History of the JOURNEYMEN |

The folk revival hit its height by the early 1960s and several new artists flooded the folk market like Joan Baez, Peter, Paul & Mary, Bob Dylan, the Modern Folk Quartet, and the Journeymen. Featuring John Phillips, Dick Weissman and Scott McKenzie, the Journeymen were an important piece in the transition from folk to folk-rock and Matt covers the Journeymen's career that crossed paths with the Big 3, the Halifax Three, the Mugwumps and all the fine artists within those groups
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[@steveleblanc7983]

I can't hear this era of music without remembering Martin Mull. When he came to Toronto, he mentioned how he had started out as a musician "during the Folk scare of the early sixties".

[@Steve68858]

It’s amazing to see these clean cut folk singers many of whom became hippie rock starts within a few years. Such a transformation and the creation of new music.

[@michaelrochester48]

I see one of the songs was a collaboration between John Phillips and John Stewart from The Kingston Trio. They were the Beatles of folk music in the early 60s. John Stewart even had a hit in the 70s with Stevie Nicks, “Gold” and he wrote daydream believer for the Monkees

[@tomm5780]

I saw that too...nice catch

[@John_Fugazzi]

I was a big fan of the Journeymen in junior high school. It would be 1961-62 (probably 7th grade) when we had a young music teacher, Miss Livesay, who was straight out of college, She had long, straight dark hair and was probably kind of bohemian. I guess the school let her make her own curriculum because she brought in all these folk albums, explaining the music, the songs, even the difference between the folk purists and the pop folk groups like the Brothers Four, etc. One of them was the Journeymen and I got the introductory album and played it to death. I could still sing any of the songs on that album. She also introduced us to Judy Collins, Joan Baez and others. What a cool music teacher she was.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

I wish I had a teacher like Miss Livesay! Thanks John.

[@amandagerrish5892]

Interesting bit of musical history, Matt, thanks. I began listening to music in late 1963, just as I was turning 10-years-old. I was dimly aware of the folk music scene (mostly via Peter, Paul and Mary and Bob Dylan), but I had little interest at the time. I was all about the British Invasion, especially the Beatles. The Journeymen were simply not on my radar back then. Looking back, it's interesting to see how folk music evolved into folk-rock, of which I was (and remain) a big fan (Mamas & Papas, Byrds, Lovin' Spoonful, Dylan, etc.). The Journeymen played a bigger role than I ever knew.

[@revvyhevvy]

Thanks! Your post explained the Mamas and Papas origins which I was unaware of before! I recall hearing 'San Francisco' by Scott McKenzie on the radio as a pre-teen while being in that city! Had heard of the Mugwumps before, but you really filled in the gaps. Thanks, and look forward to future posts! 69 yr old Zep fan from Cali, but transplanted to Idaho at 6 yrs!

[@popgoesthe60s52]

I appreciate the comments, Robert.

[@benisboop]

Hey Matt, could you do a video on Dion? Between his Doo-wop stuff in the late 50s and early 60s and his singer songwriter period in the 70s, his mid 60s stuff is really underappreciated. In particular his 1969 album "wonder where I'm bound" is really solid, and yet i can't seem to find any information in it or much else he was doing in that period. Thanks for your hard work and interesting content.

[@Huskrrrr]

What an amazing story. Thanks!

[@howardschultzberg4263]

Matt --- as a fellow record collector ---- And as much as I knew about them, you provided a lot more interesting revelations AND fantastic photos of not only the Journeymen, but also photos of KT, PP&M, et al, and I love your using the Glenn's LP cover for the Hungry i photo......Phillip Blondheim had a tough time being Scott McKenzie but he made his mark in R&R history with John's 1967 Hippie Anthem. Thank you !!!

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you, Howard!

[@bruceink9]

Excellent overview of the complicated overlapping of so many early '60s folk groups, Matt. Folk-pop did continue for a while with groups like We Five, but yes, it did have to make way for rock's revolution. That's why it made perfect sense for the formation of the Mamas and the Papas as really more of a pop-rock group, for which I give much credit to their producer, Lou Adler.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Hey Bruce! Thanks for the comment - much appreciated.

