P.F. Sloan was one of the most important behind-the-scenes artists of the mid 1960s. Working primarily as a songwriter in those days, he only occasionally made commercial inroads as a recording artist. But as a key session player and composer, he was responsible for may of the era\u2019s hits. In addition to writing TV themes and jingles (many in collaboration with writing partner Steve Barri), New York City-born Sloan wrote many songs that wold become hit singles for other artists. Sloan died in 2015 at age 70, but on the 80th anniversary of his birth (September 18)I present five great tunes from the pen of P.F. Sloan.<\/p>\n
\u201cEve of Destruction\u201d by Barry McGuire from Eve of Destruction<\/em> (1965)<\/strong>
\nThis controversial folk-protest song would be a hit for Barry McGuire in 1965. Sloan wrote the song and shopped it around to artists including the Byrds \u2013 all of whom turned it down \u2013 before getting to McGuire. Released as a single, McGuire\u2019s version made it to the No. 1 spot, and became an anthem of the era.<\/p>\n