Grand Funk Railroad

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It's great to see Grand Funk Railroad's albums being released with top notch remastering. I just wish the original band was still together, although I don't blame Farner one bit for walking. No one should put up with the crap he was taking from the band's ego maniac of a drummer and his pot head side kick.

The band currently touring as Grand Funk bears little resemblence to that magnificent power trio that set the music world on its ear in 1969. They sound much more like an 80's hair band...in other words they suck. Going to a Grand Funk concert nowadays only serves to allow Don Brewer to put a few bucks in his pocket while bastardizing the name of a once great band. Shame on you, Don Brewer! Shame on you!

>>By R. Wade   (Friday, 8 Nov 2002 00:38)



to r wade, i'm not familiar with the reasons farner left gfr, but i have seen the new incarnation of gfr in concert. i must agree with you in that they're a far cry from the real deal. very disappointing. hope brewer and schacher didn't quit their day jobs.

>>By Knightwhoseznee   (Friday, 8 Nov 2002 05:34)



You know, GFR in the early 70's kick Ass! In 1976, they disbanded. Paved the way for Boston, Foreinger, Bon Jovie and other bands that formed gained where GFR planted the seed for their Rock songs to be heard. Mark, Don, Mel and Craig Frost of Grand Funk Railroad..... The Most Hard Working Rock Band of their Time. For those who don't know, this band toured so much and even released ablums by contract every six months. I would like to see today's bands perform at this level. Good Luck!

>>By buddhabear77   (Saturday, 9 Nov 2002 05:17)



My father bought me "SURVIVAL" original tape when I was...12? NowIm 40, and I got the CD! I could talk about SURVIVAL for hours! Several people Here in my North Italian Village Area bought it after hearing my talpe, it was companion of teenage fantasies about USA,and,believe it or not,it always made me feel the DESERT,as I finally felt when I went Ca Desert in 2001! Simply not an LP, but one of the utimate experiences of that age Apocalyptic/Millenaristic state of mind! The Music? Don't you also recognise a kind of Psychedelic Soul sound in voice and bass ? Amazing sill after 30 years!
PEACE

>>By Teja   (Sunday, 19 Jan 2003 13:12)



I have long planned a pilgrimage to Flint just to see if the boys might have left a little magic behind . what a privelege to have grown up in a time that showcased the greatest of all american bands.I've attended two GFR concerts -------- 1971 Philly---2000Atlanta ----- both were great shows, but whats new? wer'e talkin GFR. Favorite album - Phoenix. Loveya brothers and sisters! Grand Funk lives on!

>>By al rathbone   (Wednesday, 22 Jan 2003 02:35)



Heavy rock simply smashed into your guts...bass, drums & guitar lick guaranteed to turn you on better than your own girl! They were great and familiar and Farner was the "manager", as we thought then. Now I'm about 44 (like Magnum) but still I can't forget about them...they will have always a special place in my soul, those were the days of fantasy and psychedelia...I'm buying all their cd's and I think this is a must, after all these years.

>>By fabio   (Monday, 3 Feb 2003 15:27)



Hello Brothers & Sisters! I Love Grand Funk Railroad so much, that I had the Phoenix Album cover Tatooed on my forearm!! To me Grand Funk Railroad is and always will be the ultimate American Band!!! Yes it is ashame that Mark, Don & Mel may never perform together again, But at least all the Cd,s are out and we can enjoy what we once had!! But then again Never say Never Mark Farner recently Stated!! Keep The Funk Up!!! Mark !!!

>>By Mark, the Phoenix Tatoo Man   (Thursday, 6 Feb 2003 16:00)



I have been looking for a video of grand funk in concert ; i think it is live in cincinatti ..

>>By Drfixit   (Thursday, 13 Feb 2003 04:40)



Io sono un 43 enne italiano e amo i Funk dal 1973.
Credo che sia stato il miglior gruppo rock del mondo in assoluto!!!

>>By Leonardo   (Friday, 28 Feb 2003 20:34)



What more can you say about a band that defined the phrase "Kick Ass Rock".
They set the standard for later groups to follow. I saw them twice in Tulsa for the "American Band" tour and the "Shinin On" tour, and was totally amazed at the amount of energy they put into their shows. Don Brewer is still my all time favorite drummer.
The Railroad may have slowed down a little (haven't we all), but like the Little Engine that could, it continues to chug along.

