RIP PF Sloan

This sucks.

P.F. Sloan, songwriter, dies aged 70

He wrote hits for the Turtles, Herman's Hermits and more

P.F. Sloan – the songwriter behind “Eve Of Destruction” and “Secret Agent Man” – has died aged 70.

Sloan signed his first record deal when he was 13 and went on to write songs for artists including the Turtles, Jan & Dean, the Searchers and Herman’s Hermits.

His biggest hit, though, was Barry McGuire’s “Eve Of Destruction“.

A statement issued by his American publicist confirmed the news of Sloan’s death.

“It is with deepest sadness that we are announcing that P.F. Sloan (Phil) passed away on the evening of November 15, 2015, at his home in Los Angeles. Phil had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer several weeks before and was fighting it valiantly. The world has lost one of its great talents.

“Phil was a key element on the music that became the sound of the Sunset Strip. Phil was a true prodigy, signing his first record deal with Aladdin Records when he was thirteen. He recently published his memoirs, What’s Exactly The Matter With Me? with S.E. Feinberg, and his latest album, My Beethoven has recently been released on Foothill Records.

“P.F. Sloan’s ‘Eve Of Destruction‘ was an anthem for a generation. It is as relevant now as it ever has been.”

The statement also quoted from a 1965 interview with Bob Dylan, who said, “If you want to find out anything that’s happening now, you have to listen to the music. I don’t mean the words, although ‘Eve Of Destruction’ will tell you something about it.”

From "Songs which say we're all f---ed" thread

Wrote some other incredible songs: the Searchers' "Take Me for What I'm Worth," Herman's Hermits' "Must to Avoid," the Turtles' "Can I Get to Know You Better," others.

(For the thread, I'd add Husker Du's "Everything Falls Apart" as being definitive: "Everything is so fucked up/I guess we like it that way.")

― clemenza, Monday, November 16, 2015 8:33 PM (Yesterday) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

(xpost--was talking about P.F. Sloan)

― clemenza, Monday, November 16, 2015 8:34 PM (Yesterday) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

Oh geez I didn't see the PF Sloan thing. RIP

― kornrulez6969, Monday, November 16, 2015 8:34 PM (Yesterday) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

As I noted elsewhere, I just saw PF Sloan interviewed at the Ponderosa Stomp in New Orleans a little while back; and he played acoustic and sung at the interview; and did a set with a band later that night at the Stomp

That’s Cool, That’s Trash
Featuring P.F. Sloan and moderator Todd Abramson
Presented by Shout Factory
Los Angeles singer, songwriter, and guitarist P.F. Sloan recounts his unsung journey through rock ‘n’ roll history as a member of the Wrecking Crew and his role in helping create 1960s classics such as “Secret Agent Man,” “Eve of Destruction,” and “California Dreamin’.” Sloan is interviewed by WFMU disc jockey Todd Abramson, the former talent booker at Maxwell’s, the famed Hoboken, N.J., nightclub.

― curmudgeon, Monday, November 16, 2015 8:40 PM (Yesterday) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

thought this revive was gonna be about "Pumping On Your Stereo"

― John Dope Assos (Noodle Vague), Monday, November 16, 2015 9:05 PM (Yesterday) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

Didn't think Sloan had a hand in the writing, so I looked up "California Dreamin'": Wikipedia says he played the opening guitar bit.

― clemenza, Monday, November 16, 2015 10:51 PM (Yesterday) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

Sloan was a little nuts, but he was also very ripped off, and probably wrote a little bit more than he got credit for.

― Three Word Username, Monday, November 16, 2015 11:17 PM (Yesterday) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

also inspired a Jimmy Webb song I'm fond of

http://www.goldminemag.com/article/perception-reality-singer-songwriter-p-f-sloan

From this January interview

GM: I’m finding it hard to fathom a motivation for the head of a label to not want you to become a big star, because your success would’ve been his success.
PFS: No, that’s the rationale my Jewish mother would say. He wanted power. He wanted me to kiss his shoes. He didn’t care about success or money. He made millions on The Beatles.

GM: How?
PFS: I brought him the Beatles for Vee-Jay Records.
[Author’s Note: “Introducing The Beatles” came out on Vee-Jay Records Jan. 10, 1964, 10 days prior to “Meet The Beatles!” on Capitol Records.]
They were looked at as Everly Brothers wannabes. But I knew they were more. The hair on the back of my neck stood up when I first heard them. I immediately went to Lou Adler, who thought they were garbage. Hell, I was 16! I was very happy with $10 a week. I didn’t expect anyone to believe in my opinion. Why should they? But when you look at what Dunhill Records could have had? I brought them Buffalo Springfield. Lou Adler turned them down. They had The Mamas & The Papas, The Grass Roots and Three Dog Night, but they could have had The Beatles, Rolling Stones and Buffalo Springfield, as well.

GM: So you reach New York, hook up with a junkie girl who puts a monkey on your back. You lose your voice at a Bottom Line gig and Elvis, long after he dies, helps you and sings through your body — this after you had met him at a music store at the age of 12 and he gave you an impromptu music lesson.
PFS: He was a divine being. No one fully understands this. We understand the hormonal and vocal impact only. I prayed in my dressing room for help that night, because I knew my voice was shot. Elvis answered. He said, “You just open up your mouth, and I’ll sing for you until you get your sea legs.” That’s what he said to me. I was so blown away from what I was hearing coming out of my mouth that I remember stopping and asking the audience, “Is it just me, or am I hearing Elvis?

http://www.goldminemag.com/article/perception-reality-singer-songwriter-p-f-sloan#sthash.e7X0naSS.dpuf