FRANKLIN — The Lovin’ Spoonful, featuring two of the members of the original four-man 1960s folk-rock band, performed a 90-minute concert — mostly of their hits from that much-touted era — and even managed to weave in some music history during a March 29 concert at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts.

Having braved a rain-drenched, chilly night to reach the venue, an audience of more than 600 people within the plush confines of the SMCPA was treated to the sunny, good-time music of what — arguably — is the most successful ‘60s pop-rock group with folk and jug band roots.

Anticipating seeing The Lovin’ Spoonful, which was formed in 1964 and is missing its founder and top songwriter and lead singer — guitarist-autoharpist John Sebastian; and its lead-guitar player-vocalist — Zal Yanovsky; and which hasn’t had a major hit since the ‘60s, I  would not have been surprised if the current five-member band just sort of dialed-in its songs (performing just rote  renditions), collected a paycheck and moved on to the next town.

However, that was most definitely not the case in Franklin. Indeed, the band staged a high-energy, fun-loving show that exhibited deep respect for the Lovin’ Spoonful’s music and a special reverence for each its best-known songs. The group also managed to connect with the crowd, for which it expressed much appreciation for keeping it going. The crowd reciprocated.

Performing were originals Joe Butler; vocalist, autoharp and percussion instruments; and Steve Boone, bassist. (Butler originally was the group’s drummer.) Also featured was near-original Jerry Yester, who joined the band in mid-1967 to replace Yanovsky when he left — after being involved in a drug bust — to return to his native Canada. Yester played rhythm guitar, keyboards and often provided lead vocals — and he sparkled as a top talent on the stage. Rounding out the band were Mike Arturi, drums; and Phil “Guitar” Smith, lead guitar and backup vocals.

Many of the lead vocals were capably handled by Yester, who has a voice, manner and folk-rock look similar to Sebastian’s. However, Butler, who resembled Kenny Rogers with his white hair and beard, has a low and somewhat gruff vocal range, also sang lead at times.

After being introduced as “one of the greatest rock groups of all time,” the band drew a loud applause from the audience as it launched into its opener, “You Didn’t Have to Be So Nice.”

Two songs into the show, Boone, the bassist, said as the crowd cheered, “Hello, Franklin! Are y’all ready to rock ‘n’ roll here tonight?” He praised the SMCPA as “one of the nicest places we’ve ever played in.”

Boone, a North Carolina native, noted that “the Lovin’ Spoonful was the first rock band to have a hit on the country charts at the same time as we had a hit on the rock charts.”

As the crowd cheered in anticipation, the group broke into “Nashville Cats,” with Yester singing lead in a lively rendition of the crossover classic, followed up with another favorite, “Jug Band Music,” a fun song which delighted the crowd.

Changing gears, the group played the mellow “Didn’t Want to Have to Do It,” a hauntingly beautiful and complex tune.

Following a lenthy drum solo, Boone told the crowd, “You know, 69 years ago I was born in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. For 48 years, I’ve been with the Lovin’ Spoonful, out touring.... If someone had told me in 1965 that 48 years later I’d still be standing up here,” he would not have believed it, Boone said. 

Before introducing the band members, Boone said, “A couple of guys have left the band through the years” and he wanted to recognize them. First, he said Sebastian wrote songs that “are benchmarks of the 1960s and he’ll be remembered” for a long time. He said Yanovsky “won’t be on the same level” as Sebastian, “but guys like Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck have said they liked his work.”

After the introductions, the band played such crowd-pleasers as “Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind?” and “Daydream.” Singing lead on “Daydream,” Yester asked the audience to whistle along during the last part of the song and declared, “Well, you sound like a bunch of spring peepers out there.” At the end of the song, he modified his assessment to say, “As I live and breathe, this is the Canary Tabernacle Choir, ladies and gentlemen!” His comments delighted the crowd.

Other notable songs included “Six O’Clock” and “Darling Be Home Soon,” after which Yester announced, “We’re going to do something different. We’re going to go back to 1964,” when the Lovin’ Spoonful came out of the (Greenwich Village in New York City) folk-rock tradition.... “that is, until the Beatles came on Ed Sullivan in late 1964” and the folk music movement virtually died, but groups like the Lovin; Spoonful survived because they blend folk and rock music.

To that end, Yester said, “We’re going to do a medley of songs by friends of ours” The group played a verse and chorus (and sometimes more) of “Never My Love” by The Association; “Walk Away Renée” by The Left Banke; “Mr. Tambourine Man” by The Byrds’ (and written by Bob Dylan) and “California Dreamin’” by the Mamas & The Papas.

“It’s a privilege and an honor to share these songs with you — and you guys have been a great audience,” Butler said. The group then finished the regular show with the Lovin’ Spoonful’s two top hits, “Summer in the City” followed by “Do You Believe in Magic?” 

Butler sang lead on both songs and the crowd gave the group a standing ovation as it left the stage. It was noted that Billboard magazine named “Summer in the City” as the greatest-ever summer-themed song.)

After a few minutes of nonstop applause, the Lovin’ Spoonful returned to the stage for an encore, with Yester noting, “We’ve got time for one more,” as the crowd erupted in cheers. The group finished with “Don’t You Just Know It,” a humorous 1958 song by Huey “Piano” Smith and The Clowns.