PETER ALBIN OF 'BIG BROTHER AND THE HOLDING COMPANY' TALKS HISTORY OF THE BAND AND JANIS JOPLIN: EXCLUSIVE WITH RAY SHASHO ON INTERVIEWING THE LEGENDS

P E T E R 

A L B I N 

co-founder, singer, songwriter

 and musician 

for 

Big Brother and The Holding Company

the band that launched the career 

of 

 J A N I S  J O P L I N

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Had it not been for the melodic and accomplished guitar work of Peter Albin flowing out of an upper story window at 1090 Page Street in the early summer of 1965, there might never have been a Big Brother and the Holding Company. It was on that day that Sam Andrew happened down Page Street in San Francisco and was so impressed by what he heard that he went in and introduced himself. 

By the time Peter met Sam in 1965, he had aspirations of forming a band that would write and perform children’s songs. One of the first songs he wrote while working with children at The Marin Jewish Community Day Camp, north of San Francisco, was “Caterpillar”. This song went on the appear on the first Big Brother and the Holding Company Album. But the guitarist who inspired the first meeting with Sam Andrew ended up making the transition to bass and has spent most of his career with that instrument. Although his fine guitar work can be heard on cuts such as “Coo-Coo”, “Oh, Sweet Mary”, and “Turtle Blues” and on Big Brother LPs “Be A Brother” and “How Hard It Is”. 

Witty and personable, Peter provided much of the on-stage commentary and served as the liaison for the group with managers and promoters. Also, in the early days of Big Brother, before Janis, Peter did most of the lead vocals for the band. Among the many songs he sang were “Blow My Mind” and “Down On Me”. Even after Janis, the first album finds Peter’s lead on “Blindman”, “Light Is Faster Than Sound”, and “Caterpillar”. Peter’s musical pursuits have also extended beyond Big Brother and the Holding Company.

He has played with Country Joe and the Fish and can be heard on their 1969 Vanguard album “Here We Are Again”. He later toured in an all-star band with Joe McDonald that cut an album outside Paris (Paris Sessions, Vanguard – 1973) in September of 1972.In 1982, Peter was one of the founding members of the Bay Area super group, The Dinosaurs. Along with Peter, the group consisted of, John Cipollina, Barry Melton, Merl Saunders, Robert Hunter, and Spencer Dryden.

Peter has loaned many items to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum in Cleveland. The most notable piece is his legendary psychedelic Fender Jazz Bass from 1968 which is now a popular museum attraction.

Purchase

Big Brother

 & The

 Holding Company 

SEX, DOPE & CHEAP THRILLS

Janis Joplin‘s breakout album and her final one with the band —reissued on Columbia/Legacy Recordings. The 50th anniversary set is released under its original title, Sex, Dope & Cheap Thrills, which Columbia considered too controversial in 1968.

Available at amazon.com

 For more information

about

PETER ALBIN

and

Big Brother & The Holding Company

visit

www.bbhc.com

www.facebook.com/BBHCband

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https://twitter.com/bbhc?lang=en

Twitter

Discography

Big Brother & The Holding Company

Studio albums

Big Brother & the Holding Company

Released: 1967

Cheap Thrills       

Released: 1968

Be a Brother

Released: 1970

How Hard It Is     

Released: 1971

Can't Go Home Again    

Released: 1997

Do What You Love        

Released: 1999

 

Live/compilation albums

Big Brother & the Holding Company: Live in San Francisco 1966 (1966)

In Concert (Janis Joplin) (1972)

Cheaper Thrills (1984)

Joseph's Coat (1986)

Live at Winterland '68 (1998)

Hold Me (2006)

The Lost Tapes (2008)

Live at the Carousel Ballroom 1968 (2012)

 

PETER ALBIN

APPEARS WEEK OF

SEPTEMBER 7TH 2021

on INTERVIEWING THE LEGENDS

with RAY SHASHO

STREAMING at  

THE CLASSIC ROCK MUSIC REPORTER

(classicrockmusicwriter.com)

Classic Rock Here And Now

Music Tried And True

Facebook LIVE

YouTube 

RAY’S BEST-SELLING BOOK

ENTITLED

THE 

ROCK 

STAR 

CHRONICLES

SERIES ONE

CHRONICLES, TRUTHS, CONFESSIONS AND WISDOM FROM THE MUSIC LEGENDS THAT SET US FREE

by RAY SHASHO 

…Order yours today on (Collector edition) Hardcover

 or E-book

 at bookbaby.com and amazon.com

Featuring over 45 intimate conversations with some of

the greatest rock legends the world will ever know.

