Rusted Root is an American worldbeat rock band formed in the year 1990 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania by Michael Glabicki (vocals, guitar); Patrick Norman (bass); Liz Berlin (percussion); Jim Donovan (drums); Jenn Wertz (vocals, percussion); John Buynak (guitar, mandolin, pennywhistle); and Jim DiSpirito (percussion). 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. 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. The band's music incorporates elements of rock with percussion and influences from varoius musical traditions. Its lineup has changed over the course of the band's history, with Glabicki remaining a central member of the group.
Musical style and influences 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. The band's lyrical content varies but often talks about Christianity and Judaism. The group's 2012 album, The Movement, was fan funded.
Members Current members Michael Glabicki – lead vocals, guitar, harmonica, mandolin (1990–present) Patrick Norman – bass guitar, backing vocals, percussion Liz Berlin – vocals, percussion
Past members
Jim Donovan – drums, percussion (1990–2005) Jenn Wertz – backing vocals, percussion (1990–2008)
Discography Studio albums Year Album Peak chart positions Certifications Record label Billboard 200 Heatseekers Albums 1992 Cruel Sun — — 1994 When I Woke 51 1 RIAA: Platinum 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 Rusted Root Live (2004)
Compilations The Best of Rusted Root: 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection (2005)
Extended plays Rusted Root (1990) Christ Monkey (1991) Live (1995) Evil Ways (1996) Airplane (1998)
Singles Year SongUS Hot 100 Certifications 1994 "Send Me on My Way" 72 BPI: Platinum 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
External links
Rusted Root collection at the Internet Archive's live music archive