You guys said this one needed to be hit regardless, decided the swing back around pretty quick after that poll!! We’re gonna start hitting a lot of the tracks that didn’t quite make it!! Cheers guys hope you all had a good weekend!! 🙌🏻🔥
Hey guys!!!! Do Blackfoot-Train Train!!!!! Also some Traveling Wilburys!!! That band consists of George Harrison, Jeff Lynn, Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, and Roy Orbison!!!!!
Easily their best song. An epic. This one is actually better with Eric Burdon singing it for The Animals. GFR outplays them, but Eric is a far better singer than most anyone.
Dudes!!! Yes funky but for the song that gave birth to the slap bass!!!! Larry Grahams slap bass will slap A&A so deep in the sauce, they may never find their way out!!!!! Founding fathers of Funk. "Sly and Family Stone"Thank You"(Falettme Be Mice Elf Agin). You'll Thank Me after(no pun intended).
@Quam Wrong Dude , Grand Funk blew off Zepplin 3 days later in Cleveland Ohio ! The same thing happened ! Then Zepplin threw GFR off their tour ! Also the next year Grand Funk was at a double bill with Zepplin in Boston Garden and the crowd booed Zepplin and wanted Grand Funk to keep playing.
Grand Funk Railroad was fired off the tour with Led Zeppelin at the Cleveland show, they upstaged Zeppelin. GFRr should be in the HoF if for nothing else but this song.
I agree! 🥰 I called the Hall of Fame a couple months ago. They said to submit letter via email so I did. Do the same! It’s a new year as of today, so I’ll do it again. ❤️
The hall of fame is a joke . Like MTV and Rolling Stone ! Grand Funk is too cool for them ! They are not in the H.O.F. because Manager Terry Knight took out a double page ad in Rolling Stone giving them the middle finger , Those who run the H.O.F. vowed GFR would never be in the H.O.F. !
They'd been kicked off the stage in Detroit two nights before the Cleveland show. Zeppelin's manager was afraid Grand Funk's high energy show would outshine the Led.
This was a kick ass band !!! You can not sit here in your college 2020 mind and even understand any of this! THIS WAS A REAL BAND ! HARD CORE ! Every note they played and every tune they sang was REAL !!!! REAL ! NO Auto tune etc !!!! I so miss these days !! Everything today is manufactured !!!! SO SAD ! I don't think either one of you could hold a candle ! Good luck to You!
Ed Huskins - I totally agree. How can a band who sold out Shea Stadium faster than the Beatles not be in there? It would be so great to see Mark Don and Mel get together for that, much less be on the same stage together.
The Moody Blues were held out for a long, long time for reasons that are entirely unclear. It seems likes someone somewhere gets a bug up their ass about a particular band and everyone suffers because of it. The Monkees will never get inducted, either, despite meeting all the requirements and being icons of music and culture of the 1960s.
Saw GFR in concert and the audience literally refused to leave when it was over. The lights went up and they called GFR at the hotel to get them back to the Forum (LA). They came back and they were in shock. No one had left.
70 yrs old. Seen GFR few times. Sonic concussions, vibes, the sound of them you can't put on tape, video. That goes for all the 3 man band from the 1960s, like aliens landing on Earth.
Vocals- 10 Bass- 11 Guitar- 11 Drums- 10 Harmonica- 9 Judges rate this as FUNKADELIC as Hell...... Nuff said. Find me 3 young musicians today that could crank this out LIVE>>>>>> LIVE. with out computers, mixing, dubbing, autotune...........NOPE.
That was the 60s, nobody on that stage was over 22 and it was a live performance....geez, give some props. Why does one band have to be compared to another, like the whole Zeppelin thing? Every band has it's style and sound. Ask anyone from that era how big Grand Funk was...they'll tell you...hint: they were huge, selling out arenas in their prime. Sometimes out selling bigger names at prominent venues. If you know...you know.
They actually blew Zeppelin off the stage the time that they opened for them. Zeppelins manager was screaming at GFR's manager to get them off the stage.
I disagree with the Zeppelin comparison! Zeppelin can't do GFR and vice versa, GFR can't do Zeppelin. To say one is leaps and bounds better when they play completely two different styles of music. I've seen both bands live and I'd jump at the chance to see either one again. GFR isn't Zeppelin and I'm pretty sure they never wanted to be, same goes for Zeppelin and neither can play each other's style of music.
Hey guys. Mark has lived just down the road from me for 30 some years. I can tell you he is as kind gentle a family man as he is talented. This is October 2021, Mark booked a show at our local casino it sold out in under thirty minutes. Mark is in his early 70s and he still kicks it on stage like he did back then.
I can't tell you what it was like sitting in front of Grand Funk when I was 15. It was loud, emotional, mind blowing.Wild, The set was identical to the Grand Funk "Live" album. Just the three of them, but it sounded like a freight train. Farner and Brewer were 21, Schacher was 19. Mark Farner was my idol. I finally got to meet him a couple of years ago. Really nice guy. I might add that this video is exceptionally clear and well shot for the time. No goofy camera work, sound is good.
Can you imagine seeing the MC-5...Ted Nugent with the Amboy Dukes...The Frost...Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels...the Bob Seger System...the Grand Funk Railroad...Alice Cooper...Third Power...SRC...and many others...all Detroitish bands...at the Grande Ballroom. I was 14...what a riot
So true, the camera focused on all the right spots. If you look at some bad camera work like Yessongs or something they'll be showing Steve Howe's face while he's tearing up on a solo...
Well it's about damn time you got to this one, boys!!!👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾 By The Way, It Is Well documented that they blew Led Zeppelin off the stage when they opened for them, prompting their manager Peter Grant to never allow anyone to open for them again
Ya know , I thought the long haired guy would rate it the highest . Only a B+ ? This is obviously one of the greatest live performances ! It has it all ! Rock , Blues , Soul . Metal , Funk ,, It's a masterpiece .
@@LClark-ry9to Try them a few years later , When they are polished and mainstream. Watch " Were an American band " Live in 74 ! ..Just another great live performance .
@@47tooter EXACTLY! Andy and Alex being musicians themselves can see and HEAR the rawness of this performance. That being said....they became so polished by 74' that KIss actually fired them from opening for them (Kiss) because they (GFR) were blowing them away...true story.
@@USGrant-rr2by The same with Led Zepplin, Zepplin fired GFR after GFR opened for them twice, Zepplin actually pulled the plug in the middle of GFRs show. Zepplin's manager assaulted Grand Funks manager and told him to get your band off the stage " Immediately ".
That was funky. You guys should really do "I'm Your Captain/Closer to Home" next. It's a great listen, and I think you will find it to be much more that kind of timeless classic that you did not think this song was. "Some Kind of Wonderful" is very good as well. They also did a cover of "Locomotion" that is well worth a listen. Have great week, guys.
What GFR represented when playing live was a garage band that made out of the garage and onto the bag stage while maintaining the raw energy of a garage band. That being said, although you can't see it from where you are sitting, in the late 1960s and throughout the 70s, they were huge.
I'll take their B+, kick-ass, youthful, raw, live rock anyday anytime over most of the crap that's out there today. Believe it or not, this video doesn't do justice to their full, live in-person impact. They were so young here, but they could fill stadiums... literally and figuratively. I saw GFR a couple of times and it was always so much fun...just as they were meant to be. Loud but still fun. Now, they do have other tracks where their music became more sophisticated, (relatively speaking). I would like to suggest Mean Mistreater and their iconic piece, I'm Your Captain/Closer to Home. Thanks!
You guys are entitled to your opinions and I won't put you down for them, but this was a banger from 2 21 year olds and an 18 year old. No fancy equipment, all analog, no recorded parts, just plug and play. Saw these guys live two years ago, all three original members, and they still rock it. ToTo gets S tier? Compared to this? C'mon! That said react to I'm Your Captain.
