P.F. Sloan
Singer-songwriter P.F. Sloan has been likened to Forrest Gump for his multiple brushes with some of the greatest figures in popular music, from Elvis to the Beatles. But two songs he penned stand as the tallest achievements in his astounding rock 'n' roll resume: "Secret Agent Man" (for Johnny Rivers) and "Eve of Destruction" (Barry McGuire). As a member of L.A.'s famed Wrecking Crew, he also played the mystical guitar opening to "California Dreamin'" by the Mamas and the Papas, and sang on Jan and Dean's "Little Old Lady From Pasadena." With his longtime writing partner Steve Barri, Sloan has written hits for the Grass Roots, the Turtles, Herman's Hermits, the Searchers, and the Fifth Dimension. Colossal songwriter Jimmy Webb even paid tribute to him with the plaintive "P.F. Sloan." Now back after decades of self-imposed exile, Sloan is one of the unsung geniuses of rock 'n' roll.