American Singer and Songwriter. Born Philip Schlein, he wrote songs for the Turtles, Jan & Dean, Herman's Hermits and more. He signed his first record deal when he was 13 and went on to write such classic songs as Johnny Rivers’ 'Secret Agent Man', Barry McGuire’s 'Eve of Destruction', the Grass Roots’ 'Where Were You When I Needed You' and the Turtles’ 'You Baby'. In the early 1960s, he became part of the songwriting staff at Screen Gems Records, where he became a guitar player on Jan & Dean’s records. By the mid-’60s, he became an in-demand songwriter, penning songs as well as producing singles and albums. He also was a busy session musician, playing guitar with the famous Wrecking Crew, and was signed as a recording artist with songwriting partner Steve Barri, with whom he formed the Grass Roots. He recorded eight albums of his own, the most recent being 2014’s 'My Beethoven', and published a memoir, 'What’s Exactly The Matter With Me?', which also came out last year. Sloan died from complications from pancreatic cancer, which was diagnosed just weeks prior to his passing.
American Singer and Songwriter. Born Philip Schlein, he wrote songs for the Turtles, Jan & Dean, Herman's Hermits and more. He signed his first record deal when he was 13 and went on to write such classic songs as Johnny Rivers’ 'Secret Agent Man', Barry McGuire’s 'Eve of Destruction', the Grass Roots’ 'Where Were You When I Needed You' and the Turtles’ 'You Baby'. In the early 1960s, he became part of the songwriting staff at Screen Gems Records, where he became a guitar player on Jan & Dean’s records. By the mid-’60s, he became an in-demand songwriter, penning songs as well as producing singles and albums. He also was a busy session musician, playing guitar with the famous Wrecking Crew, and was signed as a recording artist with songwriting partner Steve Barri, with whom he formed the Grass Roots. He recorded eight albums of his own, the most recent being 2014’s 'My Beethoven', and published a memoir, 'What’s Exactly The Matter With Me?', which also came out last year. Sloan died from complications from pancreatic cancer, which was diagnosed just weeks prior to his passing.
Bio by: Louis du Mort
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