Mark's guitar was the only one he could buy on credit and it was hollow. So he stuffed it full, threw masking tape on at random and painted the tape green.
Kinda made me soil my self a bit. I still bet in 80 years this will be respected when Green Day will be just a bad passing smell... Comparing them to Zeppelin is like comparing scotch to wine. They can (and are) both be great.
This is TIMELESS GFR performance. You are after all watching it aren't you? They are raw that is their uniqueness. They are not LZ would not want them to ever be. There is NO ONE like GFR you cannot copy them they are unique. And by the way when GFR performed right BEFORE LZ in concert, they tore the house down and the audience DID NOT WANT THEM TO LEAVE they demanded MORE! LZ were pissed! GFR made LZ look like the "before the main attraction" performance and the critics gave GFR a fantastic review and not LZ for that performance that night together...and it's said half the audience left during LZ performing...not impressed, after GFR. So take that in your pipe and smoke it! I saw GFR live at the Forum in LA in early 70's and I have NEVER EVER been to such a fantastic head banging rocking concert since in my entire life. They were always fantastic they were never lackluster they always gave their all with every performance. And I've been to a lot of rock concerts and seen all the big ones. GFR NEVER got the credit they deserved. A person who can play the guitar, be the main singe, wrote most of the songs and play the harmonica (and do some serious head banging dancing) and keyboard and sometimes the drums has multi layered talent! Mark Farner is THE TRUE BONG! He still is he can do it all..he is even more fantastic now than the was then..check him out on youtube with his own band and getting together with the originals guys also. GFR FOREVER!
Led Zep were just starting out then and it was just a matter of time before they really hit their straps.When I saw them no one left the concert and 6000 people gatecrashed it.
I'm gonna tell you their names, cause they matter. Mark Farner on guitar and vocals, Don Brewer on drums and vocals and Mel Schachter on bass. Mel had some previous big time experience having played on Question Mark (?) And The Mysterians and the song 96 Tears. Grand Funk kicked it hard in the 1970's. Fun band.
@@BlueGoat682 Actually he wasn't. The song was recorded with Frank Lugo on bass. Mel joined Question Mark and the Mysterians, right after and was on their 96 Tears tour in 1967, but he did not play bass on the original recording.
I thought it was Mel Schacher...? I liked GFR somewhat less after they took on the keyboardist Craig Frost, their style definitely changed to a little softer / more 'messagey'. But I still like some of their stuff like 'I Come Tumblin'. BTW at some point due to a dispute with Terry Knight they had to change their name from Grand Funk Railroad to just Grand Funk.
@@avlisk Agreed. When they went commercial, I was so disappointed and stopped listening, but I still have all of their early albums and still play them. There was no one like them.
Love GFR!!! You are right about the pop era stuff. I was disappointed when they did that. They still rocked, but the early music show the real talents for writing and spectacular arrangements. "Loneliness" (Lp: E Pluribus Funk) wonderful, dramatic, complicated orchestral arrangement similar to " I'm Your Captain", but with a relevant message.
The entire 60s and 70s was a musical wonderland. Talent was everywhere. We lived it. We still ROCK IT. I'm 65 and musically spoiled. Hell, it was a privilege and an honor growing up with these type musical groups.
I think I went two years where I didn't listen to any other of my tapes. (Yes, 8 track tape). Mostly Grand Funk "On Time", "Grand Funk", and "Closer to Home".
@John Duval 😶 You said it, I can't believe they slow-rolled this one either. 😳 WTH? Regardless. Well, I guess he was placating both sides of the argument there. Fair enough. They did give some props but rather light-handedly...whatever. Lol. To each, a diff style. But, for me - This thing killed! (Strictly in the figurative sense. ) How 'bout that bass, non-stop pounding drums, rhythm, energy, lyrics, voice, performance! Harp! I never heard this song before today but knew and loved Grand Funk Railroad from the radio back then but never heard this one. Extreme! Extremely good. 💜 That was funky.
This was fuuuunKY!!! This is a super funky rock driven song and dare I say, I don’t think Andy and Alex are into the funk by nature. If you aren’t mesmerized by the interlocked step of the bass, drums, guitar snd voice as a driving force than you’re caught up in the lack of technique or lack of whatever that seems to always drive their critiques. This music you feel, not analyze. Comparing GFR to Zeppelin? Why? Let them stand as the grand funk masters as they are and just enjoy the ride man.
First of all, I never heard anyone compare these guys to Led Zeppelin. This may have not been their best song, but did you notice all the sound that was coming out of “3” guys? I think that’s significant & you never mentioned that. I’ve seen them live twice & it was a banger.
` We had Zepp, we didn't need or want another Zepp ~ GFR rocked in a different way, their own way ~ GFR was a very short-lived band in comparison to Zepp but they rocked out some massive hits in that short time, I'm so glad it was during my time in the '70's ~ GFR sold out Shea Stadium in just days; whereas, it took The Beatles 7 weeks to sell out in in the same time period ~ When GFR broke up, Bob Seger scooped up drummer Don Brewer and keyboardist Craig Frost in a HEARTBEAT and they were part of the Silver Bullet Band for the rest of Seger's career ~ Brewer may not be the best "technical" drummer, but he gets the job done, and he is one of the best "singing drummers" ~ Check out GFR's Shea Stadium Your My Captain and Closer To Home performance!!! Plus all the others mentioned in the comments, you'll get the vibe!!!
Thought you guys would rank this an "S", but maybe you need to hear the studio version, and definately more Grand Funk. A whole lot of people liked them way better than Zep. (And still do!)
Well I'm shocked you guys didn't like this nearly as much as so many of us do, but here's the thing about the Zeppelin comparison, and about why they're not known as well as other bands. When they opened for Zeppelin they were so good that the manager for Zep cut the power, because he didn't want the opening act to be better than the main act. Sadly, GFR's manager totally screwed them over and robbed them blind and Farner and Brewer had a major falling out and have never made amends to this day, but Farner is still performing, now in his 70's. This performance, for me, is S-tier+. It's still the best live performance on UA-cam I've seen. One last thing. GFR was so popular that they sold out Shea Stadium in hours. The Beatles sold out Shea in 3 days. GFR was the best, but they got robbed and used. It's a sad story, but worth reading.
Mark Farner VERY underrated, Don Brewer amazing drummer & Mel, the God of Thunder, Schacher...you seriously need to read what they accomplished guys! Plus they were very young at this time. Watch more of them before passing judgement
Highly recommend the songs, "Sin's A Good Man's Brother," "Aimless Lady," "Mean Mistreater," and "I'm Your Captain," all from the Closer to Home album. GFR is a Hell of a ride.
A little surprised at both your reactions. This group needs no comparison(S) to any other group. They was GFR and later GF. And held their own all day every day. If you took the time to delve deeper into their (huge) repertoire, you'd see and appreciate why!!!
That was funky--Grand Funky that is (sorry my inner Foghorn Leghorn came out just a little there). I'm afraid you're underestimating GFR imo, based on a song they performed the first year of their existence, 1969. As a native Detroiter (GFR is from Flint, Michigan, close to Detroit), I have to say you might want to check out a few more of their songs before rendering a final verdict. They were one of my favorite bands of the 70's, putting out banger after banger after banger and selling out arena after arena after arena... I'd be curious to see your reaction to their cover of the Rolling Stones song "Gimme Shelter." The bassist, Mel Schacher, is definitely a standout.
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.
