Excellent biography of Country Joe McDonald (Country Joe and the Fish), the revolutionary band from Berkeley.

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Product Description

Country Joe and Meis about a rock-folk icon and a San Francisco public school teacher. A long time ago Country Joe McDonald and hisNavy pal Ron Cabral had an idea to write a book about the story of their lives. They met in 1960 while serving in the U.S.Navy as 18-year old sailors at Atsugi, Japan.Follow their interactions over several decades - a rollercoaster ride of shared experiences in the military, education and music. Toldby Cabral from the perspective of "ground zero" it offers a unique look at theemergence of Country Joe and the cultural, political, and musical revolutionthat blossomed in San Francisco and Berkeley during the late 60's and early70's-- There are chapters on Country Joe and The Fish, Janis Joplin and Joe'sbrief love affair with her. Go behindthe scenes with Bill Graham and Jerry Garcia during "Summerland" - a very special project for high schoolstudents initiated by Country Joe while he was a volunteer teacher in Ron'sschool called Opportunity High.Also included are the lyrics to some of Country Joe's mostimportant songs, memorabilia, rare photos, a discography and a lot more-- There is a special Afterword by Country Joeon his role with the Vietnam Vets over the years. A must read for every Country Joe fan. This is the only bookcurrently available on Country Joe. For more information on Country Joe seewww.countryjoe.com.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #714455 in Books
• Published on: 2004-08-16
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 210 pages

From the Publisher
AUTHORHOUSE is a print on demand company

From the Author
Citations claims that 15 books were cited in this book. None of those that appear on the webpage are from my book. I cite 3 books = On the Road by Jack Kerouac, Summer of Love by Joel Selvin and Bill Graham Presents - my life inside Rock and Out by Bill Graham and Robert Greenfield. There is also a hardcover version of this book on the website. Please correct it as well...

About the Author
Ron Cabral a native of San Francisco and graduate of San Francisco State University became a teacher in 1965 and later a middle school principal with the San Francisco public schools serving for 35 years. Between the years 1967 and 1973 while teaching and starting a family he became deeply involved in the emerging music revolution-taking place in his hometown of San Francisco. He promoted concerts and managed a few rock bands some of which played at Fillmore-West and Winterland for rock czar Bill Graham. A trombone player and percussionist since his youth he had occasion to record with Gold and play briefly with Country Joe and The All-Stars. In 2003 Ron backed Joe on trombone at several appearances in the Bay Area. In 2004 and 2005 he went on the road with the Country Joe Band (all former members of Country Joe and The Fish) to sell his book Country Joe and Me. Those road trips were two West Coast Tours traveling from LA to Seattle and Vancouver, B.C.Ron met Joe McDonald (the subject of Country Joe and Me) while serving in the U.S. Navy in 1960 - they have remained friends ever since. Ron is married with 3 grown children and 5 grandchildren. He lives in Concord, California. He is currently co-writing his second book called San Francisco to Jonestown - a story about the many students he knew who happened to be members of the Peoples Temple who were enrolled in his Public Alternative High school by Jim Jones in 1976. Most of those 125 students went on to a place called Jonestown never to return.

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Customer Reviews

Country Joe & Me
Country Joe And Me is a coming of age testament as told by Ron Cabral detailing the life and times of himself and longtime friend Country Joe McDonald. Cabral reflects on Navy life, producing his band GOLD, the evolving atomosphere of life in the Sixties, Vietnam, the birth and lasting legacy of Psychedelic music and life today in the post-Vietnam era. This book is filled with recollections and memories as told by the people who were there, Barry Melton, David Cohen and Country Joe himself. The book is loaded with classic and updated photos, song lyrics to many classic Country Joe & The Fish songs and is considered the only true authorized biography of Country Joe McDonald by the man best qualified to tell the story, in his own words.

Feel Like I'm Fixin' To Read By: Bob Gersztyn
Ron Cabral's book, "Country Joe & Me" is an very interesting read. I became aware of it after interviewing Country Joe McDonald for Folkwax, ezine and the Wittenburg Door magazine. My knowledge of Country Joe was limited to his musical career, but the book expanded that knowledge into his military career as well. Previously I wasn't aware that he was a veteran, or of his relentless crusade for Viet Nam Veterans and their issues. Country Joe McDonald is a hero on many levels, who has somehow managed to be a viable force on both sides of one of the most controversial issues of the late 20th and early 21st century - "War". I would recommend the book to anyone wishing to understand how an individual can oppose a war that your country promotes, yet still be a patriot.

"Eat Flowers and Kiss Babies . . . . "
A true slice of "Americana" written with absolutely no apparent agenda. I don't see any biases in Ron Cabral's part as he does not try to either glorify or denigrate Country Joe or others. Even his writings on dealings with Bill Graham seem to be "here's the facts, you draw the conclusions." This was a thoroughly fun book to read. Wasn't action packed or "can't put it down," but enjoyable none the less - sort of a history lesson. Great information about Janis Joplin. I feel Ron Cabral had a LOT more interesting information to divulge but he felt it was better left out. I can understand leaving out off color or personal information, but a tale of an amusing Trip or two would have been interesting . . . I'm sure some were hilarious.