Unbeatable talent and intensity, they were all amazing , but mark was an all-time great, I know he was still touring recently , and sounding good , incredible.
They were from Flint MI, Bass was Mel Schacter, Drums was Don Brewer and Guitarist was Mark Farner. By this point in their career they had sold out Shea Stadium faster than the Beatles. They were one of the biggest bands of the 1970's! Another tragic story of management screwing them over.
I talked to people from that era and what I noticed is alot of corruption in the media not reflecting the reality on the ground. So if you only read Magazines like rolling stone and other music press the Beatles would be the biggest band of the era when in reality they were medium popular based on people who were actual teens and college kids and what concerts they went to. Grand Funk's popularity was more of an accomplishment due to the fact that their concerts sold out purely on word of mouth and the music press hated them and shat on their band in articles. It makes me wonder just how popular some of the modern artists are or whether they are just the ones pushed by the industry that we are told we should be listening to.
Imagine hearing this in jail back in the day. Or now. Maybe guys might not want to go to jail understanding what this song means. Agony behind bars and it's coming from his guts. Songs with real meaning are easier to get into I would think. They know it's talking to guys who messed up suffering behind bars.
It wasn't just management...Farner's band mates screwed him over. They sealed their fate and we lost so much music for it. Much like Creedence. They were the best 3 piece band you will ever hear. Other bands feared them.
Mark Farner is 19 years in this performance. You just need to go into all the early Grand Funk! Goosebumps!!! I’m 66 WF and this still sets eon fire! Total respect for you guys!
These three guys are outta Flint MI. This is old school Michigan rock and roll..These dudes had so many hits back in the day they were outselling the Zeppelin at one point!! thanks for going here boys!! Peace and love from the old metal head from Detroit!!
At their peak they were definitely a better live band then Zeppelin but the reason bands like Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, The Beatles are still huge is because of those amazing, beautifully produced and timeless studio albums
These guys where 21/22 ,lifelong friends ,and the establishment fucked them good !!! -Robbed them blind ,made a comeback in the early/mid ‘70s . Severely underrated!!!!!!
@Scott McCullough So true. Many bands got the shaft from the record companies. Lead singer for Badfinger took his own life because of how the record companies and managers had robbed them blind. Pete had such talent, who knows the music we were robbed of enjoying. RIP Pete. FOR LOVE OF MONEY IS THE ROOT OF EVIL
Gransd Funk opened for Led Zeppelin in Detroit and completely upstaged them. Zeppelin dropped them from the tour. Mark Farmer - vocals guitar, Don Brewer - vocals, drums, Mel Schacher - bass and they're from Flint, Michigan
My older brother saw GF open for zep and said the exact same thing. He did come home with a shattered tip drum stick from John Bonham. My dad was stirring paint with it for several years after that, until we rescued it from overdosing on oil based paint, those were the days.
First you hit me with Side 2 of Animals, and now you're lining up some Grand Funk - come on, how's a guy supposed to get any work done? Seriously, absolutely love this song choice, and I am here for the funk 😁. Peace and love from north of the border.
I'm glad I'm old for a couple reasons: the athletes I watched and the music that helped make me who I am. The '60s and '70s were the height of music creativity, when players were virtuosos and technology was just beginning to affect compositions. Grand Funk is an example of what rock 'n' roll shows were like. No disrespect meant for artists today, but when I see a music performance on TV these days, I can't help but think, "This athletic, fantastic dance troupe also has a pretty good singer." Motown artists took onstage dancing as far as taste and sincerity could take it. Fortunately for young people, music from my era will live forever for adventurous listeners like you. There are many, many rabbit holes in the field you're stepping into. :)
Well said Mike, couldn't agree with you more. No sense trying to compare todays music to the 70's cause it's a no brainer. Just watch a few young reactors react to the "old" stuff and watch their reactions. They all say the same thing: "I wish I was born back then". We had it all !!!
I have a current band who I’m curious for you to check out. The caveat is you have to forgo judgement of a “gimmick” band. If you can enjoy Kiss or Alice Cooper, then there is no reason not to look past the “gimmick”, and the mostly foreign language, and hear the music - and the music - wow - I think you’ll at least appreciate it if not love it! The band is BAND-MAID Check out their official live performance of: - “Domination” - official live video m.ua-cam.com/video/QbyQCJn6rYg/v-deo.html Many of us old rockers have gone on to check them out deeper and become Maidiacs. Take care and rock on 🤘🏼🎸🥁🎤🔥🎼🙌🏼😀✌🏼
I'm from same generation as you and I totally agree with you. But to be fair, I consider the 80's and MTV and all the music video's pretty darn good and a unique era also. It was a very positive vibe, the 80's that is..
I'm 73 now and I really miss Rock of the late 60's/early 70's and particularly "Grand Funk" .... Bad Ass ... Thank You for playing this .... AND I really appreciate the good things you've said about these guys ... --- Grand Funk Forever !!!
