What Happened to The Grass Roots?

[@sallyethridge1393]

Loved this band back in the 60's. I still love the music

[@chriskroll4166]

One of the best bands of the 70s hands down . They were too good to be a one-hit wonder band and they hit the radio many many many times. I grew up on this band. 🙋

[@Jorgehernandez-cj9ho]

They were a hit machine

[@casey4602]

Hardly a one hit wonder with hit songs Midnight Confession and Sooner Or Later

[@Davidchristenson-b1h]

They were more of a 60's band but their greatness did spill over to the 70's.This video stated that they had a unigue sound but the moronic critics said that they sounded like The Brady Bunch.PLEASEEE.They had their own sound to the the tune of 14 top 30 hits.Did the Bradys do that.I don't think so!Rock on The Grass Roots!

[@OspreyFlyer]

If you listened to the radio back in the day, you heard The Grass Roots. 👍♥️

[@moorlock2003]

You couldn’t escape them if you tried! Three Dog Night too. Both of those bands were heard on AM radio a lot, until they finally ran out of hits.

[@barrycalvillo2466]

Every day and night.

[@OspreyFlyer]

They had a "good time" sound. Still remember cruising and listening to them even though that was long ago, lol. @@moorlock2003

[@kellymurphy6642]

I was born in 66 and their songs are the very first songs of my early childhood memories. That and puff the magic dragon 😅

[@OspreyFlyer]

@@kellymurphy6642 I remember a buddy in grade school singing Puff the Magic Dragon out on the playground! He's a retired banker nowadays. 😂

[@kathyzukaitis28]

I was lucky enough to become a close friend and acquaintance of Rob Grill back in 1976/1977 when they toured venues in Wisconsin almost on a monthly/bi-monthly basis! Yes, I was in love with him. After we faded apart from each other, I kept a piece of Rob's heart deep inside me and still do. I am so thankful that Rob found a wonderful woman to marry and cherish until the day he died. Rob had such a beautiful voice and the harmony between Rob and Dennis Provisor was phenomenal...RIP dear Rob and hope you are doing well Dennis. God Bless You All...Lots of GREAT memories...❤....They don't make 'em like that anymore!

[@halseyknox]

Thanks for sharing....nice story.....I remember the Grass Roots on the am radio when I was a kid through out the 60's and early 70's and those song still bring back good memories besides being great songs then and now

[@wandaburnsworth1588]

I also was also his friend❤

[@harri211]

It's a shame that a band who had this many hits are so unknown & under-appreciated. Pick up a greatest hits album/download & you WILL be amazed what a great band this was.

[@michaelrose3101]

This group wasn't unknown. More a case of under appreciated. They were played on radio like anyone else having a top 40 hit record.

[@The_Timinator]

They were WELL played, as a youngster in the late 60's I heard their music on Mom's '66 Mustang's radio all the time...the issue is they DIDN'T play the instruments on most of their hits and they didn't even write the lyrics, that's why they had 58 members in and out of the band...oddly enough the MOST famous member of the Band wasn't known for his Music, but for his Acting in "The Office" and this video didn't even mention him.

[@chriskroll4166]

I saw the grassroots with Rob grill at moraine valley college. My girlfriend took me because she was attending the college and she didn't know who they were. While we were watching this incredible show she kept saying the same thing over and over. I didn't know this song was by them. She recognized about six songs and she thought they were all from different bands. She thought one was by Bad finger . She left the show a stone grassroots fan forever. She had me make her a 90-minute cassette of all the best Grass Roots songs . I had to include the song move along. One of the best songs ever written. 🙏

[@glennhfriedman4571]

@@michaelrose3101 many top 40 hits in the States

[@michaelrose3101]

​@glennhfriedman4571 Yes l knew they had many, l am in Australia, had a few Midnight Confession probably the biggest, Heaven Knows, Wait a million years etc were others around mid top 40

[@bigdeal6852]

One of the best groups and songs ever in their time !