"They were OK". Since you insist on comparing them to LZ, (and I love LZ), yeah, Farmer is no Jimmy Page and nothing he plays here is that technical, but did Page also sing lead, move around and groove to his own music, you know, perform? That drummer is no Bonham I'll admit, but he just had a 9 minute workout and didn't miss a beat all while singing some great blues back-up, (He also sings lead on some of their songs). The bassist was impeccable. This was an amazing live performance that would have rocked the house down. You guys were also lukewarm to Free's "All Right Now", saying it was too long. Maybe it was the drugs but we were just into longer jams back then. Maybe I just remember watching girl's asses sway dancing in the bars. Maybe you just had to come of age in the seventies but watching this video gets me pumped up, and I didn't even know this video existed until a few months ago. One of the best live performance videos out there.
I'll agree about "All RIght Now" dragging on, and I'm 61, so ... one of my friend's cover bands still does it, and the crowd loves it. Plus, it's got cowbell, so ...
man are u kidding me farners range of a voice is 10 tens better than jimmy pages is and the drummer when he does a drum solo he could just dance around Bonham lol... ; )and the bass player o'well want can i say lol..... yeah he's no jimmy page alright thank god lol... page sucks lol...
For my money at the time, they absolutely floored me for putting out that much energy for just a three piece band. And to come out with that much power with a small drum kit, wow!! Great concert band for the 70's.
I love that you guys react to many of the bands from my era and even when it isn't necessarily your favorite you appreciate the talent from those days. This is probably my favorite channel. FYI Grand Funk sold out Shea Stadium in New York faster than the Beatles did. 55,000 tickets in 72 hours.
They have that raw, "Garage Band Aesthetic" which I kind of like. They were somewhat versatile too, I love their "I'm Your Captain" song which shows a wider range of what they were capable of.
Well hello Monday, what a fucking awesome way to start the week. Why is Zepplin even in this conversation. GFR has their place in music history. Look at all their hits. Love this video!!! Peace!
"That was funky" interesting how people differ, taste is indeed subjective. A+ from me, they rocked the house. Andy&Alex what happened, who hurt you?! lol did the afro on the drummer distract you from the sauce?? haha still love the channel
Funky is a feel and mindset , it can be heavy . Its like Swing . Most people would not suggest Sabbath is a Swing band , because they have that image of dudes playing jazz , jazz is supposed to be soft ( not true either !) , but its all over it under the heaviness
Thanks for featuring GFR seen them 3 times and your right being there was awesome could not believe the full sound just 3 guys put out live what a show!!!
First time I ever heard Don Brewer described as "just alright"...you need to listen to more GF...that said, there's better songs than this..True story: Zeppelin and Peter Grant were so intimidated by GF that when GF opened for Zeppelin in Detroit, Peter Grant made them pull the plug on GF's encore of "Inside Looking Out" as he didn't want Zeppelin to be "showed up" by them...
The way I heard it, the crowd wanted an encore, from the opening band no less, and Grant wasn't having it. I believe it. I saw them both, and as much as I love Zeppelin, GFR was a better live band.
One of my favorites ... the title track 's guitar line that comes in beneath the vocal gets me every time. Some good 'uncredited' George Harrison work on that LP.
That was Funky! The raw power and energy of that performance has always excited me. I don't get the comments trying to compare/distance them from Led Zeppelin. They weren't trying to be. They were three young guys playing some kick ass rock and roll. And for me they nailed it. I think the age of this carries some weight. This was 50 years ago. The music scene was a lot different then.The heyday of hard rock was just getting rolling. They stand the test of time for me. There is nothing on the radio these days that can hold a candle to this even with all of the gadgets and gimmicks available. BTW this is a cover originally done by The Animals. If you decide to try another one consider the Live version of Heartbreaker.
Before Craig GFR was a classic 3 man band: Mark (lead guitar an vicals), Don (drummer backing vocals) and Mel (bass), Yet they created so much sound. Great sound. Mark Farner is in the elite level of lead guitar.
Grand Funk Railroad, is a great band. Loved them then and now. I will give credit to all three musician s. I love John Farmers best, lots of energy ,vocals, guitarist,harmonica player. I give A plus. Jammed out to this many a time in my teens ,now 60+.
I think you're attempting to say you understand that the context was so important in the time of this show. Back then, this was nothing like anything else you could go see and the audiences loved it. A great bar band, for sure. This was also known as head music back then from where I came from. It didn't translate well to AM radio. p.s. It was funky.
Mel Schacher was/is an outstanding bassist and one of my earliest influences when I first started playing bass. He was in "Question Mark and the Mysterians" and had a #1 hit with "96 Tears". ua-cam.com/video/R7uC5m-IRns/v-deo.html&ab_channel=60s70sVintageRock
GFR one of the greatest live performances...of all time, imo. Remember gents this was 1969 and only in Analog...That warm analog sound~Great stuff, great review!!!
A B+ and an A are nothing to sneeze at I'll grant you, but you liked this more than We're an American Band? The latter, though good, was made for pop radio. This was made for those into Rock. One thing the video could not capture is that being there, as one commenter put it, was like having a freight train come through the venue. You felt every note of their music. My first concert - GFR 1969, 2nd or 3rd row; ears still ringing; innards still vibrating. And to settle the question, Mel Schacher (bass) was born in 1951. This was 1969. Do the math. He was 18 at most.
OMG!🤗 This is one of my top 5 songs ever🔥 I'm 68 so I've heard and seen a lot of bands, but these guys blew me away!🤯 I wore out my 8 track player in '69 rockin' with Grand Funk!😂 I guess 1969 music doesn't translate well to 2020.💔 I was there, turned 18 in 1970, great memories, thanks!😁❤️✌️
One of the great power trios of that time. Like The Experience, Cream, you just will never again see three guys like those bands put out this kind of sound. Never again.
I haven't heard this song probably since 1970 when the Grand Funk album was a staple at every party I went to. Played over and over while we smoked joints and kept saying "Wow man....listen to this!" Doesn't do the same for me 50 years later, but still fun to watch/listen to.
I really rated your opinion on the musicianship and performance of the artist/s.you have reacted on. Alas, you have missed the boat on this occasion completely; a pity really, a pity.
I think they were influenced by some who said GFR wasn't all that talented, just a really good garage band. I'd say they're the best garage band I've ever heard : )
Perspective: GFR released this in late 69 when they were all really young. They jam their asses off and show a passion commensurate with the times. A funky banger for the ages.
Andy’s comment was correct when he said that they must of been fun to watch. I saw them in Oakland in early 72. That was my impression, a fun, energetic show. They soon changed their management and sound to become more appealing. “A commercial band” I soon lost interest. Looking back, they remind me of Humble Pie. The live version anyway. I now see where they get the Funk in their name...”That was Funky”
That WAS funky! GFR fan from back in the day...late 60's, early 70's. Interesting trivia...Mark Farner, the lead singer and guitarist, went on to become a fairly prolific Christian artist in the 80's, doing Christian rock.
THAT WAS FUNKY, thanks guys, this band is near and dear to my heart with great memories. You had to be there, GFR brought the energy and left blood, sweat and tears on that stage. There's so much more from this trio to be heard. "I'm Your Captain", "Footstompin Music", any track from the E Pluribus Funk album. "T.N.U.C." with the drum solo by Don Brewer is insane. Later stuff "I Can Feel Him in the Morning" is beyond beautiful. Mark Farner , the lead vocalist/ guitar/ keyboards wrote most of the songs for GFR. Thanks again for listening!
I'm an older dude. I remember when these guys hit the scene, I wasn't all that impressed, BUT they were super popular. A real "people's band". I always thought they were kinda basic, but that basic-ness was what other people loved about them. They were a good time rock and roll band. I grew to like them more over the years, but they were what they were, and it was pretty damn good. They were a really tight band live, and extremely loud too. LOUD!!!
