Posts From Harvey Kubernik

Harvey Kubernik

Harvey Kubernik is the author of 20 books, including 2009’s 'Canyon Of Dreams: The Magic And The Music Of Laurel Canyon,' 2014’s 'Turn Up The Radio! Rock, Pop and Roll In Los Angeles 1956-1972,' 2015's 'Every Body Knows: Leonard Cohen,' 2016's 'Heart of Gold Neil Young' and 2017's' 1967: A Complete Rock Music History of the Summer of Love.' Sterling/Barnes and Noble in 2018 published Harvey and Kenneth Kubernik’s 'The Story Of The Band: From Big Pink To The Last Waltz.' In 2021 the duo wrote 'Jimi Hendrix: Voodoo Child' for Sterling/Barnes and Noble. Otherworld Cottage Industries in 2020 published Harvey’s 'Docs That Rock, Music That Matters.' His 'Screen Gems: (Pop Music Documentaries and Rock ‘n’ Roll TV Scenes)' is scheduled for 2025 publication. Harvey wrote the liner notes to CD re-releases of Carole King’s 'Tapestry, The Essential Carole King,' Allen Ginsberg’s 'Kaddish,' Elvis Presley 'The ’68 Comeback Special,' The Ramones’ 'End of the Century' and Big Brother & the Holding Company 'Captured Live at The Monterey International Pop Festival.' During 2006 Kubernik appeared at the special hearings by The Library of Congress in Hollywood, California, discussing archiving practices and audiotape preservation. In 2017 he lectured at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio, in their Distinguished Speakers Series. Amidst 2023, Harvey spoke at The Grammy Museum in Los Angeles discussing director Martin Scorsese's 'The Last Waltz' music documentary. Kubernik was interviewed on screen in an August 2025 documentary, 'The Sound of Protest,' now being broadcast on the Apple TV broadcasting service. Director Siobhan Logue’s endeavor features Smokey Robinson, Hozier, Skin (Skunk Anansie), Two-Tone's Jerry Dammers, Angélique Kidjo, Holly Johnson, David McAlmont, Rhiannon Giddens, and more. Harvey is also an interview subject with Iggy Pop, Bruce Johnston, Johnny Echols, the Bangles' Susanna Hoffs and Victoria Peterson, and the founding members of the Seeds in director Neil Norman’s documentary' The Seeds: Pushin' Too Hard,' now streaming online on Vimeo. This November (2025), a DVD with bonus footage of the documentary is scheduled for release via the GNP Crescendo Company. The New York City Department of Education will be publishing in 2025 the social studies textbook 'Hidden Voices: Jewish Americans in United States History.' Kubernik’s 1976 interview with music promoter Bill Graham on the Best Classic Bands website, 'Bill Graham Interview on the Rock ’n’ Roll Revolution, 1976,' is included.

Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller on Writing for Elvis and the Beatles

They wrote dozens of seminal rock and R&B hits, including “Jailhouse Rock,” “Kansas City,” “Hound Dog” and “Stand By Me.”

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Rock Hall Inductee Bobby Womack: R&B Legend, Friend of Rock Stars

His songs were recorded by the Stones, Janis and many others, and he counted them among his friends. And man, did he have some stories!

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Johnny Cash—’A Boy Named Sue’: Behind the Song

“That’s the most cleverly written song I’ve ever heard,” Cash told the song’s composer. It became Cash’s biggest hit single.

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From the Vaults: Interview with Steely Dan’s Becker and Fagen

“When we started we were arrogant enough to think we would be successful, in spite of the fact that what we were doing was far off the beaten path.”

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Ray Manzarek Interview on The Doors’ 6 Studio Albums

“Robby or Jim would come up with the original idea. But boy, the four of us would get together, change and modify and polish the songs.”—Ray Manzarek

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Seems Like Yesterday: The Beatles Invade North America in 1964

It was over 60+ years ago that the Beatles first visited North America. Several insiders remember their impact.

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Jefferson Airplane/Starship’s Marty Balin on the Heaven That Was ’67

In this 2015 interview by music journalist Harvey Kubernik, the late vocalist spoke about the early days of the band he co-founded, and much more.

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Janis Joplin Remembered by Her Friends and Peers

“She was absolutely breathtaking, hypnotic, compelling and soul-shaking, doing something that no one else was doing.”—Clive Davis

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Bill Graham Interview on the Rock ’n’ Roll Revolution

“Those of us who live in the Bay Area have always had the same goal: We want to turn people on and we want them to have a good time.”—Bill Graham

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‘The T.A.M.I. Show’: The Classic 1964 Concert Film That Pitted James Brown vs. the Rolling Stones

With artists like Chuck Berry, the Beach Boys and Marvin Gaye, it was one for the ages. But two other acts battled it out for best-of-show.

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