Iconic band Lovin’ Spoonful to play Panida

September 10, 2026

Hits include ‘Do You Believe in Magic?’ and ‘Summer in the City’

By Reader Staff

Widely hailed as “America’s answer to The Beatles,” Lovin’ Spoonful has contributed many hits to the world. After the smash success of their first single, “Do You Believe in Magic,” Lovin’ Spoonful followed up with an unprecedented string of hits, including “Daydream,” “Younger Girl,” “Summer in the City,” “You Didn’t Have to Be So Nice,” “Darling Be Home Soon,” “Jug Band Music,” “Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind,” “Lovin’ You,” “Didn’t Want to Have to Do it,” “Rain on the Roof,” “Six O’Clock,” “Nashville Cats,” “Coconut Grove” and “She’s Still a Mystery (to me).”

Now, the iconic Canadian-U.S. band will play a special concert at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 10 at the Panida Theater (300 N. First Ave., in downtown Sandpoint).

Lovin’ Spoonful is (L-R): Rob Bonfiglio, Steve Boone, Jeff Allen Ross, Bill Cinque and Mike Auturi. Courtesy photo

Formed in New York’s Greenwich Village in 1965 at the Night Owl Cafe, Lovin’ Spoonful quickly became a household name. The band’s first seven singles soared onto Billboard’s top-10 charts almost overnight, and they performed on every major TV show of the era — including The Ed Sullivan Show, Hullabaloo and Shindig! During their most active years in the 1960s, Lovin’ Spoonful made five studio and two soundtrack albums.

The group disbanded in 1968 and original founding member John Sebastian pursued a solo career.

Today, Lovin’ Spoonful tours with Jeff Alan Ross, Rob Bonfiglio, Bill Cinque and Mike Auturi, while co-founding member Steve Boone remains active in the day-to-day management of the group.

Lovin’ Spoonful’s chart-topping hits offer audiences a unique experience to travel back to the ’60s. Their sound was derived from influential jug bands and blues music, which they developed into a popular music format. Lovin’ Spoonful’s output helped develop the folk-rock genre and, in 1966, the group created the third-best-selling singles in the country after The Beatles and Rolling Stones.

The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000.

The Sept. 10 concert is presented by the Panida and is supported by Creative West, which receives support in part from the National Endowment for the Arts.

Tickets start at $48.75 and are available at panida.org.