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.

Happy Together 2015 Tour Lineup Announced

Fresh on the heels of the wind-up of the 2014 Happy Together Tour, audience response and ticket sales have driven this successful musical touring package across the country and over the border into Canada. Will your favorites be on the 2015 Tour? Six groups tour for the first time this year.


On Oct. 1, 2014, Paradise Artists booking agency shared the new tour poster for the 2015 Happy Together Tour on their web site, which is great news for the classic rock lovers across the country, who can’t wait to see this tour back in their home towns. Thirty years after the Turtles launched the first “Happy Together” tour based on the song with the fun, upbeat “bah bah bah bah bah bah bah bah bah bah bah” chorus, they’re back “one more time” to do it all over again.

For the first time, the 2015 Happy Together Tour will feature six groups, featuring music of and by The Turtles featuring Flo & Eddie, The Buckinghams, The Association, The Cowsills, The Grass Roots, and Mark Lindsay. Classic rock lovers keep showing up to see Mark Volman and Howard Kaylan, aka Flo & Eddie, aka The Turtles and all of their friends on their tremendously successful annual tours of fun and music.

New to the Happy Together Tour for their debut year are the wonderful Cowsill siblings, Susan, Paul and Bob, whose hits include “The Rain, the Park and the Other Things,” “Hair/Let the Sunshine In” (from “Aquarius”) and “We Can Fly,” to name just a few. Carl Giammarese and Nick Fortuna, The Buckinghams, return in 2015 after having been on the original Happy Together early tour in 1985, plus back for the 25th anniversary year (2010), then in 2011, and 2012. “Kind of a Drag,” “Don’t You Care,” “Hey Baby, They’re Playing Our Song” and more will make you remember falling in love for the first time.

Mark Dawson and Dusty Hanvey, also return to carry on the music of the Grass Roots (when they tour together with Joe Dougherty and Larry Nelson) after a similar hiatus. Everyone appreciates “The River is Wide,” “Bella Linda,” “Midnight Confessions” and more. When Rob Grill was alive and on the tour, he always used to say, “You guys really know how to throw a party!” and that was always true.

Good-natured fun and remembering when takes place as not only Baby Boomers but a new generation of fans joins in to fill arenas, casinos, festivals and fairs, frequently selling out the places they go well in advance of the concert. Autograph sessions after the concerts happen often, but pay attention to where and when those will happen, because the concert dates go night after night after night and they have to keep the show on the road!

Cherokee nation and singer Mark Lindsay will both return, as no New York Radio City Rockette can kick as high as Mark can when he takes the stage. Talk about “I’m Not Your Steppin’ Stone” or “Kicks” that Mark Lindsay is “Hungry” for, he’s at the top of his game and shares stories and songs as the former lead singer of beloved band Paul Revere & the Raiders.

Bringing the music you love and fell in love to and with continues from The Association are Del Ramos (brother of the late Larry Ramos), Jim Yester, and Jules Alexander (who also tour also with Bruce Pictor and Jordan Cole in full concert settings). “Never My Love,” “Windy” and “Cherish” always have the crowd singing along.

It has not yet been announced who the touring band will be, but since 2010, the skillful musicians who’ve been rolling down the roads with them include Godfrey Townsend (guitar), John Montagna (bass), Steve Murphy (drums) and Manny Focarazzo (keyboards). These talented tour guys, who used to tour with the Alan Parsons Project many years ago, and each who pursue their own individual careers, know all the words to all the songs. Because fans definitely love seeing every member of the full band on tour, the fast pace of featuring six different musical acts requires that you simply must have one band behind the artists to keep the show flowing.

Concert dates are being finalized and the full touring schedule will be released when it becomes available. Despite what Gene Simmons said a few weeks ago, classic rock is alive and well, at least if you’re a Baby Boomer. Let the good times roll, one more time!

The reviews for the Happy Together Tour continue to be stronger than ever.

Here's the touring group for the Happy Together Tour for 1985-1986. Thirty years have flown by, but these guys still bring it vocally, and with even more fun than ever before.

Story originally published on examiner.com and registered

Photos by Lora Evans, courtesy of The Buckinghams in Concert Blog, with the exception of Happy Together Tour Poster, courtesy of Paradise Artists, and The Buckinghams on the 1985 Happy Together Photo, courtesy of West Communications.

Mark Dawson and the Kings of Snack’s ‘One Saturday Night’ is refreshing

You already know Mark Dawson as the lead singer (since 2011) for The Grass Roots. Dawson has been performing with them full time since 2008, having been selected by Rob Grill to handle the major vocal duties as he battled health issues during his final performing years. But Mark is also a singer-songwriter in his own right, and plays regularly with many bands he helped co-establish, including Simulcast, particularly focusing on the Florida performing area. The Chicago native also sings with vocalist Gladys Justiniano, and these are two of the six members of the newest, hippest band to form, Mark Dawson & the Kings of Snack. You can hear Mark Dawson each Thursday Night on Our Generation Radio with his own 2-hour funky, creative, sometimes off the wall radio shows, complete with stories from the road. Mark Dawson and Grass Roots' guitarist Dusty Hanvey will be on the 2015 Happy Together Tour, which will make all the Grass Roots fans happy to hear their songs. Here's the link to the full CD Review for the inaugural release by Mark Dawson & the Kings of Snack, called "One Saturday Night."

Here they are: Mark Dawson & the Kings of Snack. Check them out. You'll be glad you did. No Grass Roots fan should be without this CD--their version of "Temptation Eyes" is worth owning for that song alone.

To order the CD, click here.