NORMAN
GREENBAUM
THE ORIGIN OF
"SPIRIT IN THE SKY"
'THE LOST INTERVIEWS'
with RAY SHASHO
EPISODE 13
CLICK BELOW
TO LISTEN TO THE ENTIRE INTERVIEW!
INTERVIEWED DECEMBER 6TH 2011
“When I die and they
lay me to rest
Gonna go to the place
that’s the best
When I lay me down to
die
Goin’up to the spirit
in the sky”
Norman Greenbaum is considered by many music experts to be a one-hit wonder. But when the lyrics to that hit meant so much to so many and with eternal impact… then who cares?
Greenbaum’s “Spirit In
The Sky” echoed an inspirational message of optimism for hope of an afterlife.
The song reached #3 on the Billboard charts and sold two million singles by
1970, and during an important transitional period in music that witnessed Album-Oriented
Rock formats overshadowing Top 40 singles on the airwaves.
Greenbaum created one of the most recognizable guitar riffs in rock and roll history using an industrial fuzz tone. Released in 1969, “Sprit In The Sky” has stood the test of time. Greenbaum states, “Motorists actually still pull over to the side of the road when they hear the song being played on the radio.”
And the song continues
to be a heavily requested tune at funerals.
Rolling Stone magazine
ranked “Spirit In The Sky,” #341 on the list of top ‘500 Greatest Songs of All
Time.’ Countless musicians have mimicked their version of the celestial
composition including Elton John, DC Talk, Darrel Mansfield, The Stovall
Sisters (The back-up singers on the original recording), Doctor and the Medics,
Nina Hagen, and Norman’s favorite cover version, The Kentucky Headhunters.
“Spirit In The Sky” has
been featured in countless movies, TV series and commercials. The song has also
been spotlighted on the 2008 music video game- Rock Band 2, enlightening a
whole new generation of “Spirit” advocates.
Norman Greenbaum began
a music career as a member of Dr. West’s Medicine Show and Junk Band. Their
sole hit was, “The Eggplant that Ate Chicago” (#52 on Billboard’s top 100) in
1966. Greenbaum departed the band and began a solo career under the direction
of producer Erik Jacobsen (Lovin’ Spoonful, Sopwith Camel, Chris Issak).
Raised of the Jewish
faith, Greenbaum states that there wasn’t much resentment from the Jewish
Community over his Christian-like lyrics, especially his reference to Jesus.
The only true criticism came from the Christian side who were not very pleased
with his lyric… “Never been a sinner I never sinned.” Greenbaum says, “I just
didn’t know better at the time.”
Today Norman Greenbaum
is 69 years old and lives in Northern California. His 1969 metaphysical one-
hit wonder continues to be adored and emulated by countless fans. Most recently
Peter Frampton covered “Spirit In The Sky” on William Shatner’s latest album,
Seeking Major Tom.
Norman enjoys
sponsoring races at the local fair. He says, “All it consists of is getting
around thirty friends together, having a party, and getting your picture taken
with the winning racehorse.” He’s also won a bunch of blue ribbons entering
various works.
Here’s my interview
with Songwriter/Vocalist/Guitarist/Rock and Roll Icon/ and a very amusing and
hip guy… Norman Greenbaum. (We had to reschedule the original interview date
because Mr. Greenbaum was feeling a bit under the weather).
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