I think the fact that the raw blues-based 60's and 70's sound was culturally augmented in so many unusual ways (classical,folk,funk,pop,electronic,soul etc..) makes our generation truly rare if not unique in the history of modern popular music. But you can hear it all for yourselves. Dig it.
They were a couple of years out of high school here. Back then this song was virtually banned due to the marijuana references. It's a rock and roll travesty that they are not in the rock & roll hall of fame. They sold out Shea Stadium quicker than The Beatles did.
My older brother took me to see them in late April (29th) I believe at Cobo Hall in Detroit. The opening band was a group called Bloodrock.. their big hit was a song named DOA.. this was his graduation gift to me, just a week before I left for Vietnam at the ripe old age of 17.. great reaction.. I'll never forget it..
Just seen Mark in concert Saturday and at 75 still kicks ass still has the voice and the moves and killing the guitar. Got a chance to meet him after breakfast awesome and humble
Saw them in the early 70's when I was in junior high and my ears rang for 2 1/2 days! Incredible live band. Check out their ages when they made this - will give you a whole new perspective....
Best performances - possibly - BUT - you still have not done DEEP PURPLE live on UK TV early 70's in the TV STUDIO doing CHILD in TIME!!!!! Need to see this gentleman!
This the best American rock band ever in my opinion. I grew up in the late 60's and 70's and they are apart of my youth. I got to see them live twice in my youth, great live band.
I saw GFR in 1973 at the Mobile Civic Center in Mobile, Alabama. I was 17 years old and already a fan of the band, but they totally blew me away!! One of the best live bands ever and so underrated and unappreciated. They ruled the 70's!! Without a doubt they should be in the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame.
I heard this when I was a graduating senior in high school in 1974 when it had in fact come out before Woodstock. Why there does not make sense. My first true love's brother turned me on to the live album "Mark Don and Mel" in 1974 which satisfied a studio contract agreement but set the level for blues-rock during this incredible era. Show me a group who was equal to Grand Funk! You can't!
From 1969' to 1971' Grand Funk ruled the Hard Rock in America !! Grand Funk was HUGE, a ton of Hits and heavy grooves and very meaningful songs for that period. All Tough Kids from the Flint Michigan area growing up in the 60s, Their manager Totally Screwed them out of Millions of dollars !!!! 💰💵💰💵💰 Check out the many Docs on GF on Ytube !! My older Brother saw them in 1970' Hampton Beach, NH and I was outside on the Beach boardwalk with my parents, I was 11' at the time we were enjoying all the eats on a summer night and the Beach Casino where Funk was playing kept all the doors open and you could hear the show so well !! 👍🎶🎸🥁🎹🎤✌
I have to tell you guys that they were my very first concert, my cousin took me for my 15th birthday and you'll never guess who opened up for them, none other than a young, very thin BB KING!!! Best concert ever!!!! I've never stopped going to concerts after that!! P.S. please play more of them, here's some more to start; " Mean Mistreater"," I'm your captain","In Need",or anything off of their first album 👍
Actually it was FREDDY KING. And to the Host, GRAND FUNK was together for I believe 12 Gold albums at least 2 possibly 3 platinum albums, and all of them are still playing live today. Unfortunately not together but I wouldn't say anything about that aside from Don Brewer is a ASSHOLE depriving millions of fans from seeing what we TRULY WANT. GRAND FUNK RAILROAD LIVE. Don unlike pretty much every other band of the 60s and 70s, The GREATEST LIVE BAND OF ALL TIME GRAND FUNK, should be touring. No offense to the singer, guitar ., harmonica and keyboard players you have to have to be in MARK FARNER'S place. There is no GRAND FUNK without MARK FARNER.
One time in 70 I saw them at the New Orleans Warehouse. The drummer started his solo, got up, walked around his drums and beating ever part of them, went down to the floor and played the floor while moving over the stage to the mic stands and started playing them, went back down the mic stand to the floor, crossed it and banged on everything that was on the stage before going back to his drums without ever stopping or missing a beat...Awesome!
So many bands from this time still heavily influenced by blues and soul led the way to classic rock. Can't help but think of bands like Free when I hear this.
Back in 1969, Grand Funk Railroad was the best hard rock- Funk-blues trio that the U.S.A. had to offer! Lead guitarist, singer Mark Farner's Soulful gutsy- Raw vocals was tantamount by far, man!.... This performance probably came off of the "Johnny Cash Show" 1969-'71?..... Other "kick-ass" hard blues- Funk rock bands trios include ZZ-TOP, and Thin Lizzy.....
