They were huge in 1971, top of the heap, but hardly mentioned thse days?

I don't think Grand Funk left a lasting impression because they weren't very unique, there isn't much in their sound that separates them from so many other 1970s rock bands. Just a decent pop/rock band that had a few hits at the right time.

I don't think Grand Funk left a lasting impression because they weren't very unique, there isn't much in their sound that separates them from so many other 1970s rock bands. Just a decent pop/rock band that had a few hits at the right time.

I chuckle when I hear someone make a remark like that about Grand Funk. You weren't there in 1971; I was, The Forum, L.A. They weren't as musically polished as Led Zeppelin and they didn't have the heavy sound of Black Sabbath. Didn't matter much. Grand Funk 1971 was my first rock and roll show and it changed me. To this day it was the most exciting rock and roll show I've ever been to. And GF, Zeppelin and Sabbath were my first three shows, all in 1971. What an introduction to live music..........all of those guys in all three of those bands were between 22 and 24 years old. Young and in their prime.

This is a great interview with Mark Farner of Grand Funk. It's long, 22 minutes, but it's interesting throughout and the many gear heads here would likely be glued to the first 7 minutes where Farner goes into detail about his very unique rig in the early days of GF.

I chuckle when I hear someone make a remark like that about Grand Funk. You weren't there in 1971; I was, The Forum, L.A.

Hey, that's cool, not saying Grand Funk wasn't popular or didn't put on a great show in 1971. Sabbath and Zep's sounds moved the needle and inspired a lot of bands that came after them and that's why they are more commonly remembered than Grand Funk.

Homer Simpson shares your musical tastes:

The Simpsons episode was funny, got a kick out of it.

It's hard to make it to the top (They did) Its harder to stay there, (They could not).

Trust me, they lost me too around 1975 when they started putting out AM radio crap. They actually did a great job with Loco-Motion, it was catchy and danceable and it was Todd Rundgren's suggestion that they do it. But Some Kind of Wonderful, Bad Time.............Oh God.........I deserted, and QUICK and I'm sure they lost a lot of their fan base at that time. I saw them three times total in the early days (twice after they added keyboard player Craig Frost). They were very, very good all three times. But that was still before they sold out..........

I saw Mark Farner at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk must have been 2007. He was excellent and did a LOT of Funk. And the upcoming Grand Funk tour that pops42 posted? You couldn't drag me there because Farner has not been involved for many years. In fact I know from another Farner interview that I watched that Don Brewer screwed Mark Farner out of even using Grand Funk name when advertising his shows. Brewer and bassist Mel Schacher now own the name GF. In this old fan's opinion: AINT' NO FUNK WITHOUT FARNER.

[Edited on 7/21/2019 by robslob]

I believe Frank Zappa produced one of their mid 70s records.

Good Singin' Good Playin'. Very good and highly underrated album. Zappa plays on the cut "Out To Get You" and kills it.

It's hard to make it to the top (They did) Its harder to stay there, (They could not).

Trust me, they lost me too around 1975 when they started putting out AM radio crap. They actually did a great job with Loco-Motion, it was catchy and danceable and it was Todd Rundgren's suggestion that they do it. But Some Kind of Wonderful, Bad Time.............Oh God.........I deserted, and QUICK and I'm sure they lost a lot of their fan base at that time. I saw them three times total in the early days (twice after they added keyboard player Craig Frost). They were very, very good all three times. But that was still before they sold out..........

I saw Mark Farner at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk must have been 2007. He was excellent and did a LOT of Funk. And the upcoming Grand Funk tour that pops42 posted? You couldn't drag me there because Farner has not been involved for many years. In fact I know from another Farner interview that I watched that Don Brewer screwed Mark Farner out of even using Grand Funk name when advertising his shows. Brewer and bassist Mel Schacher now own the name GF. In this old fan's opinion: AINT' NO FUNK WITHOUT FARNER.

[Edited on 7/21/2019 by robslob]

Exactly. Producers and record execs MURDERED that band. But they did that to so many other great bands of that era (Chicago comes to mind). And I'm with you 100% on this one bro - AINT' NO FUNK WITHOUT FARNER!!!!

I am right there with you Rob!!!

This is kick butt!!

I am right there with you Rob!!!

This is kick butt!!

That was smoking HOTT!!

Warren Haynes gets it..........The Mule used to do Sin's A Good Man's Brother. That record, Closer To Home, is a GREAT rock and roll record!! And it still stands up to this day. Farner quite simply was a great writer at times besides being a Soulful vocalist and an awesome guitar player. Easily my favorite Grand Funk record but they made some good ones...........E. Pluribus Funk comes to mind. But be SURE to get the remastered version of Closer To Home...........Terry Knight was their producer back then and he was TERRIBLE, had NO clue as to what he was doing!

[Edited on 7/24/2019 by robslob]

Come to think of Rob,Sin’s a good Man’s Brother is on their new live album Bring on the Music.I was at the show last spring when they played it at the Capital Theatre.I was very happy they did.Grand Funk is also one of my favorite bands as well especially Closer to Home.Hooked on Love just kicks my ass every time I here it.Sins is also on The Deep End vol 1.I’ll be seeing Warren solo the next 2 nights in Westhampton Beach LI. 400 seater it’s going to be great.

Love this song but love this footage even more. I miss old Shea Stadium. It wasn't nice at all but it was like the old beacon. Anything goes atmosphere. I saw the Stones there in 89 and the crowd was insane. Look at the kids on the dug out in this video. No way that would go on today. Looks like thousands of kids having an absolute blast in Queens !
Not so much in recent years but I've been to some Mets games that might as well have been rock concerts also.

Sin's A Good Man's Brother on the new Mule DVD is SMOKING HOT. Warren growing up was obviously listening to some early Grand Funk.

I picked up Gov't Mule: BRING ON THE MUSIC, Live at The Capitol Theatre only yesterday. A local record store had it for a most ridiculous price of $15.99. I'm only through the first DVD so far but based on that my recommendation is BUY IT! This is vintage Mule in your own home. And the sound is just outrageous including a very bright mix. I'm running it through my Sharp 32" flat screen in the backyard and I've never heard this much volume, and CLEAR volume, coming out of this little TV that someone gave me secondhand. And remember that this is a 2 CD/2 DVD set and there are NO repeated songs, 4 discs of all different Mule.

[Edited on 8/1/2019 by robslob]