P. F. Sloan Appearance in Pasadena, California Made Classic Rock History

If you were fortunate enough to be in the Community Room of the South Pasadena Library on Oct. 16, 2014, then you thought you were there for just “Music and Author Night,” where you’d enjoy hearing some sterling songs and poignant memories of one of rock music’s most talented songwriters ever to pick up a pen and create magic. That would have been a phenomenal night in and of itself, but, in true P. F. Sloan style, the man who wrote “Secret Agent Man,” had a few surprises in store for the guests.

As Steve Feinberg, co-author of "What’s Exactly the Matter with Me?" the P. F. Sloan autobiography, shared, “the show was extraordinary.”

As is always the case with events at the iconic South Pasadena Library, especially music in their community room, advance publicity was solid.

Turns out the surprises included the guest appearances of two of Sloan’s friends, in a once-in-a-lifetime evening of music. Creed Bratton, formerly of The Grass Roots and actor in the television show, “The Office,” joined Sloan for a few songs. Of course, today’s television generation only may know Bratton for his recent role on “The Office,” but classic rock fans in general, and Grass Roots fans specifically, know Bratton as part of the original Grass Roots from 1967-1969.

Then to the delight and surprise of the audience, Warren Entner was introduced to the SRO crowd in the South Pasadena Library, as one of Sloan’s special (surprise) guests. Of course, you don’t go to visit Phil without bringing a guitar, but when Warren joined Phil and Creed onstage, it was more than a matter of making music and remembering when. In fact, the trio made Grass Roots history.

Remember, with the first hit records of the Grass Roots, there were no Grass Roots. They were the name made up to place-save for the creative team of P. F. Sloan and Steve Barri, making music on the Dunhill Label with their songs. With Sloan’s innate understanding of what makes a hit record, plus his on-target ear for arrangements making this fictional band soar up the charts, there was an almost immediate demand for the band.

Finally when people wanted to see some “real” Roots, well, you can read for yourself “What’s Exactly the Matter with Me” and learn the exact story of how the Grass Roots were created but just remember that Warren was an original GT band member, on guitar from 1967-1974. You heard him singing on “Temptation Eyes,” “Midnight Confessions,” “Bella Linda,” “Sooner or Later,” and more.

Let’s face it: the best part of the iconic song, “Let’s Live for Today” is when Warren counts in the “1, 2, 3, 4” and then you as the Grass Roots fan you are, know to join in on “sha la la la la la, live for to-daayyy.” The song was co-written by David Shapiro, Ivan Mogul, and Michael Julien, was recorded first by the British group, The Rokes in 1966. But when Sloan found it perfect for the Grass Roots, and produced it (together with Steve Barri) for the Grass Roots, the single was released on Dunhill on May 13, 1967 and made it to #8 on the Billboard charts. But, since it sold over 2,000,000 copies as the record charts show, it was a gold record for all concerned.

So, that innocuous fall evening in Pasadena, once and for all there were three “real” Grass Roots together again for the first time in over 45 years. How surreal that experience was, especially for Feinberg, who is the only person besides Phil Sloan who knew what horrific things had occurred to Sloan at the hand of former record label associates whose business practices and ethics were….well, you have to read the book to believe it.

Feinberg shared, “I stood in the door to the stage when Warren counted and was thrilled to witness something that was so iconic in my life.” There were so many Interesting people in the crowd. Feinberg said, among those present were “John York of the Byrds, Donna Loren, Stevie Kalinich, Tom Waldeman. Jared Cargman, an original member of The Fantastic Baggys--a capacity crowd of two hundred plus.” Following the concert, Phil took questions for an hour and Feinberg said, “Nobody left their seats. He was funny and eloquent” at the same time.

Music photographer Joaquin Montalvan was also present for the special event, and he graciously shared his photos for readers to enjoy. Asked about what he thought of the once-in-a-lifetime reunion concert, Montalvan said, “It was a great show, completely packed house, and P.F. got a standing ovation after "Eve of Destruction." He continued, “The audience also really responded to Warren Entner being up there, not having played in 40 years, particularly when he did his famous 1, 2, 3, 4, on "Live for Today."

Virtually every diehard Grass Roots fan and devotee lists “Live for Today” among their top 3 Grass Roots songs, so many of them having been co-written, produced or influenced by Phil Sloan. That and virtually every other Grass Roots hits can trace their lineage back to the creative mind of Phil Sloan and, it goes without saying each time, the creative contributions of the legendary Steve Barri. Barri, however, didn’t go through what Phil did, so it was like apples and oranges.

To be clear, at no time and in no place, stated or print, did the trio of musicians together, or the individual musicians separately, ever call themselves the Grass Roots, to the audience or anyone else. But, classic rock purists knew that that is exactly who had reunited for one unforgettable evening.