Can you really say enough about the Power Rock Trio? From Grand Funk, to ZZ TOP, to RUSH. It’s a winning formula, when you have 3 top tier musicians, all doing their thing, in perfect sync with each other, and I’d say the unofficial 4th member of these bands, is the live audience who Love ❤them. 🤘 🤘🤘
From Cream and Blue Cheer - they were the originators of the power trio, both starting in 1966. Ofc, Cream was the supergroup - made up of legendary musicians with already established reputations in the rock world - particularly “god” Eric Clapton. But both drummer Ginger Baker and bassist/vocalist Jack Bruce were established artists. And then with Cream became the biggest “Hard Rock” band on the planet for their 3 year run 1966-1968. Their farewell concert at the Albert Hall is legendary. Interesting tidbit - future prog-rock giants YES was Cream’s opening act for the farewell concert. Blue Cheer is best known for their version of Summertime Blues. But then Cream did a live version and stole their thunder, but they are still named as an influence by bands like GF, Rush, Triumph, etc - especially on North American bands. Take care and rock on 🤘🏼
If you was a garage band just starting up you couldn't start playing like Jemi, Ceam or even Zepp but you could jump on Grand Funk Railroad and many did. Yes in a way it was basic but you damm sure enjoyed playing it. This music will get you on your feet!
Motor City rock at its finest here!! You kids are listening to some great music...please don't stop! (also good to know you're REAL musicians that play INSTRUMENTS).
I was wondering where this song came from. I was pretty sure it wasn't original by them but a great recreation. The part about making, a nickel bag, just didn't seem like music they would write.
@@louremington6975 The original version is “burlap bags.” Farner changed it to nickel bags, as the were into smoking pot at this time, but Farner says that he only ever one time went on stage stoned in a recent interview I saw. They were extremely dedicated to putting on the best live shows possible.
They are from Michigan right down the road from Detroit Flint got the real star in Detroit where I saw them at Cobo Arena when I was 16 years old they actually performed this song Motown had a lot of great artists not only black artists they also perform a lot of tunes from my favorite Grand Funk Railroad album e pluribus funk play my favorite songs loneliness
Mark, Don and Mel these boys have some great music dig deeper . My brother gave me there first album when it came out, don't remember the year (I'm 68) it was in the late 60 .✌️ps I still have that album.
I knew you guys would love this video. Grand Funk is serious funk. Check out the rest of their live performances videos. I had most of their albums on 8 tracks.
It's gonna be a great day. Starts off with me seeing this from GFR, and then noticing in the side panel the 2nd side of Animals is ready for me. Great work guys. 'I've watched this from virtually ever reviewer I have found it with. You picked it our right away - the absolute confidence they banged this out with. Three fantastic performances. Sad story how they walked away from it all at the height of their success after being screwed over by their label. Foot Stompin Music might be a good review for you as well - very high energy.
The sold out NY's Shea Stadium FASTER than the Beatles...were biggest act in country for about a year and a half. Other hits include "Im Your Captain/Getting Closer to My Home" a double play that needs to be played together. The bassist in this video was only SEVENTEEN when it was filmed. Band had a falling out and the drummer and bassist kicked out the lead singer after long contract battles- he wound up living in trailer park recently. SAD end to a great group
Your right, they have so much talent it's not about fear, it's about going out and enjoying playing and showing your skills to a live audience! They want people to leave that stadium saying Wow, they blew me away, what a great show!!!! And they were!!!!
Thank you for reacting to this video. I have been waiting for this one. The critics never liked Grand Funk Railroad and they were always under appreciated. I started going to rock concerts in the mid to late 60's and have seen some of the very best rock bands from the 60's through the mid 80's. Grand Funk Railroad, before they added the organ and changed the direction of their music, put on a better live show than Led Zeppelin, the Who, early Black Sabbath and many others in my opinion.
As an old timer I got to see a lot of greats play in person through the 60's and 70's. Grand Funk was a staple tour show so we braved a snowstorm (following plows) to the Coliseum in Springfield, Mass. Not long after getting seats along with about 100 or others an announcement was made that the highways had closed and, while trying to figure out what happens next the band came out and said "since we're all stuck together...and the jam still is after almost 50 years epic
Nobody breaks it down like the Grand Funk, and nobody breaks the bands down like the AirplayBeats. Good observation about being on stage from the musician's POV. Love ya'll.
I have to follow @DaveBradshaw's comment about getting something done today. I was just finishing your Animals reaction when this popped up! How the hell am I supposed to get out of the house and do something today with all this fire you're bringing? I can't wait to see your reaction to this one! I know ur gonna love Don, the drummer. Shit you're gonna love all these guys! Let's go y'all
I laughed so much at your comments and it was a joy to see the true look of appreciation on your faces. Grand Funk is one of the best. I saw them in concert and they sound exactly the same live.
kecurroj and I had the same experience in 1971. GFR was my first concert and they were AWESOME live. Their live album I got later is great and brings back those memories. I had no idea that I was only a couple years younger than them when I saw them. I refuse to see them now after they screwed Mark Farner years ago, he was the heart and soul of the band. Great reaction!!
This performance was recorded in Hershey, PA at the Hershey Community Center by WITF-TV channel 33 (PBS station) in 1969 for their show titled "The Show". There were only a few handfuls of people watching it live.
Saw them open for Johnny Winter back in the day. That's who you need to check out. "Mean Town Blues" live video. Yes, I'm that old but I saw all the great bands. Trust me.
Truly love your reactions! You do 2 things for me. Revive my faith in humanity, and help me relive how I felt, the first time. Thank you both for both. Brother on the right (drummer), please please speak closer to the mic for us old folk!