[@MrNathan791]

So good to see many of these classic 60's and 70's groups still with us today and still performing their legendary classics. The greatest era of music I've always thought was the 60's-70's; but I must add the 80's to that also. Great video on the history of this great band. Thanks for sharing ; Peace Out.

[@grantschubach5163]

One of the underrated bands from the late 60's, early seventies.

[@OldiesMomma]

When my autism daughter told my brother that she was going to see the Grass Roots in concert. He told her that it was only one member of the band. So it was a grass root that she was going to see... That took some of her excitement away. She was depressed about that But when he talked to her and signed her tee shirt that made her happy 😊😊

[@tomc7631]

I worked with Rob's father-in-law, Richard Pilski in Maryland in the early to mid nineties. Rob Grill was the best. Shout out to Nancy! Hope you are well. I miss Rob and your dad.

[@donnanoe6736]

I love this band. It's too bad that none of the original members still play today.

[@puppycat58]

Rob grill and the drummer coonce passed away...

[@pt8029]

I still have there LPs Still listening! Love them

[@marke6569]

The Band today are AMAZING . Up in age they are as good as the original guys. Rob Grill handpicked these guys to carry on the music. Check them out here on youtube.

[@felixmadison5736]

One of my favorite bands back in the 1960s when I was in high school and later. A 'greatest hits' album is a must have for any fan.

[@jismism9515]

Some damn good tunes - R Grill had a great voice

[@tysongarrett8688]

Grass roots....16 greatest hits album....crazy good!....had it on 8 track.....wore it out!

[@rustysawyers5109]

Rick Koonce used to give me drum lessons back in '69. Great guy and a great drummer who never got the accolades he deserved.

[@David-yw2lv]

Love Grows where My Rosemary Goes was jokingly nicknamed The Fertilizer Don't Pull Your Love was one of my favorite songs in the early '70's.Once a radio station in my hometown played it, immediately followed by Carole King's It's Too Late.The DJ commented the latter was the answer to the first song.

[@SydneyGreenstreet1227]

I hate it when a band today goes on tour claiming the name of a famous band from yesteryear and has no former members of that band who had all the hits. Talk about stolen valor !

[@claudemcwhorter]

I really like the songs Dennis Provisor would share Lead Vocals on, " Sooner or Later" , and "Two divided by Love".

[@dinoallbaugh2050]

my brother in law Denny Ellis was in the Original Grass Roots Fyi: they were on the Ed Sullivan show

[@slparrett]

Have seen the Grass Roots several times at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas. Will Be seeing them again on June 2, 2023 for my BD. Always a great show.

[@josephfisher9427]

Another one of my favorite bands favorite 10 songs 10 - Bella Linda 09 - Sooner or Later 08 - I'd Wait a Million Years 07 - Midnight Confessions 06 - Only When You're Lonely 05 - Where Were You When I Needed You 04 - Temptation Eyes 03 - Heaven Knows 02 - Things I Should Have Said 01 - Let's Live for Today

[@coachhunter1]

Great choices and positions

[@jimcroote3527]

...and my favorites: Everything you listed and, Glory Bound/ Baby, Hold On/ The Runway/ Mamacita/ Love Is What You Make It/ Melody For You/ Optical Illusion/ The River Is Wide/ Monday Love/ Lovin' Things/ Ballad Of Billy Joe/ Any Way The Wind Blows/ She Don't Know Me/ One Word/ Is It Any Wonder/ You're A Lonely Girl, and sooo many more.

[@elmolewis9123]

We did a few songs by the Grass Roots when I was in a cover band in the day. Thanks for the memories.

[@Luileadolfo]

Great band!!! How can a band with so many hits be and remain forgotten?

[@anthonyangeli256]

Saw them in concert in Scranton Pennsylvania, I'd say late 90's. Rob did a great job ,& I actually had one of their 8 track tapes way back in the day. They were definitely one of my favorites & way under rated. All fine musicians.

[@Bargle5]

Got to see them along with Johnny Rivers and one of the Drifters back around 89-90. Did a fine show, but because it was three acts, they did a shortened set and left out my favorite of theirs "Temptation Eyes". I didn't realize how many personal changes they went through.