I'm by far not old enough to have experienced their time, but this is exactly the vibe I get from the stuff I hear and see of them. They may be nice, outgoing and loud, but the music is (while there's nothing they do 'wrong'!) kinda basic. The things they do can be found done better by others, but I can see how they were quite popular within the time. Nothing to hate at, but luckily nobody says I have to listen to them :)
I'm an older dude too. I agree with you. They got a ton of radio time in the day. It kind of turn me off to them. I really appreciate them now. There are a lot of lesser bands in R&R HOF
@@jacpot3545 By the time they were getting 'a ton of radio time' they had taken on a keyboard player and their style change considerably. I don't think any of their first two albums ever got played on the radio, ever.
In 1969, they were under 20, Mel (bass) was 18 when this was recorded. You guys have to realize the technology they were working with. Neither of you truly don't have a clue to late '60s and early '70s music. If this doesn't rate an A+ you don't deserve ears. I am 66, they were my first concert in 1970, 13 days before my 13th birthday. I was a fan before the show having already the Red Album and On Time in my collection. After the show, no one matched up... I have 191 rock, country, metal and blues ticket stubs and my first time seeing GFR (5 times overall) is still in my top 5. And I have seen The Who, Pink Floyd, The Eagles, Deep Purple, Jefferson Airplane, The Grateful Dead, Stevie Ray Vaughn, BB King, Santana, James Taylor, Ozzie(2x), Black Sabbath(3x), Aerosmith(4x), Jimmie Buffett(3x), Willie Nelson(5x), Johnny Winter, Dr. John, Kiss(3x)....
You guys said this one needed to be hit regardless, decided the swing back around pretty quick after that poll!! We’re gonna start hitting a lot of the tracks that didn’t quite make it!! Cheers guys hope you all had a good weekend!! 🙌🏻🔥
Hey guys!!!! Do Blackfoot-Train Train!!!!! Also some Traveling Wilburys!!! That band consists of George Harrison, Jeff Lynn, Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, and Roy Orbison!!!!!
Traveling Wilburys- End of the Line
Traveling Wilburys- Handle With Care
I've been requesting Blackfoot's Train Train forever!!! Lol 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Guys do a song that's on your level - Al DiMiola, Racing the Devil Down A Spanish Highway.
Lou Reed, Rock and Roll Animal Album. Listen to the tracks: Rock and Roll and Sweet Jane. You won’t be sorry🙂
This was 1968 or 69, no effects to speek of, no giant elaborate drum kit, no auto tune. Just raw, pure talent. Thanks
That was funky but, "I'm Your Captain" needs to be the next song by these guys. Totally different side of the band.
Yessss.😁
My fav of theirs, definitely.
I’m Your Captain is my favorite song, very political/very smart.
Easily their best song. An epic. This one is actually better with Eric Burdon singing it for The Animals. GFR outplays them, but Eric is a far better singer than most anyone.
Dudes!!! Yes funky but for the song that gave birth to the slap bass!!!! Larry Grahams slap bass will slap A&A so deep in the sauce, they may never find their way out!!!!! Founding fathers of Funk. "Sly and Family Stone"Thank You"(Falettme Be Mice Elf Agin). You'll Thank Me after(no pun intended).
Grand Funk opened for Led Zeppelin in 1969 and were thrown off the tour after only a couple of shows because they blew them away. True story.
In Cobo Hall in Detroit Zep was booed because GFR was the lead in band
I saw that in a documentary about GFR.
@Quam Wrong Dude , Grand Funk blew off Zepplin 3 days later in Cleveland Ohio ! The same thing happened ! Then Zepplin threw GFR off their tour ! Also the next year Grand Funk was at a double bill with Zepplin in Boston Garden and the crowd booed Zepplin and wanted Grand Funk to keep playing.
@Quam The Might Zepplin pulled the plug on Grand Funks show.
Real true not a story many of the greatest guitarists gave props to Mark Farner
Grand Funk Railroad was fired off the tour with Led Zeppelin at the Cleveland show, they upstaged Zeppelin. GFRr should be in the HoF if for nothing else but this song.
I agree! 🥰 I called the Hall of Fame a couple months ago. They said to submit letter via email so I did. Do the same! It’s a new year as of today, so I’ll do it again. ❤️
The hall of fame is a joke . Like MTV and Rolling Stone ! Grand Funk is too cool for them !
They are not in the H.O.F. because Manager Terry Knight took out a double page ad in Rolling Stone giving them
the middle finger , Those who run the H.O.F. vowed GFR would never be in the H.O.F. !
Fact!
They'd been kicked off the stage in Detroit two nights before the Cleveland show. Zeppelin's manager was afraid Grand Funk's high energy show would outshine the Led.
Fuck being inducted to the HOF! That left wing institute lets any.genre in and discounts true Roch and Roll......GFR should own that place....IMHO
This was a kick ass band !!! You can not sit here in your college 2020 mind and even understand any of this! THIS WAS A REAL BAND ! HARD CORE ! Every note they played and every tune they sang was REAL !!!! REAL ! NO Auto tune etc !!!! I so miss these days !! Everything today is manufactured !!!! SO SAD ! I don't think either one of you could hold a candle ! Good luck to You!
Ages of the band during this performance, bass player, 18, lead guitar and vocals, 20, drummer, 21. Very talented at a young age.
How these guys aren't in the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame is a mystery!
Ed Huskins - I totally agree. How can a band who sold out Shea Stadium faster than the Beatles not be in there? It would be so great to see Mark Don and Mel get together for that, much less be on the same stage together.
The Moody Blues were held out for a long, long time for reasons that are entirely unclear. It seems likes someone somewhere gets a bug up their ass about a particular band and everyone suffers because of it. The Monkees will never get inducted, either, despite meeting all the requirements and being icons of music and culture of the 1960s.
Because the HOF is a joke , thats why.
They are busy inducting acts like Bonnie Rait and Donna Summer (real rockers)
They SHOULD be!
And a crime
Saw GFR in concert and the audience literally refused to leave when it was over. The lights went up and they called GFR at the hotel to get them back to the Forum (LA). They came back and they were in shock. No one had left.
that is Fantastic !!!
That’s awesome! Great story! 👍
😊
70 yrs old. Seen GFR few times. Sonic concussions, vibes, the sound of them you can't put on tape, video. That goes for all the 3 man band from the 1960s, like aliens landing on Earth.
Great story! Awesome! I would have loved to be there!
3 guys. 4 instruments. 2 singers. Mind blowing.
I don’t know how you can not love this song/ band! The sound they’re making with just 3 members is amazing.
Vocals- 10
Bass- 11
Guitar- 11
Drums- 10
Harmonica- 9
Judges rate this as FUNKADELIC as Hell...... Nuff said. Find me 3 young musicians today that could crank this out LIVE>>>>>> LIVE. with out computers, mixing, dubbing, autotune...........NOPE.
👍
That was the 60s, nobody on that stage was over 22 and it was a live performance....geez, give some props. Why does one band have to be compared to another, like the whole Zeppelin thing? Every band has it's style and sound. Ask anyone from that era how big Grand Funk was...they'll tell you...hint: they were huge, selling out arenas in their prime. Sometimes out selling bigger names at prominent venues. If you know...you know.
And there were all of *three* of them performing the song.
They sold out Shea Stadium faster than the Beatles did.
They SOLD OUT Shea Stadium faster than snoop doggy dog and Justin bieber did lol....
50,000 tickets in 72 hours...ah, yeah...no internet
The whole Shea stadium concert was amazing!
@@lilpoohbear653 and?
@@Frankincensedjb123 nothing to "and" to...I was just stating a fact that ey sold out that stadium by folk actually going to ticket booths to buy.
