Interview: Don Stevenson of Moby Grape Talks Pre-Grape History, Band Formation, 1st Album, 2025 Reunion & More

In this first of a two part episode of LEGENDS: Podcast by All Day Vinyl, host Scott Dudelson sits down with Don Stevenson, the vocalist, songwriter, drummer and co-founder of the iconic Moby Grape — one of the most dynamic, underrated bands to emerge from the 1960s San Francisco rock scene.

From smoky late-night clubs in the Pacific Northwest to the chaos of Monterey Pop, Don takes us on a deeply personal journey through rock history. He opens up about first meeting Jerry Miller (his Moby Grape co-founder), backing up Etta James in after-hours joints, and the wild ride that led to forming Moby Grape alongside Skip Spence, Bob Mosley, and Peter Lewis. You’ll hear the story of their audition, the creative fire that birthed classics like Hey Grandma, 805, and Murder in My Heart for the Judge — and what it was like recording their genre-defining debut album in just seven days.

** Don shares behind-the-scenes stories about:

The infamous middle finger album cover that became a collector’s grail

How poor management cost the band a place in the Monterey Pop Festival documentary

What it felt like to be touted as “the next Beatles”… and how it all unraveled

Recording new solo work with Jerry Miller and Omar Spence, son of Skip Spence

🎸 He also reveals details about the upcoming Jerry Miller tribute concert and the possibility of a reunion performance with the surviving Grape members Peter Lewis & Bob Mosley — a moment fans have been waiting decades for.

Whether you're a lifelong Grape fan or discovering them for the first time, this episode is a raw and deeply human exploration of music, memory, and resilience. It’s also a celebration of one of the great American bands whose influence echoes through generations.

👇 Like, subscribe, and follow @alldayvinyl on Instagram and YouTube to stay tuned for more stories from the legends themselves.

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