Rock And Roll Hall Of Famer John Sebastian To Play In Surf City

“Hot town, summer in the city
Back of my neck getting dirty and gritty
Been down, isn’t it a pity
Doesn’t seem to be a shadow in the city

All around, people looking half dead
Walking on the sidewalk, hotter than a match head

But at night it’s a different world
Go out and find a girl
Come-on come-on and dance all night
Despite the heat it’ll be alright” - written by John Sebastian, Mark Sebastian and Richard Boone

Recognize those lyrics? Maybe, maybe not. They are a portion of The Lovin’ Spoonful’s “Summer in The City,” which rocketed to the top of the Billboard charts in August 1966 and stayed there for three weeks.

And John Sebastian, the band’s creator and lead singer, will be on hand at the Surf City branch of the Ocean County Library at 7 p.m. on Aug. 9 for a free outdoor concert.

Sebastian is best known for The Lovin’ Spoonful. The band’s first seven singles charted to the Top 10 of the day, with a mix of rock, blues, country and folk music. Sebastian left the group in 1968 and gave a solo performance at the Woodstock music festival in 1969.

Since then he has collaborated with a wide variety of musicians ranging from The Doors to Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.

Sebastian was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Lovin’ Spoonful in 2000.

Visitors are asked to bring lawn chairs or blankets, since no chairs will be provided.