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Warren Entner
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Key Information
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Warren Entner (born 1944) is an American singer, songwriter, organist and guitarist for the rock and roll band The Grass Roots. He subsequently became a manager for several successful heavy metal/rock groups.
Overview
[edit]Entner is best known for his vocal contributions on some of The Grass Roots' biggest hits, most notably the memorable "1-2-3-4" count-in to the chorus, as well as lead vocal on the chorus, of Let's Live for Today and the Middle 8 of the song Midnight Confessions.
Entner and his group The Grass Roots played at the Fantasy Fair and Magic Mountain Music Festival on Sunday June 11, 1967, in the "summer of love" as their top ten hit "Let's Live For Today" was hitting the airwaves. This music festival is important because it occurred before the Monterey Pop Festival but did not have a movie to document it for the ages (see List of electronic music festivals). On Sunday October 27, 1968, they played at the San Francisco Pop Festival and then played at the Los Angeles Pop Festival and Miami Pop Festival in December of that year as their top ten hit "Midnight Confessions" was hitting the airwaves.[1]
Entner and his group The Grass Roots played at Newport Pop Festival 1969 at Devonshire Downs which was a racetrack at the time but now is part of the North Campus for California State University at Northridge. They played on Sunday June 22 which was the final day of the festival as their top twenty hit "Wait A Million Years" was hitting the airwaves. In Canada, they played at the Vancouver Pop Festival at the Paradise Valley Resort in British Columbia in August 1969 (see List of electronic music festivals).[1]
It was with The Grass Roots that Entner practiced his first efforts as band manager that he would fine tune to become a professional manager for other groups after 1974. Entner identified several songs written by other composers that proved successful when The Grass Roots covered them. He was instrumental in identifying "Let's Live For Today", "Midnight Confessions" and "Lovin' Things" (written by Artie Schroeck) to name a few.[1]
In 1970, he married the Welsh actress, model and beauty queen, Miss World 1961, Rosemarie Frankland. In 1976, she gave birth to their only child together, a daughter. The couple divorced in 1981. He was married again on May 25, 1985, to Stacey Elizabeth Babbitt, who gave birth to his second child in 1986.[2]
Compositions and musical release performance
[edit]Entner composed twenty-one songs for The Grass Roots. Two of these, "Feelings" and "Come On And Say It", appeared as single "A" sides. His other nineteen compositions appeared on single "B" sides and albums. He wrote frequently with Rob Grill and they were considered a songwriting team. Entner played with the group on their first nine albums, seven of which charted. He took part in the first twenty-five singles released, twenty of which charted.[3]
Group management
[edit]After departing from The Grass Roots in the mid 70s, Entner went behind the scenes of the music business and became a manager. Owning his own firm Warren Entner Management, Entner managed a number of hard rock artists including Angel, Quiet Riot, Faith No More,[4] Rage Against the Machine, Deftones, as well as other acts such as The Grays, Failure and Nada Surf.
Discography
[edit]Singles
[edit]| Release date | Title | Flip side | Record Label | Chart Positions | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Billboard | US Cashbox | UK | |||||
| 1967 | Let's Live for Today | Depressed Feeling | Dunhill | 8 | 5 | ||
| Things I Should Have Said | Tip of My Tongue | Dunhill | 23 | 36 | |||
| Wake Up, Wake Up | No Exit | Dunhill | 68 | 61 | |||
| 1968 | Melody For You | Hey Friend | Dunhill | 123 | |||
| Feelings | Here's Where You Belong | Dunhill | |||||
| Midnight Confessions++ | Who Will You Be Tomorrow | Dunhill | 5 | 5 | |||
| 1969 | Bella Linda+++ | Hot Bright Lights | Dunhill | 28 | 20 | ||
| Melody For You | All Good Things Come to an End | Dunhill | |||||
| Lovin' Things | You And Love Are The Same | Dunhill | 49 | 35 | |||
| River Is Wide, The | (You Gotta) Live For Love | Dunhill | 31 | 16 | |||
| I'd Wait A Million Years | Fly Me To Havana | Dunhill | 15 | 12 | |||
| Heaven Knows | Don't Remind Me | Dunhill | 24 | 13 | |||
| 1970 | Walking Through The Country | Truck Drivin' Man | Dunhill | 44 | 30 | ||
| Baby Hold On | Get It Together | Dunhill | 35 | 25 | |||
| Come On And Say It | Something's Comin' Over Me | Dunhill | 61 | 39 | |||
| Temptation Eyes | Keepin' Me Down | Dunhill | 15 | 16 | |||
| 1971 | Sooner Or Later | I Can Turn Off The Rain | Dunhill | 9 | 12 | ||
| Two Divided By Love | Let It Go | Dunhill | 16 | 8 | |||
| 1972 | Glory Bound | Only One | Dunhill | 34 | 22 | ||
| Runway, The | Move Along | Dunhill | 39 | 29 | |||
| Anyway The Wind Blows | Monday Love | Dunhill | 107 | ||||
| 1973 | Love Is What You Make It | Someone To Love | Dunhill | 55 | |||