I'm glad you got started near the beginning Of Grand Funk. Like a lot of bands, they morphed. Other earlier songs you may want to try are "Heartbreaker", "Paranoid", "I'm Your Captain/Closer To Home", and "Footstompin' Music". They were delightfully primitive in those days. If you want to really hear them jam, (there's no video that I know of) you must do "I Come Tumblin' ". It's three man ultra-jam Heaven!
They are so American that one of their big hits is We're an American Band! I saw them live when they were older, at the Washington state fair in 1997 or 1998, and they still rocked the joint!! 😊
Glad you guys discovered this gem so much creativity in these three musicians. This shows the magic you get and how honed and tight they were after repeated live performances. True artists.
I read somewhere that this was a live performance for record producers, executives or whatever. It's basically a LIVE demo of the band for marketing purposes. Hence, why there is no crowd reaction. Still an outstanding performance, no doubt about it! I appreciate your reaction(s).
This song alone should have Put them in the rock and roll hall of Fame. It defines Rock and Roll.
Fuck hall of fame
Agreed, Great music especially from a 3 man band😊
This is why GFR sold out Shea Stadium in 72 hours with no electronic tickets, no internet, no etc. it took the Beatles weeks to do the same.
Grand funk is the only band to ever blow Led Zeppelin off the stage.
One of the greatest live versions of any song ever in the history of the world!!!!!!
I consider this the ultimate rendition (GFR live 1971): ua-cam.com/video/X7utPvZ-bsU/v-deo.html
Unbeatable talent and intensity, they were all amazing , but mark was an all-time great, I know he was still touring recently , and sounding good , incredible.
Incredible band. They remind me of three guys who are determined to win the battle of the bands competition every time they performed.
Absolutely!!
Yes! How do you feel about Bob seger’s Live Bullet? For me (as a Detroit native), the entire album is FIRE!! I never get tired of it.🌸💕🌸
The best 3 man band to ever play ☮️✌️☮️
Rush has an argument, but I agree, brother, Grand Funk is the truth. They are in the conversation..👊🏼👊🏼
ehf'n HUGE sound when live. Saw them 3 times, down in front.
Listen to these 3 man bands Grand Funk, Rush, Cream, the Jimi Hendrix Experience, the Police, James Gang & ZZ Top.
They were from Flint MI, Bass was Mel Schacter, Drums was Don Brewer and Guitarist was Mark Farner. By this point in their career they had sold out Shea Stadium faster than the Beatles. They were one of the biggest bands of the 1970's! Another tragic story of management screwing them over.
I talked to people from that era and what I noticed is alot of corruption in the media not reflecting the reality on the ground. So if you only read Magazines like rolling stone and other music press the Beatles would be the biggest band of the era when in reality they were medium popular based on people who were actual teens and college kids and what concerts they went to. Grand Funk's popularity was more of an accomplishment due to the fact that their concerts sold out purely on word of mouth and the music press hated them and shat on their band in articles. It makes me wonder just how popular some of the modern artists are or whether they are just the ones pushed by the industry that we are told we should be listening to.
Imagine hearing this in jail back in the day. Or now. Maybe guys might not want to go to jail understanding what this song means. Agony behind bars and it's coming from his guts. Songs with real meaning are easier to get into I would think. They know it's talking to guys who messed up suffering behind bars.
@@Greg-io1ip The song is a cover, I think from the Animals (Eric Burdon) originally. AFAIK Farner and the others never were in jail.
@@HoldinContempt you just described it to the tee, best comment I've read in some time.
It wasn't just management...Farner's band mates screwed him over. They sealed their fate and we lost so much music for it. Much like Creedence. They were the best 3 piece band you will ever hear. Other bands feared them.
I’ve never heard so much musical talent from 3 guys ever. Phenomenal
These guys were babies playing this kind of music. I wanna be young again 😩
Grand Funk Railroad "I'm Your Captain/Closer To Home"
Mel Schalker is one of the most criminally underrated bassists.
As is Don Brewer, what a rhythm section!
Schacter
Schacher
His tone on Live Album is legendary!!!!
Actually he is still in many lists of the top 50 best bassists .
Mark Farner is 19 years in this performance. You just need to go into all the early Grand Funk! Goosebumps!!! I’m 66 WF and this still sets eon fire! Total respect for you guys!
Probably at least 20. Born 09/29/1948. Show is from 1969.
@@CaryOn11 Mel had just turned 18 I believe
Mel had a hit in ‘66 with 96 Tears as a member of ? and the Mysterians.
@David Dolder Frank Lugo played bass on the recording. Mel subbed in later.
70 and this was my little groups band because they didn't look like sissies. Saw them 7 times from 69-75.
These three guys are outta Flint MI. This is old school Michigan rock and roll..These dudes had so many hits back in the day they were outselling the Zeppelin at one point!! thanks for going here boys!! Peace and love from the old metal head from Detroit!!
At their peak they were definitely a better live band then Zeppelin but the reason bands like Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, The Beatles are still huge is because of those amazing, beautifully produced and timeless studio albums
@@symbiosisai Agreed!!