All that, with absolutely no disrespect to the band that tours the country as the Grass Roots (owned by Nancy Grill), formerly known as The Grass Roots starring Rob Grill, who have been touring for now over three years after Rob’s passing. So many people love the music of the Grass Roots that they’re even booked on the Happy Together Tour for 2015. Fans love the music created by and the band invented by P. F. Sloan. The group who tours includes lead singer/bassist Mark Dawson, guitarist/vocalist Dusty Hanvey, keyboard/vocalist Larry Nelson and drummer Joe Doherty. Hanvey, Nelson and Doherty were with Rob Grill for over 20 years at least. It’s also well known that Rob Grill hand-picked Dawson (who has his own bands, including the Kings of Snack and Simulcast, as well as singing with Gladys Justiniano as a duo, i.e., he’s the hardest working man in show biz).

Phil Sloan, however, is finally, after decades of being forcibly ignored so egos and fat profits could go on and on for others, being recognized for the joy he brought to music lovers around the world. It’s great that he is continuing to make selected appearances as it gives classic rock fans a chance to hear his story and shake his hand and say thanks. That’s a long overdue and important gift back to Phil.

Warren Entner (L) and Creed Bratton (R) stand behind P. F. Sloan at an impromptu reunion at the South Pasadena Public Library, when Sloan appeared to discuss his biography (co-written with S. E. Feinberg). He'd invited some friends to join him for a few songs. History was made that night, albeit it by serendipity.

Classic rock fans love P. F. Sloan, and it’s about time he hears from each and every one. Read “What’s Exactly the Matter with Me?” and find out what the music business was really like, back in the day. The revelations will astound you.

[Editor's note: Story was published originally at: https://www.axs.com/p-f-sloan-appearance-in-pasadena-california-made-classic-rock-history-25226 At the time of this story, then, P. F. Sloan was indeed very much alive and well. [Sadly, we lost Phil on November 15, 2015.] He filled the South Pasadena library on October 16, 2014. Prior to that, Sloan managed to bring such a crowd into a Malibu bookstore that they sold out of every single copy of his book. Before that, Mike Somavilla brought him to Harold Adler’s Art House Gallery and Cultural Center in Berkeley and filled every inch of available space, including having to throw cushion pillows down on the floor to accommodate the crowd. You can still be among friends on Facebook's Only P.F. Sloan Group. The page administrators are really great and will welcome you.]

As another site of interest, visit the web page re Phil's memoirs and there you can read two sample chapters . You'll want to buy the book! To make that easier, then, to go to amazon directly: Click here to purchase.

Many thanks are due to S. E. Feinberg (Sloan's co-author) and Steve Fjeldsted, Director of Library, Arts, and Culture at the South Pasadena Public Library, for all the work behind the scenes that made such an unforgettable night a reality.

Elvis is in the Building, Thanks to Special Gift for Texas A&M’s Libraries

Texas A&M is fortunate to have philanthropists who generously support the university. Close to my heart and to those of many who love A&M are the TAMU Libraries. The name Mrs. Sara Lindsey, of Houston, is well known to many Aggies for her donations to arts, humanities and the libraries. Her latest gift to Texas A&M is her priceless collection of Elvis Presley memorabilia; it's free to the public to see.

Cushing Library, Texas A&M donors, John and Sara Lindsey, and samples of Mrs. Lindsey's donation of her Elvis memorabilia.

Elvis Aron Presley is one of the most influential and original entertainers to shape the world of music. Countless numbers of young men picked up a guitar and decided on a music career as a result of Elvis, aka The King. Thanks to the generosity of Mrs. Sara Lindsey of Houston, Texas, Aggies and visitors to Texas A&M’s Cushing Library now get first look at her personal Elvis Collection. Michael Jackson, Curator of the Collection, was kind enough to share some preview photos on Oct. 23, 2014, especially for AXS.com readers. The collection, known as “The King: Celebrating the Sara H. Lindsey Collection of Elvis Memorabilia” is on the second floor of the Cushing, and the exhibit runs through Dec. 12.

Part of what you’ll see here are memorable photos of Elvis the soldier, as he entered the U.S. Army and served his country as well as becoming a member of the U.S. Army Reserve. Although a tour of military duty could have crushed his then-budding career, Elvis was raised as a boy from Tupelo, Mississippi, to serve his country, same as members of the fightin’ Texas Aggie Corps of Cadets. Mrs. Lindsey is a lifetime fan of Elvis, and she began her collection early, beginning with the types of things we all save from concerts, ticket stubs, buttons, photos, and the like. As soon as Mrs. Lindsey’s friends knew of her collection, they added to it with gifts to her over the years as well, to her great delight.

There’s a standout “Volcano Ring,” that Elvis wore at his 1973 concert “Aloha from Hawaii.” As curator Michael Jackson shared, “it’s the ring that was commissioned as a gift for Elvis by his wife Priscilla.” Clearly these are one-of-a-kind finds for Aggies to enjoy seeing. There are some fun and versatile Elvis collectibles, including a photo of Mrs. Lindsey with an Elvis impersonator, who was hired as a delightful diversion to celebrate her 40th wedding anniversary to her husband, John. Had he known of this, the real Elvis would have been proud.

