# Joe Butler

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American musician

For other people named Joe Butler, see [Joe Butler (disambiguation)](/source/Joe_Butler_(disambiguation)).

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Joe Butler Butler in 2016 Born Joseph Campbell Butler (1941-09-16) September 16, 1941 (age 84) Long Island, New York, U.S. Occupations Musician, actor Works Hair, Soon Spouse Kim Ablondi Children Yancy Butler Musical career Genres Rock, psychedelic rock, pop Instruments Drums, vocals, autoharp, acoustic guitar, percussion Years active 1964–present Member of The Lovin' Spoonful Musical artist

**Joseph Campbell Butler** (born September 16, 1941)[1] is an American drummer, singer and actor. He is best known as a member of folk-rock band [The Lovin' Spoonful](/source/The_Lovin'_Spoonful), where he was drummer and later lead vocalist; the group had seven top 10 hits between 1965 and 1966.[2] Outside of his work in music, he is a theater and television actor best known for the musicals [*Soon*](/source/Soon_(musical)) and [*Hair*](/source/Hair_(musical)).

## Early life

Joeseph Campbell Butler was born on September 16, 1941, in [Long Island](/source/Long_Island), New York. He began playing drums at age 10 and started playing professionally at 13.[3] During his teen years Butler formed several bands that gigged throughout the Northeast.[4]

Butler later joined the Air Force, where he met future Lovin' Spoonful bandmate [Steve Boone](/source/Steve_Boone) and his brother Skip. After leaving the military in 1963, Butler, Skip and Steve formed a group called The Kingsmen (not to be confused with another [band](/source/The_Kingsmen) of the same name), serving as drummer and vocalist.[3] The Kingsmen changed their name to the Sellouts and began playing in New York City.[4]

## Career

### The Lovin' Spoonful

Main article: [The Lovin' Spoonful](/source/The_Lovin'_Spoonful)

In 1964 Butler joined [The Lovin' Spoonful](/source/The_Lovin'_Spoonful), founded by [John Sebastian](/source/John_Sebastian) and [Zal Yanovsky](/source/Zal_Yanovsky). Butler replaced original drummer Jan Carl after their first gig at the Night Owl in [Greenwich Village](/source/Greenwich_Village). After signing with [Kama Sutra Records](/source/Kama_Sutra_Records), the band released its debut album [Do You Believe in Magic](/source/Do_You_Believe_in_Magic_(album)) in 1965. The Lovin' Spoonful's biggest hits are "[Do You Believe in Magic](/source/Do_You_Believe_in_Magic_(song))", "[Summer In The City](/source/Summer_in_the_City_(song))" and "[Darling Be Home Soon](/source/Darling_Be_Home_Soon)". Butler sang lead vocals on "[You Baby](/source/Do_You_Believe_in_Magic_(album))", "[Full Measure](/source/Hums_of_the_Lovin'_Spoonful)", "[Never Going Back](/source/Revelation%3A_Revolution_'69)", "[Only Pretty, What A Pity](/source/Everything_Playing)" and "Me About You".[5]

In 1967 Yanovsky left and was replaced by [Jerry Yester](/source/Jerry_Yester). The same year, the group released [Everything Playing](/source/Everything_Playing), the first album to feature Yester and last to include Sebastian. Sebastian left the band in 1968, and Butler became lead vocalist for their final album, *[Revelation: Revolution '69](/source/Revelation%3A_Revolution_'69).* The album was recorded without Boone or Yester, instead featuring Butler and session musicians. The album performed poorly and after its release, Butler dissolved the Lovin' Spoonful and pursued an acting career.

In 1980 Butler reunited with the original line up of John Sebastian, Zal Yanovsky and Steve Boone, to appear in the movie [One-Trick Pony](/source/One-Trick_Pony_(film)).[6] In 1991, Butler reunited with Steve Boone and Jerry Yester and the band resumed touring. In this incarnation of the band, Butler acted as frontman by singing and playing autoharp, percussion and acoustic guitar. In 2000, the original lineup reunited a final time and was inducted into the [Rock and Roll Hall of Fame](/source/Rock_and_Roll_Hall_of_Fame). In 2006, Butler and the Lovin' Spoonful were inducted into the [Vocal Group Hall of Fame](/source/Vocal_Group_Hall_of_Fame) .[7]

