22 Comments
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Dave Williams's avatar

Right there with you, CJ. I graduated in '69, was a drummer and learned that solo. It was epic but not really difficult. By 1970 I was a radio dj and we had mind blowing speakers. This song is probably the main reason I have screaming tinnitus now. 😁

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C.J. Heck's avatar

I hadn’t thought of that … it’s probably the reason I have it, too. But My Oh My, it was worth it!

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mitch's avatar

Great song indeed C J . I couldn't drive yet but blew out my speakers daily too it . I first saw them on the Dick Clark show , When they played two songs from their first album and there were 5 members ,even though I was young yes wondered why they needed a guy playing tambourine. Then they came back with the album in a gadda da vida which was an is an instant classic . Great taste in music C J , hugs and love to you and family

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C.J. Heck's avatar

We must be twin souls, Mitch! I’m glad you liked it, too.

Hugs and love

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mitch's avatar

Yes we must be ,C J . Hugs and love to all in your family and you of course

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David Perlmutter's avatar

My introduction to this, as to many things in life, came from "The Simpsons", when Bart fools a church congregation into singing and playing it for the whole length by presenting it as a hymn called "In The Garden Of Eden!"

It was much later that I came to become a fan of the band, and to appreciate in particular leader Doug Ingle's skill as a songwriter. But I didn't get to here the whole thing until I was finally able to buy a CD copy of the same-named album. Jazz musicians often do tracks that are double digit minutes in length, but it's extremely rare to do that in rock music, so the fact that they even got to release it as an album and a (severely edited) single both is astonishing.

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C.J. Heck's avatar

I didn’t know that, David. Thank you for the information!

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Dave Karpowicz's avatar

CJ, When it was at its height there was a joke that it overtook Happy Birthday as the most played song of all time. D

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C.J. Heck's avatar

I can almost believe that, Dave. I remember it was a whole new sound for all of us and we couldn’t get enough of it. Our parents didn’t appreciate it, I’m sure. (laughing)

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Deborah Brasket's avatar

Yes! A favorite of my youth as well. Recently revisited Joni Mitchell's Back to the Garden (actually named Woodstock), another classic.

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C.J. Heck's avatar

Yes! Thank you for the memory!

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Simone Senisin's avatar

I can only say groovy C.J 🤣😉😊

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C.J. Heck's avatar

Had you ever heard the song before?

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Simone Senisin's avatar

No l hadn’t but listening to it l can see how you could zone out to it 😝. How’s your day? Is the roof fixed? 🙏🏼

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C.J. Heck's avatar

The roof is, but not the ceilings in both bathrooms. That has to be subcontracted out. Still, it’s nice knowing the roof is done.

Did you go to the drum solo in the middle of the video? If you didn’t go that far, please do. Okay? It’s the best part.

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Simone Senisin's avatar

Good, you are weather tight then 😊. Yes, l did get to the drum solo because l had it playing while l had a shower and was getting ready for work 😊

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C.J. Heck's avatar

Oh good!

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Ken Macko's avatar

Definitely a classic. I have this picture in my head of you nodding your head up & back at a stoplight !😝

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C.J. Heck's avatar

Hahahaha, just between us, Ken, I was afraid to drive with it playing. I was transported. My brain was sucked up in the drum solo. Who could drive that way?

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Daniel Appleton's avatar

That was possibly one of the FEW SONGS not covered by the playlists of Good Morning Vietnam or Forrest Gump in the scenes where he & Bubba are sent to Vietnam, If memory serves.....

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C.J. Heck's avatar

Hmmm, I wonder why that was?

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Daniel Appleton's avatar

I had an idea for a scene in which Forrest meets Adriane Cronauer. Many cinematic hybrids.....

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