John Stewart's name often gets left out of discussions about L.A.'s singer/songwriter era, despite the fact that he may be its most prolific progenitor. Born in San Diego in 1936, he was a contemporary of
Bob Dylan and
Joan Baez. Subsequent to his death in 2008 after nearly a five-decade career,
Stewart left a cache of more than 600 songs and 40 albums. During high school he led a
Buddy Holly-obsessed garage band before forming the folk group
the Cumberland Three. He wrote for
the Kingston Trio, and in 1961 replaced banjoist
Dave Guard and remained their chief songwriter until their split in 1967, the same year the
Monkees scored an international smash with
Stewart's best-known song "Daydream Believer." His three-album solo run for Capitol -- 1968's
Signals Through the Glass (co-billed to singer and future wife
Buffy Ford), 1969's classic
California Bloodlines, and 1970's
Willard -- are strikingly rendered singer/songwriter prototypes framed in various combinations of folk, roots rock, country, and pop.
Old Forgotten Altars comprises 19 unheard demos compiled by producer
Ron Furmanek and overseen by
Buffy Ford Stewart.