[@scottjones3038]

Matt, this was a great episode, impeccable research and nice visuals/photos.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you, Scott!

[@cree8vision]

Thanks for explaining an era that I did not know that much about. A bridge between early 60's pop and folk and mid sixties pop and rock.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

My pleasure.

[@michaelholycross2633]

Excellent work sir!!

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you kindly!

[@stevenkouns6757]

I have the Magic Circle CD. Its really good. They need to make a compilation disc that start from The Smoothies and go down the timeline to the end of their careers.

[@lyndarosborough869]

This is sooo great - thanks Matt ! … (and hello again from your friendly vocal group singer from Halifax) Your work on these histories is stellar ! … cheers! 🌟

[@popgoesthe60s52]

This history has some local meaning for you! I've always heard good things about Halifax. I appreciate the comment, Lynda!

[@rogertemple7193]

I really enjoyed old folk music groups like this especially the Kingston Trio and other groups like this thank you.🎶🎸🥁🎸🎶

[@wonsworld61]

brilliant analogy.. "apprenticeship" in a truly wonderful in depth study .. Thank you Matt

[@yoitschris9563]

if this is truly a precursor to a video on The Mamas & The Papas, then you have no idea how exited I am. Love your videos - coming from someone who is most likely on the younger side of your audience, being in their late teens and obsessed with the music of this era, your channel has got to be one of my favorite on this entire website. Cheers!

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you, Chris - I appreciate that!

[@joephillips4082]

Great discussion, Matt. I was immersed in this at that time. It's when I started playing the guitar. This was pre-Beatles and my circle of friends thought the folksingers were hipper and cooler than the garage bands we knew, torturing electric guitars with surf instrumentals. The analysis and detail you bring to the topics really makes them shine. This was an important one and I'm glad you covered it.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you, Joe!

[@matthewstreet1961]

Matt finally got around to watching this and it was fantastic! I learned a lot here about the pre-mamas and Papas days. I didn’t know a lot of that stuff. Love the way you tied everything together. Especially with the Laurel Canyon information all the best, Matt .

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thanks Matt! I’m just finishing the next part so look for that by morning!

[@michaelrochester48]

As a fan of the Mamas and the Papas I am very impressed and I will let Chynna know about this episode! As I corresponded a lot with her on Instagram

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you, Michael. I follow her youtube channel occasionally.

[@FlyJohnny100]

In the early 60s, my grade school teachers and friend's parents listened to The Kingston Trio, Limelighters, Pete Seeger, etc. But the Journeyman were moving beyond the rootsy "Hang Down Your Head Tom Dooley" material. Their strong vocal arrangements and original tunes were folk, but more polished, leaning towards pop. As a kid, I dug the addition of cool solos and string breaks...instrumental skill like Dick Weissman's was an exciting feature that McGuinn, Kaukonen, Garcia and others would expand on as the music blossomed into pop, psyche and rock.

[@EricSchultz-zs8hz]

This is a very well done and informative history of the Journeymen and the other groups which eventually led to the formation of The Mamas and the Papas. It is interesting to see examples of musicians coming together in 2s and 3s, before forming something bigger. (for example, Buffalo Springfield having both Stephen Stills and Neil Young, and them doing a set with David Crosby at Monterey Pop). We can see how some creative people kind of gravitate together over time. I always enjoy your band histories.

[@edwardgonczy3170]

I wasn't sure I would find this interesting, but it was riveting. Absolutely superb job (especially about when they all dosed and decided to give "folk rock" a chance). Oh, that dreaded LSD.

[@kz.m4251]

Always wondered how the Mamas & Papas stew was concocted. There was definitely a boatload of talent in those groups. Interesting. Top notch, Matt. Thanks again!

[@mnbv990]

Excellent essay, as always.

[@williamglenn5327]

FANTASTIC! So Glad You documented these guys!

[@DocDoccus]

Oh, PROOT! Now I gotta wait for a part two!

[@georgezajkowski2723]

Fantastic and interesting video. Marshall Brickman also was in the great inner racial folk group The Tarriers. GATHER 'ROUND is a brilliant album.

