Rusted Root is an American worldbeat rock band formed in 1990 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania[2] by singer-guitarist Michael Glabicki, bassist Patrick Norman and percussionist Liz Berlin. The band got its start as the house band playing a weekly gig in Jack's Back Room on Pittsburgh's South Side. The band achieved fame in 1994 with its platinum-selling album When I Woke, which included the hit single "Send Me on My Way". The song has been featured prominently in many films and commercials. Rusted Root has sold more than three million albums, and is currently on hiatus.[1] After releasing The Movement in 2012 and touring through 2015, the band went on an indefinite hiatus, with principal songwriter and vocalist Michael Glabicki forming the group Uprooted with former members of Rusted Root and continuing to tour with that group into the early 2020s.[3]

Rusted Root
Rusted Root in 2008
Rusted Root in 2008
Background information
OriginPittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
GenresRoots rock,[1] worldbeat,[1] alternative rock, jam band, Folk
Years active1990–present (indefinite hiatus since 2015)
Labels
MembersMichael Glabicki
Patrick Norman
Liz Berlin
Past membersJim DiSpirito
Jim Donovan
Jenn Wertz
John Buynak
Ethan Winograd
Preach Freedom
Colter Harper
Jason Miller
Cory Caruso
Dirk Miller
Websiterustedroot.com

Musical style and influences

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The band's style is a fusion of acoustic, rock, world and other styles of music, with a strong percussion section that draws from African, Latin American, Indian and Native American influences. Michael Glabicki has acknowledged the popular success of Peter Gabriel's 1986 album So as an influence on his decision to incorporate worldbeat into his own music.[1] The band's lyrical content varies but often talks about Christianity and Judaism. The group's 2012 album, The Movement, was fan funded.[4]

Members

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Current members

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Past members

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  • Jim Donovan – drums, percussion (1990–2002)
  • Jenn Wertz – backing vocals, percussion (1990–2008)

Discography

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Studio albums

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Year Album Peak chart positions Certifications Record label
Billboard 200
[5]
Heatseekers Albums
[5]
1992 Cruel Sun
1994 When I Woke 51 1 Mercury
1996 Remember 38
  • RIAA: Gold
1998 Rusted Root 165
2002 Welcome to My Party 129 Island
2009 Stereo Rodeo Adrenaline Music
2012 The Movement Shanachie
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Live albums

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Compilations

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  • The Best of Rusted Root: 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection (2005)

Extended plays

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  • Rusted Root (1990)
  • Christ Monkey (1991)
  • Live (1995)
  • Evil Ways (1996)
  • Airplane (1998)

Singles

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Year Song US Hot 100
[5][6]
Certifications
1994 "Send Me on My Way" 72
1995 "Ecstasy"
1996 "Evil Ways"
"Faith I Do Believe"
"Who Do You Tell It To"
"Virtual Reality"
"Sister Contine"
1998 "Magenta Radio"
2002 "Welcome to My Party"
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Bonfiglio, Jeremy D. (July 6, 2014). "Staying connected to their Roots". The Herald Palladium. Retrieved August 8, 2017.
  2. ^ Bush, John. "Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  3. ^ Homer, Aaron (June 20, 2022). "Whatever Happened to Rusted Root?". Grunge.com. Retrieved January 27, 2023.
  4. ^ Greenhaus, Mike (May 1, 2013). "The Core: Rusted Root". Relix.
  5. ^ a b c "Rusted Root - Awards". AllMusic. Archived from the original on September 6, 2012. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
  6. ^ "Rusted Root Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography". Music VF. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
  7. ^ "Rusted Root - Send Me on My Way". bpi.co.uk. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
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