The Grass Roots are a band that had their professional heyday between the mid 1960’s and mid 1970’s. Lead singer and founding member Rob Grill passed away back in 2011. At the time of his death, Grill wanted The Grass Roots to continue to perform as he was the last original member. Longtime members Dusty Hanvey (guitarist), Larry Nelson (keyboards) and Joe Doughtery (drummer) were joined later by Mark Dawson on bass. This made up this current incarnation of The Grass Roots.
The band really stuck to playing their hits. They opened up with “I’d Wait a Million Years” that was released off of 1969 album “Lovin’ Things.” There was some great camaraderie between all 4 guys in between songs. They also wished a belated birthday to Hanvey as he celebrated his 67th birthday. They said “Let’s live for Today’ was written and dedicated to the Vietnam Veterans and thanked everyone who was a veteran and served. Hanvey also stretched out an elongated solo for this track as well. The band did a timeline in between a few tracks and talked about how their first single was the Herman Hermits cover “Where Were You When I Needed You.” Dawson took everyone back to the day the US astronauts landed on the moon. He said on the very same day, The Grass Roots released the single “The River is Wide.” They made jokes on how they were the only band to appear in the movie “With Six You Get Egg Roll” starring Doris Day. The band played that song “Feelings.”
Yes, for a lot of the concert goers for this show it was like taking a trip done memory lane. For most people who attend shows, they are casual concert attendees. So for most it’s not about who was performing the songs. It was all about listening to great music and having a night out. You can say that was accomplished here. For others who pay attention to detai,l you know its all in the advertising and who owns the bands name. This show was advertised as The Grass Roots, not a tribute to The Grass Roots. That’s why you see so many artists fight over who owns the legal rights to the bands name. You will see more and more bands continue to do this. The Grass Roots you can say may have set the template for other bands (Foreigner, Quiet Riot and others) to eventually follow suit when original band members pass on.
Setlist:
I’d Wait a Million Years
Don’t Pull Your Love (Hamilton Joe Frank & Reynolds cover)
Heaven Knows
Sooner or Later
Things I Should Have Said
Love Goes Where my Rosemary Goes (Edison Lighthouse cover)
Let’s Live for Today
Where Were You When I Needed You (Herman’s Hermits cover)
Lovin’ Things
The River is Wide
Come On and Say It
Two Divided by Love
Feelings
Glory Bound
Baby Hold On
Temptation Eyes
Midnight Confessions
We would like to thank Ryan Hasenauer of Batavia Downs for the credentials to review the show.
