The Lucky 13: John Grounds, Founder, Vocalist and Guitarist for The Desert Crows
by Matt King | September 7th, 2023
The Coachella Valley loves live music and classic rock, so it’s only right that cover band The Desert Crows have been so well-received by locals. Whether the group is performing at local bars or entertaining crowds outside of Acrisure Arena before headline shows, The Desert Crows have a great set of ’60s and ’70s rock jams, matched with high-energy performances. They perform at Jolene’s in Palm Desert most Sundays, and two Saturdays per month at Larkspur Grill at Hotel El Paseo. For more info on the band, visit thedesertcrows.com. John Grounds is the founder, vocalist and guitarist for The Desert Crows, and he is the latest to take The Lucky 13. Here are his answers.
What was the first concert you attended?
Buddy Guy at Monterey Jazz Festival. He was the one guy I had to see. My dad took me down to Monterey from Oakland, where I grew up. I was 12 or 13. I had already been a guitar player for four or so years. We were sitting up front, and I remember Buddy bending those strings so much that the E and the B strings both broke. He didn’t care at all, and left them waving in the breeze as he just continued to play on! All the mamas in the audience were shouting, “Buddy! Make it talk, Buddy!” An indelible experience that I will never forget.
What was the first album you owned?
Wow, it might have been Gábor Szabó, The Sorcerer. That was an early one. Kenny Burrell, Midnight Blue was another. Meet the Beatles! Younger Than Yesterday by The Byrds. My cousin Steven would also play me his 45s: “Palisades Park” by Freddy Cannon, “I Can’t Stop Loving You” by Ray Charles, “Twistin’ the Night Away” by Sam Cooke, “The Loco-Motion” by Little Eva, “Only the Lonely” by Roy Orbison, “Alley-Oop” by the Hollywood Argyles, “Theme From a Summer Place” by Percy Faith. Those were definitely great records, timeless classics in their own right!
What bands are you listening to right now?
I’ve been listening to a lot of Alice in Chains, Mad Season, Mark Lanegan, STP, Scott Weiland, etc., and more recently, I’m listening to a lot of Charlie Parker, Les McCann, Yellowjackets, and Jaco (Pastorius).
What artist, genre or musical trend does everyone love, but you don’t get?
I can’t think of one musical trend where I can’t find genius in it, even if it’s stupid.
What musical act, current or defunct, would you most like to see perform live?
Charlie Parker’s Quintet.
What’s your favorite musical guilty pleasure?
Playing more live shows with my band, The Desert Crows.
What’s your favorite music venue?
The Palm Desert’s beautiful new Acrisure Arena is a real gem. My band, The Desert Crows, is honored to have been asked to come back to the arena for command performances on four separate occasions, and they all happened this year so far, starting as the opening show for The Eagles in February, then Journey in April, and followed by Bryan Adams in July, and Tears for Fears in August. It is such an awesome treat to be feeling the love from this truly amazing venue in the desert! Plus I have always loved these venues as well: Winterland and Berkeley Community Theater.
What’s the one song lyric you can’t get out of your head?
“You can’t always get what you want.”
What band or artist changed your life? How?
Mike Stern. Charlie Parker. Layne Staley. Hendrix. Scott Weiland. Coltrane. Jaco. They tick off the possibilities, inspire and point the way.
You have one question to ask one musician. What’s the question, and who are you asking?
Hendrix: “Who are you jamming with today?”
What song would you like played at your funeral?
“Lost a Friend Today.” That’s one of mine.
Figurative gun to your head, what is your favorite album of all time?
Rubber Soul, the Beatles; Electric Ladyland, the Jimi Hendrix Experience; Welcome to the Dance, The Sons of Champlin; Fresh Cream, Cream.
What songs should everyone listen to right now?
“Yesterday” by the Beatles, “Down in a Hole” by Alice in Chains, “Light and Gold” by Eric Whitacre, “Come Fly With Me” by Frank Sinatra.