I bought a used copy of the 45 rpm single of this when I was in grade school. I played it as loudly as I could. I also fell in love with side B, The Locomotion, it's just an absolutely fantastic take on a dance classic. Very heavy but so much fun.
My uncle was a member of the Four Seasons rock group. I asked him why he spent 40 years in the music business but never made a lot of money. He said it was the passion for music, great way to get girls and not having to go to a 9 to 5 job. It was never about money 💵. Those truly were the good ole days
I ran into Mark Farner, a co-founder, in a hotel bar. We talked for a couple of hours and when he told me he was in a Rock and Roll band I thought he was joiking. But as the night went on I told the bartender and he talked Mark into jamming with the lounge band that night. Also, I knew Sweet Connie, she was crazy as hell and unbelievalbly a substitue school teacher. She recently passed away.
Mark Farner WAS Grand Funk Railroad. Without Mark Farner there would be NO Grand Funk Railroad. He wrote nearly all of their original songs. He even wrote most of the music for this song, including the iconic drum intro including the cow bells. Don Brewer wrote the main lyrics and brought them to Mark and they completed the song together. After they had finished the song, Don asked Mark if he could have full credit for the song because he had never had full credit for anything before. Out of the goodness of his heart and witnessed by their publicist, Lynn Goldsmith, Mark gave Don full credit for the song. It ended up being their biggest hit. Mark played lead and rhythm guitar. Played piano, and harmonica, and was the band director on stage. Remember also that from 1969 - 1973 they were just a 3 piece. Mark played everything but the bass and drums to that point. Craig Frost joined the band in 1973 playing keyboards. Don later with Mel’s help literally STOLE Mark’s interest in the band out from under him. Name and all! Mark can’t even promote his solo shows as “Formerly of Grand Funk Railroad”. They grew up together and became successful together and then egos got the best of them (Don and Mel). Mark is one of the greatest human beings that you could ever meet.
I have also had the pleasure of meeting Mark several times after his shows. He is the real deal. A down to earth person. You are correct about him being screwed over by his band mates and supposed friends?. They set him up. The Grand Flunk railroad that performs today sounds like a cover band. NO Mark Farner, No Grand Funk. Period!
Ok, this must be quantum entanglement... This song got stuck and has been stuck in my head for 3 effing days. I haven't heard it in at least 5 years, and all of a sudden I couldn't get it out of my head. Then, 3 minutes ago, this pops up on my feed? What gives? Amazing and eerie at the same time.
Grand Funk was the #1 rock band in the USA for a few years. Early in their career Mark Farner was told by a record brass that his guitar sounded crappy, but Mark didn't care. Fans didn't either. He could play, and he, Don, and Mel made it work as the signature sound of the band. Saw them twice live, and they brought the house down.
Great reaction Ace! Lots of fun. This was my intro to the band when this song came out and became a huge hit for them. Here is another by them I really think you'd enjoy: "Footstompin' Music".
Such a great song, and produced by super artist/producer Todd Rundgren! If I remember correctly, the album originally was pressed on gold vinyl. Great stuff!