[@joeyvocals1]

Sir, I have been subscribed to your channel for most of this year. I am a lead vocalist, 26 and folk rock was a bit difficult to listen to! However, you are so well versed in the music genre that it's always terrific when you notify me about your next presentation! God bless you and everyone here 🙏, Be safe, Joey, in Cleveland!

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you, Joey! Much appreciated.

[@3Pitous]

Thank you for this tribute to The Journeymen . I have all their music and cherish it. ( I'm a French Folk music afficionado)

[@popgoesthe60s52]

My pleasure.

[@leesanna7835]

Matt, thank you for tackling the Folk genre, it's often overlooked, looking forward to your usual impeccable presentation to this great music 🪕

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you, Lee!

[@johnlorinc2081]

Excellent video as always.

[@Beatlescollector00001]

Great video ❤

[@kellypeterson2625]

Fabulous research Matt! And I thought I knew it all from listening to creeque alley😅😅

[@patrickf.4440]

Yes. That's the song that ran through my mind all during this video.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you, Kelly!

[@ValerieFelitto]

This is a great example of why i love your channel. So informative and well researched. I remember Hootnanny and that's about all from the folk period. So now i am really interested in that now. Thanks so much

[@popgoesthe60s52]

My pleasure, Valerie!

[@dadaveda]

The hootenanny tour came to my high school. I saw it in either late 1963 or early 1964. I can’t remember.

[@bzydad]

The photo on the Journeymen album is at Central Park, and they're sitting on a Central Park carriage.

[@annalisa14]

The adventure with the liquid lsd and over and over listening to Meet The Beatles brought back memories of me spending the whole night with friends on that stuff in Hollywood in 1970, hugging a circular speaker, listening to Santana the black and white album. Come dawn, I looked out the window and there was the Capitol Records Building with sun coming up. Huge impression for me.

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

Very good and interesting video. Thanks

[@simplechronology2605]

Great episode. I've been thinking of expanding my collection to include the pre-Mamas and Papas bands (I have all of their albums and post-M&P solo albums), but found their stories confusing and never got around to it. As usual, you made the story clear and easy to follow, and as usual, I am now inspired by your video to pick up what I can. Through the years, you've kinda cost me hundreds of dollars that way, but the reward has been the music... Looking forward to the Mamas & Papas years...

[@michaelrochester48]

Have you gotten the big three with Mama Cass?

[@simplechronology2605]

@@michaelrochester48 Those are on my new list of things to buy, but I do have the Magic Circle comp Matt mentions, which has a token few cuts. That's a good starting point, but it doesn't have anything by the (original) Journeymen.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

I'm glad to hear I have help with keeping the economy rolling! That best of cd is a good place to start.

[@jonvought700]

Hundreds of dollars well spent, right? Anyway, that's how I like to spend my money. :)

[@erniericardo8140]

Like The Graham Bond Organization into Cream this Matt is another Great way to tell the history of The Mamas & Papas, Enjoyed it Very much👍 but in all honesty didnt know much about The Journeymen until watching this video, Very familiar with other Folk artists like The Kingston Trio, Peter, Paul and Mary, The Brothers Four, Pete Seeger but not the Journeymen-Thanks again Matt- I'll be getting that Magic Circle CD 👌

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thanks Ernie!

[@danielfuentes3226]

Great program and a brief history of the Journeymen Matt.I always consider the early 60's the golden era of folk music you can hear "Peter Paul and Mary";"Pete Seeger";The Weavers" by the time and others that is of historical achievment.

[@jonvought700]

Great story and I had no idea! Looking forward to the rest of the story. I liked what I heard from the Journeymen too.

[@TheRealDrJoey]

Matt: Thanks for covering this esoteric group. As someone who was a neophyte guitarist at the time, learning Peter, Paul & Mary tunes, and early Dylan stuff, I must admit I'd really forgotten all about the Journeymen, who were as good or better than any of their contemporaries in that genre. As an young-at-heart, but admittedly chronologically 'historically-informed' fan, shall we say, of your 60s music channel, I must say you've wandered into an almost forgotten part of the "Folk" music era. The Journeyman, and quite a few other now-forgotten groups of that brief era, were artists worth recalling. Thanks again.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you, DrJoey. These guys along with several other folk artists help more rock n roll in the "rock" genre. I appreciate the comments!

