Farfisa Organ: Midnight Confession

During summer 1968, The Grass Roots released their biggest single of all time – “Midnight Confessions.” It peaked on the US charts at #5 and on the Canadian charts at #4. By the end of the year, the song had sold over a million units and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Being the third in our series dealing with the Farfisa organ, I am reasonably sure that a Farfisa was used on this cut, but cannot be 100% certain. During this time producer Steve Barri was notorious for not letting the acts that he produced to actually play on their recordings; however, they were allowed to sing the vocals.

It’s not particularly clear who played keyboards on this cut, and with that, it makes it difficult to determine what brand of combo organ was used. If we go by an early video, the band’s keyboardist, Warren Entner, is shown playing an older model gray and black Farfisa Compact combo organ.

In listening to the recording, the organ doesn’t quite have the edge that a Vox Continental had; therefore, I am going out on a limb here and I am going to suggest that it was a Farfisa - but don't quote me on that.

Here’s a TV video showing Warren Entner playing his Farfisa on “Midnight Confessions.”