Yeah... the 70s had little or nothing to do with money or "looking rich". We just didn't care. I paid $750 for a 1969 Dodge Charger, never paid insurance, had an 8 pack of Pepsi, a cooler of beer, a fifth of Jack and a carton of smokes in the trunk. Life was good. We didn't have all of this fuss about trespassing and property liability insurance either, so almost every creek side was a place to camp and crash. We were definitely not food connoisseurs either. All of the McDonald's and Burger King stuff was a luxury, not the norm. We'd grab a burger or hot dog at a local Mom & Pop diner and call it a day. We didn't wander around with bags of chips, candy bars or water bottles, like they do today. We didn't use fancy soaps, shampoos, conditioners, deodorants or colognes either. That was for the upper middle class and people that lived under their parent's thumb. Heck, $20 would buy you a tank of gas , a carton of smokes, an 8 pack of Pepsi, a twelve 12 pack and for $10 more, you could eat all week. A box of Kraft Mac & Cheese was only 20 cents, a pack of hotdog buns was 19 cents and a pound of hotdogs was 69 cents. You cooked that over an open fire, maybe catch some crayfish or trout and that was that. AND, as always, you kept a sleeping bag, fishing pole, fishing and hunting knife and more time than not, a 20 gauge shotgun in the back of the car trunk. The only time you needed a "real job" is if you needed car parts or $7.50 to go see the Stones or Zeppelin. On a rich week, you could go to the movies, popcorn, drinks and snacks included, for under $6.00 and the drive-in was even cheaper. For money, all you had to do is clean out some cow stalls, bale some hay, wash & wax some cars, fix the farmers tractor or truck, harvest some fruit, or dig some post holes every couple of days. Life was simple... there was no pressure to graduate high school, go to college, own a big 3,000 square foot house and all of this modern crap. We listened to the radio and that was it. If I used a phone more than once a month is was because I was calling around for the best deal on car parts or getting movie times. Not a one of us had debit, credit or checking accounts but we all ran a tab at the local bar and general store. It was a time of no seatbelts, no helmets and people literally smoked everywhere, from grocery stores, doctor's waiting rooms, in hospital rooms, airplanes, restaurants to government building and even at school. Funny.... never knew of even one person that ever died of cancer back then, car wreck, motorcycle accident or gunshot wound. Heck, we took our guns to school AND IT WAS NORMAL... and this was in Upstate New York !!
2:50 In answer to that question, Ace. Normally, guitarist Mark Farner would sing lead vocals, and as far as I'm aware, this is the only song that drummer Don Brewer, sings Lead. Additionally, Mark Farner was also the keyboardist, as well as lead vocalist and guitarist, as the original lineup consisted of Mark Farner, Don Brewer, and bassist Mel Shacher (pronounced "Shocker")
Hold on in there. You doing what you do without tricks. You will be blessed by the music. It changes lives inside. Feel a little more free? We did too. We lived such lives too.
The verse… sweet sweet Connie doin’ her act, she had the whole show and that’s a natural fact. Is about a famous amongst bands Groupie. She was a pro at oral from what is said.
Well no wonder they are not in the "rock and roll hall of fame;" 1) They don't Rock and Roll enough obviously and 2) they weren't famous enough because they only had 6 gold and 6 platinum albums.
Why a thumping bass like that? It was NOT like that originally.. I cant listen to this on my computer or tv.... there has to be a way to stop this crap... love you reviews and choices but this isnt going to be a thumbs up.
Yeah... the 70s had little or nothing to do with money or "looking rich". We just didn't care. I paid $750 for a 1969 Dodge Charger, never paid insurance, had an 8 pack of Pepsi, a cooler of beer, a fifth of Jack and a carton of smokes in the trunk. Life was good. We didn't have all of this fuss about trespassing and property liability insurance either, so almost every creek side was a place to camp and crash. We were definitely not food connoisseurs either. All of the McDonald's and Burger King stuff was a luxury, not the norm. We'd grab a burger or hot dog at a local Mom & Pop diner and call it a day. We didn't wander around with bags of chips, candy bars or water bottles, like they do today. We didn't use fancy soaps, shampoos, conditioners, deodorants or colognes either. That was for the upper middle class and people that lived under their parent's thumb. Heck, $20 would buy you a tank of gas , a carton of smokes, an 8 pack of Pepsi, a twelve 12 pack and for $10 more, you could eat all week. A box of Kraft Mac & Cheese was only 20 cents, a pack of hotdog buns was 19 cents and a pound of hotdogs was 69 cents. You cooked that over an open fire, maybe catch some crayfish or trout and that was that. AND, as always, you kept a sleeping bag, fishing pole, fishing and hunting knife and more time than not, a 20 gauge shotgun in the back of the car trunk. The only time you needed a "real job" is if you needed car parts or $7.50 to go see the Stones or Zeppelin. On a rich week, you could go to the movies, popcorn, drinks and snacks included, for under $6.00 and the drive-in was even cheaper. For money, all you had to do is clean out some cow stalls, bale some hay, wash & wax some cars, fix the farmers tractor or truck, harvest some fruit, or dig some post holes every couple of days. Life was simple... there was no pressure to graduate high school, go to college, own a big 3,000 square foot house and all of this modern crap. We listened to the radio and that was it. If I used a phone more than once a month is was because I was calling around for the best deal on car parts or getting movie times. Not a one of us had debit, credit or checking accounts but we all ran a tab at the local bar and general store. It was a time of no seatbelts, no helmets and people literally smoked everywhere, from grocery stores, doctor's waiting rooms, in hospital rooms, airplanes, restaurants to government building and even at school. Funny.... never knew of even one person that ever died of cancer back then, car wreck, motorcycle accident or gunshot wound. Heck, we took our guns to school AND IT WAS NORMAL... and this was in Upstate New York !!
