Rock Musician. Founding member and drummer of the hit group, The Grass Roots. Born Eric Michael Coonce, his musical abilities shone at an early age and at 12 he started to play drums. In 1966, future band mates Creed Bratton and Warren Entner saw him play in a music competition and asked him to join their band The 13th Floor; soon afterwards the lead singer and bass player of The 13th Floor was drafted into the army, and Rob Grill was asked to replace him. In 1967 the group changed its name to The Grass Roots. This incarnation enjoyed a string of hits including "Let's Live for Today" (1967), "Midnight Confessions" (1968) and "Temptation Eyes" (1971). Coonce left The Grass Roots in 1971 and moved to Canada, where for 27 years he worked as a child protection social worker. He died of heart failure.
Rock Musician. Founding member and drummer of the hit group, The Grass Roots. Born Eric Michael Coonce, his musical abilities shone at an early age and at 12 he started to play drums. In 1966, future band mates Creed Bratton and Warren Entner saw him play in a music competition and asked him to join their band The 13th Floor; soon afterwards the lead singer and bass player of The 13th Floor was drafted into the army, and Rob Grill was asked to replace him. In 1967 the group changed its name to The Grass Roots. This incarnation enjoyed a string of hits including "Let's Live for Today" (1967), "Midnight Confessions" (1968) and "Temptation Eyes" (1971). Coonce left The Grass Roots in 1971 and moved to Canada, where for 27 years he worked as a child protection social worker. He died of heart failure.
Bio by: Dennis Alan Deel
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