[@wyliesmith4244]

Matt, This episode was WAY more entertaining and informative than I would have (aka did) expect. I knew quite a few of the facts, but you strung them together exquisitely. And most of your judgments were right on the money. The first album cover for the Journeymen is excellent, and more pleasing to my eye. A lot of the covers that I have seen from this time period have a virtually blank background, but this picture is a pleasing landscape by itself. And your comment about Dick Weissman being the secret sauce is just so apt. Personally, I get tired of endless acoustic guitars, but the banjo parts really jumped out at me. Banjos, mandolins, and fiddles add a varied sonic palette that draws me in. And I loved those early 60s print Schlitz ads. "the beer that made Milwaukee famous" (and Pabst) were always preferred to Bud and Miller High Life ("the champagne of bottled beer"). And let me second Neal's opinion about quickly switching images. An extremely well done piece of work.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you, Wylie - I appreciate the comments. This one was a bit tough to weave together but it is essential to understanding the Mamas and the Papas. I realized that folk music isn't a genre many have patience for, but the folk revival did an awful lot with regard to setting the foundation (along with the beat poets) for the counterculture everyone is so enamored with.

[@jeffcarney2375]

This is great!

[@kkwok9]

Nice video Always learn alot of new facts from you. Continued success to you sir.

[@thomasguild8675]

Matt, excellent video! It cleared up some confusion I had about the Mama's & the Papas beginnings.

[@thomasschiller404]

Fascinating! Very well done. Creeque Alley deconstructed.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

That's a good way to put it, Tom! Thanks for the comment.

[@aminahmed2220]

What a fantastic video have a great weekend Matt also said happy first day also week of fall ❤😊🇺🇸🎸🍂🧁🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇬🇧🇨🇦

[@false_binary]

Fun review (and well researched / delivered as always)! I was instantly transported to the first time we watched Christopher Guest's "A Mighty Wind", lol. All of these individuals were wildly talented.

[@Borella309]

Folk Goes the 60s! - wyliesmith (see elsewhere in this comment section) essentially said what I was going to say, so I'll just say thanks Matt, really enjoyed this presentation. Kind regards, Terry, Australia. (P.S. I stopped holding my breath for The Easybeats history review on doctors orders).

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you, Terry. I do have the Easybeats on the list and I will be happy to cross that off the list!

[@chriscurylo6447]

Had no interest in this video until I watched. Fantastic, informative and super entertaining video as usual from you, Matt. Love your work!!!!

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you, Chris!

[@realdinho]

Cool, I'll be watching this! I was just listening to some of their stuff and the Mugwumps, the latter as I write 😉

[@Nazz1967]

Good info on a group ive kinda overlooked

[@buzzsmith8146]

Very well done!

[@briancassidy6678]

Great as always.

[@dreammachine2013]

Wow! Fantastic and incredible research on the various springs that led to the Mamas & Papas🎉 who would have thought that Michelle and Grace Slick shared the same vocal coach as Frank Sinatra? 😅 Actually I always liked the first Journeymen album with erudite but quirky descriptions of their Songs, liner notes and etchings that seemed to come from books a few hundred years ago😂

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thanks dreammachine!

[@Robertomadricancruz]

Excellent episode Matt, you through us a curve ball I did not see coming. When you started talking about the Journey Men and said the name John Phillips it perked my ears. But when you mentioned a young Michelle Philips, like a puzzle I realized that this first episode was about the future big time groups that would come out of the folk music movement. For me I call this the “ FOLK PUZZLE LINK” episode. I never knew that “ Lovin Spoonful’ started in the folk music genre.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Hey James! Yeah, I felt to tell the Mamas & Papa's story properly, I had to cover this period. Glad you liked it!

[@spyderlogan4992]

Alexandria, Virginia~!...I was an adolescent living in the Del Ray neighbor during this era. My older brothers were going to G.W. High School on Mt. Vernon Avenue.But here's 'the thing'. There wasn't a single album by any of these 'hootnanny' outfits in our rec room. Nothing but Fats Domino, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee, Eddie Cochran, Gene Vincent, Little Richard, Carl Perkins and Duane Eddy. But give them credit: They all could really sing live and on pitch.