I bought a used copy of the 45 rpm single of this when I was in grade school. I played it as loudly as I could. I also fell in love with side B, The Locomotion, it's just an absolutely fantastic take on a dance classic. Very heavy but so much fun.
They were Rock and Roll!
My uncle was a member of the Four Seasons rock group. I asked him why he spent 40 years in the music business but never made a lot of money. He said it was the passion for music, great way to get girls and not having to go to a 9 to 5 job. It was never about money 💵. Those truly were the good ole days
I ran into Mark Farner, a co-founder, in a hotel bar. We talked for a couple of hours and when he told me he was in a Rock and Roll band I thought he was joiking. But as the night went on I told the bartender and he talked Mark into jamming with the lounge band that night. Also, I knew Sweet Connie, she was crazy as hell and unbelievalbly a substitue school teacher. She recently passed away.
Echoes of my youth. These guys wre fire, and the 70's was the best decades of my life. Wev partied hard and loud.
Both the guitarist and the drummer sing lead. Had a feeling you'd dig this, and the video is a taste of the era.
Mark Farner WAS Grand Funk Railroad. Without Mark Farner there would be NO Grand Funk Railroad. He wrote nearly all of their original songs. He even wrote most of the music for this song, including the iconic drum intro including the cow bells. Don Brewer wrote the main lyrics and brought them to Mark and they completed the song together. After they had finished the song, Don asked Mark if he could have full credit for the song because he had never had full credit for anything before. Out of the goodness of his heart and witnessed by their publicist, Lynn Goldsmith, Mark gave Don full credit for the song. It ended up being their biggest hit. Mark played lead and rhythm guitar. Played piano, and harmonica, and was the band director on stage. Remember also that from 1969 - 1973 they were just a 3 piece. Mark played everything but the bass and drums to that point. Craig Frost joined the band in 1973 playing keyboards. Don later with Mel’s help literally STOLE Mark’s interest in the band out from under him. Name and all! Mark can’t even promote his solo shows as “Formerly of Grand Funk Railroad”. They grew up together and became successful together and then egos got the best of them (Don and Mel). Mark is one of the greatest human beings that you could ever meet.
I have also had the pleasure of meeting Mark several times after his shows. He is the real deal. A down to earth person. You are correct about him being screwed over by his band mates and supposed friends?. They set him up. The Grand Flunk railroad that performs today sounds like a cover band. NO Mark Farner, No Grand Funk. Period!
Mark did play bass with Terry Knight And The Pack! And he could beat a little with the drums too.
Imagine being 16 when this came out. It was a great time for music
Ok, this must be quantum entanglement... This song got stuck and has been stuck in my head for 3 effing days. I haven't heard it in at least 5 years, and all of a sudden I couldn't get it out of my head. Then, 3 minutes ago, this pops up on my feed? What gives? Amazing and eerie at the same time.
One of the very first 45 singles I ever bought. It still kicks ass!
Mel Shacher was a dream. Man I love it when the bass plays the riff and melody along with the guitar.
These guys were like 20 years old. Amazing. Hot band.
Grand Funk was the #1 rock band in the USA for a few years. Early in their career Mark Farner was told by a record brass that his guitar sounded crappy, but Mark didn't care. Fans didn't either. He could play, and he, Don, and Mel made it work as the signature sound of the band. Saw them twice live, and they brought the house down.
Great reaction Ace! Lots of fun. This was my intro to the band when this song came out and became a huge hit for them. Here is another by them I really think you'd enjoy: "Footstompin' Music".
Such a great song, and produced by super artist/producer Todd Rundgren! If I remember correctly, the album originally was pressed on gold vinyl. Great stuff!