If I could only find the perfect 1970 GTO Judge, I could cruise again to the sound of GFR.
Of course, at age 46, I'd have more old guys than young chicks chasing me.

>>By Survivalkid   (Friday, 14 Mar 2003 04:45)



Was a great band, destined for classic rock immortality. Path 'derailed' in 1971 Shea Stadium concert, when opening act Humble Pie blew them out of Shea [part Pie being awesome. part GFR having less than stellar show]. Still made great music that endures.

>>By bobby   (Friday, 14 Mar 2003 15:44)



not to sure what bobby was saying that humble pie blow them away. i was there and as good as humble was grand funk shined on. i still have the 8 track and every lp plus flint and seeing them on late night tv playing inside looking out just opened the door for some of the greatest rock music today. just lison to the caught in the act and the first live lp.there could only be one . oh bobby did you ever get to see the bill board in new york. i have lived here all my life and there has never been another. i have met the band a few times don mark and mell thank you for giving us part of you and some of the greatest all time music ever. please check out this web site. www.ontime2000.com www.ontimemusic.com . in funk bob

>>By bob barry   (Wednesday, 2 Apr 2003 06:41)



Hello, I have been a huge GFR fan from the early years. One of the first "hard rock" records I ever owned was Closer to Home. I bought the Capital Trunk of Funk, and it is just flat out great.

Too bad about the break up, but at least they are still out there and with Mark Farner performing solo it just doubles the fan's opprotunity to hear GFR music again. I have attended 2 Farner shows in the last year and have tickets for one more this summer, the man still rocks.

I would like to catch the nGFR and if Ican swing it I may make the 5 hour trip to Ricmond VA in July.

Keep playing that "Footstompin' Music"

Zman

>>By funkfan2end   (Thursday, 29 May 2003 21:48)



Back in the early 70s, I used to listen to my older brother's Grand Funk Railroad albums and 45s. On one of the 45s was "The Locomotion." On the flip side, I'm almost positive there was a GFR version of he Troggs' "Wild Thing." It was kick-ass! I would love to get a copy of that version, but I can't seem to find it anywhere. Did Grand Funk Railroad actually record a version? Or is my memory wrong?

>>By Bruce   (Sunday, 1 Jun 2003 05:28)



Bruce I do not believe that GFR ever covered "Wild Thing", I have followed GFR for 34 yrs and I have never come across any reference to a re-recording of the R & R classis by GFR. Grand Funk did cover several great r& r standards such as Gimme Shelter, of cource "The Locomotion", Some Kind of Wonderful, and Inside Lookin' Out, which is a GFR standard was actually a cover of an "Animals " song. They covered the Animals again during their 1981 come back attempt with a version of "We Gotta Get Out Of This Place". In 1977 Mark Farner, lead singer and writer of most of the GFR songs also did a fantastic version of the R & B standard "When A Man Loves A Woman" which outright kicks butt.

For those interested in GFR or Mark Farner check out the Yahoo Groups - Mark Farner's Railroad

Zman   (Monday, 2 Jun 2003 09:08)



Once I read about Mark´s opinion on the Oriental merchandise being sold throughout the States, Mark stated on his page that everybody should boycott all of the Japanese, Korean, Taiwaneese...etc. imports to the U.S.A. saying it was just snatching the jobs from NorthAmerican labor. But...
Isn´t it American Businessmen fault?. Most of the Northamerican firms and companies are manufacturing their products in those countries, and I mean BIG companies, have you seen where "matell" toys are being made lately?, Mc Donald´s toys, tyres, computer and car parts, tyres, tools, etc.?
Their reasoning-if you follow it- is because Japan has become a commercial threat to the American economy, besides, labor is cheaper in those places and distribution over there, too.
I wanna make clear I´ve bought GFR albums since I was 13, today I´m 44 and I still do, me and my friends would go crazy with "Inside looking out" performance on T.V., and I´ve never been able to attend a concert...that´s the craziest that´s ever happened to me, if I chose 2 of the best bands in my life, one would be Grand Funk...we still play their records in our gatherings and do great...

Be happy!!!...

>>By calipatria   (Tuesday, 3 Jun 2003 01:04)



I don't understand ...