[@tas6313]

Well done, Matt. Because my taste in music had shifted from Pop to R&B and Folk-Rock, I skipped over the root groups mentioned. It wasn't in fact until recent years that I heard some of the music of these recordings and I actually enjoy them. The Spoonful and Mamas & Papas were among my favorites and I remember them fondly. The Spoonful and the Byrds were highly influential. Insomuch that Rubber Soul was the Beatles most American-sounding album. No wonder it was Harrison's favorite session work.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you, sir!

[@briangonigal3974]

Wait..., there was a musician named "Jim Hendricks" Kicking around Greenwich Village in the early-mid 60's? That could've gotten confusing, although it probably explains why the other guy was going by "Jimmy James" around this time.

[@jonvought700]

While playing with a couple of Randys, one from Texas, the other from California.

[@MplsTodd]

Great episode, Matt! It’s fascinating to see how all these bands got together and the connections between the Mamas & Papas and The Lovin’ Spoonful. I’m curious to know when The Journeyman’s version of Mr. Tambourine Man came out. I always thought that The Byrds version was released about the same time, or even before, Dylan’s version which I think was circa spring 1965.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

The Journeymen's version of Tambourine man was only a demo and never released until the Magic Circle compilation cd. The Byrds were given first crack at recording it, which they did in the fall of 1964, but Dylan's was actually released 2 weeks before the Byrds single.

[@EverSinceMyExorcism]

Next you should chronicle the meteoric rise of The Folksmen.

[@deirdre108]

They might be too heavy and headbanging for this channel.

[@anthonykimball7463]

Yet another excellent, highly informative episode. 👍👍 I did not know The Journeymen were signed to Capitol. "No More Running Around" by the Lamp Of Childhood is, IMO, one of the absolute greatest singles of 1967 and fully deserved to be a Top 40 hit (which it, unfortunately, wasn't....didn't even break into the Billboard Hot 100).

[@popgoesthe60s52]

I agree that is a great song!

[@BGCB261]

Hello from halifax.

[@gregpaspatis9425]

I'm only commenting here because my late uncle and my late aunt, who was also his younger sister by at least five and a half years, were in proximity during their high school years in Virginia near Washington, D.C. on the same exact school campus, my uncle to John Phillips and my aunt to a student named Ellen Naomi Cohen (later to be known as 'Mama' Cass Elliott). Phil Blondheim (Scott McKenzie) was a student who graduated at the Episcopalian high school (named for St. Stephen) no more than just a couple of miles down the road from the H.S. where Phillips and Cass Elliott had been students in different years from each other. It's my understanding that Elliott finished the rest of her high schooling in Baltimore. As a side note, when the late 1950s were switching into Jan. 1960 and for the next year, a wannabe folk music girl student at the girls-only sister H.S. of (or to) the one that McKenzie graduated from named Tandy Martin would sometimes go around her neighborhood barefoot holding an acoustic guitar and spent time with a often unpredictably and unexpectedly belligerent, as well as tormenting same-age boyfriend who was from a regularly transferred military family living on the adjoining block from her, his name was James D. (sometimes known as Jimmy) Morrison (who later got into a rock band down in Venice Beach in Calif.). At different times from 1953 to 1961, either Phillips or Cass Elliott or Morrison and his girlfriend Tandy Martin were all enrolled at the very same Virginia high school, with Martin transferring over to the girls-only St. Agnes private school for the final two years in H.S. But getting back to the original subjects of this topic, my uncle remembered his very last time locally catching sight of Phillips in public prior to his permanent departure, other than the visits to his wife and kids, for his emerging folk music career, he was standing on the street curb, presumably with one or more of his close aquaintances, in one of those mini-size shopping centers that had the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s period art deco style design, he was standing right outside of a ice cream parlor known for their 30 or more flavors, the very same shopping center is still in use in today's mid-2020s period and the exact same retail brand of ice cream is still very much there as well. My aunt bought herself a copy of a couple different of those first three Mamas and Papas albums including the eponymous debut disc ".....Believe Your Eyes And Ears". On other note here, in the local entertainment listings of the Washington, D.C. newspapers over the November 1963 weekend of the President Kennedy assassination, there's a listing for a headlining concert by the Journeymen at the Washington (D.C.) Coliseum the night of Wed., November 27, only two days following the funeral of the president. Whether the show ever went on as scheduled I don't have any details of it. Sometime over the following year my uncle remembered making a trip to the Univ. of Virginia in Charlottesville to see a concert by the Limeliters in the outdated campus home basketball gymnasium there in the middle 1960s era. Thanks for a fascinating look back at the Jouneymen and some of their other various folk music contemporaries.