[@TPINSC]

Temptation Eyes was my favorite song by them.

[@buster447]

Same here. Should have been a number one, packed a lot of power and emotion

[@lillygardens1]

I loved the Grass Roots Band in the 1960s and the 70s. Absolutely amazing musicians!! 💖💖

[@whathappenedtothem_]

Yes they are!

[@tombodensick4437]

Rob Grill was a great lead singer.

[@sharonkutz8272]

How could you not know who they are. Great band

[@michaelrose3101]

Exactly.

[@sheilariley1261]

Besides the beatles the grass roots were my fave band. Saw them 2 times and had all their albums. Just a great band. Rob Grill was a babe. I cried ugly when he died

[@michaelrose3101]

Never saw them l wish there was a book about them. Closest thing l have seen is P.F.Sloans book.

[@xpump876]

I was12 when this song was a hit and on primary rotation at a Sock-Hop in Watertown, NY for my 1st kiss with one Laurie Dake. It still brings back memories.

[@workingmanGW]

Love this band so much, great horn section, i played trumpet so these guys were my idols. great lyrics described all our situations. very riveting to my past. i get tears thinking about them. god had to turn away. Temptation eyes, great song. We played the 16 greatest hits on 8 track over and over. man o man. she became my wife. no wonder. great music does that.

[@robcrtr798]

My band opened for them in Richmond, Va at the Mosque in the late 60’s. We were terrified.

[@MultiSweener]

Can u elaborate?

[@robcrtr798]

We had a band called Feast. We played bars like the Stone Lion, and Back Door on Grace Street. We opened for some cool acts at The String Factory. I don’t know how we got that gig, but it was the first time we’d been on a giant stage. That’s about all I remember.

[@dianeruhl292]

I loved the Grass Roots. I cherish those times. This were so much easier back than! Things are so complicated now. So glad I'm almost 70.

[@whathappenedtothem_]

So good!

[@petegregory517]

In late ‘60’s, one of my favorite bands in HS (DC5 were top). My mom was cool enough to let me set my drums right in front of the Magnavox console stereo in the living room. Wore their albums out.

[@shelpais814]

I've loved these guys since they started. I have their original LP, all the other LPs, and a double CD greatest hits. I listen to them all the time and play a number of their songs on guitar. I saw them just before Rob Grill passed away, even though he was the only original member.

[@johnbeardshall2898]

How can you talk about the grass roots without mentioning that creed from the office was in it

[@lawrencecarver4233]

I got to see the Grass Roots in Vegas at the Freemont Experience. 2009 Summer of Love. It was a free concert. Talk about awesome. They were so good even that time period.

[@kellyheine5751]

My parents always played the Grass Roots in the car.

[@markjulianoriginalhooli2217]

Those were the days my friend ✌️

[@knittingnana2939]

Loved the grass roots. It's interesting that you basically overlooked Warren entner. He was a big part of the grass roots.

[@alanecook5692]

Love Warren Entner. You should look up what he’s done since leaving the band….

[@scottwright2311]

YES! Warren Entner had the perfect voice to complement Rob's. Not just harmonies, but the lead vocal trade-offs like in Midnight Confessions and Live for Today! Never cared too much for Provisor's voice.

[@Grinkles]

I saw them a number of times as they hit the oldies circuit, with Rob Grill. They are certainly one of the all time greats and it’s a travesty that they are not in the hall of fame. I was so sad when we lost Rob Grill.

[@gregoryknox4444]

ROB GRILL WAS THE GRASS ROOTS. WHEN HE DIED, SO DID THE BAND.

[@mattslupek7988]

The fact that the quality assurance guy from The Office was guitarist/vocalist with these guys still blows my mind. Lol

[@rayaustin3679]

One of my favorite bands. If they were still recording I'd be right there buying their CDs. I STILL turn up my earphones and jam out on their music. If there's a rock and roll heaven...............

[@glenbateman5960]

Saw the Grass Roots with Grand Funk and BOC in 1999. Great show!

[@garywalden4009]

Terry Furlong lives in the same town I do in Arizona...I see him every now and then...talked with him several times.