In 2020, Butler performed at a fundraiser for autism research with John Sebastian and Steve Boone for the first time since their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.[8]

### Acting

Butler landed his first major role in the 1971 rock opera *[Soon](/source/Soon_(musical))*, playing the character of Neil.[9][10][11] He next replaced [James Rado](/source/James_Rado) in the lead role of Claude, joining the original Broadway cast of *[Hair](/source/Hair_(musical))*.[12][13] 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](/source/Rise_and_Fall_of_the_City_of_Mahagonny)*. In 2002 Butler appeared on Yancy's show [Witchblade](/source/Witchblade_(2001_TV_series)). This was Butler's first time acting on TV.[14][15]

Butler is a founding member of the [Circle Theatre Company](/source/Circle_Theatre_Company).[16] Alongside award-winning and renowned director [Marshall W. Mason](/source/Marshall_W._Mason) and Pulitzer Prize winning playwright [Lanford Wilson](/source/Lanford_Wilson), Butler has written and directed numerous theater projects, including a play called Hearts in the City.[4]

## Personal life

Butler married theater manager Leslie Vega on September 2, 1967. He later divorced her and married Kim Ablondi. His daughter from his first marriage is actress [Yancy Butler](/source/Yancy_Butler),[14][17] star of the television series *[Mann & Machine](/source/Mann_%26_Machine)* and *[South Beach](/source/South_Beach_(1993_TV_series))*, as well as films *[Hard Target](/source/Hard_Target)* and *[Drop Zone](/source/Drop_Zone_(film))*.[18]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Artist: Joe Butler | SecondHandSongs"](https://secondhandsongs.com/artist/15568/all). *secondhandsongs.com*. Retrieved July 14, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Names"](https://web.archive.org/web/20121106051521/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/freep/access/1815427071.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jan+24,+2003&author=&pub=Detroit+Free+Press&desc=NAMES+&+FACES&pqatl=google). *[Detroit Free Press](/source/Detroit_Free_Press)*. January 24, 2003. Archived from [the original](https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/freep/access/1815427071.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jan+24,+2003&author=&pub=Detroit+Free+Press&desc=NAMES+%26+FACES&pqatl=google) on November 6, 2012. Retrieved October 28, 2010. ... protection relating to her father Joseph Butler the drummer for the 1960s. band Lovin Spoonful While in custody on that charge Butler headbutted a ...

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_3-1) ["Gary James' Interview With Joe Butler of The Lovin' Spoonful"](http://www.classicbands.com/LovinSpoonfulJoeButlerInterview.html). *www.classicbands.com*. Retrieved October 15, 2023.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:3_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:3_4-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:3_4-2) ["The Lovin' Spoonful"](https://web.archive.org/web/20161119114920/http://www.lovinspoonful.com/joe.html). November 19, 2016. Archived from [the original](http://www.lovinspoonful.com/joe.html) on November 19, 2016. Retrieved July 23, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Donna (April 22, 2005). ["Lovin' Spoonful :: Joe Butler songs"](https://donnaville.com/2005/04/22/lovin-spoonful-joe-butler-songs/). *donnaville*. Retrieved September 27, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** [*One-Trick Pony (1980) - IMDb*](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0081280/fullcredits). Retrieved August 5, 2024 – via www.imdb.com.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["The Lovin' Spoonful – The Vocal Group Hall of Fame"](https://vocalgroup.org/inductees/the-lovin-spoonful/). Retrieved July 23, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Kreps, Daniel (March 1, 2020). ["See Lovin' Spoonful Members Reunite Onstage for First Time in 20 Years"](https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/lovin-spoonful-reunite-benefit-concert-960233/). *Rolling Stone*. Retrieved March 22, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Soon Original Broadway Musical Cast 1971 | Broadway World"](https://www.broadwayworld.com/shows/Soon-7259/cast). *www.broadwayworld.com*. Retrieved July 23, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Soon (Original Broadway Production, 1971) | Ovrtur"](https://ovrtur.com/production/2881900). *ovrtur.com*. Retrieved August 21, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Joe Butler (i) | Ovrtur"](https://ovrtur.com/biography/10227544). *ovrtur.com*. Retrieved August 21, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-:1_12-0)** ["Joe Butler & Steve Boone – The Lovin' Spoonful"](https://www.limusichalloffame.org/inductees/joe-butler-steve-boone-the-lovin-spoonful/). *Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame*. November 3, 2017. Retrieved October 15, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Credits & Role Info for "Claude Hooper Bukowski" for Hair (Broadway Transfer, 1968) | Ovrtur"](https://ovrtur.com/production/role-profile/1102139). *ovrtur.com*. Retrieved August 21, 2024.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:2_14-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:2_14-1) ["Yancy Butler"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110612110443/http://www.scifidimensions.com/Jul02/yancybutler2.htm). June 12, 2011. Archived from [the original](http://www.scifidimensions.com/Jul02/yancybutler2.htm) on June 12, 2011. Retrieved August 7, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** [*Witchblade (TV Series 2001–2002) - IMDb*](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0274298/fullcredits). Retrieved August 7, 2024 – via m.imdb.com.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** Drummer, Modern (January 27, 2017). ["Friday Nuggets: Joe Butler's Cannons"](https://www.moderndrummer.com/2017/01/friday-nuggets-joe-butler-cannons/). *Modern Drummer Magazine*. Retrieved July 14, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["E! News - "Witchblade" Star Ordered to Rehab"](https://web.archive.org/web/20070930184322/http://www.eonline.com/news/article/index.jsp?uuid=d58f45ce-6162-413d-bf44-a71b7c2127e8). September 30, 2007. Archived from [the original](http://www.eonline.com/news/article/index.jsp?uuid=d58f45ce-6162-413d-bf44-a71b7c2127e8) on September 30, 2007. Retrieved September 16, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** Stunts, Women In (April 22, 2016). ["Yancy Butler"](https://www.womeninstunts.com/yancy-butler/). *Women In Stunts*. Retrieved March 22, 2024.