[@Sopmylo]

I've always seen folk music as city people's imagining a idilic rural world that never existed

[@MisterMoccasin]

Being a Canadian, I was wondering if you'd mention The Halifax Three! Super interesting all of them came from Kingston Trio "knock offs" for lack of a better term.

[@scottiwen4745]

Great job as always Matt - exposed me to a genre of which I am not that familiar. Question - Christopher Guest's folk music parody movie "A Mighty Wind" featured a fictitious group called "The Folksmen" - could they have been inspired by "The Journeymen"? It seems closer than the Kingston Trio - but there were a lot of men's group trios singing folk songs back in the day.

[@KneeAches]

Fascinating episode. I barely touched this kind of music at the time so very informative. Not to be negative but listening to their music, don’t think I would have embraced it like I did music a couple years later. Maybe I was too young.

[@bobberndt9744]

Quite the Deep Dive into those early days. P.S. : Thanks for the unintended (slip of the tongue) reference to 'Mountain Dew'. Yahoo 🤣

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Yeah, I couldn't edit that out!

[@1rwjwith]

Man this stuff is right out of the movie INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS ! I hope you saw that movie which took place during that very early 60’s folk scene in Greenwich Village. Its great… I never heard of any of this stuff really I come in with Dylan thats my connection to this era. Next you should do a vid on “ The Folksmen” and how they evolved into SPINAL TAP ! Just kidding😁

[@Peter-qu3lv]

Great video as usual ! Except it’s morning dew not “mountain“ Dew that Tim Rose arranged. Lol

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Yeah, I botched that but it is correct on the graphic! Thanks for watching, Peter.

[@robertewalt7789]

I was 12 in 1960, listening to folk music with my big sister, but I don’t remember any of these Journeymen songs. Maybe they weren’t on Buffalo, NY, radio?

[@clydekimsey7503]

Have you heard Sweet Smoke do morning dew? My favorite version.

[@joebikeguy6669]

Although I was familiar with the artists and some of the songs, I was really not a big "Folk" fan. I have to say, Scott Mckenzie's voice was unrecognizable to me as I only remember his gravely voice from his hit "San Francisco" . . . post op change perhaps? While I was listening to your very fine narration, I kept thinking about the movie "A Mighty Wind" which made me laugh a bit. You did a really good job filling in the history as usual. Thanks professor.

[@wilsonscott2370]

McKenzie's voice sounds very pure to me on San Francisco. Are you sure you're not thinking of a different song?

[@joebikeguy6669]

@@wilsonscott2370 You are absolutely correct sir! When you get to be a ,ahem, a certain age, confabulation can become an issue. I was in fact thinking of "Eve of Destruction" by Barry McGuire. My bad. Best regards, Joe.

[@wilsonscott2370]

@@joebikeguy6669 From what I understand, the other members of the band were not happy that he gave that song away.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

His voice was as smooth as silk on San Francisco. You must be thinking of a different song.

[@joebikeguy6669]

@@popgoesthe60s52 You are absolutely correct sir! When you get to be a ,ahem, a certain age, confabulation can become an issue. I was in fact thinking of "Eve of Destruction" by Barry McGuire. My bad. Best regards, Joe.

[@uhoh007]

Wow....outstanding presentation. Great imagery, great sound, awesome content. Is it my imagination or, like one of these young bands after a hard tour, are your chops really coming together? Thank you!

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you very much!