They actually blew Zeppelin off the stage the time that they opened for them.
Zeppelins manager was screaming at GFR's manager to get them off the stage.
They upstaged Zepplin twice ! First at Olympia Stadium then at the Cleveland show . After that Zepplin threw GFR off their tour .
Transiant and short lived
I disagree with the Zeppelin comparison! Zeppelin can't do GFR and vice versa, GFR can't do Zeppelin. To say one is leaps and bounds better when they play completely two different styles of music. I've seen both bands live and I'd jump at the chance to see either one again. GFR isn't Zeppelin and I'm pretty sure they never wanted to be, same goes for Zeppelin and neither can play each other's style of music.
@@Frankincensedjb123 Zepplin actually pulled the plug on Grand Funk in the middle of Grand Funks show.
The mighty Zepplin.
@@Frankincensedjb123 Short lived ? 69 - 76. .. 82 - 84.... 97 -99 . .. Now 50 years later and were talking about them.
Hey guys. Mark has lived just down the road from me for 30 some years. I can tell you he is as kind gentle a family man as he is talented.
This is October 2021, Mark booked a show at our local casino it sold out in under thirty minutes. Mark is in his early 70s and he still kicks it on stage like he did back then.
I can't tell you what it was like sitting in front of Grand Funk when I was 15. It was loud, emotional, mind blowing.Wild, The set was identical to the Grand Funk "Live" album. Just the three of them, but it sounded like a freight train. Farner and Brewer were 21, Schacher was 19. Mark Farner was my idol. I finally got to meet him a couple of years ago. Really nice guy. I might add that this video is exceptionally clear and well shot for the time. No goofy camera work, sound is good.
My dad said that to this day it was the loudest concert he's ever been to
Can you imagine seeing the MC-5...Ted Nugent with the Amboy Dukes...The Frost...Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels...the Bob Seger System...the Grand Funk Railroad...Alice Cooper...Third Power...SRC...and many others...all Detroitish bands...at the Grande Ballroom. I was 14...what a riot
@@johntowne1199 He's right. I couldn't hear for two days.
So true, the camera focused on all the right spots. If you look at some bad camera work like Yessongs or something they'll be showing Steve Howe's face while he's tearing up on a solo...
I used to have a crush on Mark Farner when I was eleven. Had his pictures taped all over my bedroom walls.
Well it's about damn time you got to this one, boys!!!👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾
By The Way, It Is Well documented that they blew Led Zeppelin off the stage when they opened for them, prompting their manager Peter Grant to never allow anyone to open for them again
Madison Square Garden ☮️✌️
@@vickieray GFR rules for ever and ever Vickie ; )
once in a life time ACT PERIOD ; )
Saw Zep live a couple of times...their studio work is much better. Have to say GFR was much better live. As well as the early Allman Brothers.
Led Zeppelin is the best live Rock show I've ever seen.
What's kind of trippy is that the guitarist and drummer were 21 years old and the bass player was 18 when this video was made. Who feels old now?
My birthday cake does look like a bonfire.
Andy and Alex feel old that's who.
Funny. I was 18 too!
I was 17 when i saw them in Mobile, Al. Glad you mentioned their age, that is incredible itself. Raw R & R.
I do, I do!!
"I'm Your Captain" is one of the greatest songs in rock.
Ya know , I thought the long haired guy would rate it the highest . Only a B+ ? This is obviously one of the greatest live performances ! It has it all ! Rock , Blues , Soul . Metal , Funk ,, It's a masterpiece .
Right
Shit I ain’t watching them thanks bro.
@@LClark-ry9to Try them a few years later , When they are polished and mainstream.
Watch " Were an American band " Live in 74 ! ..Just another great live performance .
@@47tooter EXACTLY! Andy and Alex being musicians themselves can see and HEAR the rawness of this performance. That being said....they became so polished by 74' that KIss actually fired them from opening for them (Kiss) because they (GFR) were blowing them away...true story.
@@USGrant-rr2by The same with Led Zepplin, Zepplin fired GFR after GFR opened for them twice, Zepplin actually pulled the plug in the middle of GFRs show. Zepplin's manager assaulted Grand Funks manager and told him to get your band off the stage " Immediately ".
That was funky. You guys should really do "I'm Your Captain/Closer to Home" next. It's a great listen, and I think you will find it to be much more that kind of timeless classic that you did not think this song was. "Some Kind of Wonderful" is very good as well. They also did a cover of "Locomotion" that is well worth a listen. Have great week, guys.
I have the album its a dual song "I'm Your Captain/Closer to Home" kinda like "Sirius/Eye in the Sky" from The Alan Parsons Project.
@@johngarcia8463 Yeah, I should have checked. My vinyl is a 1970 UK original release and it just says "I'm Your Captain."
Seriously - yes. Do I'M YOUR CAPTAIN/CLOSER TO HOME!
Jon.....I would also include the underrated The Railroad too.
I couldn't agree more!
What GFR represented when playing live was a garage band that made out of the garage and onto the bag stage while maintaining the raw energy of a garage band. That being said, although you can't see it from where you are sitting, in the late 1960s and throughout the 70s, they were huge.
That still gets me out of my seat to this day. Killer performance.
It took the Beatles two weeks to sell out Shea Stadium, Grand Funk Railroad did it in 72 hours.
I'll take their B+, kick-ass, youthful, raw, live rock anyday anytime over most of the crap that's out there today. Believe it or not, this video doesn't do justice to their full, live in-person impact. They were so young here, but they could fill stadiums... literally and figuratively. I saw GFR a couple of times and it was always so much fun...just as they were meant to be. Loud but still fun. Now, they do have other tracks where their music became more sophisticated, (relatively speaking). I would like to suggest Mean Mistreater and their iconic piece, I'm Your Captain/Closer to Home. Thanks!
You got GFR perfectly. They are a great 70’s bar band and believe me that is no insult.
Well said.
Like Joe Cocker, they had the grit that makes for "electric" live performances.
Drummer Don Brewer toured with Bob Seger SBB after 1983.
@@ms.chuckfu1088 best times for Bob. Tell the lads about the bass lines from, "All the Girls in the World Beware," GFR!
Shea Stadium, world's biggest bar.
You guys are entitled to your opinions and I won't put you down for them, but this was a banger from 2 21 year olds and an 18 year old. No fancy equipment, all analog, no recorded parts, just plug and play. Saw these guys live two years ago, all three original members, and they still rock it. ToTo gets S tier? Compared to this? C'mon! That said react to I'm Your Captain.
Mark's guitar was the only one he could buy on credit and it was hollow. So he stuffed it full, threw masking tape on at random and painted the tape green.
Eric Isenhour Toto. Lol
Agree totally
Kinda made me soil my self a bit. I still bet in 80 years this will be respected when Green Day will be just a bad passing smell... Comparing them to Zeppelin is like comparing scotch to wine. They can (and are) both be great.
@wayouttatune2 you can like your green day as others enjoy the finer things in life...listening to green day definitely not fucking one of them
"I'm Your Captain/Closer to Home" when you come back to GFR
Yup I argue
CLOSER TO HOME LP WAS ONE OF THEIR BEST ; )
Their best song IMHO.
In the beginning of the song at about 52 seconds after Mark sings the second "I'm your captain", you hear someone say "all right turn it up".