| Where There's Smoke There's Fire | Look But Don't Touch | Dunhill | |||||
| We Can't Dance To Your Music | Look But Don't Touch | Dunhill | |||||
| Stealin' Love (In The Night) | We Almost Made It Together | Dunhill | |||||
++ – Gold Record – RIAA Certification
+++ – Composed by Italian superstar Lucio Battisti)
Albums
[edit]| Release date | Title | Record Label | Chart Positions | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Billboard | US Cashbox | UK | ||||
| 1967 | Let's Live for Today | Dunhill | 75 | |||
| 1968 | Feelings | Dunhill | ||||
| Golden Grass ++ | Dunhill | 25 | ||||
| 1969 | Lovin' Things | Dunhill | 73 | |||
| Leaving It All Behind | Dunhill | 36 | ||||
| 1970 | More Golden Grass | Dunhill | 152 | |||
| 1971 | Their 16 Greatest Hits ++ | Dunhill | 58 | |||
| 1972 | Move Along | Dunhill | 86 | |||
| 1973 | Alotta' Mileage | Dunhill | ||||
++ – Gold Record – RIAA Certification
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "The Grass Roots Bio". Archived from the original on January 26, 2015. Retrieved December 1, 2016.
- ^ "Lifelines | Marriages". Billboard. June 15, 1985. p. 72. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
- ^ "Warren Entner Songs". Retrieved December 1, 2016.
- ^ Goldstein, Patrick (February 3, 1991). "Warner Records Stays Faithful to Mike Patton's Bungle Los Angeles Times PATRICK GOLDSTEIN Feb 3, 1991". Archived from the original on January 31, 2013. Retrieved December 16, 2010.
External links
[edit]
Warren Entner
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Background and Early Life
Early years and education
Warren Entner was born on July 7, 1944, in Boston, Massachusetts.[1][3] Although born on the East Coast, Entner spent much of his formative years in California, where he developed an early interest in music. He began playing guitar professionally as a teenager, laying the groundwork for his future in rock and roll.[4] Entner pursued higher education at the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television, studying film alongside notable figures such as Jim Morrison and Ray Manzarek, who would later form The Doors.[5][6] This creative environment, combined with his burgeoning musical skills, influenced his multifaceted approach to the arts and propelled him toward a career in rock music. By 1965, these foundations led him to join The Grass Roots.[4]Family and personal life
Warren Entner married Rosemarie Frankland, the 1961 Miss World from Wales, on October 12, 1970, after the couple met in Los Angeles where she had relocated following her beauty pageant career.[7] The pair settled in Los Angeles, and in 1976, Frankland gave birth to their daughter, Jessica.[8] Their marriage lasted until 1981, when they divorced.[9] Entner remarried in 1985 to Stacey Elizabeth Babbitt, with whom he had a second child, Lauren, born in 1986.[10]Musical Career with The Grass Roots
Joining the band and initial involvement
Warren Entner met guitarist Creed Bratton at a folk festival in Israel in 1965, where both were performing as traveling musicians, and the two soon formed the Los Angeles-based band The 13th Floor upon returning to the United States.[11] The group, initially comprising Entner on vocals and organ, Bratton on lead guitar and vocals, Rick Coonce on drums, and Kenny Fukumoto on bass and vocals, adopted a blues-influenced folk-rock style reflective of the era's West Coast scene.[12] In late 1966, The 13th Floor submitted a demo tape to Dunhill Records, catching the attention of producers P.F. Sloan and Steve Barri, who had originated the Grass Roots moniker for a studio-only folk-rock project inspired by the Byrds.[13] Impressed by the band's energy, Sloan and Barri recruited them in early 1967 to become the live incarnation of The Grass Roots, re-recording tracks like "Where Were You When I Needed You" and steering the group toward a more commercial direction.[13] As a founding member of this new lineup, Entner took on multifaceted roles as lead and harmony vocalist, rhythm guitarist, organist, and songwriter, complementing Bratton's lead guitar work and helping solidify the band's rhythm section.[14] However, lineup adjustments occurred almost immediately when Fukumoto was drafted into the U.S. Army, prompting the band to place an ad at the musicians' union and recruit Rob Grill as bassist and primary lead singer, who brought a smoother vocal style to the forefront.[15] This core quartet—Entner, Bratton, Grill, and Coonce—debuted as The Grass Roots at the Fantasy Fair and Magic Mountain Music Festival in June 1967, marking their entry into the "Summer of Love" circuit.[16] Entner's initial contributions were pivotal in the band's breakthrough, including his distinctive "1-2-3-4" count-in vocals before the chorus on their first major hit, "Let's Live for Today," which peaked at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1967 and showcased his energetic delivery. Early band dynamics revolved around adapting to Sloan and Barri's production oversight, as the group shifted from their raw, folk-rock roots toward a brighter, horn-infused pop-rock sound designed for radio play, a transition that emphasized catchy hooks over improvisational jamming.[6] This evolution, while initially challenging for the musicians' creative control, established The Grass Roots as a hit-making outfit through the early 1970s, with Entner remaining a key creative force until his departure in 1974.[13]Key performances and contributions
