Mike Jahn
Mike Jahn was one of the first rock critics and the very first to do it full time for a major American newspaper, the New York Times. That could make him the first full time rock critic for any major media.
He began by writing for several small New York weeklies, the East Village Other and Village Voice, as well as the then-published, respected Saturday Review of Literature. In 1967 he began a weekly column for North American Newspaper Alliance (NANA) that before long was carried in more than 100 daily papers in the US, including nearly all major markets. In 1968 he was hired by the Times to replace Robert Shelton, their long-standing folk critic who "discovered" Dylan and stood by him during the "going-electric" uproar. Mike's instruction was to expand the coverage to rock. A few years back he gave this account of it in his blog:
Here's how the Times described me, in an anecdote that appears to have become boilerplate. So far it has appeared in my old editor Dick Shepard's "The Paper's Papers: A Journey Through the Archives of the New York Times"; Arthur Gelb's "City Room;" and the obituary of its late managing editor Clifton Daniel.
"Mr. Daniel relished his role in expanding the Times's coverage of arts news. 'Any newspaper that didn't cover a major industry in its community would be judged derelict,' he said. 'I thought the coverage should be conscientious, thoughtful, and thorough'... In 1968, when the Times retained a long-haired culture writer as a rock critic, Mr. Daniel enjoyed breaking the news gently to the well-groomed former marine who was then the paper's publisher, Arthur Ochs Sulzberger. 'His name is Mike Jahn,' Mr. Daniel wrote in a note to Mr. Sulzberger, 'and he is going to write pieces on folk/rock music.'
"Mr. Daniel went on to report that another editor had reassured him: 'Mr. Jahn wears his hair in a somewhat bizarre style — in fact he looks like a werewolf. But since his work will not require him to be in the office very much, I don't think he'll bite any of us.'"
Thus began my contribution to the debasement of American culture — introducing the New York Times to the coverage of popular culture, specifically rock and roll.
He covered Woodstock and the coming-out-of-retirement of Elvis Presley. He switched his NANA column over to the Times, becoming a founding columnist of the New York Times Special Features newspaper syndicate alongside Harrison Salisbury and Clifton Daniel. He had a weekly show on early progressive rock station WNEW-FM in New York alongside Scott Muni, who expressed his admiration for Mike's show by giving him the finger through the control room window.
Mike was an early Doors chronicler, to the point where, in its Morrison obit, Rolling Stone said that Mike "preceded Morrison as the lizard king with his book on the Doors."
Werewolf. Lizard king. After ten years as a leading rock critic he found himself "appalled by disco and confused by punk — I had hit 30 and become too old to get punk." He long had a policy of refraining from giving a bad review to any startup band or individual performer who hadn't gotten there yet. Mike did this even when it cost him money. So he quit rock writing and took advantage of the name writer status the Times byline gave him to begin a career writing mystery and suspense novels. He was immediately successful, as his first mystery/suspense, The Quark Maneuver, won a prestigious best-of-the-year Edgar Award. Over the years he has published more than 50 books, largely as Michael Jahn.
He also wrote a number of novelizations of TV shows, including The Six Million Dollar Man, that seem to have become cult items online. That is especially true for one in particular, The Secret of Bigfoot Pass, that Mike says he doesn't remember writing.
As of 2017, half a century down the road from earning his werewolf fangs, Mike is working on a memoir and tending his eponymous blog (http://mikejahn.moxietype.com/index.php). Therein he writes annual updates of his feature "My Dead Rock Stars," in which he riffs on all the rockers of his acquaintance. In his words:
I met a lot of rockers, famous or nearly so. I've known and loved and praised, hated and insulted, been insulted by, run into, run from, abused substances, had my ears assaulted, or otherwise invaded the private spaces of a lot of rock stars who have since become deceased, snuffed it, ceased to be, rung down the curtain, kicked the bucket, croaked, shuffled off this mortal coil, or in one way or another joined the choir invisible.
161 articles
List of articles in the library
The Beatles: Magical Mystery Tour
Review by Mike Jahn, Saturday Review, December 1967
WHOEVER IT WAS that wrote the Bhagavad-Gita (the Celestial Song of Hindu theology) intended to define the perfect disciple when he wrote: "Who sees Me ...