The Cushing Library is easy to find, set in the heart of the Aggie campus in College Station, just a pebble’s throw away from the historic Academic Building. It’s a favorite location, at one end of the Sterling C. Evans Library complex. Just looking at the top of the building, the names of scientists, scholars, and statesmen engraved in stone in a banner that goes all around the building previews that you’re about to enter a place where collections of educational materials have been amassed over the years, lovingly and wisely preserved for the public to experience.

The Cushing Library is open weekdays to the public; best news of all, it’s free! Convenient parking is available at reasonable rates in the parking garage closest to Rudder Tower. Don’t miss the opportunity to check this out when you’re on campus, and preview some of the items in the accompanying slide show.

The generosity of Sara Lindsey and her husband John H. Lindsey ’44, to Texas A&M University is legendary, despite her best attempts to maintain a low profile in her giving. But that’s really part of the Aggie way; former students and those who love the university give freely, willingly and without much fanfare, because the education of future generations are what is most important to them.

The generation of those who were early givers to the Texas A&M Libraries include first, the late, great Aggie, Sterling C. Evans’23. Some thirty-five years ago, in 1979, at the invitation of Dr. Irene Hoadley, then Director of TAMU Libraries, an undergraduate and graduate student were among the dais invited to offer remarks upon the occasion of the dedication of Sterling C. Evans expansion.

Present that day were Mr. Evans, whose unbounded love for the library and generosity in giving led the way. Mr. Evans had an endearing way of addressing anyone he met as “young lady” or “young man,” even if they were in their 50s and 60s; it was charming and ever as much a throwback to the gracious gentleman he was. The Aggie legend was inspirational to all around him, especially when it came to philanthropy.

Subsequent Library Development would move forward with the creation of a formal Library Development Council including Mr. Evans, the late Irma and Bill Runyon ‘35, who supported both the Evans library, as well as giving the art collection for which the Forsyth Galleries were established in 1989. Bill and Irma would attend council meetings, having driven in from Dallas in a classic Rolls Royce, the young man who’d grown up to be a great success in business. He loved attending art auctions because he said, “he was shopping for A&M,” and he meant it.

One of the leaders of the development council was the Rev. Dr. Leonora Ryan Montgomery, widow of the late Aggie Jeff Montgomery, ’41, of Houston, who been distinguished in petroleum engineering and to Texas A&M, serving as Chair of the Association of Former Students in 1968. Upon Jeff’s passing, Leonora continued oversight of and devotion to Jeff’s philanthropic interests for A&M, of which the library was part. Present also that day were John H. and Sara Lindsey, as the couple shared a special devotion to the library as the key to learning. The John H. Lindsey Building on the TAMU campus is, of course, home to the Texas A&M Press. The Lindsey gifts over the years to A&M have benefited arts, humanities, and particularly the libraries.

Such philanthropy didn’t happen overnight, and it most certainly did not occur as a result of a proposal placed before the donors that awakened them to a need to give. Rather, it is the true heart and soul of the Aggie acculturation for giving back that was born almost as early as the university was born. The need to give back, the desire to show appreciation for those who came before, to honor those faculty and staff who gave sacrificially at low salaries compared to private business, to teach Aggies is just the Aggie way and it can’t be properly quantified in words as it’s a 12th Man spirit of giving.

The professors who rented out garage apartments at rock-bottom prices to (then) young men coming from farms to study agriculture and mechanical engineering at A&M and go home to make their marks on the world were the first donors. Following that example were Aggie former students who, just a few years out in the world, would give back their own senior boots or the funds for someone else in future classes to afford their senior boots. That spirit is as strong today as current TAMU Corps of Cadets Commandant, Brig. Gen. Joe E. Ramirez spotted the recent quick thinking of E-2 Cadet Ryan Kreider, who saved Miss Reveille from being run into by an SMU receiver, and he announced he was buying Cadet Kreider’s senior boots when that day came.

Elvis Presley was personally noted for his vast philanthropic gifts, some to complete strangers, simply for the joy of giving. Many things he’d do to help were never known publicly, because he just enjoyed the sheer joy of giving anonymously. This is exactly the same spirit of philanthropy with which Mrs. Lindsey has been giving to the TAMU Libraries over the years. Her beloved collection of precious Elvis memorabilia is her most recent and definitely one of her most thoughtful gifts. Aggies everywhere will appreciate this for years to come. If asked, they’d surely say something like: “Thank you, thank you very much.” Elvis is “in” the house, and the Cushing Library is the place to check it out.

[Note: Full story previously on AXS.Com at: http://www.axs.com/news/elvis-is-in-the-building-thanks-to-special-gift-for-texas-a-m-s-librar-24939#slide=1]