@@symbiosisai But you wanted to SEE GRAND FUNK RAILROAD LIVE IN CONCERT. They did not disappoint.
These guys where 21/22 ,lifelong friends ,and the establishment fucked them good !!! -Robbed them blind ,made a comeback in the early/mid ‘70s . Severely underrated!!!!!!
@Scott McCullough So true. Many bands got the shaft from the record companies. Lead singer for Badfinger took his own life because of how the record companies and managers had robbed them blind. Pete had such talent, who knows the music we were robbed of enjoying. RIP Pete.
FOR LOVE OF MONEY IS THE ROOT OF EVIL
One of the greatest live performances ever. Not an an overstatement.
I consider this the ultimate rendition (GFR live 1971): ua-cam.com/video/X7utPvZ-bsU/v-deo.html
Facts 💯
Truth!!
This band would bring the house down every time. They rocked hard.
This is probably in my top 5 favorite live performances of all time!!
This is in my top 10 live music performances. Shit is MAGICAL.
PURE BRILLIANCE!!!
This is what it looks like when confidence, competence, and commitment collide.
And being really high
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻brilliant!!!
Gransd Funk opened for Led Zeppelin in Detroit and completely upstaged them. Zeppelin dropped them from the tour.
Mark Farmer - vocals guitar, Don Brewer - vocals, drums, Mel Schacher - bass and they're from Flint, Michigan
Farner not Farmer
@@chadheckman2693 Effing autocorrect. I should have checked that after I wrote it
@@WMalven I hear ya, my friend. 😊
My older brother saw GF open for zep and said the exact same thing. He did come home with a shattered tip drum stick from John Bonham. My dad was stirring paint with it for several years after that, until we rescued it from overdosing on oil based paint, those were the days.
6.7 million views on YT! Possibly the greatest live performance ever posted on You Tube of any band , any genre...all time.
First you hit me with Side 2 of Animals, and now you're lining up some Grand Funk - come on, how's a guy supposed to get any work done? Seriously, absolutely love this song choice, and I am here for the funk 😁. Peace and love from north of the border.
Lol
American Band and Foot Stomping Music, 2 more you need to listen to.
I'm glad I'm old for a couple reasons: the athletes I watched and the music that helped make me who I am. The '60s and '70s were the height of music creativity, when players were virtuosos and technology was just beginning to affect compositions. Grand Funk is an example of what rock 'n' roll shows were like. No disrespect meant for artists today, but when I see a music performance on TV these days, I can't help but think, "This athletic, fantastic dance troupe also has a pretty good singer." Motown artists took onstage dancing as far as taste and sincerity could take it. Fortunately for young people, music from my era will live forever for adventurous listeners like you. There are many, many rabbit holes in the field you're stepping into. :)
Well said Mike, couldn't agree with you more. No sense trying to compare todays music to the 70's cause it's a no brainer. Just watch a few young reactors react to the "old" stuff and watch their reactions. They all say the same thing: "I wish I was born back then". We had it all !!!
I could not have said it better. Miss those days
I have a current band who I’m curious for you to check out. The caveat is you have to forgo judgement of a “gimmick” band. If you can enjoy Kiss or Alice Cooper, then there is no reason not to look past the “gimmick”, and the mostly foreign language, and hear the music - and the music - wow - I think you’ll at least appreciate it if not love it!
The band is BAND-MAID
Check out their official live performance of:
- “Domination” - official live video
m.ua-cam.com/video/QbyQCJn6rYg/v-deo.html
Many of us old rockers have gone on to check them out deeper and become Maidiacs.
Take care and rock on 🤘🏼🎸🥁🎤🔥🎼🙌🏼😀✌🏼
I'm from same generation as you and I totally agree with you. But to be fair, I consider the 80's and MTV and all the music video's pretty darn good and a unique era also. It was a very positive vibe, the 80's that is..
@@Rhiannon011 Hi Barbara, Have you checked out BAND-MAID?
I'm 73 now and I really miss Rock of the late 60's/early 70's and particularly "Grand Funk" .... Bad Ass ... Thank You for playing this .... AND I really appreciate the good things you've said about these guys ...
--- Grand Funk Forever !!!
I think the fact that the raw blues-based 60's and 70's sound was culturally augmented in so many unusual ways (classical,folk,funk,pop,electronic,soul etc..) makes our generation truly rare if not unique in the history of modern popular music. But you can hear it all for yourselves. Dig it.
You guys get it!
Maybe the best power trio jam ever captured on film! GFR we’re the real deal!
They were a couple of years out of high school here. Back then this song was virtually banned due to the marijuana references. It's a rock and roll travesty that they are not in the rock & roll hall of fame. They sold out Shea Stadium quicker than The Beatles did.
When we were in high school around 1973 to 1975 there was nothing better than Grand funk railroad. 👍🏻👍🏻🤠👍🏻👍🏻
I graduated in 75.
I'm still a rocker with fast cars.
One of the greatest American bands. I am interviewing Mark Farner on my channel on Feb. 28th.