Essay by Mike Jahn, Escapade, 1968
STANDING AT THE edge of Fire Island surf at seven in the morning is like standing with arms outstretched at the edge of the universe, ...
Report and Interview by Mike Jahn, Pop Scene Service, 23 March 1968
"OURS IS THE politics of ecstasy," said Abbie Hoffman, the New York Digger leader, for whom ecstasy is as much a public as a private ...
The Doors: Jim Morrison is Sex Symbol
Profile by Mike Jahn, Pop Scene Service, 6 April 1968
MORRISON STOOD at the microphone, left foot firmly planted on its base, both hands holding it to his lips like a 7-year-old gnawing a Baby ...
Profile by Mike Jahn, Pop Scene Service, 25 April 1968
A PERFORMER can be fairly sure he is successful when record companies start releasing records he would rather forget. ...
Jefferson Airplane: Problem Of Egos Makes Jefferson Airplane Dive
Report and Interview by Mike Jahn, Pop Scene Service, 24 May 1968
Show Lack Of Leadership ...
The Fugs: Dirty Words Are Hurled At Public
Comment by Mike Jahn, Pop Scene Service, 14 June 1968
DESPITE THE fact that it is almost impossible to shock people anymore, the bad-word business flourishes. ...
The McCoys: The Infinite McCoys
Review by Mike Jahn, Pop Scene Service, 10 August 1968
McCoys turn up again with great album ...
Big Brother & The Holding Company, Janis Joplin: Janis Joplin Has Superstar Status
Profile by Mike Jahn, Pop Scene Service, 14 September 1968
NEW YORK — It has finally happened. Janis Joplin, the ghost of a hundred female blues singers, has become a superstar. ...
Albert King: Steve Paul's Scene, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 17 October 1968
Albert King, Guitarist, Gives Loud Support to Blues Power ...
Larry Coryell: Rock Guitarist Moves Along, Shunning the Blues
Profile and Interview by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 25 October 1968
IT SEEMS hard, almost impossible, to become a top rock guitarist without embracing the blues. But Larry Coryell, who is currently appearing at the Scene, ...
Blue Cheer: Outsideinside (Philips)
Review by Mike Jahn, Pop Scene Service, 1 November 1968
Group Does the Impossible Critic Raps Recording Of Favorite Song ...
Richie Havens: Fillmore East, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 4 November 1968
Richie Havens Puts Sincerity Into Songs, Guitar-Playing, Talk ...
Blood Sweat & Tears: Blood. Sweat & Tears: Hunter College, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 10 November 1968
Blood Sweat and Tears Rocks with the Music of Al Kooper ...
Big Brother & The Holding Company: Hunter College, NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 17 November 1968
BIG BROTHER and the Holding Company, which played before a packed auditorium at Hunter College Friday, has less than one month before Janis Joplin leaves ...
The Beatles: The Beatles [The White Album] (Apple)
Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 21 November 1968
TOMORROW THE BEATLES will release their first album in a year, titled simply The Beatles. ...
Canned Heat Adds Blues to Its Rock: Band at the Fillmore East Performs With Power
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 23 November 1968
CANNED HEAT is a soulful rock group that escaped from the psychedelic badlands of California and now is working hard to become the top blues ...
Lightnin' Slim, Slim Harpo: Slim Harpo and Lightnin' Slim: Steve Paul's Scene, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 29 November 1968
Slim Harpo Offers Authenticity In Country Blues at the Scene. Harmonica Player Joined by Lightning Slim, Guitarist, in Low-Key Performance ...
Buddy Guy, Jefferson Airplane: Jefferson Airplane, Buddy Guy: Fillmore East, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 2 December 1968
Psychedelic Music Still Keeps The Jefferson Airplane Flying ...
Elvis Presley to Make Personal Appearances
Report by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 4 December 1968
ELVIS PRESLEY, with one eye to the increasing interest in old-style rock and the other to his decreasing income from movie roles, is making plans ...
Pearls Before Swine: Rock Trio Avoids The Public Eye
Profile and Interview by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 4 December 1968
Pearls Before Swine is Content to Make Records ...
Country Joe & The Fish: Fillmore East, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 9 December 1968
Country Joe's Fish Make Heads Swim To Electric Sounds ...