How the man who wrote these words:

"... I am motivated by my native American spirit to say "I am going to declare war on the white man and every other man that has taken on the nature of him that deceives us ..." (6-2001)

"... We the people of the United States of America have the power over our government because we have our own guns [and] we have are own ammunition, not just the stuff we buy and give to our military and police ... If you don't own a gun, or ten, then you need to go out and get some ... I favor a .223 cal. like a Bushmaster or M-16 look alike ... My second choice is .308 cal ... I like the 40 S&W and the 9mm both in a high capacity semi-auto pistol ... at least one 50 BMG cal. rifle for the long shot that can take out vehicles and enemy alike ... Go to your neighbors and friends and start getting ready for the ... attempt ... to remove the coercive power from We the People ... We must never allow ourselves to believe the liberal main stream media (that is owned by our enemies) to influence us beyond our own good judgement ... I have a bumper sticker on my Jeep that says "BUY A GUN, PISS OFF A LIBERAL." ... buy a gun and lots of ammo (thousands of rounds) ..." (9-2000)

Can be the same man who wrote these words:

"... No one tells you why you're here to live. This is why it's you who must forgive ..."
"... Hey all you people, for goodness sake, Let's get together, what does it take ..."
"... I'm calling to my brothers and sisters, let's get together and kill this fear... With just a little more understanding, the whole world will get by ..."
"... We need each other, to live in peace and harmony ..."
"... We need love in the country, so we can get strong ..."
"... Pray for your brother, let your soul find a way, help one another, oh, please listen to what I say ..."

It makes no sense to me. But it does seem to me to be a clue as to why there are now two where there once was one ...

Bill Parrette

>>By Bill Parrette   (Tuesday, 3 Jun 2003 12:24)



Hi Bill it has been a few years for me, it was back on Road Kill we used to talk..lost the road kill link....How have you been..anything about a new cd, with the new lineup..and anything on releasing Mark, Don and Mel, i remember i used to have Mark, Don and Terry..you you remember...Also how about a DVD of Grand Funk..im sorry im babbling...E mail me at drrock5@yahoo.com.


your friend


Ray

>>By ray Dr Rock Thomas   (Thursday, 5 Jun 2003 17:43)



Well, I just ran across this forum... as with any, the opinions are going to vary. As a youth in the early '70's, making my first drum kit out of cardboard boxes and being taught how to play the drums to each GFR album, from "On Time" to "Survivor", it's personally a breath of fresh air seeing the release of all these classic albums. It will be nice to hear and play to all my favorites without all the scratches and skips I've implanted into the grooves over the decades of use. In my opinion, it's "way" over due. As far as the recent touring band and the flack they're recieving... I've got enough respect for Don & Mel to at least appreciate what they're trying to do. Oh yeah, would I rather see the original band touring as though it was 1971 again? Of course, but we all know thats not reasonable thinking. Things and times change. Maybe the "71 tour could be seen after all.... lets at least release the "Shea" concert footage with Humble Pie...That "is" way over due.

>>By StrayGator   (Sunday, 22 Jun 2003 03:17)



I went to many concerts in the late '60's and early 70's and saw many of the great ones. But the best show in rock and roll that I EVER saw was GFR in Seattle, October '71. The boys were in rare form. They opened with "Footstompin Music" - man, I thought there was a earthquake, but it was the audience responding to Mark Farner. In a white jump suit with a Gibson SG. NEVER did I see the Stones, Led Zeppelin, etc do a 2hour plus show with encores. The critics may criticize GFR, but they REALLY missed the point. One dimensional? Maybe, but visceral and real rock and roll? Oh yeah...

>>By glt   (Monday, 23 Jun 2003 04:20)



ok, folks, does anyone know what kind of rig Mel used back in the day? sounds like a Gibson bass & a marshall head to me... does anyone know what kind of Gibson?

>>By Gibson_Thunder   (Saturday, 5 Jul 2003 22:13)



Hey Funkers,

Anything new on DVD of the band.......When is The Railroad comming to PA..saw them in 74 with my father taking me and a friend..when the lights went down and it lokked and sounded like a locomotive comming right at you....I remember my Dad was mezmorized....Still want a CD and a DVD of ABC"S IN Concert......Keep The Funk Up....To all the Road Killers......Howdy my friends....Ray .....DR ROCK

>>By Ray Dr Rock Thomas   (Monday, 21 Jul 2003 21:32)



We have but one album of their's that I know of... Capitol Collectors Series: Grand Funk Railroad and it is awesome!!

>>By Grazyl   (Thursday, 16 Sep 2004 12:47)



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