This is TIMELESS GFR performance. You are after all watching it aren't you? They are raw that is their uniqueness. They are not LZ would not want them to ever be. There is NO ONE like GFR you cannot copy them they are unique. And by the way when GFR performed right BEFORE LZ in concert, they tore the house down and the audience DID NOT WANT THEM TO LEAVE they demanded MORE! LZ were pissed! GFR made LZ look like the "before the main attraction" performance and the critics gave GFR a fantastic review and not LZ for that performance that night together...and it's said half the audience left during LZ performing...not impressed, after GFR. So take that in your pipe and smoke it! I saw GFR live at the Forum in LA in early 70's and I have NEVER EVER been to such a fantastic head banging rocking concert since in my entire life. They were always fantastic they were never lackluster they always gave their all with every performance. And I've been to a lot of rock concerts and seen all the big ones. GFR NEVER got the credit they deserved. A person who can play the guitar, be the main singe, wrote most of the songs and play the harmonica (and do some serious head banging dancing) and keyboard and sometimes the drums has multi layered talent! Mark Farner is THE TRUE BONG! He still is he can do it all..he is even more fantastic now than the was then..check him out on youtube with his own band and getting together with the originals guys also. GFR FOREVER!
EXCELLENT DESCRIPTION OF HOW IT WAS !!
Led Zep were just starting out then and it was just a matter of time before they really hit their straps.When I saw them no one left the concert and 6000 people gatecrashed it.
One of my favorites! To hear this as the thunder of a live show, with the sound piercing iinto your brain was an unforgettable experience!!!
I'm gonna tell you their names, cause they matter. Mark Farner on guitar and vocals, Don Brewer on drums and vocals and Mel Schachter on bass. Mel had some previous big time experience having played on Question Mark (?) And The Mysterians and the song 96 Tears. Grand Funk kicked it hard in the 1970's. Fun band.
Wish I knew how to pronounce Mel’s last name. Kickass bassist.
@@bangcolt As in shocker
I had no idea that Mel was on bass for the song 96 Tears but yeah another great song. Thanks for that little bit of music trivia.
@@BlueGoat682 Actually he wasn't. The song was recorded with Frank Lugo on bass. Mel joined Question Mark and the Mysterians, right after and was on their 96 Tears tour in 1967, but he did not play bass on the original recording.
I thought it was Mel Schacher...? I liked GFR somewhat less after they took on the keyboardist Craig Frost, their style definitely changed to a little softer / more 'messagey'. But I still like some of their stuff like 'I Come Tumblin'. BTW at some point due to a dispute with Terry Knight they had to change their name from Grand Funk Railroad to just Grand Funk.
"American Band" was in the later pop era. "Inside-Looking Out" was in the early stages where their best stuff evolved IMO.
I'll take the 3 piece GFR any day over the later 4 piece. On Time is one of my all time favorite albums.
@@avlisk Agreed. When they went commercial, I was so disappointed and stopped listening, but I still have all of their early albums and still play them. There was no one like them.
Love GFR!!! You are right about the pop era stuff. I was disappointed when they did that. They still rocked, but the early music show the real talents for writing and spectacular arrangements. "Loneliness" (Lp: E Pluribus Funk) wonderful, dramatic, complicated orchestral arrangement similar to " I'm Your Captain", but with a relevant message.
@@nancylipscomb550 For some reason, I think the audio level on the last half of 'Loneliness' dropped noticeably from the first half.
Well it’s about Damn time .. Outstanding... This cover was Badass when it came out and is still Badass to this day ... 👍🏼👍🏼
The entire 60s and 70s was a musical wonderland. Talent was everywhere. We lived it. We still ROCK IT. I'm 65 and musically spoiled. Hell, it was a privilege and an honor growing up with these type musical groups.
One of the hardest working 3 piece rock bands ever. Early stuff was hall of fame worthy!
These guys put the FU in funk. I absolutely love this live performance raw, gritty and passionate. 50 years later and still jamming to it ☮️
This sucked
Guys are you really slow rolling one of the best selling stage acts of the 70s? Damn They were younger than you when the recorded this video. ☮️
WTF you two! That was back in MY day and these 2 don't know what's great. GFR some of the best,
I remember this time very well. They were indeed a band to see in concert. Great live performances by some young guys.
I think I went two years where I didn't listen to any other of my tapes. (Yes, 8 track tape). Mostly Grand Funk "On Time", "Grand Funk", and "Closer to Home".
@John Duval 😶 You said it, I can't believe they slow-rolled this one either. 😳 WTH? Regardless. Well, I guess he was placating both sides of the argument there. Fair enough. They did give some props but rather light-handedly...whatever. Lol. To each, a diff style. But, for me - This thing killed! (Strictly in the figurative sense. )
How 'bout that bass, non-stop pounding drums, rhythm, energy, lyrics, voice, performance! Harp! I never heard this song before today but knew and loved Grand Funk Railroad from the radio back then but never heard this one. Extreme! Extremely good. 💜 That was funky.
This was fuuuunKY!!! This is a super funky rock driven song and dare I say, I don’t think Andy and Alex are into the funk by nature. If you aren’t mesmerized by the interlocked step of the bass, drums, guitar snd voice as a driving force than you’re caught up in the lack of technique or lack of whatever that seems to always drive their critiques. This music you feel, not analyze. Comparing GFR to Zeppelin? Why? Let them stand as the grand funk masters as they are and just enjoy the ride man.
First of all, I never heard anyone compare these guys to Led Zeppelin. This may have not been their best song, but did you notice all the sound that was coming out of “3” guys? I think that’s significant & you never mentioned that. I’ve seen them live twice & it was a banger.
Remember Led Zeppelin was 3 guys playing music and Robert Plant singing and occasionally playing harmonica.
@@justineapril7922 So was Black Sabbath.
Same, I’m 53 now and never heard of these guys being compared to Zeppelin 🤷🏽♂️
@@cirenosnor5768 only comparison back in the day to Zepplin was sellout performances and record sales
@@moefeaux1442 yep and I was fortunate enough to see Sabbath in 1978 and 2013!
A whole lot of sound from just three guys. So underrated! Thanks for this reaction.
` We had Zepp, we didn't need or want another Zepp ~ GFR rocked in a different way, their own way ~ GFR was a very short-lived band in comparison to Zepp but they rocked out some massive hits in that short time, I'm so glad it was during my time in the '70's ~ GFR sold out Shea Stadium in just days; whereas, it took The Beatles 7 weeks to sell out in in the same time period ~ When GFR broke up, Bob Seger scooped up drummer Don Brewer and keyboardist Craig Frost in a HEARTBEAT and they were part of the Silver Bullet Band for the rest of Seger's career ~ Brewer may not be the best "technical" drummer, but he gets the job done, and he is one of the best "singing drummers" ~ Check out GFR's Shea Stadium Your My Captain and Closer To Home performance!!! Plus all the others mentioned in the comments, you'll get the vibe!!!
Thought you guys would rank this an "S", but maybe you need to hear the studio version, and definately more Grand Funk. A whole lot of people liked them way better than Zep. (And still do!)
I think they may have forgot only three piece?
We already had a Zeppelin! We needed a Grand Funk too. I never got that argument either. Nice call dudes!
Well I'm shocked you guys didn't like this nearly as much as so many of us do, but here's the thing about the Zeppelin comparison, and about why they're not known as well as other bands. When they opened for Zeppelin they were so good that the manager for Zep cut the power, because he didn't want the opening act to be better than the main act. Sadly, GFR's manager totally screwed them over and robbed them blind and Farner and Brewer had a major falling out and have never made amends to this day, but Farner is still performing, now in his 70's.
This performance, for me, is S-tier+. It's still the best live performance on UA-cam I've seen.
One last thing. GFR was so popular that they sold out Shea Stadium in hours. The Beatles sold out Shea in 3 days.
GFR was the best, but they got robbed and used. It's a sad story, but worth reading.
Saw them live in '75, one of the best live shows I ever saw. Don Brewer's drum solo was incredible.