Johnny Winter, Sam & Dave: Sam & Dave: Fillmore East, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 16 December 1968
Soul Team Plays 'South of the Border' ...
Arthur Brown: Fillmore East, New York
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 30 December 1968
Dramatic Rock: Arthur Brown's Costumes Give His Songs an Impressively Added Impact ...
Johnny Winter: The Making Of A Superstar
Report and Interview by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 1969
THERE WAS THE Fillmore East, the East Coast's major rock palace, located ingratiously in a heap of garbage, drunks and weekend freaks on Second Ave. ...
Charlie Musselwhite: The Charlie Musselwhite Blues Band: The Scene, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 3 January 1969
Group at The Scene Shows It's Together. Gutsy Sound Delivered With Rock Excitement ...
Johnny Winter: Blues Guitar Sound of Johnny Winter Comes North
Profile and Interview by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 7 January 1969
JOHNNY WINTER has spent years playing bars and lounges in the South and now, with fingers that fly across his guitar like a Texas tornado, ...
Mother Earth: Scene Is Rocked By Mother Earth
Profile and Interview by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 11 January 1969
Texas-Influenced Band At Nightclub Through Tonight ...
Ian and Sylvia: Café Au Go Go, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 12 January 1969
Ian and Sylvia, Folk Duo, Arrive With a New Country Sound Here ...
The Doors: Madison Square Garden, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 25 January 1969
20,000 Hear Doors Give Rock Concert In a Packed Garden ...
Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 28 January 1969
Cream, Separated, Releases 4th and Last Album, Goodbye ...
Janis Joplin: Fillmore East, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 12 February 1969
NEW BAND LIBERATES JOPLIN BLUES SOUND ...
John Mayall, Ten Years After: Ten Years After, John Mayall: Fillmore East, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 5 March 1969
10 Years After and John Mayall Present Blues at Fillmore East ...
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 17 March 1969
Poet-Singer Draws Throng With Band at Philharmonic ...
Creedence Clearwater Revival: Fillmore East, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 24 March 1969
Californians Play Refreshing Rock At Fillmore East ...
MC5 Brings Back Body Rock To Overthrow The Country
Report by Mike Jahn, Pop Scene Service, 24 March 1969
NEW YORK (PSS) – MC5, the Detroit rock band, has released its first album, Kick Out the Jams. Headquartered in Ann Arbor, near Detroit, MC5 ...
Brian Auger, Julie Driscoll: Julie Driscoll, Brian Auger and the Trinity: Fillmore East, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 31 March 1969
BRITISH VISITORS PLAY JAZZY ROCK ...
Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 19 April 1969
WARMTH INVADES DYLAN RECORDINGNashville Skyline Reveals a More Polished Singer ...
The Band Breathes Fresh Country Air Over Fillmore East
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 12 May 1969
THE BAND, WHICH was first known as Bob Dylan's back-up group, spent Friday and Saturday coolly circulating mountain air through the Fillmore East, 105 Second ...
The Platters, The Who: The Who: Fillmore East; The Platters: Felt Forum, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 8 June 1969
Britain's High-Decibel Group, The Who, Is Still Thundering ...
Profile by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 21 June 1969
MC5, THE raucous rock band from Detroit, is playing through tomorrow night at Ungano's, a club at 210 West 70th Street. ...
The Byrds, Procol Harum: Fillmore East, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 29 June 1969
PROCOL HARUM, the Britons who fuse rock and classics, played their loud, dramatic music at the Fillmore East this weekend. ...
Jerry Lee Lewis: Schaefer Music Festival, Central Park, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 3 July 1969
Jerry Lee Lewis Mixes Rock Styles In Schaefer Concert ...
Dr. John, the Night Tripper: Steve Paul's Scene, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 10 July 1969
Dr. John Accents Drum's Rhythms. Afro-Cuban Music at Heart of Coast Musician's Songs ...
Blind Faith, Delaney & Bonnie and Friends: Madison Square Garden, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 14 July 1969
Blind Faith Group Sings ...
Buffy Sainte-Marie: Schaefer Music Festival, Central Park, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 19 July 1969
Miss Sainte-Marie Is Heard In Park: Individual Stylist Performs Some Protest Songs ...