Love you guys reacting to greatness and admitting this band star ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ was different. Much love from above Jesus Christ is Lord blessings 🙏🙏🙏
Even the mic stand was rockin out.
My older brother took me to see them in late April (29th) I believe at Cobo Hall in Detroit. The opening band was a group called Bloodrock.. their big hit was a song named DOA.. this was his graduation gift to me, just a week before I left for Vietnam at the ripe old age of 17.. great reaction.. I'll never forget it..
Thanks for your service, so young! I bought the DOA (45 record) then in gr 6-7. Macabre.
The WHOLE RED ALBUM !! Masterpiece - PLEASE PLEASE do it - you guys the best
I agree!
Played the grooves off the red album!
Just seen Mark in concert Saturday and at 75 still kicks ass still has the voice and the moves and killing the guitar. Got a chance to meet him after breakfast awesome and humble
Saw them in the early 70's when I was in junior high and my ears rang for 2 1/2 days! Incredible live band. Check out their ages when they made this - will give you a whole new perspective....
This to me is one of the best live performances ever captured. Just mind blowing. And coming from only 3 people! Great reaction.
As you rode the GRAND FUNK RAILROAD, your heads looked like 2 bobbleheads bouncing on the ride 😆
Loved your reaction!
I DO MISS THE LONG HAIR!
Best performances - possibly - BUT - you still have not done DEEP PURPLE live on UK TV early 70's in the TV STUDIO doing CHILD in TIME!!!!! Need to see this gentleman!
Oh man you guys are in for a treat.
This the best American rock band ever in my opinion. I grew up in the late 60's and 70's and they are apart of my youth. I got to see them live twice in my youth, great live band.
Man, I miss the 60's/70's music so much. Everyone...get your children musical instruments as gifts.
I saw GFR in 1973 at the Mobile Civic Center in Mobile, Alabama. I was 17 years old and already a fan of the band, but they totally blew me away!! One of the best live bands ever and so underrated and unappreciated. They ruled the 70's!! Without a doubt they should be in the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame.
The rock n roll party really never ends…..so many flavors to choose from,listen to love n learn.❤️🎼❤️
I heard this when I was a graduating senior in high school in 1974 when it had in fact come out before Woodstock. Why there does not make sense. My first true love's brother turned me on to the live album "Mark Don and Mel" in 1974 which satisfied a studio contract agreement but set the level for blues-rock during this incredible era. Show me a group who was equal to Grand Funk! You can't!
Mind blowing performance by all three !!! Spectacular
From 1969' to 1971' Grand Funk ruled the Hard Rock in America !! Grand Funk was HUGE, a ton of Hits and heavy grooves and very meaningful songs for that period. All Tough Kids from the Flint Michigan area growing up in the 60s, Their manager Totally Screwed them out of Millions of dollars !!!! 💰💵💰💵💰 Check out the many Docs on GF on Ytube !!
My older Brother saw them in 1970' Hampton Beach, NH and I was outside on the Beach boardwalk with my parents, I was 11' at the time we were enjoying all the eats on a summer night and the Beach Casino where Funk was playing kept all the doors open and you could hear the show so well !! 👍🎶🎸🥁🎹🎤✌
I have to tell you guys that they were my very first concert, my cousin took me for my 15th birthday and you'll never guess who opened up for them, none other than a young, very thin BB KING!!! Best concert ever!!!! I've never stopped going to concerts after that!! P.S. please play more of them, here's some more to start; " Mean Mistreater"," I'm your captain","In Need",or anything off of their first album 👍
My first concert too, think I was 14 ❤
Kind of sad BB was the opener. Such an influential musical giant. I appreciate the tickets for bringing out their blues idols.
@@maryannerazzano7692, yes! It was the year 1971 and l was 15 , at the fabulous Forum in LA 👍🤩
Actually it was FREDDY KING. And to the Host, GRAND FUNK was together for I believe 12 Gold albums at least 2 possibly 3 platinum albums, and all of them are still playing live today. Unfortunately not together but I wouldn't say anything about that aside from Don Brewer is a ASSHOLE depriving millions of fans from seeing what we TRULY WANT. GRAND FUNK RAILROAD LIVE. Don unlike pretty much every other band of the 60s and 70s, The GREATEST LIVE BAND OF ALL TIME GRAND FUNK, should be touring. No offense to the singer, guitar ., harmonica and keyboard players you have to have to be in MARK FARNER'S place. There is no GRAND FUNK without MARK FARNER.
One time in 70 I saw them at the New Orleans Warehouse. The drummer started his solo, got up, walked around his drums and beating ever part of them, went down to the floor and played the floor while moving over the stage to the mic stands and started playing them, went back down the mic stand to the floor, crossed it and banged on everything that was on the stage before going back to his drums without ever stopping or missing a beat...Awesome!
So many bands from this time still heavily influenced by blues and soul led the way to classic rock. Can't help but think of bands like Free when I hear this.
Another reason to love trios!
