Quick: name some of the best bands of the 60s and 70s. Despite their numerous Top Ten hits, one band normally does not leap to mind: The Grass Roots. Often dismissed as a studio-created group, The Grass Roots still produced quality singles that mixed rock, pop, and soul into irresistible confections.
Unlike many other bands, the group had three incarnations that created their hits. According to All Music, founding members P. F. Sloan and Steve Barri toiled as songwriters for Trousdale Music, the publishing arm of record company Dunhill, in 1965. After the massive success of the folk-rock movement (with The Byrds leading the pack), the record label ordered Sloan and Barri to write songs in that vein. The duo wrote and recorded their first single, “Where Were You When I Needed You,” under the pseudonym The Grass Roots. After the song received airplay on radio, Sloan and Barri had to assemble an actual band for recording and touring. They located these members from a San Francisco Band formerly known as the Bedouins, led by lead singer Bill Fulton. Although Fulton rerecorded the lead vocal for “Where Were You When I Needed You,” after a dispute, the band ultimately left, forcing Sloan and Barri to resume recording on their own. The single was eventually released in 1966, enjoying modest success, but the accompanying album never reached the charts.
Next came The Grass Roots, Phase II. A Los Angeles band, the 13th Floor, submitted a demo tape to Dunhill Records. While they passed the audition, the record label gave them two choices: record under their own name, or assume “The Grass Roots,” produced by Sloan and Barri. Selecting the latter, the group (with lead singer Rob Grill) performed the 1967 single “Let's Live for Today,” which became a Top Ten hit. After recording two more albums with this Grass Roots formation, the songwriting team of Sloan and Barri broke up. However, the band rebounded (under Barri's direction) with the 1968 soul-infused “Midnight Confessions.” After reaching Number Five on the charts, the band was back in business.
Article comments
1 - tink
Midnight Confessions still one of the best pop songs ever!
Thanks for reminding of another band that needs to go back into rotation on my pop playlist.
2 - Al Sussman
The Grass Roots was one of those groups (The Association was another) who made consistently fine records but were never considered "cool" in that era when it was considered more important to be "cool" and "relevant" than to record great songs. I lost major credibility points with some friends areound 1969-70 when I mentioned that I felt that The Grass Roots were a very underrated band.
3 - Christopher Rose
Al Sussman? Al Sussman! Who next, Matt Barger? *shudders*
4 - Kit O'Toole
Thanks, everyone, for your comments. Al, you were just ahead of the curve when you said that the Grass Roots were underrated. You have been vindicated! :)