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Grand Funk. Highly Underated!
- Thread starter DavedrumsTX
- Start date
DamnSingerAlsoDrums
DFO Veteran
My dad spent most of his life playing piano in a traditional/celtic music outfit and occasionaly accompanying jazz singers or playing jazz ambiant music for cocktail gatherings and such.
I saw him in a totally different light when I started playing in a rock band in my late teens and he showed me pics of himself playing B3 in a Grand Funk tribute band when he was 20 or so. Way, way out of character for him...
So since then, I've always liked them, as they remind me that my dad once could rock, hard!
But sappy personal history chapter aside, GFR were bad MoFos and I've spent many a late night YT sessions down the GFR rabbit hole...
I saw him in a totally different light when I started playing in a rock band in my late teens and he showed me pics of himself playing B3 in a Grand Funk tribute band when he was 20 or so. Way, way out of character for him...
So since then, I've always liked them, as they remind me that my dad once could rock, hard!
But sappy personal history chapter aside, GFR were bad MoFos and I've spent many a late night YT sessions down the GFR rabbit hole...
Drums
Very well Known Member
One of my favorite bands too back in fourth grade along with Three Dog Night, Leon Russell and Chicago. Maybe not a pocket drummer, but Don was more than competent!
Their live album is imprinted in my DNA - it was on my turntable daily for awhile. They were a great band and a big favorite.
I went to a Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp 10 years ago and Mark Farner was one of the “counselors”. Thankfully he kept his shirt on. He was still a killer and it was inspiring to see him play close up!
I went to a Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp 10 years ago and Mark Farner was one of the “counselors”. Thankfully he kept his shirt on. He was still a killer and it was inspiring to see him play close up!
moneydog59
Member
If you listen to Mark Farner, it was Don Brewer that hoodwinked him into signing over his stake in the band. I'd love to know the why....
So this guy does his thing...
on Brewer. Pretty accurate. Don's playing thruout a song was another chapter in his playing. This fella takes on his solo..
on Brewer. Pretty accurate. Don's playing thruout a song was another chapter in his playing. This fella takes on his solo..
David Hunter
DFO Master
Follow the money, dog.
mydadisjr
DFO Veteran
Too bad that Brewer and Farner had that nasty split. They had been musical brothers for a LONG time, having met in 1967 when they were still teenagers.
I remember hearing about Brewer and Farner before GFR. They were in Terry Knight's band that had a hit with I WHO HAVE NOTHING and were low-level Detroit/Flint area legends along with the bigger names Nugent and Seger.
Knight was GFR's manager until 1974. I believe the eventual Farner/Brewer split was much later and had nothing to do with Terry Knight.
I remember hearing about Brewer and Farner before GFR. They were in Terry Knight's band that had a hit with I WHO HAVE NOTHING and were low-level Detroit/Flint area legends along with the bigger names Nugent and Seger.
Knight was GFR's manager until 1974. I believe the eventual Farner/Brewer split was much later and had nothing to do with Terry Knight.
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Mark Farner remade Some Kind Of Wonderful after he got religion . I was going to spare you folks the link but then thought heck why not . It’s one way I can irritate without fear of a ban ...
Used to have Grand Funk frisbee...they threw them out into the audience..
Phoenix 1972 it was in the shape of a record I was at that show (tour). Here it is..
(I sold it Hope I got a lot of money for it can't remember)
www.worthpoint.com
Phoenix 1972 it was in the shape of a record I was at that show (tour). Here it is..
(I sold it Hope I got a lot of money for it can't remember)
Grand Funk Railroad (Phoenix 1972) Frisbee Very Rare | #24071716
Up for bid is a Very Rare & Unique Rock N Roll item. It is a Grand Funk Railroad 1972 Promotional Frisbee. This hard plastic Frisbee looks like a real PHOENIX album by the band. The center label s
www.worthpoint.com
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moneydog59
Member
Follow the money, dog.
So it's as simple as reducing the split of whatever money "Grand Funk Railroad" generates from 3 to 2 people?
EvEnStEvEn
~Lounge Lizard~
If what Mark says here is factual, then Don Brewer is a total weasel in my opinion.
David Hunter
DFO Master
Actually, I was just having a little wordplay fun with your chosen screen name, though money is the likely culprit. There's a Farner interview on Youtube where he discusses what went down between him and Brewer. I'm sure Brewer has his own version of the story, but AFIK, he's never talked publicly about it.
EDIT: I see Steven has posted the Farner interviews. Thanks, Steven!
Here's another one from 2018:
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That is one of my all-time favorite Simpsons clips....
Regardless of whether or not all of Mark's testimony is 100% accurate, it's stuff like this that makes me feel somewhat better that I never "made it" as a commercially successful drummer. I've met and talked to only a few famous musicians, and once the conversation got candid, it was never too long before references were made to lawyers and contracts.
moneydog59
Member
I'd sure like to hear Mr. Brewer's side of the story...I've heard a couple with him but this was never talked about.
OldeEnglishD
Well-Known Member
Being from Michigan, this story is one I have heard often. Don never comes out looking good, he comes out as a weasel who screwed over Mark pretty badly. It's really quite sad as a GFR reunion would be on my list of concerts I would love to see.
