Steven Grossman's only album, Caravan Tonight (1974), was hailed by Stephen Holden in Rolling Stone as "one of the most auspicious singer/songwriter debuts of the seventies." The record is widely regarded as a landmark because it was the first recording for a major label by an openly gay artist to openly address the concerns and sensibilities of gay life. Grossman's simple and heartfelt message and persona stood out in sharp contrast to the hypersexual posturings of bigger rock stars of the era.

"Steve isn't cute about his sexuality like David Bowie; nor does he see sexuality as a spice for an innocent's view of decadence, as does Alice Cooper; nor does he invent a never-never land to exploit as do the New York Dolls. Steve sings of a gay world that is familiar to most of us." (William Lang, review in unidentified publication)

"His voice is great and his songs personal and beautiful. He is going to be the one to bridge the gap between straight and gay audiences." (Vito Russo, Gay Magazine)

Steven Grossman died of AIDS in San Francisco on June 23, 1991.

Two months prior to Grossman's death, his lifelong friend Judith Casselberry, of the group Casselberry-Dupree, persuaded Grossman to enter a recording studio again. The resulting dozen tracks of original material remain unreleased. Casselberry and musician/producer Richard Dworkin are adding new vocal and instrumental arrangements in advance of a release on Significant Other Records.

—Joseph Dalton

WORKS:
see Discography

UNCOMPLETED WORKS:
Unknown

WRITINGS:
Unknown

DISCOGRAPHY:

Caravan Tonight - Mercury SRM-1-702 (1974)
All songs by Steven Grossman:
    Caravan Tonight
    Out
    Five O'Clock Song
    Christopher's Blues
    Song To Bonnie
    Song To That M&M Man
    You Don't Have To Be Ashamed
    Many Kinds Of Love
    Can't...Papa Blues
    Circle Nine Times
    Dry Dock Dreaming
Produced by Bobby Flax and Lanny Lambert
Steven Grossman, acoustic guitar and vocals - Vinny Fuccella, acoustic lead and electric guitar - Andy Muson, bass - Jimmy Young, drums - Chris Dedrick, keyboards and recorder - George Devens, congas and percussion - Eric Weissber, mandolin, banjo, pedal steel guitar - Steven, Bobby, Lanny, and The Free Design, background vocals. Horns and strings arranged and conducted by Chris Dedrick.
Recorded December 1973 and January 1974 at Sound Ideas Studios, New York.

Unreleased collection of original material
    In Defense Of Spring
    California Now
    Buena Vista
    Mostly Like Children
    Step
    Something In The Moonlight
    Winter Story
    Out To Play
    Pearl Moon
    Truce With The Moon
    Holiday
    Last Pioneers
    A Greasy Griddle And A Short Order Cook
Recorded April 1991 by Judith Casselberry. Release produced by Judith Casselberry and Richard Dworkin, forthcoming on Significant Other Records.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

• "Deciphering Steven Grossman: For Gays Only?" by Stuart Byron, Boston Phoenix (?), April 3, 1974 (?).
• "Grossman Offers Homosexual Songs," review by John Rockwell, New York Times, May 7, 1974.
• "Coming Out Of the Closet" by John l. Wasserman, San Francisco Chronicle, May 24, 1974.
• "Gay Minstrel Is Painfully Honest," Berkeley Barb, May 24-30, 1974.

PERFORMING RIGHTS AFFILIATION:
ASCAP

RESOURCES:
Richard Dworkin
Significant Other Records
P.O. Box 1341 Old Chelsea Station
New York, NY 10113
members.aol.com/sigothinc/
SigOthInc@aol.com

MUSICAL EXECUTOR:
Judith Casselberry

OTHER CONTACTS:
None