Warren Entner joined The Grass Roots in 1967 as a multi-instrumentalist, providing vocals, rhythm guitar, and keyboards during the band's formative touring and recording phase through 1974. His instrumental and vocal contributions were integral to the group's live shows and studio sessions, helping drive their evolution from folk-rock roots to a more polished pop-rock sound. During this period, The Grass Roots achieved significant commercial success, charting 20 singles and seven albums on the Billboard charts, with Entner's performances supporting hits like "Midnight Confessions" and "Temptation Eyes."[17][13] Entner's stage roles were prominently featured in several landmark festivals that marked the band's rise in the late 1960s. On June 11, 1967, he performed with the group at the Fantasy Fair and Magic Mountain Music Festival in Marin County, California, an early Summer of Love event that drew over 20,000 attendees and showcased emerging rock acts alongside the likes of Jefferson Airplane and the Doors. Later that year, the band, including Entner, delivered high-energy sets at venues like Bill Graham's Fillmore Auditorium in San Francisco, where recordings capture the raw enthusiasm and tight interplay that defined their live dynamic.[18] In 1968, Entner contributed to the band's appearance at the San Francisco International Pop Festival on October 27, performing amid a lineup that included Creedence Clearwater Revival and Deep Purple, as "Midnight Confessions" propelled their popularity. The following year, on June 22, 1969, he took the stage at the Newport Pop Festival at Devonshire Downs in California, sharing the bill with Jimi Hendrix and Marvin Gaye in front of an estimated 150,000 fans, where footage shows the group's polished delivery of tracks like "The River Is Wide." Throughout extensive U.S. tours from 1967 to 1974, Entner's keyboard flourishes and rhythmic guitar work added texture to the band's sound, while his charismatic stage presence—often highlighted by energetic call-and-response vocals—helped cultivate the lively, audience-engaging atmosphere that solidified The Grass Roots' reputation as a premier live act.[19][20][21]Songwriting and Compositions
Notable songs for The Grass Roots
Warren Entner contributed a total of 21 compositions to The Grass Roots during his tenure with the band from 1967 to 1974, often collaborating with fellow members such as Rob Grill, Rick Coonce, Dennis Provisor, and Creed Bratton. Of these, two were released as A-side singles: "Feelings" and "Come On and Say It".[22] These songs were typically developed collaboratively in the studio or during tours, drawing from the band's experiences on the road and their evolving pop-rock style, which blended folk influences with psychedelic elements. Entner's writing process emphasized group input, allowing for shared lyrical themes of love, introspection, and fleeting emotions that resonated with the late-1960s counterculture.[23][24] One of Entner's early notable contributions was "Feelings," co-written with Rick Coonce and Kenny Fukomoto before the band's official formation but recorded for their 1968 album of the same name. The track, a melancholic ballad exploring emotional vulnerability, served as the album's title song and highlighted Entner's ability to craft introspective pieces; it predated the band's major hits and showcased their shift toward self-penned material, though it did not chart as a single.[24][25] "Come On and Say It," co-written with Dennis Provisor and Rob Grill in 1970, stands out as one of Entner's most prominent A-side singles for the band. Released on the compilation More Golden Grass, the upbeat rocker urged direct communication in relationships and peaked at number 61 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking a modest but significant chart entry during a period when The Grass Roots were transitioning to more original content amid declining commercial peaks. Its energetic rhythm and harmonious vocals exemplified Entner's collaborative style, inspired by the band's rigorous touring schedule that fostered quick, on-the-fly song development.[26][23] Other key songs include "Beatin' Round the Bush," co-written with Creed Bratton for the 1967 album Let's Live for Today, a garage-rock flavored track with dark undertones about evasion in romance that captured the band's raw early energy. Similarly, "Won't You See Me," solely penned by Entner for the same album, addressed longing and isolation, contributing to the record's folk-rock vibe and helping establish the group's songwriting depth beyond external hits. These compositions, while often album tracks or B-sides, underscored Entner's role in diversifying The Grass Roots' catalog with personal, tour-honed narratives that sustained their live performances.[24][23]Collaborative works and style