## External links

[Wikimedia Commons](/source/Wikimedia_Commons) has media related to:

[Joe Butler](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Joe_Butler)

- [Joe Butler](https://web.archive.org/web/20170510130427/http://www.lovinspoonful.com/joe.html) at lovinspoonful.com

- [Joe Butler](https://digital.library.unt.edu/search/?fq=str_title_serial%3A%22The+Pop+Chronicles+%28John+Gilliland+Collection%29%22&sort=date_a&start=34) interviewed on the *[Pop Chronicles](/source/Pop_Chronicles)* (1969)

- [Joe Butler](https://www.discogs.com/artist/1105659) discography at [Discogs](/source/Discogs)

- [Joe Butler](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0124981/) at [IMDb](/source/IMDb_(identifier))

v t e The Lovin' Spoonful John Sebastian Zal Yanovsky Steve Boone Joe Butler Jan Carl Jerry Yester Studio albums Do You Believe in Magic Daydream Hums of the Lovin' Spoonful Everything Playing Revelation: Revolution '69 Soundtracks What's Up, Tiger Lily? You're A Big Boy Now Compilations What's Shakin' The Best of the Lovin' Spoonful The Very Best of the Lovin' Spoonful The Best... Lovin' Spoonful Anthology Greatest Hits Live albums Live at the Hotel Seville Singles "Do You Believe In Magic" "You Didn't Have to Be So Nice" "Daydream" "Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind?" "Summer in the City" "Rain on the Roof" "Nashville Cats" "Darling Be Home Soon" Other songs "Good Time Music" "Younger Girl" Related Discography Drug bust The Mugwumps

v t e Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – Class of 2000 Performers Eric Clapton Earth, Wind & Fire Philip Bailey, Larry Dunn, Johnny Graham, Ralph Johnson, Al McKay, Fred White, Maurice White, Verdine White, Andrew Woolfolk The Lovin' Spoonful Steve Boone, Joe Butler, John Sebastian, Zal Yanovsky The Moonglows Prentiss Barnes, Harvey Fuqua, Peter Graves, Billy Johnson, Bobby Lester Bonnie Raitt James Taylor Early influences Nat King Cole Billie Holiday Non-performers (Ahmet Ertegun Award) Clive Davis Sidemen Hal Blaine King Curtis James Jamerson Scotty Moore Earl Palmer

Authority control databases: Artists MusicBrainz

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Joe Butler](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Butler) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Butler?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.