CHRIS SQUIRE... DR. JOHN... GREG LAKE... HENRY MCCULLOUGH... JACK BRUCE … JOE LALA…  JOHNNY WINTER... KEITH EMERSON... PAUL KANTNER...  RAY THOMAS... RONNIE MONTROSE... TONY JOE WHITE... DAVID CLAYTON-THOMAS… MIKE LOVE... TOMMY ROE... BARRY HAY... CHRIS THOMPSON... JESSE COLIN YOUNG... JOHN KAY... JULIAN LENNON... MARK LINDSAY... MICKY DOLENZ… PETER RIVERA ...TOMMY JAMES… TODD RUNDGREN... DAVE MASON... EDGAR WINTER... FRANK MARINO... GREGG ROLIE... IAN ANDERSON... JIM “DANDY” MANGRUM... JON ANDERSON... LOU GRAMM... MICK BOX... RANDY BACHMAN… ROBIN TROWER...  ROGER FISHER... STEVE HACKETT... ANNIE HASLAM… ‘MELANIE’ SAFKA... PETULA CLARK... SUZI QUATRO... COLIN BLUNSTONE… DAVE DAVIES... JIM McCARTY... PETE BEST

THE ROCK STAR CHRONICLES

BOOK TRAILER

 

BOOK REVIEW

-By Literary Titan (5) STARS

 

The Rock Star Chronicles, by Ray Shasho, is a splendid book written by a music enthusiast who has poured their heart and soul into it. It’s a story of a boy who loved rock music, and his obsessive passion of it earned himself the name Rock Raymond. He went to school but instead was schooled in all matters of music while his peers were buried chin-deep in coursework. He then became a radio DJ and has now compiled a book on all interviews he held with Rock gods who raided the airwaves back in the 70s and 80s. It’s a compilation of interviews with outstanding vocalists, legendary guitarists and crazy drummers in the rock music scene. Each interview gives a reader an in-depth view into their personal lives and the philosophies that guide their lives which all serve to humanize these great icons. For readers who are old enough to call themselves baby boomers this book will bring old memories back to life. Millennials, on the other hand, may think of this book as a literal work of the Carpool Karaoke show. 

The Rock Star Chronicles is a book I didn’t know I was waiting for. To come across a book that will talk me into trying something new. One brave enough to incite me to venture into new frontiers. This book made me a believer- I am now a bona fide Rock and Roll music fan. 

Ray Shasho masterfully gets the interviewees talking. He smartly coaxes answers from them with crafty questions designed to get a story rolling out of them. The artists talk about diverse issues ranging from music, politics, and their social engagements. Having been on the music seen all his life, Ray Shasho knows the buttons to press, how to get them comfortable about talking about their lives. 

The book’s cover is befitting of its subject matter with the leather look offering a royal background to the golden letter print. It speaks to how high a level rock music holds in the pecking order- arguably, modern music as we know it has originated from blues and rock music.  The second noteworthy thing is the use of high-definition pictures to reference the musician being interviewed in every sub-chapter. This ensures that the book is for both original rock and roll lovers and aspiring new ones. Together is makes for a refreshing and consistently enjoyable read.

I recommend this book to rock music enthusiasts, aspiring musicians wondering what it takes and all readers curious to learn new things by going back in time.

https://literarytitan.com/2020/05/03/literary-titan-book-awards-may-2020/   Gold Award Winner

 

DAVID CLAYTON-THOMAS THE LEGENDARY VOICE OF BLOOD, SWEAT & TEARS FEBRUARY 18TH 7 PM PACIFIC/10 PM EASTERN ON INTERVIEWING THE LEGENDS-BBS RADIO 1

D A V I D  C L A Y T O N -T H O M A S

THE LEGENDARY VOICE OF

BLOOD,SWEAT & TEARS

NEW POLITICALLY POTENT ALBUM

entitled 

Say Somethin'

Release date March 20th

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

GRAMMY Award-winning musician David Clayton-Thomas has announced the release of his latest album, Say Somethin’ — set for release March 20, 2020 via Linus Records.

Featuring singles “Never Again,” Clayton-Thomas’ powerful battle cry calling attention to the gun violence plaguing the U.S.; and “The System,” his insistent calls for action within the youth justice system, Say Somethin’ is a 10-track statement in the form of potent music and inspirational songwriting from the legendary artist. In addition, the album confronts many timely issues across today’s social spectrum, including climate change, immigration, and politics.

David Clayton-Thomas collaborated on Say Somethin with Canadian musicians Lou Pomanti, Eric St Laurent, Davide Direnzo, and George Koller.

David Clayton-Thomas began his amazing journey as a homeless street kid and developed into one of the most recognizable voices in music, to date selling over 40 million records. In 1996 he was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and in 2007 his jazz/rock composition “Spinning Wheel” was enshrined in the Songwriter’s Hall Of Fame. In 2010 David received his star on Canada’s Walk of Fame.

