her waiting like a lonesome queen." Though she is accompanied by a quartet and though ...

Smokestack Lightnin', The Sunshine Company, Ultimate Spinach: Ultimate Spinach, Smokestack Lightnin', the Sunshine Company: the Cheetah, Venice CA

Live Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 13 February 1968

Boston Sound at Cheetah Nightclub ...

Spirit: Whisky a Go Go, Los Angeles CA

Live Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 16 March 1968

FIVE COMPATIBLE first-rate musicians do not necessarily make a first-rate group, nor does excellent music always make excellent entertainment. ...

Spooky Tooth, The Staple Singers: The Staple Singers: What the World Needs Now Is Love (Epic BN 26373); Spooky Tooth: Spooky Tooth (Bell 6019)

Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 22 September 1968

Still Undiscovered: Gospel Truth ...

Dusty Springfield: Dusty in Memphis (SD 8214)

Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 2 February 1969

Down Dusty Music Road to Memphis ...

Steppenwolf: Steppenwolf the Second (Dunhill DS-50037)

Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 8 September 1968

Steppenwolf's Second ...

The Supremes: Cocoanut Grove, Los Angeles CA

Live Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 1967

Standing Ovations for the Supremes ...

Bettye Swann, The Temptations: Bettye Swann: The Soul View Now! (Capitol ST 190); The Temptations: Cloud Nine (Gordy GS 939)

Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 1969

Bettye Swann's "Soul" ...

The Temptations, Band of Gold: The Trip, Los Angeles CA

Live Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 6 August 1966

Rock Group Packs 'Em In at Trip ...

The Temptations: Whisky a Go Go, Los Angeles CA

Live Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 1 April 1967

THE TEMPTATIONS, who probably are the best rhythm 'n' blues performing act of the '60s, are pulling in crowds to the Whisky a Go Go ...

T-Bone Walker: Schoenberg Hall, UCLA, Los Angeles CA

Live Review by Pete Johnson, Los Angeles Times, 12 March 1968

T-BONE WALKER, the Texas bluesman who composed 'Stormy Monday', treated a fair-sized crowd to an extended set of modern and traditional music for the second ...

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