Muddy Waters: Museum of Modern Art, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 25 July 1969
Easy Does It as Muddy Waters Plays Blues at Outdoor Concert ...
Johnny Winter: Forest Hills Music Festival, Queens NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 28 July 1969
Agility Marks Blues By Johnny Winter At Forest Hills Fete ...
Jose Feliciano, Willie Bobo: Downing Stadium, Randall's Island, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 28 July 1969
Jose Feliciano Gives A Bilingual Concert On Randall's Island ...
Little Richard: Schaefer Music Festival, Central Park, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, New York Post, 7 August 1969
Little Richard Rouses Crowd At Central Park Rock Concert ...
Pacific Gas & Electric: Museum of Modern Art, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 8 August 1969
Coast rock band plays at museum: Pacific Gas & Electric at "Jazz in Garden" Series ...
Joe Cocker & The Grease Band: Fillmore East, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 10 August 1969
Joe Cocker and the Grease Band Sound Off at the Fillmore East ...
Elvis Presley's Comeback Gets Off To Exciting Start
Report by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 18 August 1969
ELVIS PRESLEY, the "old groaner" of the rock 'n' roll generation, still has his snarl. The acknowledged king of early rock opened a month's engagement ...
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 18 August 1969
Rock Audience Moves to Dusk-to-Dawn Rhythms ...
Poco: The Pavilion, Flushing Meadow Park, Queens, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 25 August 1969
West Coast Band Pavilion Winner: Poco Plays Country Music in Flushing Meadow Park ...
The Stooges: The Pavilion, Flushing Meadow Park, Queens
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 8 September 1969
Stooges, Rock Group, Prefers To Accent Roll – and Squirm ...
Mountain, a Rock Group, Rises From a Little Leftover Cream
Profile by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 11 September 1969
A NEW ROCK group called Mountain may not entirely replace the late, honestly lamented British band Cream, but it is carrying on the tradition with ...
The Flock: Fillmore East, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 14 September 1969
THE FLOCK ROCKS AT FILLMORE EAST7-Man Group Mixes Music of Many Eras Well ...
Crosby Stills Nash & Young: Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young: Fillmore East, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 21 September 1969
COAST ROCK GROUP AT FILLMORE EAST. Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young Offer 2 Concerts in Debut ...
The Beatles: Abbey Road (Apple)
Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 4 October 1969
Abbey Road by Beatles Marked by Moderation ...
Review by Mike Jahn, Pop Scene Service, 11 October 1969
The Band Does It Again ...
Donovan: Madison Square Garden, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 18 October 1969
Garden (Madison Sq.) Is Ideal For the Ever-Florid Donovan ...
The Who: Fillmore East, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 21 October 1969
THE WHO BRINGS ROCK OPERA HERETommy Begins 6-Day Run at the Fillmore East ...
Richie Havens: Philharmonic Hall, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 1 November 1969
RICHIE HAVENS, who has become one of the most important figures in folk music, performed at Philharmonic Hall last night. ...
Tim Buckley: Carnegie Hall, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 4 November 1969
Tim Buckley sets Low-Keyed Mood At a Jazz Concert ...
The Archies: The Archies Are Fictional, But Their Success Is Not
Report and Interview by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 5 November 1969
CRITICS MAY debate whether some rock groups that make hit records should exist at all but what can one say about a hit record made ...
Santana: Fillmore East, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 11 November 1969
SANTANA'S RHYTHMS HEARD IN 2 CONCERTS ...
Ramblin' Jack Elliott: The Gaslight, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 15 November 1969
Jack Elliott Sings Dylan and Guthrie In Return to City ...
Chicago, Johnny Winter: Fillmore East, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 16 November 1969
Blodwyn Pig Also on Bill of Jazz and Blues Rock ...
Ike & Tina Turner, Sam & Dave: Felt Forum, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 24 November 1969
Soul Selections Get Sensual Treatment From Tina Turner ...
The Rolling Stones: Madison Square Garden, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 28 November 1969
The Rolling Stones Are Still ExcitingMadness of the Beatles Brought Here Again ...
Johnny Cash: Madison Square Garden, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 7 December 1969
20,000 AT GARDEN HEAR JOHNNY CASH ...