Oh man......could these guys ROCK !
No, but seriously....................can they rock or what ?
These guys knew how to represent The American Band. Look at them now. They ride little electric scooters. With three inch wheels.
Best musical intro I have heard and I am 74 years young. This is rock and roll at its finest.
Thank Mark Farner. He wrote the entire drum intro from the drumming technique right down to the cow bells.
They are awesome. Don Brewer does sing lead and plays drums, but so does Mark Farner (guitarist with long hair).
Yeah... the 70s had little or nothing to do with money or "looking rich". We just didn't care. I paid $750 for a 1969 Dodge Charger, never paid insurance, had an 8 pack of Pepsi, a cooler of beer, a fifth of Jack and a carton of smokes in the trunk. Life was good. We didn't have all of this fuss about trespassing and property liability insurance either, so almost every creek side was a place to camp and crash. We were definitely not food connoisseurs either. All of the McDonald's and Burger King stuff was a luxury, not the norm. We'd grab a burger or hot dog at a local Mom & Pop diner and call it a day. We didn't wander around with bags of chips, candy bars or water bottles, like they do today. We didn't use fancy soaps, shampoos, conditioners, deodorants or colognes either. That was for the upper middle class and people that lived under their parent's thumb. Heck, $20 would buy you a tank of gas , a carton of smokes, an 8 pack of Pepsi, a twelve 12 pack and for $10 more, you could eat all week. A box of Kraft Mac & Cheese was only 20 cents, a pack of hotdog buns was 19 cents and a pound of hotdogs was 69 cents. You cooked that over an open fire, maybe catch some crayfish or trout and that was that. AND, as always, you kept a sleeping bag, fishing pole, fishing and hunting knife and more time than not, a 20 gauge shotgun in the back of the car trunk. The only time you needed a "real job" is if you needed car parts or $7.50 to go see the Stones or Zeppelin. On a rich week, you could go to the movies, popcorn, drinks and snacks included, for under $6.00 and the drive-in was even cheaper. For money, all you had to do is clean out some cow stalls, bale some hay, wash & wax some cars, fix the farmers tractor or truck, harvest some fruit, or dig some post holes every couple of days. Life was simple... there was no pressure to graduate high school, go to college, own a big 3,000 square foot house and all of this modern crap. We listened to the radio and that was it. If I used a phone more than once a month is was because I was calling around for the best deal on car parts or getting movie times. Not a one of us had debit, credit or checking accounts but we all ran a tab at the local bar and general store. It was a time of no seatbelts, no helmets and people literally smoked everywhere, from grocery stores, doctor's waiting rooms, in hospital rooms, airplanes, restaurants to government building and even at school. Funny.... never knew of even one person that ever died of cancer back then, car wreck, motorcycle accident or gunshot wound. Heck, we took our guns to school AND IT WAS NORMAL... and this was in Upstate New York !!
Upstate Maine too…
👍👍Old School Classic Goodness. 🖖❤
I got tickets to see them Saturday. So excited
GFR
Don Brewer Drums / Lead Vocals
Mark Farmer Guitar / Lead Vocals
Mel Schacher. Bass
* Craig Frost Keys. - joined after a few albums
Hey Ace, another Grand Funk Railroad you should definitely check out is "Some Kind Of Wonderful"
2:50
In answer to that question, Ace. Normally, guitarist Mark Farner would sing lead vocals, and as far as I'm aware, this is the only song that drummer Don Brewer, sings Lead.
Additionally, Mark Farner was also the keyboardist, as well as lead vocalist and guitarist, as the original lineup consisted of Mark Farner, Don Brewer, and bassist Mel Shacher (pronounced "Shocker")
I remember seeing a video of Mark Farner talking about how he'd play in a barn or anywhere else, as long as he could play.
The perfect "live band" Truly an American Band from Flint Michigan
Good clean reaction! Loved it!🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
You have good taste! This also was my favorite GFR song!!
Hold on in there. You doing what you do without tricks. You will be blessed by the music. It changes lives inside. Feel a little more free? We did too. We lived such lives too.