Warren Entner's songwriting within The Grass Roots was characterized by close collaboration with bandmate Rob Grill, with whom he frequently co-wrote material as part of his 21 compositions for the group. Their joint efforts emphasized a pop-rock foundation infused with rich vocal harmonies, drawing on Entner's rhythm guitar and keyboard work to create layered, accessible tracks that balanced melody and emotional depth. This teamwork allowed for a seamless integration of Entner's ideas with Grill's bass-driven contributions, resulting in a cohesive sound that propelled the band's commercial success during the late 1960s and early 1970s.[27][24] Entner's approach evolved notably from the band's early folk-rock phase in the "Let's Live for Today" era, where upbeat rhythms and optimistic lyrical themes captured the 1960s counterculture's spirit of immediacy and rebellion against convention. As the group transitioned into the 1970s, his writing incorporated blue-eyed soul influences, featuring brassy horns and more introspective explorations of love and longing that reflected the era's shifting social dynamics and emotional complexity. This progression highlighted Entner's adaptability, moving from lighthearted, harmony-focused pop to a soulful rock style that maintained the band's signature energy while deepening its thematic resonance.[6][24] Key stylistic elements in their collaborations included driving, upbeat rhythms that encouraged listener engagement and vocal trade-offs between Entner and Grill, fostering a sense of communal harmony akin to the countercultural ideals of unity and shared experience prevalent in the 1960s and 1970s. These features not only defined The Grass Roots' sound but also underscored Entner's role in bridging garage rock roots with polished pop arrangements, ensuring enduring appeal without veering into overly experimental territory.[24][6]Music Management Career
Entry into management
After nearly a decade as a founding member, vocalist, and guitarist with The Grass Roots, Warren Entner departed the band in 1974.[28] Following his exit from performing, Entner transitioned into the behind-the-scenes aspects of the music industry, leveraging his firsthand experience with the demands of touring and recording to pursue a career in artist management.[29] In the mid-1970s, he founded Warren Entner Management, establishing his own firm dedicated to representing rock and hard rock acts.[29] Among Entner's initial clients was the glam rock band Angel.[29] This shift allowed Entner to remain deeply involved in music while moving away from the spotlight of live performance.[29]Major clients and achievements
In the 1980s, Warren Entner established himself as a prominent music manager through his firm, Warren Entner Management, signing high-profile hard rock and metal acts including Quiet Riot, Black 'n Blue, and Faster Pussycat. He began representing Quiet Riot in 1976 and guided them to mainstream breakthrough with their 1983 album Metal Health. This album became the first heavy metal record to reach number one on the Billboard 200 chart and was certified six times platinum by the RIAA for sales exceeding six million copies in the United States. Entner's strategic oversight helped Quiet Riot transition from local obscurity to international stardom, leveraging label deals and touring to capitalize on the band's energetic performances.[30] Expanding into alternative and nu-metal territories in the late 1980s and 1990s, Entner managed Faith No More, signing them to his firm around 1988 and contributing to the success of their album The Real Thing (1989), which achieved platinum status and featured the hit single "Epic" that peaked at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100.[31] He later represented Rage Against the Machine starting in the early 1990s, overseeing the release of their self-titled debut album in 1992, which sold three million copies in the U.S. (triple platinum) and became a cornerstone of rap-metal with its politically charged lyrics and intense sound.[32] Under Entner's management, the band's debut propelled them to cultural influence, including high-profile activism and festival appearances that amplified their anti-establishment message. Entner also managed Deftones from the mid-1990s until 2002, supporting their early career with albums like Adrenaline (1997) and Around the Fur (1997), which established the band in the nu-metal scene through innovative blending of heavy riffs and atmospheric elements, achieving gold certification for the latter.[33] His firm's portfolio reflected a shift from his earlier experiences with The Grass Roots toward nurturing aggressive, genre-pushing acts. Warren Entner Management has endured for over four decades, maintaining a roster of rock and metal talent while adapting to industry changes, including US representation for Biffy Clyro as of 2025.[29]Discography
Singles with The Grass Roots