Mark Farner VERY underrated, Don Brewer amazing drummer & Mel, the God of Thunder, Schacher...you seriously need to read what they accomplished guys! Plus they were very young at this time. Watch more of them before passing judgement
“ the bong rattling bass of Mel Schacter”- Homer Simpson
Highly recommend the songs, "Sin's A Good Man's Brother," "Aimless Lady," "Mean Mistreater," and "I'm Your Captain," all from the Closer to Home album. GFR is a Hell of a ride.
Mean Mistreater definitely!
Is so good to come across someone that knows and remembers! Thanks!
I was going to say “ Mean Mistreater ” also! Great song, great band!
Sin’s is AMAZING!
Mean Mistreater is one of their best songs. Love to hear the guys reaction to it.
*1969 .. When it was just Mark, Don, & Mel.*
Footstompin' Music as another good one.
1,000,000 thumbs up
Hell yeah!!
Yea, the audio version. 👍
The LIVE version!
The whole E Pluribus Funk album is solid.
A little surprised at both your reactions. This group needs no comparison(S) to any other group. They was GFR and later GF. And held their own all day every day. If you took the time to delve deeper into their (huge) repertoire, you'd see and appreciate why!!!
✌🏻🇺🇸
They definitely didn't "get it."
I don’t think they like Funk period.
That was funky so funky...."Aimless Lady," "Mean Mistreater," and "I'm Your Captain,"
GFR was so Versatile with their songs Aimless Lady just a great song Mean Mistreater yahh not so good and i'm your captain it was ok ; )
*THEY BELONG IN THE ROCK N ROLL HALL OF FAME!*
If anything just to see Jann Wenner clutching his chest when it's announced.
Right the fuck now!
Yeah i did like the movie GRAND TORINO
That was funky--Grand Funky that is (sorry my inner Foghorn Leghorn came out just a little there). I'm afraid you're underestimating GFR imo, based on a song they performed the first year of their existence, 1969. As a native Detroiter (GFR is from Flint, Michigan, close to Detroit), I have to say you might want to check out a few more of their songs before rendering a final verdict. They were one of my favorite bands of the 70's, putting out banger after banger after banger and selling out arena after arena after arena...
I'd be curious to see your reaction to their cover of the Rolling Stones song "Gimme Shelter." The bassist, Mel Schacher, is definitely a standout.
I say, I say, we all harbor some inner Foghorn Leghorn boy. ;)
These guys didn't take a backseat to anyone back in the day. Had some good songs and put on a great concert show. Original line-up disbanded in 1976.
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.
"They were OK". Since you insist on comparing them to LZ, (and I love LZ), yeah, Farmer is no Jimmy Page and nothing he plays here is that technical, but did Page also sing lead, move around and groove to his own music, you know, perform? That drummer is no Bonham I'll admit, but he just had a 9 minute workout and didn't miss a beat all while singing some great blues back-up, (He also sings lead on some of their songs). The bassist was impeccable.
This was an amazing live performance that would have rocked the house down. You guys were also lukewarm to Free's "All Right Now", saying it was too long. Maybe it was the drugs but we were just into longer jams back then. Maybe I just remember watching girl's asses sway dancing in the bars. Maybe you just had to come of age in the seventies but watching this video gets me pumped up, and I didn't even know this video existed until a few months ago. One of the best live performance videos out there.
I'll agree about "All RIght Now" dragging on, and I'm 61, so ... one of my friend's cover bands still does it, and the crowd loves it. Plus, it's got cowbell, so ...
man are u kidding me farners range of a voice is 10 tens better than jimmy pages is and the drummer when he does a drum solo he could just dance around Bonham lol... ; )and the bass player o'well want can i say lol..... yeah he's no jimmy page alright thank god lol... page sucks lol...
will some one please educate this guy lol....
To me, Mel Schacher is better than John Paul Jones.
@@costafinkel all right now your talking man ; )
That was funky
Nice to see you back to GFR
Hope you hit I’m Your Captain / Closer to Home next - enjoy
This is why rock and roll is best when played live!
Considering the tech available most honest n pure live rock performance ever! They were in their prime and took no prisoners!!!
Grandfunk Railroad's cover of "The Locomotion" is my favorite version of that song. Worth checking out. One of my favorites by them.
1969, These guys are so young! Amazing!
For my money at the time, they absolutely floored me for putting out that much energy for just a three piece band. And to come out with that much power with a small drum kit, wow!! Great concert band for the 70's.
I love that you guys react to many of the bands from my era and even when it isn't necessarily your favorite you appreciate the talent from those days. This is probably my favorite channel. FYI Grand Funk sold out Shea Stadium in New York faster than the Beatles did. 55,000 tickets in 72 hours.
It makes so much sense, just looking at that performance. I never got to see them live, one of my biggest regrets.
@@vanillamc1 I was lucky enough to see them live. What a great show it was.
“The Locomotion”, “Some Kind of Wonderful”, “Bad Time” and “I’m Your Captain” we’re GFR’s biggest hits after “...American Band”
The energy of this performance is unmatched! It is an A+!!!
They have that raw, "Garage Band Aesthetic" which I kind of like. They were somewhat versatile too, I love their "I'm Your Captain" song which shows a wider range of what they were capable of.
Well hello Monday, what a fucking awesome way to start the week. Why is Zepplin even in this conversation. GFR has their place in music history. Look at all their hits. Love this video!!! Peace!
I'm your captain is the one you need. Preferably live Shea Stadium 1972.
Please check out my rather long comment above. I’m sure the live version is awesome, but the studio version took me far and away man
"That was funky" interesting how people differ, taste is indeed subjective. A+ from me, they rocked the house. Andy&Alex what happened, who hurt you?! lol did the afro on the drummer distract you from the sauce?? haha still love the channel
🤣😂
Hahaha 😂
Funky is a feel and mindset , it can be heavy .
Its like Swing .
Most people would not suggest Sabbath is a Swing band , because they have that image of dudes playing jazz , jazz is supposed to be soft ( not true either !) , but its all over it under the heaviness
Thanks for featuring GFR seen them 3 times and your right being there was awesome could not believe the full sound just 3 guys put out live what a show!!!
This band was AMAZING!!
First time I ever heard Don Brewer described as "just alright"...you need to listen to more GF...that said, there's better songs than this..True story: Zeppelin and Peter Grant were so intimidated by GF that when GF opened for Zeppelin in Detroit, Peter Grant made them pull the plug on GF's encore of "Inside Looking Out" as he didn't want Zeppelin to be "showed up" by them...
Truth.
The way I heard it, the crowd wanted an encore, from the opening band no less, and Grant wasn't having it. I believe it. I saw them both, and as much as I love Zeppelin, GFR was a better live band.
They were a mediocre band who exuded great energy and fun.
If you're stoned and blitzed in the 70s, then GFR was your band.
Yeah, okay....🙄
@@umpdaddy1 And what Peter Grant wanted, Peter Grant got.
Ten Years After or just Alvin Lee.... PLEASE
Love the On the Road to Freedom album.
He and Roy Buchanan do the best live covers of "Hey Joe" this side of Jimi Hendrix
Woodstock
Alvin/TYA opening for Steppenwolf in Seattle Paramount Theatre was the best unexpected show EVER.
One of my favorites ... the title track 's guitar line that comes in beneath the vocal gets me every time. Some good 'uncredited' George Harrison work on that LP.
That was Funky! The raw power and energy of that performance has always excited me. I don't get the comments trying to compare/distance them from Led Zeppelin. They weren't trying to be. They were three young guys playing some kick ass rock and roll. And for me they nailed it. I think the age of this carries some weight. This was 50 years ago. The music scene was a lot different then.The heyday of hard rock was just getting rolling. They stand the test of time for me. There is nothing on the radio these days that can hold a candle to this even with all of the gadgets and gimmicks available. BTW this is a cover originally done by The Animals. If you decide to try another one consider the Live version of Heartbreaker.
i feel sorry for the Animals song because GFR did it 10 times much more better than the Animals did IMHO ; )
Spot on!
