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Paul Marshall - Former Lead Singer of The Strawberry Alarm Clock

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In this episode of Vinyl Vibes, Jack is joined by Paul Marshall, a former lead singer of The Strawberry Alarm Clock. In 1967 the band had a number one in the US with their song  "Incense and Peppermints". Paul would join the band in 1969 after the departure of singer and guitarist Jimmy Pitman. He would become an important component of the band, becoming their main songwriter on Alarm Clock singles "California Day" and "Girl from the City". In 1970 the band made an appearance in the film Beyond the Valley of the Dolls in which songs written by Paul were on its soundtrack. After touring the south throughout 1970 and 1971 with Lynyrd Skynyrd (then an unknown band), the Alarm Clock were without a recording contract and had different views on the musical direction of the band. Due to these reasons the band disbanded in 1971. 

Paul would stay in music after The Alarm Clock. Into the '80s, Paul wrote songs for the likes of Juice Newton and Patty Loveless. More recently he has been a long-time member of I See Hawks in L.A.  

Jack zoomed Paul to discuss his early musical beginnings, his early musical memories listening to his grand parent's 78 record collection, the impact artists such as The Everly Brothers had on him, his early work in bands, how he came to join The Strawberry Alarm Clock in 1969, the writing and recording of songs such as  "California Day" and "Girl from the City", his memories of playing live in the Alarm Clock, why the band came to an end in 1971, his songwriting work in the '80s and his recent work with I See Hawks in L.A.

"So I had been fired from this band and was wondering what I was going to do next and I was visiting my girlfriends brother, I was over at his house - he was in an apartment- and across the hall there was a party going on. I walked across the hall, cos you could do that, you could walk into a party in 1969, I walked into the party and the party was raging...I started talking to a few people and I sat down on the couch and a guy was sitting next to me and in the middle of our conversation he said "I got a real problem", I said "wants your problem?", he said "I got a band and were suppose to go on the road in two weeks and our lead singer just quit - do you know anybody who can sing lead?" - I said "well yes, I can"...I became The Strawberry Alarm Clock's lead singer" - Paul Marshall on this episode of Vinyl Vibes talking about how he came to join The Strawberry Alarm Clock

Episode Hosted and Produced by Jack Hodgins

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