In 1968, while on one of their trips to New York the Progressions changed their name to A Taste. Bob Gaudio (of the Four Seasons) heard the group and was impressed enough that he took the band to his studio and did some recordings (see Light). While living and playing in New York the group opened shows for the Jefferson Airplane, and played at the Fillmore East.
While in New York the Progressions met guitarist Bob Grimm, an upstate New York native. Impressed with his playing they offered him a position with the band. Grimm was ready for a change and he ultimately came back to Baltimore to replace Skip Herbert who had left the group while in New York.
Bob played with several Baltimore groups including A Taste, Light.
Light made it to the 1969 Woodstock Festival where members Ricky Cook and Trudy Cooper gained international recognition as the subjects of an Associated Press photograph at the 1969 Woodstock festival in upstate New York, sitting atop of Bob Grimm’s Light Bus, a VW bus that was painted by local artist Bob Hieronimus.
Ultimately Light returned from New York without Grimm, who had replaced Tommy DeVito in Frankie Valli’s touring band April through November 1971.
Bob Grimm in London 1971 Bob Grimm and Frankie Valli – 2006
Grimm played with the Four Seasons and while on tour decided to stay in London where he recorded his album “Akasha” (which has since been released on CD).
In 1975 he returned to Baltimore and taught a music and astrology course at AUM, a school of esoteric study. Since moving away in 1982 Grimm continued to write and play music while living in Key West, Florida, and Phonecia, New York.
Photos ©Bob Grimm
