Posted on 07/12/2011 6:02:12 AM PDT by iowamark
Rob Grill, who for nearly 45 years was the voice of the 1960s band The Grass Roots and sang on such hits as “Midnight Confessions,” “Temptation Eyes” and “Live For Today,” died Monday just hours before the group was to take the stage at Musikfest Café at the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks.
The group performed a lively, emotional set as part of the Happy Together Tour that also includes The Turtles, Mark Lindsay of Paul Revere and the Raiders, The Association and The Buckinghams.
Longtime Grass Roots bassist Mark Dawson announced the death of Grill, 67, from the stage at the Bethlehem show, saying he passed away about 11 a.m. Monday.
“We may have lost one great friend, but heaven gained an exceptional singer,” Dawson said from stage. “We say God bless you, and Rob says the show must go on.”
Dawson sang Grill’s vocals, as he sometimes had in recent years as Grill struggled with health problems.
After the Grass Roots set, Dawson said in an interview that Grill died in an Orlando, Fla., hospital from complications from a stroke. Dawson said Grill died in the arms of his wife, Nancy, as he listened to “Live For Today,” which Dawson said was his favorite Grass Roots song.
Dawson said Grill had been off the Happy Together Tour for five or six weeks as he was hospitalized, but “there were signs he had been improving in the past few days,” Dawson said. “We were shocked to get the call.”
(Excerpt) Read more at blogs.mcall.com ...
Opening is a bit misleading. Makes it sound as if he was on tour with the group and died suddenly.
RIP
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnFZsrs32Co
“Let’s Live For Today”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCdGqed6Ajg
“Midnight Confessions”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVVpDfxhcOo
“Temptation Eyes”
Oh...so sad! I still love all the Grass Roots songs! I would rather listen to those songs than the music available today! Rob was so good looking too!!! I think Midnight Confessions was my favorite! Brings back such memories, both happy and sad. RIP Rob Grill!! Of course...this also shows how old I am!!
RIP.
If only the tour would have included Garry Puckett and the Union Gap, it would have been perfection ...
May he go with God and rest in peace.
RIP.
I saw a vintage clip of the Grass Roots doing Midnight Confessions when Grill was in his pomp. I borrowed heavily from his stage mannerisms and playing style.
Do i remember correctly that when I was in grade school that the GRs would play at your school if it won a gum wrapper collecting contest?
BTW the Grassroots' first guitarist is currently playing Creed Bratton on The Office.
‘Temptation Eyes’ is still on heavy rotation here. Sad to see as time marches on and takes its toll. R.I.P. Rob! Creed Bratton from ‘The Office’ was the guitarist for the Grass Roots.
RIP.
I saw Mr. Grill several times at Westbury, always as part of a tour with the Turtles, Gary Puckett and some other act or acts. He always put on a GREAT show [the last time with a broken leg], and The GRASS ROOTS, along with the BUFFALO SPRINGFIELD, and PAUL REVERE and the RAIDERS,were my favorite American Bands.
Thanks iowamark.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.