[@composerclark]

Your videos are impressively well-researched, educational, and enjoyable. Thanks for all your great work! Just wondering… How long does it take you to make a video, on average?

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you. Generally, for every minute of video, it takes an hour's worth of production. So for a 30 minute video, it takes 30 hours to produce, roughly speaking. That includes writing my outline, shooting the on camera, graphics and editing. I come into the project having all the albums and quite a lot of research accumulated from books, mags and online articles, so it takes a bit more than an hour/minute. This is for the band histories. My other videos are usually less demanding and I give myself breaks with news and reactionary stuff. I am usually working on about 3-4 bands in various stages so I can hit the ground running. Creating the graphics and adding all the music really add to the hours but those two elements make the videos more engaging.

[@gordonteats298]

THE PEBBLES were cool also in 1968 from England

[@paulramon3353]

Matt, just so you know, youtube's new longer adbreak policy made this really hard to stick with, despite your usual high quality

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Yeah, I don't have much control over the ad policy. It has changed so I can't choose the types of ads. I do appreciate the support, Paul.

[@grahampratchett8207]

Hi Matt. I've been a follower of THE MAMAS & PAPAS for countless years. And really didn't know their history, and glad you've come along with this Review. Scott McKenzie also. Got Two Vinyl of The Mamas & Papas. For you which JOURNEYMEN album would you highly recommend. And also which SCOTT McKENZIE alb um would you highly recommend? Many Thanks

[@popgoesthe60s52]

The cd The Very Best of the Journeymen is solid but for a vinyl option I'd go with the self-titled first album. Scott's 1967 album has a few great tunes but it is not essential.

[@buzzsmith8146]

I'm really enjoying your videos, Matt. Just out of curiosity, which part of the country do you call home? Thanks!

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Wisconsin!

[@justinavi9555]

When you get a chance can you do the history of the peanut butter conspiracy that band was badass thanks for your content been watching your channel. Thank you

[@popgoesthe60s52]

They are on my list and I have an impressive collection of their music! Stay tuned.

[@Neal_Schier]

Matt, we very justifiably compliment you on your excellent historical research and content, but I would like to draw attention to the high quality of your actual presentation. You don't switch images every 3 seconds and the images that you do show you keep on the screen long enough to allow the viewer an opportunity to linger. I know this sounds like a very small point these days, but it makes viewing your program all that much more enjoyable. You had mentioned that you have a background in the graphic arts and that shows. We are living in a golden age of content creation, but unfortunately so many of the young creators in these fields insist on switching images up to 20 times a minute. I have counted in a technical field like mine, aviation, that serious discussions are showing 15 to 20 images a minute. This is frenetic, this is counterproductive, and this is staggeringly annoying. I am glad you are keeping the pace nice and comfortable. Keep up the great work. I hope that younger graphic artists and content creators will pause and learn from your example. Heck, people of my generation survived teachers lecturing in front of a blackboard! I think this frequent image shifting is something that is well worth looking into. It started in the 80s with MTV and Disney, but has only gotten worse. In the meantime, we will enjoy your old-school approach of a visual aid being an AUGMENTATION to the program and not the sole focal point.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

I appreciate that Neal, I do use the graphics to enhance the presentation and to offer more information while trying to hold the viewers interest with good visuals. Pity the podcaster who can’t utilize visuals! I agree with the amount of images per minute - especially in films. I think this is done because we don’t have actors that can deliver a scene without cuts. Thank you, Neal!

[@wyliesmith4244]

Great point Neal. I stopped going to movies as the quick cuts just got my dander up. And previews were cut at an even faster pace. Thanks for posting on a point that needs to be made!