If you want to do a group that has a ton of fun do the Monkees🎉😂😂😂😂😂😂
The song brings back a lot of memories❤❤❤
There are two lead singers in this group. One is the drummer in the second one is the lead guitar player.
I was just a kid, but damn I sure miss the 70’s
Because life was fun and free then! Music and love 💖🥳💖🥳💖🥳
That, ladies and gentlemen, is how you set up and record rock drums.
Thank you thank you thank you awesome awesome awesome awesome awesome awesome hope you like it❤❤❤❤❤❤
American rock and roll!
Omg haven't heard t his in years!
Sweet sweet memories!!!!
As I recall, they're from Detroit, One of their songs is a cover of Locomotion. Their Babysitter was Little Eva.
Little Eva was the baby sitter for Jerry Goffin and Carole King who wrote the song.
This was a very popular song in the 70's.
"INSIDE :LOOKIN OUT" live in 1969. Is the best.. It took the BEATLES 7 weeks to sellout SHEA STADIUM...= It GFRR 3 days.!
The verse… sweet sweet Connie doin’ her act, she had the whole show and that’s a natural fact. Is about a famous amongst bands Groupie. She was a pro at oral from what is said.
Damn right.
My favorite.
This song is a jam
Sweet Sweet Connie died not long ago. Her last name was Hawzy, I think.
Full Cowbell
Well no wonder they are not in the "rock and roll hall of fame;" 1) They don't Rock and Roll enough obviously and 2) they weren't famous enough because they only had 6 gold and 6 platinum albums.
We’re an American 🇺🇸 band…
Does Farner even own a shirt
An American band, not even in the r&r hall of fame😡
Why a thumping bass like that? It was NOT like that originally.. I cant listen to this on my computer or tv.... there has to be a way to stop this crap... love you reviews and choices but this isnt going to be a thumbs up.
Yeah... the 70s had little or nothing to do with money or "looking rich". We just didn't care. I paid $750 for a 1969 Dodge Charger, never paid insurance, had an 8 pack of Pepsi, a cooler of beer, a fifth of Jack and a carton of smokes in the trunk. Life was good. We didn't have all of this fuss about trespassing and property liability insurance either, so almost every creek side was a place to camp and crash. We were definitely not food connoisseurs either. All of the McDonald's and Burger King stuff was a luxury, not the norm. We'd grab a burger or hot dog at a local Mom & Pop diner and call it a day. We didn't wander around with bags of chips, candy bars or water bottles, like they do today. We didn't use fancy soaps, shampoos, conditioners, deodorants or colognes either. That was for the upper middle class and people that lived under their parent's thumb. Heck, $20 would buy you a tank of gas , a carton of smokes, an 8 pack of Pepsi, a twelve 12 pack and for $10 more, you could eat all week. A box of Kraft Mac & Cheese was only 20 cents, a pack of hotdog buns was 19 cents and a pound of hotdogs was 69 cents. You cooked that over an open fire, maybe catch some crayfish or trout and that was that. AND, as always, you kept a sleeping bag, fishing pole, fishing and hunting knife and more time than not, a 20 gauge shotgun in the back of the car trunk. The only time you needed a "real job" is if you needed car parts or $7.50 to go see the Stones or Zeppelin. On a rich week, you could go to the movies, popcorn, drinks and snacks included, for under $6.00 and the drive-in was even cheaper. For money, all you had to do is clean out some cow stalls, bale some hay, wash & wax some cars, fix the farmers tractor or truck, harvest some fruit, or dig some post holes every couple of days. Life was simple... there was no pressure to graduate high school, go to college, own a big 3,000 square foot house and all of this modern crap. We listened to the radio and that was it. If I used a phone more than once a month is was because I was calling around for the best deal on car parts or getting movie times. Not a one of us had debit, credit or checking accounts but we all ran a tab at the local bar and general store. It was a time of no seatbelts, no helmets and people literally smoked everywhere, from grocery stores, doctor's waiting rooms, in hospital rooms, airplanes, restaurants to government building and even at school. Funny.... never knew of even one person that ever died of cancer back then, car wreck, motorcycle accident or gunshot wound. Heck, we took our guns to school AND IT WAS NORMAL... and this was in Upstate New York !!