His 1968 debut album with Blood Sweat & Tears sold 10 million copies worldwide. The self-titled record topped the Billboard album chart for seven weeks and charted for a staggering 109 weeks. It won an unprecedented five Grammy awards, including Album of the Year and Best Performance by a Male Vocalist. It featured three hit singles, “You Made Me So Very Happy,” “And When I Die” and “Spinning Wheel,” as well as an irresistible rendition of Billie Holiday’s “God Bless the Child” that became a signature song for David. A 1969 summary in the Los Angeles Times proclaimed that “Blood Sweat & Tears just may be the most important pop music group of the decade.”

In his 1974 autobiography, Clive: Inside the Record Business, Clive Davis, then president of Columbia Records, described his initial impression of hearing David Clayton-Thomas at New York’s Café Au Go Go: “He was staggering… a powerfully built singer who exuded an enormous earthy confidence. He jumped right out at you. I went with a small group of people, and we were electrified. He seemed so genuine, so in command of the lyric… a perfect combination of fire and emotion to go with the band’s somewhat cerebral appeal. I knew he would be a strong, strong figure.”

BS&T headlined at major venues around the world… Royal Albert Hall, The Metropolitan Opera, The Hollywood Bowl, Madison Square Garden and Caesar’s Palace, as well as the Newport Jazz Festival and Woodstock. It was the first contemporary band to break through the Iron Curtain with its historic 1970 tour of Eastern Europe.

Through the years, he has lost none of the attributes that have made him one of the greatest vocalists of his generation. That unmistakable voice now soaring and sunny, now a dark, somber shade of blue. He still just sings the hell out of a song.

“People like me don’t retire,” says David with his face in a wide grin around those storied, steel-blue eyes.” This is what I was put here to do”. With the BS&T years now behind him, look for an outpouring of new music from this gifted and fiercely creative artist.

DAVID 

CLAYTON-THOMAS

Say Somethin'

Featuring singles “Never Again,” Clayton-Thomas’ powerful battle cry calling attention to the gun violence plaguing the U.S.; and “The System,” 

Purchase the new album by David Clayton-Thomas

Politically Potent Album entitled Say Somethin’

 Newest Studio Album Set for Release March 20 on Linus Records

Pre-sale link: https://smarturl.it/dctsaysomPethin

And available at amazon.com on March 20th

BLOOD, SWEAT AND TEARS BY DAVID CLAYTON-THOMAS -Autobiography

There was a time when David Clayton-Thomas seemed an unlikely success story. As a teenager in Willowdale, Ontario, his frequent clashes with his authoritarian father led to his living on the streets by the time he was 14, then spending the rest of his youth bouncing in and out of jails and reformatories. But when a battered, old mail-order guitar was left to him by an outgoing inmate, Clayton-Thomas discovered a talent for music that allowed him to believe in a different kind of life. This is the remarkable story of his journey to international stardom as the legendary front man for Blood, Sweat & Tears. In his brutally truthful memoir, Clayton-Thomas reveals what it was like to headline at Woodstock, to tour behind the Iron Curtain, to watch brilliant musicians tear their own band apart with in-fighting, and to make his fortune only to lose it all … and start all over again. This is a story of grit, courage, and determination. It is, above all, a story of survival.

 available at amazon.com

DAVID CLAYTON-THOMAS APPEARS

FEBRUARY 18TH 2020

7 PM PACIFIC/10 PM EASTERN

on INTERVIEWING THE LEGENDS

with RAY SHASHO

BBS RADIO 1

www.bbsradio.com

MY NEW BOOK IS FINALLY OUT!

ENTITLED

THE ROCK STAR CHRONICLES

CHRONICLES, TRUTHS, CONFESSIONS AND WISDOM FROM THE MUSIC LEGENDS THAT SET US FREE

 …Order yours today on Hardcover or E-book

 at bookbaby.com or amazon.com

Featuring over 45 intimate conversations with some of

the greatest rock legends on the planet

CHRIS SQUIRE... DR. JOHN... GREG LAKE... HENRY MCCULLOUGH... JACK BRUCE … JOE LALA…  JOHNNY WINTER... KEITH EMERSON... PAUL KANTNER...  RAY THOMAS... RONNIE MONTROSE... TONY JOE WHITE... DAVID CLAYTON-THOMAS… MIKE LOVE... TOMMY ROE... BARRY HAY... CHRIS THOMPSON... JESSE COLIN YOUNG... JOHN KAY... JULIAN LENNON... MARK LINDSAY... MICKY DOLENZ… PETER RIVERA ...TOMMY JAMES… TODD RUNDGREN... DAVE MASON... EDGAR WINTER... FRANK MARINO... GREGG ROLIE... IAN ANDERSON... JIM “DANDY” MANGRUM... JON ANDERSON... LOU GRAMM... MICK BOX... RANDY BACHMAN… ROBIN TROWER...  ROGER FISHER... STEVE HACKETT... ANNIE HASLAM ‘MELANIE’ SAFKA... PETULA CLARK... SUZI QUATRO... COLIN BLUNSTONE… DAVE DAVIES... JIM McCARTY... PETE BEST

Have a great week everybody!