Back in 1969, Grand Funk Railroad was the best hard rock- Funk-blues trio that the U.S.A. had to offer! Lead guitarist, singer Mark Farner's Soulful gutsy- Raw vocals was tantamount by far, man!.... This performance probably came off of the "Johnny Cash Show" 1969-'71?..... Other "kick-ass" hard blues- Funk rock bands trios include ZZ-TOP, and Thin Lizzy.....
Can you really say enough about the Power Rock Trio? From Grand Funk, to ZZ TOP, to RUSH. It’s a winning formula, when you have 3 top tier musicians, all doing their thing, in perfect sync with each other, and I’d say the unofficial 4th member of these bands, is the live audience who Love ❤them. 🤘 🤘🤘
From Cream and Blue Cheer - they were the originators of the power trio, both starting in 1966.
Ofc, Cream was the supergroup - made up of legendary musicians with already established reputations in the rock world - particularly “god” Eric Clapton. But both drummer Ginger Baker and bassist/vocalist Jack Bruce were established artists. And then with Cream became the biggest “Hard Rock” band on the planet for their 3 year run 1966-1968. Their farewell concert at the Albert Hall is legendary.
Interesting tidbit - future prog-rock giants YES was Cream’s opening act for the farewell concert.
Blue Cheer is best known for their version of Summertime Blues.
But then Cream did a live version and stole their thunder, but they are still named as an influence by bands like GF, Rush, Triumph, etc - especially on North American bands.
Take care and rock on 🤘🏼
The Police weren't bad either 👍
The Jimi Hendrix Experience and Cream set the table.
If you was a garage band just starting up you couldn't start playing like Jemi, Ceam or even Zepp but you could jump on Grand Funk Railroad and many did. Yes in a way it was basic but you damm sure enjoyed playing it. This music will get you on your feet!
Not mentioned yet, Triumph. Also Hendrix & The Experience were three musicians..
Motor City rock at its finest here!! You kids are listening to some great music...please don't stop! (also good to know you're REAL musicians that play INSTRUMENTS).
This is based on a prison work song, collected by Alan Lomax, which The Animals recorded in 1966, which Grand Funk transformed. Amazing.
I was wondering where this song came from. I was pretty sure it wasn't original by them but a great recreation. The part about making, a nickel bag, just didn't seem like music they would write.
@@louremington6975 The original version is “burlap bags.” Farner changed it to nickel bags, as the were into smoking pot at this time, but Farner says that he only ever one time went on stage stoned in a recent interview I saw. They were extremely dedicated to putting on the best live shows possible.
They are from Michigan right down the road from Detroit Flint got the real star in Detroit where I saw them at Cobo Arena when I was 16 years old they actually performed this song Motown had a lot of great artists not only black artists they also perform a lot of tunes from my favorite Grand Funk Railroad album e pluribus funk play my favorite songs loneliness
Mark, Don and Mel these boys have some great music dig deeper . My brother gave me there first album when it came out, don't remember the year (I'm 68) it was in the late 60 .✌️ps I still have that album.
I knew you guys would love this video. Grand Funk is serious funk. Check out the rest of their live performances videos. I had most of their albums on 8 tracks.
Thanks for reacting to this.
It's gonna be a great day. Starts off with me seeing this from GFR, and then noticing in the side panel the 2nd side of Animals is ready for me. Great work guys.
'I've watched this from virtually ever reviewer I have found it with. You picked it our right away - the absolute confidence they banged this out with. Three fantastic performances. Sad story how they walked away from it all at the height of their success after being screwed over by their label. Foot Stompin Music might be a good review for you as well - very high energy.
They played all their concerts with 100%. They put on the stage. I was lucky to start following in the late 60's.
The sold out NY's Shea Stadium FASTER than the Beatles...were biggest act in country for about a year and a half. Other hits include "Im Your Captain/Getting Closer to My Home" a double play that needs to be played together. The bassist in this video was only SEVENTEEN when it was filmed. Band had a falling out and the drummer and bassist kicked out the lead singer after long contract battles- he wound up living in trailer park recently. SAD end to a great group
When you hear greatness you know you spent life time watching them 55years great band like blue cheer summer time blues
Your right, they have so much talent it's not about fear, it's about going out and enjoying playing and showing your skills to a live audience! They want people to leave that stadium saying Wow, they blew me away, what a great show!!!! And they were!!!!
Absolutely love this band. Thanks for the memories sweet and a little sad.
Keep Rocking on.
Hitting on all cylinders 🤘❤️. An American band not even in the rock hall of fame. These cats were huge. Mark, mel and don
Thank you for reacting to this video. I have been waiting for this one. The critics never liked Grand Funk Railroad and they were always under appreciated. I started going to rock concerts in the mid to late 60's and have seen some of the very best rock bands from the 60's through the mid 80's. Grand Funk Railroad, before they added the organ and changed the direction of their music, put on a better live show than Led Zeppelin, the Who, early Black Sabbath and many others in my opinion.