Jethro Tull: Fillmore East, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 8 December 1969
JETHRO TULL FOUR AT FILLMORE EASTFlute and Vocals Mainstay of British Rock Croup ...
David Ackles: The Bitter End, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 16 December 1969
DAVID ACKLES is one of the more interesting young performers working in the Brecht/Weill area of dramatic song. The 32-year-old Californian, a former playwright, writes ...
Janis Joplin: Madison Square Garden, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 20 December 1969
Janis Joplin Gives A Rousing Display Of Blues and Rock ...
Arlo Guthrie: Carnegie Hall, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 27 December 1969
Love Tales Sung By Arlo Guthrie – Talking-Blues Style Marks Concert at Carnegie Hall ...
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 29 December 1969
'The Band' Rocks With Hillbilly Ease ...
The Doors: Felt Forum, New York NYC
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 19 January 1970
The Doors Draw Active Audience. Rock Group's Singer Has to Be Saved From Fans. ...
Quicksilver Messenger Service: Fillmore East, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 26 January 1970
Quicksilver Group Brings New Pianist To Fillmore East ...
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 29 January 1970
Garden Thronged for Songfest In Aid of Vietnam Moratorium ...
Miles Davis: Fillmore East, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 7 March 1970
MILES DAVIS PLAYS AT A ROCK CONCERT ...
Great Speckled Bird: Village Gate, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 28 March 1970
COUNTRY-FOLK BAND MAKES LOCAL DEBUT ...
Ronnie Hawkins: Fillmore East, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 30 March 1970
Ronnie Hawkins on Fillmore Bill – Arkansan Shares Program With Stone the Crows ...
The Stooges: Watch the Freak: Iggy Pop
Report by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 3 April 1970
IGGY POP – magnificent name, much better than Jim, which is really his name – is on national television. He is lead singer in a ...
John Denver: The Bitter End, New York NYC
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 12 April 1970
John Denver Spins Folk Spell In Bow At The Bitter End ...
Creedence Clearwater Revival: Madison Square Garden, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 15 May 1970
Garden Audience Dances and Sings To Creedence Rock ...
Alice Cooper: Boy-Girl Alice Cooper Puts on a Freaky Show
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 29 May 1970
ON STAGE, THE lead singer of a rock band, a young man named Alice Cooper, has taken off his silver jump suit to reveal black ...
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 30 May 1970
Two Folk Singers Show Varied Styles At Village Clubs ...
Recollected in Tranquility: Woodstock
Report by Mike Jahn, Music & Artists, June 1970
IN AUGUST 1969 we pulled into Woodstock, feeling about half-past dead. I had to go there and write about three days of love, peace and ...
Velvet Underground: The Velvet Underground: Max's Kansas City, NYC
Report by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 4 July 1970
THE VELVET UNDERGROUND was playing experimental rock in 1965 when the Beatles just wanted hold your hand and San Francisco was still the place where ...
Grand Funk Railroad: Fillmore East, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 2 August 1970
Grand Funk Railroad Pleases A Full House at Fillmore East ...
Janis Joplin & The Full Tilt Boogie Band: Forest Hills Stadium, Queens NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 4 August 1970
Janis Joplin and Her New Group Give Rousing Forest Hills Show ...
Delaney & Bonnie: Wollman Rink, Central Park, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 7 August 1970
Delaney & Bonnie And New Friends Give Park Concert ...
Review by Mike Jahn, Detroit Free Press, 11 September 1970
Tim Buckley — Folk's Own Jazz Singer ...
Led Zeppelin: Madison Square Garden, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 21 September 1970
ZEPPELIN BRINGS DRIVING STYLE HERE ...
Eric Burdon, War: Eric Burdon & War: Felt Forum, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 27 September 1970
Eric Burdon Bows with New Group. Singer's Band, War, Proves It's a Magnificent One ...
Derek & The Dominos: Fillmore East, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 25 October 1970
DEREK AND the Dominos is Eric Clapton's new rock group, and the people in the audience who were chanting "Clapton" before the group came onstage ...
Sly & the Family Stone: Madison Square Garden, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 29 November 1970
RHYTHM AND SOUL FILL ROCK WEEKEND ...