[@CharlesCash-b7k]

One of my favorite bands for a while back in '69.

[@Catherine-i1w]

I had older siblings who bought a lot of albums. This is but one band they cranked the volumn up for. I was maybe 5 years old when I was humming and singing this and my mom laughed so hard she just had to stop what she was doing and sit down to laugh it out. She said, just don't sing that out of the house or when your Dad is around. We had our moments during the years but I will always remember her understanding of youthful adventures. She even took me on a Peace March when I was 7. Love you Mom ! ❣️🌿 Sprought

[@philturner6642]

I'm like many just thought they were fantastic interesting to learn that the wrecking crew were involved on many tracks doesn't surprise.very indicative of their time.

[@happynewyear805]

i sing them in my head all the time...luv the grassroots...xoxo...

[@OldiesMomma]

I took my daughter to see the Grass Roots when they appeared at the Boise Idaho country fair a few years ago. My daughter asked for his autograph he said that he would. He asked her if she wanted him to sign her bra. She said that he could sign her tee shirt that she had with her. He told her that she was a surprise and that he liked the fact that she was so refreshing. He asked her if she was one of his kids. She said no... he was such a nice man. She never has forgotten about that.. She has autism spectrum disorders and does not like to be around alot of people.

[@MikeJBlues]

Love this band ❤️

[@JESUS-SAVES_1975.]

I saw the Grass Roots together with Herman's Hermits. What a great concert! Turning down Don't Pull Your Love and Love Grows Where My Rosemary Goes were obvious huge mistakes but the band still had plenty of hits. It's a shame that they are not in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame!

[@suzyshopper49]

Yeah why aren’t they ?

[@johnrudan9699]

@@suzyshopper49 Because the RRHOF needed room for Dolly Parton, Missy Elliot and Eminem among other rockers! 🙄

[@glennhfriedman4571]

Both acts who recorded those songs only has one hit ..

[@johnrudan9699]

@@glennhfriedman4571 Actually, Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds had a Billboard #1 single with "Fallin' In Love" in 1975.

[@margaretcmiel7108]

I did also in Collingwood, NJ. FABULOUS

[@jimcroote3527]

Their Album "Move Along" from 1972 is my favorite. Almost every track is awesome! Their 1973 album "A Lotta Mileage" is pretty good. "Love Is What You Make It" was a modest hit form that album. #31 Cashbox and 55 Billboard.

[@wyliesmith4244]

As long as we talk about the Grass Roots, it should be stated that the real, original Grass Roots was the band Love. In 1965 Lou Adler of Dunhill tried to sign the band, got angry at them, and stole their name for an album by Sloan & Barri backed by studio musicians. According to Love guitarist, John Echols, in his notes for the British mono & stereo re-release of Love's first album, the band, Love, still played around LA for a month before being told that they (Love) had a single out, "Mr. Jones." But this was the Sloan & Barri Grass Roots. In the notes, Echols states that his band got the name Grass Roots off the back cover of a Malcolm X album. As for Sloan & Barri, the Grass Roots were their second project done with studio musicians. Before they wrote in the folk-rock style ('Let Me Be,' 'You Baby,' 'Eve of Destruction') Sloan & Barri were cranking tunes for the surfin' market. They recorded an album and a few singles (on Imperial) as the Fantastic Baggys. PF Sloan did record a few albums of his compositions under his own name, but folk-rock's time had passed. And the Grass Rootspretty much stopped making folk-rock after the "Let's Live for Today" album, and were more horn driven from "Lovin' Things" on.

[@DoubleMrE]

I’m surprised Temptation Eyes only reached no. 15. 😮 That’s a great song. Their best IMO.

[@Curly34584]

MINE TOO!!

[@rosalierodrigues6612]

My husband, Terry Furlong, plays lead guitar on that and does the solo.