During Warren Entner's time as a core member of The Grass Roots from 1966 to 1974, the band released numerous singles that solidified their status as AM radio staples in the pop-rock genre, achieving 21 entries on the Billboard Hot 100 overall, with the majority occurring during this period.[17] These releases blended folk-rock influences with blue-eyed soul elements, contributing to the band's record of 307 consecutive weeks on the charts from 1967 to 1972.[34] Entner's multifaceted role included rhythm guitar, keyboards, and backing vocals on most tracks, with occasional lead vocal features that added energy to the group's harmonious sound.[28] Entner also contributed as a songwriter to select singles, co-writing two A-sides that highlighted his creative input. "Feelings," released as a single in 1968 from the album of the same name, was co-authored by Entner with bandmates Rick Coonce and Kenny Fukomoto; though it did not chart, it exemplified the band's introspective style and appeared as the title track emphasizing emotional depth.[25] Later, in 1970, Entner co-wrote the A-side "Come On and Say It" with Rob Grill and Dennis Provisor for the album Leaving It All Behind; it peaked at #61 on the Billboard Hot 100, showcasing his ability to craft upbeat, confessional pop tunes.[26][35] Several singles during this era featured Entner's distinctive vocal contributions, most notably his spoken "1-2-3-4" count-in on the chorus of "Let's Live for Today," which became an iconic hook propelling the track to #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1967 and capturing the countercultural ethos of living in the moment amid the Vietnam War era.[36] "Midnight Confessions," reaching #5 in 1968, benefited from Entner's backing vocals and guitar work, evolving into a enduring classic of late-1960s soul-infused rock that explored themes of infidelity and regret, often cited for its radio-friendly groove.[35] Other hits like "Temptation Eyes" (#15, 1971) and "Sooner or Later" (#9, 1971) highlighted the band's consistent commercial appeal, with Entner's instrumental support driving their polished, horn-accented arrangements that influenced subsequent power-pop acts.[35] The following table summarizes select charting singles from Entner's tenure, focusing on peak Billboard Hot 100 positions and his key involvements:| Single Title | Year | Peak Position | Entner's Notable Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Let's Live for Today | 1967 | #8 | Backing vocals, iconic count-in hook |
| Midnight Confessions | 1968 | #5 | Backing vocals, rhythm guitar |
| I'd Wait a Million Years | 1969 | #15 | Rhythm guitar, backing vocals |
| Come On and Say It | 1970 | #61 | Co-writer (with Grill and Provisor) |
| Temptation Eyes | 1971 | #15 | Keyboards, backing vocals |
| Sooner or Later | 1971 | #9 | Rhythm guitar, backing vocals |
Albums with The Grass Roots
Warren Entner joined The Grass Roots in 1966 as a vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and keyboardist, contributing to the band's evolving sound during their most commercially successful era. He remained with the group until 1974, appearing on six studio albums released by Dunhill Records (later under ABC Records distribution). These albums showcased the band's blend of pop rock and blue-eyed soul, with Entner providing backing vocals, instrumentation, and original songwriting that helped propel several hits.[13][38] The following table lists the studio albums Entner recorded with The Grass Roots, including key details and his notable contributions where documented:| Album Title | Release Year | Label | Key Notes and Entner's Contributions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Let's Live for Today | 1967 | Dunhill | Entner's debut album with the band; he provided rhythm guitar, keyboards, and backing vocals on tracks like the title hit, a Top 10 single adapting the Italian song "Piangi con me." The album peaked at No. 75 on the Billboard 200.[39] |
| Feelings | 1968 | Dunhill | Features the No. 6 hit "Midnight Confessions"; Entner co-wrote the title track "Feelings" with drummer Rick Coonce and Kenny Fukomoto, which served as an A-side single. He handled rhythm guitar and keyboards throughout. The album reached No. 45 on the Billboard 200.[40][41] |
| Lovin' Things | 1969 | Dunhill/ABC | Includes the title track single; Entner contributed backing vocals and rhythm guitar, supporting the band's psychedelic pop direction. Peaked at No. 73 on the Billboard 200.[42] |
| Leaving It All Behind | 1969 | Dunhill/ABC | Entner's rhythm guitar and keyboards feature prominently on tracks like "Lady Pleasure"; the album reflected the band's live energy and reached No. 36 on the Billboard 200.[43] |
| Move Along | 1972 | Dunhill/ABC | Showcased a more mature sound with Entner on vocals and guitar; includes the hit "Temptation Eyes" (No. 15). The album climbed to No. 86 on the Billboard 200.[44] |
| Alotta' Mileage | 1973 | Dunhill/ABC | Entner's final studio album with the band; he provided rhythm guitar and backing vocals on road-themed tracks like "Ain't That Lovin' You Baby." It peaked at No. 133 on the Billboard 200.[45] |