Millions know Woodstock resident John Sebastian, a member of both the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, as much for co-founding The Lovin’ Spoonful as for his hit “Do You Believe in Magic.”
Now, the many facets of Sebastian’s life and work are at the center of a new documentary, a film that reflects the confluence of music and film that has shaped Woodstock’s artistic legacy for decades. The documentary, which includes Sebastian’s impromptu set at the 1969 festival, will be screened locally three times in the coming days.
“John Sebastian: “I’ll Paint Rainbows All Over Your Blues” will be shown in a sold-out session at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, at the Bearsville Theater, followed by a question-and-answer session with Sebastian and directors Chris Andersen and Todd Kwait. Additional screenings are set for 6 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at Broken Wing Barn at White Feather Farm in Saugerties.
Sebastian, 81, had a succinct response when asked in an interview about having his life featured in a documentary that he said he’d never sought.
“It’s very odd,” he said. “It is strange.”
Among the highlights, though, were clips from his family’s home movies that are included in the film.
“To be able to see my grandfather and my father and my mom, and some of these little vignettes that home movies have preserved, it’s all wonderful,” said Sebastian, who grew up in Greenwich Village.
All three screenings are being presented by the Woodstock Film Festival.
Sebastian scored seven Top Ten hits with The Lovin’ Spoonful between 1966-1969 and became a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame when the band was inducted in 2000. He was named to the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2008. He’s had success across a range of genres, including AM pop, contemporary folk, rootsy jug band, folk-rock, country and Broadway and played in recording sessions with the Doors and Crosby, Stills, & Nash.
“You were like a god to me,” Stephen Stills says in the documentary’s trailer, while Graham Nash describes Sebastian as almost a big brother. “I don’t think you really realized how important you were to the music of Crosby, Stills & Nash.”
Andersen said he and Kwait have worked on four films together, including the 2007 documentary “Chasin’ Gus’ Ghost,” which featured Sebastian. An earlier attempt to document Sebastian’s life stalled, but the filmmakers remained determined to tell his story. The ball got rolling for the new film about two years ago.
Andersen, who operates Nevessa Production in Saugerties, said he, Kwait and Sebastian are close friends. He added that he and Sebastian’s wife, photographer Catherine Sebastian, reviewed more than 50,000 still images from her extensive archive during production.
Woodstock Film Festival Executive Director Meira Blaustein said she is thrilled to present the film, citing the longstanding relationships both Sebastian and Andersen have with the festival.
“The film is wonderful,” Blaustein said. “I think people will really love immersing themselves in John’s life and music. Everything falls into place with this one.”
John W. Barry is a reporter for The Overlook. Reach him at john@theoverlooknews.com.