Country Joe And Me [Paperback]

Ron Cabral (Author), Joe McDonald (Afterword)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 16, 2004

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.

Editorial Reviews

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...

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Product Details

• Paperback: 210 pages
• Publisher: AuthorHouse; First Edition edition (August 16, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1410765377
• ISBN-13: 978-1410765376
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,339,623 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Ron Cabral was born in San Francisco in 1941. Grew up in both the Bernal Heights and Noe Valley neighborhoods. Attended both Catholic and public schools. Attended Poly High but graduated from Mission High, City College of SF, SF State U. Married Rita Milani in 1965 at St. Peter and Paul's Church in North Beach. Lived in the Sunset District, Westlake and Daly City before moving to Concord in 1974. Have 3 grown children and 5 grandsons.

Served in the California Army National Guard, The Navy Reserve, and the Coast Guard Reserve. Retired from the Coast Guard as a Chief Petty Officer in 2001. Taught English, Social Studies, Journalism, and Radio Production in San Francisco in both the Junior and Senior High schools. Became a Dean and Vice-Principal then a Middle School Principal in 1992. Retired as a School Administrator in 2001 with 35 years of service.

Since retirement my wife and I have traveled to Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Tahiti, American Samoa, Alaska, Mexico, Panama, The Caribbean, Germany, Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, England and The Azores. Have also visited all 50 states with the exception of Delaware. I have posted a few travel blogs on the page at http://redroom.com/member/ron-cabral see the blogs and galleries.
One of the galleries pertains to my current book project.

My first book COUNTRY JOE AND ME came out as a paperback in 2003 and in hardcover in 2OO4. I first met Joe McDonald (Country Joe) while serving in the US Navy in Japan in 1960. In 2004 and 2005 I traveled with the Country Joe Band on two West Coast tours as a driver and to sell my book at all the gigs from LA to Canada and along the way. The Country Joe Band was made up Joe, Bruce Barthol, David Cohen, and Gary "Chicken" Hirsh - all original members of Country Joe and the Fish.

In 2005 I began work on my second book AND THIS THEN THEY WERE GONE this time as a co-writer with Judy Bebelaar. The book is about the Rev. Jim Jones period in San Francisco - Jones had enrolled over 100 of his teenaged members, and his three sons in a school we taught at (Opportunity High School) in 1976. The book is about those many teenagers who we got to know well before they all departed to a place called Jonestown in 1977. The second half of the book takes place in Jonestown and is based on research and by eye witness accounts of life and events in Jonestown. We expect this book to be completed sometime in early 2012.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Country Joe & Me, October 27, 2003

By 

Dave Diamond (Dayton, Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Country Joe And Me (Paperback)

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.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Eat Flowers and Kiss Babies . . . . ", January 20, 2006

By 

SpaceCommander (Everett, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Country Joe and Me (Hardcover)

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.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Feel Like I'm Fixin' To Read By: Bob Gersztyn, May 21, 2007

By 

Robert L. Gersztyn "Bob Gersztyn" (Salem, Oregon) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Country Joe and Me (Hardcover)

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.