Sly & the Family Stone: Sly Stone: An Obnoxious Great Musician
Report and Interview by Mike Jahn, Baltimore Sun, 20 December 1970
SLY STONE mumbles. This is not unique; many big-name rock stars mumble and are incoherent. ...
The Beatles, Jefferson Airplane, Country Joe McDonald: Rock Music: Drumbeat For Drugs?
Essay by Mike Jahn, New York Times Special Features Syndication, 3 January 1971
"If you're tired or a bit run down, can't seem to get your feet off the ground Maybe you oughta try a little bit ...
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 10 January 1971
Buddy Miles Group And the Holding Co. Heard on Rock Bill ...
Janis Joplin: Pearl, Last Album Janis Joplin Made, May Be Her Finest
Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 16 January 1971
JANIS JOPLIN'S last recording has been released by Columbia Records; sadly, it's her most impressive one. ...
Eric Burdon, War: Burdon Back With Black Band
Profile by Mike Jahn, Baltimore Sun, 24 January 1971
ERIC BURDON and the Animals, along with the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, was one of the most impressive of the early British rock groups. ...
Captain Beefheart & The Magic Band: Ungano's, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 28 January 1971
CAPTAIN BEEFHEART & the Magic Band, a Los Angeles group, is playing through tonight at Ungano's, 210 West 70th Street. ...
The Velvet Underground: Loaded (Cotillion)
Review by Mike Jahn, New York Times Special Features Syndication, 31 January 1971
'Velvet Underground' Bridges Rock Gap ...
Steppenwolf, Ten Wheel Drive, Luther Allison: Fillmore West, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 7 February 1971
Steppenwolf Back For Rock Program At Fillmore East ...
Manhattan Transfer: Hunter College, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 28 March 1971
Old Songs Receive A Rock Treatment At Hunter College ...
The Kinks Draw An Unruly Crowd
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 1 April 1971
The Kinks: Philharmonic Hall, NYC ...
Ike & Tina Turner: Ike and Tina Turner: Carnegie Hall, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 4 April 1971
The Turners Shift To a New Category Called Porno Soul ...
Mountain: Fillmore East, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 16 April 1971
MOUNTAIN TURNS UP ROCK-MUSIC VOLUME ...
Canned Heat, John Lee Hooker: John Lee Hooker, Canned Heat: Carnegie Hall, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 17 April 1971
Hooker Performs With a Pop Group He Helped Inspire ...
Phil Ochs: Hunter College, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 19 April 1971
Real Phil Ochs Back, But There's a Penalty ...
Grateful Dead: Fillmore East, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 29 April 1971
Grateful Dead Draws Far-Out Fans ...
Emerson Lake & Palmer: ELP: Fillmore East, New York NYC
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 2 May 1971
BRITISH BAND MAKES DEBUT AT FILLMORE ...
Alice Cooper: Town Hall, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 8 May 1971
Concert in Drag By Alice Cooper, A Boy and Band ...
Linda Ronstadt: Fillmore East, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 9 May 1971
Bright Song Style Of Linda Ronstadt Lights Up Fillmore ...
Nina Simone: Carnegie Hall, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 11 May 1971
Throng Welcomes Nina Simone, Back After Long Absence ...
John Lennon, Iggy Pop: Sounds Of The Seventies: Portrait Of A Naked Iggy
Report and Interview by Mike Jahn, Baltimore Sun, 16 May 1971
ONE DAY late last December I came home and found this message on the tape recorder that answers my telephone when I'm not home: "This is ...
Carly Simon: The Bitter End, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 22 May 1971
CARLY SIMON SINGS AT THE BITTER END ...
Fanny: Fillmore East, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 30 May 1971
Fanny, a Four-Girl Rock Group, Poses a Challenge to Male Ego ...
If You Think It's Groovy To Rap, You're Shucking
Overview by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 6 June 1971
WHEN YOU are trying to be a suburban Dharma Bum you have to try harder. Between the tennis court and the parking lot I read ...
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 7 June 1971
Zappa's Musicians Rock Through Epic Of Stylized Traveler ...
Elton John: Carnegie Hall, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 12 June 1971
Solo, or With Group, Elton John Thrills Carnegie Audiences ...
Tom Jones: Madison Square Garden, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 15 June 1971
TOM JONES EXCELS IN GARDEN RECITAL ...
