Aired on Treasure Island Oldies – April 20, 2025
During the ten year period from 1966 – 1975, a band that went through three incarnations made it onto the Billboard Hot 100 twenty-one times.
Originally, the band evolved from a studio project for the Los Angeles-based songwriting and production duo P. F. Sloan and Steve Barri who were intent on getting into the emerging folk rock scene.
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Sloan and Barri initially wrote and recorded what would become the band’s breakout recording with Sloan on lead vocals, releasing it in 1965 under a made-up name.
Due to its success, the need for a real performing band became apparent. After several lineup experiments, a Los Angeles-based group called The 13th Floor was recruited and rebranded under the made-up name.
The “real” group’s re-recorded version became their breakout single and reached the #28 position on the Billboard Hot 100 in the summer of 1966. The song was extremely well received in Toronto, climbing to the #5 spot on the coveted CHUM radio chart.
Its distinct guitar work, strong harmonies, and mix of folk-rock and pop helped establish the band’s signature sound and laid the groundwork for their later commercial success, including hit singles “Let’s Live For Today,” “Midnight Confessions,” “I’d Wait A Million Years,” “Temptation Eyes,” and “Sooner Or Later.”
Their breakout record was catchy with certain phrasing becoming an “earworm” for some listeners who could not get the song out of their head after hearing it.
It’s only fitting that the Grass Roots would have an “earworm,” which asks the age-old question, “Where Were You When I Needed You,” this week’s Tom Locke moment in time.
YouTube listing of the song: Click here.
This “Moments In Time” story is yet another example of a “golden oldie” or forgotten favorite that earned its place in the evolution of Rock & Roll.
