'Eve Of Destruction' Songwriter P.F. Sloan, 70, Passes

P.F. Sloan

Noted songwriter P.F. (PHILIP GARY SCHLEIN) SLOAN passed away on the evening of NOVEMBER 15th, at his home in LOS ANGELES, at the age of 70, after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer several weeks go.  He was born in NEW YORK CITY, but moved to WEST HOLLYWOOD with his family when he was 12.

SLOAN was a key element in the music that became the sound of the SUNSET STRIP in the '60s.  PHIL signjed his first record deal with ALADDIN RECORDS at the age of 13. He recently published his memoirs, "What's Exactly The Matter With Me?" with S.E. FEINBERG, and his latest album, "My Beethoven" was recently released on FOOTHILL RECORDS.

P.F. Sloan's masterpiece, "Eve Of Destruction," performed by BARRY McGUIRE, was an anthem for a generation.  As BOB DYLAN put it in his autobiography "Chronicles": "There are no more escapes. If you want to find out anything that's happening now, you have to listen to the music I don't mean the words. Though, 'Eve Of Destruction' will tell you something about it."

Among his hits: THE TURTLES' "You Baby" and "Let Me Be"; HERMAN'S HERMITS' "A Must to Avoid" and "Hold On!", THE SEARCHERS' "Take Me For What I'm Worth" and JOHNNY RIVERS' "Secret Agent Man," among others. He also had a hand in several hits by THE GRASS ROOTS, including "Where Were You When I Needed You." As a session guitarist for the famed WRECKING CREW, SLOAN composed the guitar intro to THE MAMAS & PAPAS' "California Dreamin'." 

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