My father was invited to play on a television show when I was 17 or 18 that was an early equivalent of educational television, a Sunday afternoon kind of variety art show.

Facing deportation he gave up the name of his dealer which caused a fan backlash and internal strife. In December 1968 a musical he composed the music and lyrics for Jimmy Shine opened on Broadway with Dustin Hoffman in the title role.

He is best known as a founder of The Lovin' Spoonful a band inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000. John Benson Sebastian (born March 17 1944) is an American singer songwriter guitarist and autoharpist. His tie-dyed denim jacket is prominently displayed there.