Wow I just saw your 25 or 6 to 4 live performance reaction and now another all time favorite of mine with this. 😊🎉❤
Many great songs by GFR, great pick 😎👍
As an old timer I got to see a lot of greats play in person through the 60's and 70's. Grand Funk was a staple tour show so we braved a snowstorm (following plows) to the Coliseum in Springfield, Mass. Not long after getting seats along with about 100 or others an announcement was made that the highways had closed and, while trying to figure out what happens next the band came out and said "since we're all stuck together...and the jam still is after almost 50 years epic
Nobody breaks it down like the Grand Funk, and nobody breaks the bands down like the AirplayBeats. Good observation about being on stage from the musician's POV. Love ya'll.
Check out "Heartbreaker" live in LA 1974. They added keyboards by then.
That's what I said, you'd not regret the Grand Funk 😁! Great reaction 👍.
Man it was sooo fun to watch your reaction to GFR. I'm way bias but the 60's and 70's is where the playground is. Keep it up gentleman. Bravo!
Grand Funk Railroad Live 🔥
Should be a Must in everyone's collection!!
😊Yeah, dear RONNY 😊!...a n d: ALL THE GIRLS IN THE WORLD BEWARE!!! (TO ME, THEIR BEST ONE!) ❤😊🎉 BERNIE GERMANY 😊
I have to follow @DaveBradshaw's comment about getting something done today. I was just finishing your Animals reaction when this popped up! How the hell am I supposed to get out of the house and do something today with all this fire you're bringing? I can't wait to see your reaction to this one! I know ur gonna love Don, the drummer. Shit you're gonna love all these guys! Let's go y'all
You called it!! Don is THE MAN!!!!
I laughed so much at your comments and it was a joy to see the true look of appreciation on your faces. Grand Funk is one of the best. I saw them in concert and they sound exactly the same live.
This is one of my all time favorite performances. Blows my mind EVERY time.
kecurroj and I had the same experience in 1971. GFR was my first concert and they were AWESOME live. Their live album I got later is great and brings back those memories. I had no idea that I was only a couple years younger than them when I saw them. I refuse to see them now after they screwed Mark Farner years ago, he was the heart and soul of the band. Great reaction!!
These guys were 🔥🔥🔥 back in the day! 🥰✌
Love love love everything about that performance!
This performance was recorded in Hershey, PA at the Hershey Community Center by WITF-TV channel 33 (PBS station) in 1969 for their show titled "The Show". There were only a few handfuls of people watching it live.
Mark, Don, and Mel. In the early to mid 70s Grand Funk was one of the biggest Rock bands in America.
Saw them open for Johnny Winter back in the day. That's who you need to check out. "Mean Town Blues" live video. Yes, I'm that old but I saw all the great bands. Trust me.
Wait til they see the live performance of Frankenstein
Look up “Tobacco Road” from them. Another one of the best live performances you’ll ever see
I was 14, and Grand Funk Railroad was my first concert at the Spectrum in Philly...... It set the stage for me........
Truly love your reactions! You do 2 things for me. Revive my faith in humanity, and help me relive how I felt, the first time. Thank you both for both. Brother on the right (drummer), please please speak closer to the mic for us old folk!
I will turn my mic up for you all. Sorry about that
I'm glad you got started near the beginning Of Grand Funk. Like a lot of bands, they morphed. Other earlier songs you may want to try are "Heartbreaker", "Paranoid", "I'm Your Captain/Closer To Home", and "Footstompin' Music". They were delightfully primitive in those days. If you want to really hear them jam, (there's no video that I know of) you must do "I Come Tumblin' ". It's three man ultra-jam Heaven!
I saw them twice in 1971, the first time was in Tampa . They played that hard the entire show. They were huge for a while in the early 70's.
Incredible mind blowing performance 😎
They are so American that one of their big hits is We're an American Band! I saw them live when they were older, at the Washington state fair in 1997 or 1998, and they still rocked the joint!!
😊
Glad you guys discovered this gem so much creativity in these three musicians. This shows the magic you get and how honed and tight they were after repeated live performances. True artists.
Easily one of my all time favorite Rock Bands.
Great Reaction to Rock N Roll at it's very Best.
Oh snap side 2 of Animals is out? On my way...
Not many people review Grand Funk. thank you.
Thank you for rocking with us
GFR, oh ya, now we're listening to something special! ❤ incredible song, incredible band, excellent reaction!🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤
I'll be 70 in June, believe it or not, this was my generation's music...on vinyl...
I read somewhere that this was a live performance for record producers, executives or whatever. It's basically a LIVE demo of the band for marketing purposes. Hence, why there is no crowd reaction. Still an outstanding performance, no doubt about it! I appreciate your reaction(s).
This was a TV performance on "The Show" on PBS (Public Broadcasting), when PBS was brand new.
great song - soul n funk n rock n blues mixed into 1 killer tune.
One of the greatest of performances I have ever seen by any group!
As we say in Texas; Y'all be safe.
“I’m your Captain /Closer to Home” is the greatest song they did.
Man my dad loved Grand Funk Railroad. I remember all the albums he had when I was a kid they sure as h*** jammed that 1 my man good s*** fellas.