The Holy Modal Rounders: Folk City, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 26 June 1971
Holy Modal Rounders Playing Fractured Country Music Here ...
Sounds Of The Seventies: Characters Find Oldies Shop
Interview by Mike Jahn, Baltimore Sun, 27 June 1971
GO INTO YOUR average record store — the one with the Emerson, Lake and Palmer and Tom Jones covers all over the walls — and ...
Last Rites Are Merry Ones at the Fillmore East
Report by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 29 June 1971
WITH SEVERAL thousand dollars worth of free food and beer and what one Fillmore regular described as "the best vibes since the place opened," the ...
John Denver: The Bitter End, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 3 July 1971
John Denver Shows Sensitivity and Style In Bitter End Songs ...
Elephant's Memory: Folk City, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 4 July 1971
Elephant's Memory Mixes Radicalism And a Rough Sound ...
Grand Funk Railroad: Shea Stadium, Brooklyn NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 10 July 1971
THE MAMMOTH Grand Funk Railroad concert last night before 55,000 people at Shea Stadium was really a spectacle, not a concert. ...
Loudon Wainwright III: The Gaslight, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 11 July 1971
Loudon Wainwright At Gaslight Evokes Dylan Comparisons ...
Rock Festivals: Sometimes You Can Even Hear The Music
Overview by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 11 July 1971
"EVERYONE'S SAYING the music's for free" — that's the line from a recent rock album by singer David Crosby. But there have been signs that ...
Bo Diddley, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Tower of Power: Forest Hills Tennis Stadium, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 19 July 1971
Bo Diddley Returns on Guitar At Forest Hills Rock Concert ...
Bill Withers: Bitter End, New York NYC
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 30 July 1971
Bill Withers Plays In Soul-Folk Style ...
The Who: Forest Hills Tennis Stadium, Queens NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 31 July 1971
The Who Play First Program Of '71 Here Despite Downpour ...
Stephen Stills: Madison Square Garden, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 1 August 1971
Stephen Stills Plays at Garden In His First Solo Concert Here ...
Live Review by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 2 August 1971
Raga and Rock Link 2 Cultures ...
Three Dog Night: If You Encounter a 6-Foot Frog
Report by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, 7 August 1971
I HAD NEVER been to Dallas. I had not been opposed to going to Dallas. It just was not one of those places I had ...
Loudon Wainwright III is Some Kind of Genius
Profile and Interview by Mike Jahn, New York Times Special Features Syndication, 14 August 1971
LOUDON WAINWRIGHT III's first appearance in New York was an official big deal. The record company held a press party and invited the chic. ...
Goldie & The Gingerbreads, Genya Ravan, Ten Wheel Drive: Genya Ravan: Goldie Zelkovich Breaks Loose
Profile and Interview by Mike Jahn, Baltimore Sun, 17 October 1971
COLUMBIA RECORDS just bought Goldie Zelkovich away from Polydor Records, which makes Goldie very happy. ...
Bo Diddley: Sounds of the Seventies: A Bo Diddley Revival
Profile and Interview by Mike Jahn, Baltimore Sun, 28 November 1971
LAST SUMMER at a Creedence Clearwater Revival concert there was an unannounced special, a warm-up band. Its leader was a middle-aged black man carrying a ...
Dawn, Tony Orlando: Tony Orlando: Plague of False Dawns
Report and Interview by Mike Jahn, Baltimore Sun, 23 January 1972
LIFE USED to be simple for Tony Orlando. Then he became a rock star, sold 12 million records and started losing money. ...
Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup, Elvis Presley: Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup: Rock's Debt to Crudup
Report by Mike Jahn, Baltimore Sun, 20 February 1972
BLUES SINGER Arthur (Big Boy) Crudup has spent most of his 67 years staring at bad crops, worse bills, garbage trucks and empty promises. He ...
Merry Clayton: The Spotlight's on Merry
Profile and Interview by Mike Jahn, Baltimore Sun, 5 March 1972
MICK JAGGER, the satin-pants Satan, is o-o-o-ing ominously through 'Gimme Shelter'. He is doing all right, rocking the boat but not overturning it. But behind ...
