Rob Grill
Rob Grill as part of The Grass Roots in 1969
Background information
Birth name	Robert Frank Grill
Born	(1943-11-30)November 30, 1943 Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Died	July 11, 2011(2011-07-11) (aged 67) Mount Dora, Florida, U.S.
Genres	Rock, folk, pop
Occupation(s)	Singer, musician, songwriter
Instrument(s)	Bass guitar, vocals
Years active	1966–2011
Labels	Dunhill, ABC, Haven, MCA, Gusto, Mercury Records, RFG, Cleopatra

Robert Frank Grill (November 30, 1943 – July 11, 2011)^[1] was an American musician and songwriter, best known as lead singer and bassist of the rock and roll group The Grass Roots. Though not a founding member, Grill was the longest-serving member of the band prior to his death in 2011.

Career

Grill was a native of Hollywood, California, where he attended Hollywood High School. Soon after graduation, he began working at American Recording Studios with musician friends Cory Wells and John Kay (who later formed Three Dog Night and Steppenwolf, respectively).

Grill was asked to join The Grass Roots, which grew out of a project originating from Dunhill Records owned by Lou Adler. Writers/producers P.F. Sloan and Steve Barri (The Mamas & the Papas, Tommy Roe, Four Tops and Dusty Springfield) were asked by Dunhill to write songs that would capitalize on the growing interest in the folk-rock movement. After their song “Where Were You When I Needed You” — recorded as a demo with P.F. Sloan as lead singer — was released under the name “The Grass Roots” and received airplay in the San Francisco Bay Area, Dunhill searched for a band to become The Grass Roots. After the first group they chose departed, a Los Angeles band composed of Creed Bratton, Rick Coonce, Warren Entner, and Kenny Fukomoto was recruited to become The Grass Roots.

When Fukumoto was drafted into the army, Grill was brought in as his replacement. With Grill as lead singer, they recorded another version of "Where Were You When I Needed You" and he became the band’s longest serving member, appearing with them for more than four decades. Grill went on to produce and manage the band and became owner of The Grass Roots name.^[2]

Compositions and musical release performance

Grill composed 16 songs for The Grass Roots and his solo album. One of these, "Come On and Say It", appeared as a single "A" side. His other 15 compositions appeared on single "B" sides and albums. He wrote frequently with Warren Entner and they were considered a songwriting team. Grill played with The Grass Roots on 16 albums, seven of which charted. He took part in 32 Grass Roots singles released, 21 of which charted.^[3]

Death

Grill died from complications of a head injury sustained in a fall in June 2011. After suffering two strokes following the fall, each located in different parts of his brain, he fell into a coma.^[4] With his wife Nancy by his side, Grill died July 11, 2011, in an Orlando, Florida hospital from complications after a stroke.^[1][5]

Discography

References