The fact this performance was in a TV studio in a small stage before a small audience was about as energetic as it could have been.
Before Craig GFR was a classic 3 man band: Mark (lead guitar an vicals), Don (drummer backing vocals) and Mel (bass),
Yet they created so much sound. Great sound. Mark Farner is in the elite level of lead guitar.
Grand Funk Railroad, is a great band. Loved them then and now. I will give credit to all three musician s. I love John Farmers best, lots of energy ,vocals, guitarist,harmonica player. I give A plus. Jammed out to this many a time in my teens ,now 60+.
Personally, I thing their best is Captain/Long way from my home.
Closer to home
Hmm, you must really like it, you got the name wrong!
I think you're attempting to say you understand that the context was so important in the time of this show. Back then, this was nothing like anything else you could go see and the audiences loved it. A great bar band, for sure. This was also known as head music back then from where I came from. It didn't translate well to AM radio.
p.s. It was funky.
Mel Schalker is one of the most underrated bassists ever, but this whole band is completely underrated. So very good are they!
Mel Schacher was/is an outstanding bassist and one of my earliest influences when I first started playing bass. He was in "Question Mark and the Mysterians" and had a #1 hit with "96 Tears". ua-cam.com/video/R7uC5m-IRns/v-deo.html&ab_channel=60s70sVintageRock
GFR one of the greatest live performances...of all time, imo. Remember gents this was 1969 and only in Analog...That warm analog sound~Great stuff, great review!!!
That was funky.
You need to hear "I'm Your Captain/Closer to Home" by them.
A B+ and an A are nothing to sneeze at I'll grant you, but you liked this more than We're an American Band? The latter, though good, was made for pop radio. This was made for those into Rock.
One thing the video could not capture is that being there, as one commenter put it, was like having a freight train come through the venue. You felt every note of their music. My first concert - GFR 1969, 2nd or 3rd row; ears still ringing; innards still vibrating.
And to settle the question, Mel Schacher (bass) was born in 1951. This was 1969. Do the math. He was 18 at most.
THEY HAD BACK IN THE DAY 2000 WATT WEST AMPS PER CHANNEL OF 4 EQUAL 8000 WATTS ; )
ONE OF THE LOUDEST ROCK BANDS (IF NOT THE LOUDEST) BACK IN THE DAY IN ROCK HISTORY TERRY KNIGHT WANTED IT THIS WAY ; )
Also check out “People Let’s Stop the War” by Grand Funk.
OMG!🤗 This is one of my top 5 songs ever🔥 I'm 68 so I've heard and seen a lot of bands, but these guys blew me away!🤯 I wore out my 8 track player in '69 rockin' with Grand Funk!😂 I guess 1969 music doesn't translate well to 2020.💔 I was there, turned 18 in 1970, great memories, thanks!😁❤️✌️
One of the great power trios of that time. Like The Experience, Cream, you just will never again see three guys like those bands put out this kind of sound.
Never again.
That was funky, Gents. Might I suggest "Rock Steady" by Bad Company? One of my favorites. Hope all is well !
I haven't heard this song probably since 1970 when the Grand Funk album was a staple at every party I went to. Played over and over while we smoked joints and kept saying "Wow man....listen to this!" Doesn't do the same for me 50 years later, but still fun to watch/listen to.
You wrote exactly what I would have written about GFR. Feel the same 50 years later as well.
I really rated your opinion on the musicianship and performance of the artist/s.you have reacted on. Alas, you have missed the boat on this occasion completely; a pity really, a pity.
I think they were influenced by some who said GFR wasn't all that talented, just a really good garage band. I'd say they're the best garage band I've ever heard : )
@@Lightmane Neil Young: hold my beer...
@@dannyhazelton2052 : )
@@dannyhazelton2052 Neil young??? I think not
You two dudes don't know your a** in the hole in the ground! Like, like, like like, like! Both of you should have given this performance an A++++!
Perspective: GFR released this in late 69 when they were all really young. They jam their asses off and show a passion commensurate with the times. A funky banger for the ages.
Andy’s comment was correct when he said that they must of been fun to watch. I saw them in Oakland in early 72. That was my impression, a fun, energetic show. They soon changed their management and sound to become more appealing. “A commercial band” I soon lost interest. Looking back, they remind me of Humble Pie. The live version anyway. I now see where they get the Funk in their name...”That was Funky”
richard foster the name Grand Funk Railroad comes from a train line the Grand Trunk Railroad that ran through their hometown of Flint MI
@@briangawronski2634 never heard of it. Never would have guessed.
That WAS funky! GFR fan from back in the day...late 60's, early 70's. Interesting trivia...Mark Farner, the lead singer and guitarist, went on to become a fairly prolific Christian artist in the 80's, doing Christian rock.
BANGER of a tune! WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THAT WAS FUNKY, thanks guys, this band is near and dear to my heart with great memories. You had to be there, GFR brought the energy and left blood, sweat and tears on that stage. There's so much more from this trio to be heard. "I'm Your Captain", "Footstompin Music", any track from the E Pluribus Funk album. "T.N.U.C." with the drum solo by Don Brewer is insane. Later stuff "I Can Feel Him in the Morning" is beyond beautiful. Mark Farner , the lead vocalist/ guitar/ keyboards wrote most of the songs for GFR. Thanks again for listening!
Ooo great pick guys! 🔥🔥🔥
I'm an older dude. I remember when these guys hit the scene, I wasn't all that impressed, BUT they were super popular. A real "people's band". I always thought they were kinda basic, but that basic-ness was what other people loved about them. They were a good time rock and roll band. I grew to like them more over the years, but they were what they were, and it was pretty damn good. They were a really tight band live, and extremely loud too. LOUD!!!
I'm by far not old enough to have experienced their time, but this is exactly the vibe I get from the stuff I hear and see of them.
They may be nice, outgoing and loud, but the music is (while there's nothing they do 'wrong'!) kinda basic. The things they do can be found done better by others, but I can see how they were quite popular within the time.
Nothing to hate at, but luckily nobody says I have to listen to them :)
I'm an older dude too. I agree with you. They got a ton of radio time in the day. It kind of turn me off to them. I really appreciate them now. There are a lot of lesser bands in R&R HOF
@@jacpot3545 By the time they were getting 'a ton of radio time' they had taken on a keyboard player and their style change considerably. I don't think any of their first two albums ever got played on the radio, ever.
The first song I heard by them was "Footstomping Music." Seventh-eigth grade. Been a fan ever since. Give it a listen.
Flint,MI boys. Another musical great from Michigan.
In 1969, they were under 20, Mel (bass) was 18 when this was recorded. You guys have to realize the technology they were working with. Neither of you truly don't have a clue to late '60s and early '70s music. If this doesn't rate an A+ you don't deserve ears. I am 66, they were my first concert in 1970, 13 days before my 13th birthday. I was a fan before the show having already the Red Album and On Time in my collection. After the show, no one matched up... I have 191 rock, country, metal and blues ticket stubs and my first time seeing GFR (5 times overall) is still in my top 5. And I have seen The Who, Pink Floyd, The Eagles, Deep Purple, Jefferson Airplane, The Grateful Dead, Stevie Ray Vaughn, BB King, Santana, James Taylor, Ozzie(2x), Black Sabbath(3x), Aerosmith(4x), Jimmie Buffett(3x), Willie Nelson(5x), Johnny Winter, Dr. John, Kiss(3x)....