Dr. John: Voodoo to Rock Roots
Profile and Interview by Mike Jahn, Baltimore Sun, 7 May 1972
DR. JOHN inspires weirdness in those around him. Witness the press bio released by Atlantic Records: "...open a door into SHOOW HEEEH's lamblam another consciousness ...
Sounds of the Seventies: Graham is *#! mad again
Report and Interview by Mike Jahn, Baltimore Sun, 28 May 1972
BILL GRAHAM stood with his hands behind his back, watching a man from Twentieth Century Fox tell a press conference how Graham and the company ...
The Band, Ronnie Hawkins: Ronnie Hawkins: Plugging Along The Publicity Route, But...?
Interview by Mike Jahn, New York Times Special Features Syndication, 2 September 1972
THE HAWK blew into town recently, spewing one-liners and hoping that his big mouth would bring him fame instead of trouble this time. ...
David Bowie: Carnegie Hall, New York NY
Live Review by Mike Jahn, Baltimore Sun, 15 October 1972
One more freak show ...
Dave Van Ronk: Lament for the Village
Interview by Mike Jahn, Baltimore Sun, 21 January 1973
"THIS WAS our last resort," Dave Van Ronk says, referring to Greenwich Village. "It was the only place we could live in, and it's been ...
Alice Cooper: Alice and His $1 Million
Report and Interview by Mike Jahn, The New York Times, April 1973
"TO BE HONEST, I was a little worried about the guillotine," Alice Cooper says. "The safety doesn't work too well, and, well, there was that ...
Interview by Mike Jahn, Words & Music, April 1973
PETE HOORELBEKE and Gil Bridges of Rare Earth were walking down West 113th Street in Manhattan heading for a Greek restaurant called Symposium. Bridges scanned ...
Leonard Cohen: Rock Poetry Had A Lot Of Promise, Back Five And Six Years Ago.
Interview by Mike Jahn, New York Times Special Features Syndication, 9 June 1973
DYLAN WAS at his peak, writing his brilliant "doomsday poems," and revolutionizing popular music. Colleges by the scores offered courses regarding pop song lyrics as ...
Leonard Cohen: Last of the Pop Poets
Interview by Mike Jahn, New York Daily News, 2 September 1973
ANY ROOM containing both furniture and Leonard Cohen would be overcrowded. ...
Jefferson Airplane, Grace Slick: Grace Slick: Dreams of Spain and More Children
Interview by Mike Jahn, Baltimore Sun, 16 September 1973
NEW YORK — "I would like lo be a Spanish loose woman." Grace Slick says. This is not easy for her, as she is an ...
Bruce Springsteen: Born to Run (Columbia PC 33795)
Review by Mike Jahn, High Fidelity, 1975
TO LISTEN to a Bruce Springsteen record is like walking down Forty Second Street on a hot July afternoon. It's unusual, it's colorful, it's a ...
Review by Mike Jahn, High Fidelity, February 1976
ROCK MUSIC, like basic black in fashion can hide a multitude of sins — such as poor lyrics. In rock that is played at any ...
The Band: Northern Lights — Southern Cross (Capitol ST 11440)
Review by Mike Jahn, High Fidelity, March 1976
THIS RECORDING is easily the Band's best since Music from Big Pink was issued in 1968. And since the latter may be considered one of ...
The Salsoul Orchestra: Salsoul Orchestra: Salsoul Hustlers (Salsoul SZS 5501. $6.98)
Review by Mike Jahn, High Fidelity, April 1976
MORE THAN forty performers participated in the creation of this album, which nominally contributes to the current salsa trend but which in this case is ...
Jessi Colter: Diamond in the Rough (Capitol ST 11543)
Review by Mike Jahn, High Fidelity, January 1977
JESSI COLTER is a country singer who apparently would like to be more than a country singer. As indicated by this new release, she desires ...
Janis Joplin: "That night I was in England making a ham sandwich for Mama Cass"
Retrospective by Mike Jahn, Rock's Backpages, 12 May 2009
EVERY NEWSPAPERMAN gets interesting letters. For example, the one dated April 26, 1971: ...
Leonard Cohen: This story about Leonard Cohen has sex in it
Memoir by Mike Jahn, Rock's Backpages, 22 September 2009
I REMEMBER Leonard Cohen well from the Chelsea Hotel. This story has sex in it. ...
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