The Grass Roots are an American rock band that rose to fame in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Known for their radio-friendly blend of folk rock, psychedelic pop, and blue-eyed soul, they delivered memorable hits like “Let’s Live for Today,” “Midnight Confessions,” and “Sooner or Later.”
Although many associate The Grass Roots with Rob Grill, the group’s origin goes back to a clever studio project led by songwriters P.F. Sloan and Steve Barri. What started as a label-driven experiment evolved into one of the most consistent hit-making bands of their era.
| Artist Name | The Grass Roots |
|---|---|
| Origin | Los Angeles, California |
| Years Active | 1965–1975, 1982–present |
| Genres | Folk Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Pop Rock, Blue-Eyed Soul |
| Key Members | Rob Grill, Warren Entner, Creed Bratton, Rick Coonce |
| Notable Songs | “Let’s Live for Today”, “Midnight Confessions”, “Sooner or Later” |
| Label | Dunhill, Haven |
| Sales | Over 20 million records sold |
Origins: A Band Without a Band
In 1965, P.F. Sloan and Steve Barri worked as staff songwriters for Dunhill Records. They were tasked with capitalizing on the folk-rock trend. The duo recorded “Where Were You When I Needed You,” with Sloan on vocals, and released it under the fictional band name “The Grass Roots.”
The song gained traction, but there was no real band to support it. To solve this, Sloan and Barri recruited a San Francisco group called The Bedouins. Lead singer William Fulton re-recorded the single, and it became a modest Top 40 hit in 1966.
Still dissatisfied, Sloan and Barri parted ways with The Bedouins. Only drummer Joel Larson remained. The next step was to find a more permanent lineup.
Enter: The 13th Floor
The search ended with a band from Los Angeles called The 13th Floor (not to be confused with Texas’ 13th Floor Elevators). This group featured Rob Grill (vocals, bass), Warren Entner (guitar, keyboards), Creed Bratton (lead guitar), and Rick Coonce (drums).
They agreed to adopt the Grass Roots name and became the official lineup. Their 1967 single “Let’s Live for Today” soared to No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100. While the accompanying album charted only modestly, the single cemented their mainstream appeal.
Breaking Through With a New Sound
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The band’s third album, Feelings (1968), shifted away from Sloan and Barri’s folk-rock roots. It reflected the members’ musical direction and brought a more rock-oriented style. However, the album didn’t sell well.
Sloan eventually left Dunhill to pursue a solo career, leaving Barri as the band’s producer. At a low point, the group released “Midnight Confessions,” a brassy, Motown-inspired track. It became their highest-charting hit, reaching No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100.
This song redefined their sound. The Grass Roots leaned further into blue-eyed soul and pop-rock—an evolution that worked commercially.
Chart Success and Lineup Changes (1969–1972)
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From 1969 to 1972, The Grass Roots maintained a steady presence on the charts. Some key hits during this period include:
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“I’d Wait a Million Years” – No. 15
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“Heaven Knows” – No. 24
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“Temptation Eyes” – No. 15
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“Sooner or Later” – No. 9
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“Two Divided by Love” – No. 16
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“Glory Bound” – No. 34
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“The Runway” – No. 39
Creed Bratton left in 1969. New members such as Denny Provisor and Reed Kailing helped fill the gaps. Joel Larson also returned. Despite the changes, the hits kept coming.
Decline and Initial Breakup
By 1973, the group’s chart success had slowed. The 1971 single “Mamacita” was their last notable hit. In 1975, the group disbanded as pop music tastes changed and disco began dominating the charts.
Rob Grill’s Solo Work and Band Revival
Rob Grill pursued a solo career and released Uprooted in 1979. The album featured members of Fleetwood Mac, including Mick Fleetwood and Lindsay Buckingham.
In the early 1980s, renewed interest in 1960s music led Grill to revive The Grass Roots. They toured heavily on the oldies circuit. Sometimes the group was billed as Rob Grill and The Grass Roots.
Grill remained the frontman until his health declined in the 2000s. He passed away in 2011 at age 67 after suffering a stroke.
The Grass Roots Today
Even after Grill’s passing, The Grass Roots live on. The current lineup includes:
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Dusty Hanvey – Lead guitar, vocals (joined 1984)
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Larry Nelson – Keyboards, vocals (joined 1984)
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Joe Dougherty – Drums (joined 1990)
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Mark Dawson – Lead vocals, bass (joined 2008)
This lineup continues to tour, keeping the band’s legacy alive through live performances across the U.S.
Key Original Members
Joel Larson
The original drummer. He joined the band in 1965 and later rejoined in 1972, staying until 1979. Larson helped shape the group’s rhythm during its key years.
Steve Barri
The behind-the-scenes force. As a producer and co-writer with P.F. Sloan, Barri helped craft the band’s early sound. He stayed involved through the early 1970s.
P.F. Sloan
The creative spark. Sloan wrote and sang the first Grass Roots demo and co-wrote many of their early hits. He also penned “Eve of Destruction” for Barry McGuire and worked with multiple top artists of the era.
Cultural Impact and Legacy
The Grass Roots have sold over 20 million records worldwide. They earned two gold albums and had one gold single during their peak years.
Their music is featured in films, commercials, and TV shows. Their catchy harmonies and socially conscious lyrics make their songs timeless.
The band appeared on over 50 national television programs, including:
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The Ed Sullivan Show
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American Bandstand
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The Tonight Show
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Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour
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Good Morning America
Their song “Let’s Live for Today” became an anthem for a generation and is still used in media today.
Fun Fact
Creed Bratton, the band’s original guitarist, later became a TV star. He played a fictional version of himself on NBC’s The Office.
Final Thoughts
The Grass Roots were more than a label creation—they were a group that evolved into a powerful force in pop-rock. Their journey from a studio project to a live touring act shows the dynamic landscape of 1960s and 70s music. Thanks to their catchy hits and loyal fans, The Grass Roots remain one of the most enduring acts from that golden era of American pop.