[@DoubleMrE]

@@rosalierodrigues6612 Cool ! 👍👌✌️

[@finallap1490]

And Sooner or Later didnt go to number 1, seems it was played every 20 minutes on am radio

[@thomassweeney4794]

I think if it was a minute longer it most definitely would of reached no 1 for sure

[@homegrownson]

Three Dog Night was a similar group, that had hit after hit but just now are people realizing how many of Their Favorite Songs were By The Grassroots or Three Dog Night

[@wyliesmith4244]

Who researches this tuff? The history of the band through the sixties presented here does not correspond to reality. Sloan and Barri wrote a lot of songs that were published by Trousdale Music which was connected to Dunhill. Dunhill got Sloan and Barri to write and record an album with studio musicians as the band. Osborne played bass and Knechtel played keyboards as part of "the Wrecking Crew" and recorded with the Mamas and Papas who were alos on Dunhill. Bones Howe was an engineer and producer (Turtles, Association, and even Tom Waits). There was no Grass Roots band, so Dunhill got an SF band, the Bedouins, to tour for the record, but soon only singer Bill Fultob and drummer Joel Larson (later in Merry-Go-Round, Turtles, Bedouins again, and Grass Roots again besides a lot of session work) were left. (Note Danny Ellis was a member of the Bedouins, and thus the early Grass Roots.) Dunhill still needed a real group to tour - and record - so they talked LA band, the 13th Floor, to become the Grass Roots. The members were Creed Bratton (later on the TV show "The Office," Rick Coonce, Rob Grill, and Warren Entner. Bratton left the band because he wanted to play more original band compositions (and he played lead guitar, not keyboards as implied). Coonce later left to be replaced by 'former' drummer Joel Larson, but, I confess, I thought the Grass Roots' best days were long gone by then. The two albums recorded by the core four (Let's Live for Today and Feelings) are still favorites of mine, with Feelings having more of the band's own compositions.

[@michaelrose3101]

Spot on analysis. I wish l could find a book about them but l can't. Closest thing l have found is P.F.Sloans book.

[@tedgriffiths5216]

They played at Cactus Pete's Casino in April 2023. I was there

[@karendegraaf1146]

Fan since late 60s

[@rainstein3680]

An amazing iconic band with kick ass monster hits!! RIP ROB GRILL

[@mplstb]

my band opened for these guys around 1980 at Smitty's 61 Club in Hugo MN. The drummer was the only original member left. We played the 1st and 3rd sets and they did the 2nd and 4th... and they did the exact same set twice and their encore was the same song they opened the sets with. and the crowd went CRAZY!!!

[@Curly34584]

WITH ALL THOSE GREAT SONGS. NO ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME! VERY SAD!!!

[@danielmesery2904]

Good music+ band

[@kermitblaster]

theyre so gorgeous,😭

[@michaelvaladez6570]

I happened to see them in 1969..they opened for Canned Heat...they were really good..and then they just faded away...too bad.

[@williamgregory6684]

What happened to the Beau Brummels?

[@michaelrose3101]

Midnight Confessions still in my top 5 songs of all time, although l exclude anything Beatles from my list.

[@alexanderstoerk262]

Great Band, i love "Bella Linda"

[@theepichamster1443]

Going to see them in a couple days. So excited!

[@rhondahancock96]

Don't forget Heaven Knows & Where There's Smoke There's Fire! The greatest group of all time!

[@steveward2394]

Great music 😊

[@WCG72]

You didn't mention Creed Bratton who was part of the band from 1966 to 1970

[@GreenLightMe]

What an asshole Creed was one of the founders lol

[@Mr05Chuck]

Mentioned him at 8:30 or so.

[@DrJ-hx7wv]

There's no way anyone isn't here to see Creed Bratton.

[@hpblack1953]

Nope. You are wrong. I specifically came here for Cree.

[@fattymatty5380]

The dude completely ignored Creed…what a doofus

[@michaelrochester48]

I met Creed Bratton…great guy

[@carolynb4267]

K she 95 in Crestwood plays a lot of The Grass Roots! It's a classic rock station in St Louis ,Mo

[@whiteandright1958]

The so called "hip" Rock community, led by egomaniac Jann Wenner turned their nose down at groups such as Three Dog Night, The Guess Who and The Grass Roots, because they were 45 groups and not album oriented. Wenner also blacklisted The Beach Boys and ordered his staff not to review any Beach Boys album from Smiley Smile to Surfs Up, because he said it was not cool to like them. We are, of course, overjoyed Wenner is no longer on earth.