[@Neal_Schier]

@@wyliesmith4244 I am glad I am not alone in this sentiment! Just about everything that is on a screen these days is astoundingly frenetic... and I say that not just as an older guy for whom life is slowing a bit. I have actually counted the cuts and 20 per minute is not an exaggeration in some cases. Remember when Led Zeppelin did the O2 concert in London? I ordered the DVD right away but sadly it was then that I realized we were on a bad course. I don't think there was a single shot in the entire concert video that lasted more then 10 seconds. After a few moments I was counting it off: "One Mississippi, Two Mississippi, Three Mississippi, shot change. " Sure enough, it was like clockwork. What is even worse, is that as I mentioned I need to look at some technical videos where the user definately needs to linger on an image to take in a graph or something similar. Nope! You only get a short glance because the presenter needs to pack in ten more images in that minute even if most of them are totally unrelated. That kind of constant image shifting induces flicker vertigo and does nothing to help with learning. Maybe it will slow down. In the meantime I am glad there are old-schoolers like Matt who know how to properly mix images into the presentation.

[@simplechronology2605]

It's funny; while watching this, I was thinking that Matt's editing on this episode was a little better than his usual fine job. And the pacing of his videos is just right; not a lot of videos keep me listening for half and hour, but his almost feel too short.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

@@simplechronology2605 That is a high compliment! Thank you.

[@paavoviuhko7250]

So I am wondering what you personally thought of the Journeymen. Would you like to sit back and listen to them? What about Carolyn Hester? Would you like to sit back and listen to her? For myself I found it difficult when I was young to listen to those early orthodoxic stylists but now that I am older I have to say I am attracted to their style of vocal delivery. Didn't Joan Baez begin by playing to a strict Boston upscale coffee house crowd?

[@popgoesthe60s52]

I realize that straight folk music isn't for everyone but it was necessary to offer a history of the Journeymen in order to the the story of the Mamas and Papas. Carolyn Hester is not someone I would sit back and listen to though she played a part in the 60s development of folk in the Village. Her 1968-69 hippie rock albums are dreadful.

[@theragingdolphinsmaniac4696]

Great video. Proving once again that musical styles evolve every 10 years, and why music has sucked so much the last 20 years. Looks like everybody was playing Mr Tambourine Man before the Byrds got hold of it.

[@petejones879]

I thought you kept saying Jimi Hendrix 😅

[@1208bug]

😊👍❤

[@silasmarner7586]

Morning Dew... Mountain Dew?

[@deirdre108]

Wait! 04:55 Joan Rivers? Really? Damn!

[@curtislowe4577]

All this history and not one mention of Philip Wallach Blondheim III?

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Yeah, I could have gone into the renaming stuff with Phillips daughter playing into it, but that gets too tedious and ultimately is unimportant.

[@stevecarrero4120]

LOL. Zal Yanovsky. Alive and well in Argentina. LOL.

[@mikecook7334]

I hear it’s popular with the college kids…🤡👍🏻

[@johnpendarvis7885]

Seems like this was pre SO John Phillips. Or maybe not.

[@bobburroughs6241]

But are they as good as Spinal Tap's The Folksmen? I think they're having as much of a laugh though. Plop Goes the 60's. 🤣

[@klaatubob]

You have a noise problem with your microphone. 9:37

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Yeah, that happens unfortunately.

[@termsofusepolice]

The music from this American folk period sounds so milquetoast and square it's almost comical to my ears. I find it virtually unlistenable. Given that, it's so odd to hear about a guy performing this pap in this era being addicted to amphetamines. It's like an acid rock musician being addicted to crochet. But Phillips took TMATP's material up a significant creative notch and I love a lot of their stuff. Great mini doc as always, PGT60's. Thank you!

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Lots of the folk music of 1950s was blacklisted for its political stance, so folk music was far more progressive than the hits of the day which included such pap as Sugar Shack, Surrender, Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polkadot Bikini, and Monster Mash! More to come!

[@termsofusepolice]

@@popgoesthe60s52 Clearly. But my comment was addressing the music (and vocal stylings) only. Many of the lyrics from this folk period are quite lovely. And meaningful.

[@robgronotte1]

Very interesting video, but every one of these songs makes me cringe. I just cannot imagine how this kind of music was ever popular.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

They were popular because pop music was churning out shit like Sugar Shack, Surrender, Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polkadot Bikini, and Monster Mash.

[@robgronotte1]

@@popgoesthe60s52 I know it was kind of a dead period for rock and roll, but I think Motown was at least putting out some decent stuff. Monster Mash is pretty cool though. 👹

[@3Pitous]

That's the magic of folkmusic. Its immediacy.