Green’s Dictionary of Slang

a person, neutral when coined in the 1960s but by 1980s+ usu. slightly derisory, since the term, and by ext. the person described, is de facto old-fashioned; but still some positive use as cit. 1986.

1968		‘Hy Lit’ Hy Lit’s Unbelievable Dict. of Hip Words 43: uptown groovers – The in crowd; these are the cats who not only know the scene but they are the scene because without them whatever is happening ain’t gonna happen.
1978		R. Price Ladies’ Man (1985) 158: He [...] decided I was a young groover too and slid back the partition so I could dig his taste in jams.
1980		Eble Campus Sl. Spring 3: groover – a totally un-cool person.
1986		Eble Campus Sl. Oct. 3: groover – someone who is up with current happenings, events, and fashion: That girl wearing the blue and lavender pants is a real groover.
1990		H. Kureishi Buddha of Suburbia 8: The little groovers talked esoterically of Syd Barrett.
2001		K. Sampson Outlaws (ms.) 78: I don’t want to come over like some white groover desperate to get down with the homies.