Joe Butler

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Joe Butler
Butler in 1967
Background information
Birth name	Joseph Campbell Butler
Born	(1941-09-16) September 16, 1941 (age 82) Long Island, New York, U.S.
Genres	Rock, psychedelic rock, pop
Occupation(s)	Musician
Instrument(s)	Drums, vocals, autoharp
Years active	1964–present
Member of	The Lovin' Spoonful
Spouse(s)	Kim Ablondi

Joseph Campbell Butler (born September 16, 1941) is an American drummer, singer and actor. He is a member of the Lovin' Spoonful, who had seven top 10 hits between 1965 and 1966.^[1] Butler would replace the bands original drummer Jan Carl and would occasionally sing lead vocals. After John Sebastian left the band in 1968 he took over full lead vocal duties. He would sing fully on their album Revelation: Revolution '69. After the album the band would break up. In 1991 the band would resume touring were Butler would tour singing and playing autoharp.

Early life[edit]

Joe Butler was born on September 16, 1941, in Long Island, New York. He began playing drums at age 10 and started playing professionally at 13.^[2] Butler was in the Air Force until 1963. While in the air force, he met Steve Boone and his brother Skip. Butler, Skip and Steve would form a group called The Kingsmen (not to be confused with another band also with the same name).^[2]

Career[edit]

The Lovin' Spoonful[edit]

Butler was a principal member of the pop rock band the Lovin' Spoonful, founded by John Sebastian and Zal Yanovsky in 1965. Drummer Jan Carl was replaced by Joe after their first gig at the Night Owl in Greenwich Village. Eventually, Steve Boone joined the group and they later signed with Kama Sutra Records. The Lovin' Spoonful's most well known hits are "Do You Believe in Magic", "Summer In The City" and "Darling Be Home Soon".

While with the Lovin' Spoonful, Butler was given the lead vocals on the songs "You Baby", "Full Measure", "Never Going Back", "Only Pretty, What A Pity" and "Me About You".

After Sebastian left the band, Butler became the lead vocalist for their last album, Revelation: Revolution '69.

Butler was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Lovin' Spoonful in 2000^[3][4] and performed with the original line-up for the last time. Since its reforming in 1991, Joe has continued to perform with founding member Steve Boone in and has retained his position as lead vocalist. ^[5]He also plays the guitar, autoharp and percussion instruments.

In 2020 he would reunite on stage with John Sebastian and Steve Boone, singing the Spoonful's hits.^[6]

Acting[edit]

He also was in the 1971 rock opera Soon. Butler currently plays with several musical ensembles. He replaced the author James Rado in the leading role of Claude, joining the original Broadway cast of Hair.^[4] Butler created the role of Alaska Wolf Joe for the off-Broadway production of the Brecht-Weill social opera the Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny.

Butler is a founding member of the Circle Theatre Company. Alongside award-winning and renowned director Marshall W. Mason and Pulitzer prize winning playwright Lanford Wilson, Butler has written and directed numerous projects.

Personal life[edit]

Butler was married to Leslie Vega on September 2, 1967. He subsequently married Kim Ablondi. His daughter from his first marriage is actress Yancy Butler, star of the 1992 televisions series Mann & Machine and the 1993 series South Beach, as well as films Hard Target and Drop Zone.^[7]

References[edit]

External links[edit]

• Joe Butler at lovinspoonful.com
• Joe Butler interviewed on the Pop Chronicles (1969)
• Joe Butler discography at Discogs
• Joe Butler at IMDb