[@michaelrose3101]

I believe Wenner may still be very alive on earth.

[@whiteandright1958]

@@michaelrose3101 you are correct. Very sad news indeed

[@Dylan-c2h]

Creed went on to play Creed

[@cygnusx-1318]

The Wrecking Crew were quite busy!

[@st.anselmsfire3547]

So, I had no idea who these guys were until I looked them up because of The Office. Then I recognized every single song and realized that my dad owned a few of their albums. I had no idea. These guys were a major part of the music of my childhood and I didn't even know.

[@souldeep69]

Steve Barri produced all the Grass Roots hits for another 5 years after Sloan left Dunhill. One of the most successful and talented producers of all time, his name ought to be pronounced correctly. I don't know where the hideously dissonant BAR-ee is coming from, why this generation is reading the name that way, but it's been in every recent video that mentions Steve. His last name is pronounced exactly like Barry. Steve Barri. His real name is Steven Barry Lipkin, so he just used his middle name and changed the 'y' to an 'i', creating one of the coolest stage names ever.

[@oldmcdonald3376]

saw them several times in chattanooga tn. along with 3 dog night,the turtles, the box tops in the same show.and oh yes steppenwolf was the headliner. tickets were 8 bucks

[@voz805]

I just heard, Baby Hold On, from the Grass Roots - Topic. I'd love to hear an instrumental version (despite Rob Grill's voice at his sexiest) because the Wrecking Crew arrangement is just perfection, I don't know whether to listen to Rob (RIP) or the instruments, especially the drums and brass!

[@decimated550]

3:05 lol possible dyslexic..."one of the members had a rosemary named girlfriend.". I think you mean a girlfriend named Rosemary

[@keithconnell8460]

Fun fact; Creed Bratton, one of the early guitarists for the band is probably more well-known from his role on the hit t.v. show The Office from 05-13.

[@speedracer2336]

Saw them live, awesome!

[@edgarstadanski]

One of them became quality control at a mid-level paper company in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

[@johnderfler5183]

Pretty sure if you aren't a baby boomer, you don't remember this band.

[@PaulFormentos]

Saw that 86 show at Vet Stadium in Philly

[@davelouis4004]

Always liked the Grassroots

[@ironclaw79]

So confusing trying to figure out the members through out time

[@haeuptlingaberja4927]

I loved these guys when I was a kid. When 8-tracks were king. I actually still have an 8-track recorder, an understandably rare piece of tech these days...

[@ericroll]

It is interesting that in later years, The Grass Roots (Rob Grill) would perform "Don't Pull Your Love" as if it were one of their own songs--it's even included on their only LIVE record. Rob Grill was upset that they didn't take that song, but the songwriters said, "Hey don't worry. We'll write you another hit song in a minor key. And the songwriters delivered "Two Divided By Love" which was indeed a hit, but not as big as "Don't Pull Your Love". Rob Grill NEVER got over missing out on that big hit song ultimately played by Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds.

[@tomlehr861]

Great band,studio musicians

[@jeffmiller1422]

One of them became a local strangler

[@ElliottMichaels56]

P.F. Sloan will always be most famous for writing "Eve of Destruction," the Barry McGuire hit.

[@That_AMC_Guy]

Who's "Drummer Pollard" ?? There was nobody with the surname "Pollard" in the Grass Roots. The drummer from '66 to late '71 was Rick Coonce. The drummer who took over from Coonce was Joel Larson. However, one can argue that Joel was in the primordial version of the Grass Roots when Bobby Fulton was on vocals. But that was only for a brief moment in 1965.

[@kaymuldoon3575]

Didn’t one of them later get a job with Dunder Mifflin?

[@ThomasGreco-h9q]

Johnny ramistella rivers must be in rock hall of fame!