EtherealAirship Posted September 29, 2008 Share Posted September 29, 2008 I saw them in 1975 in Vancouver, Canada. Not one note out of place, not one hair out of place. They were dead right on, a great show. Mark Farner was truly amazing! However, I think their Terry Knight days served them best. Their second manager Andrew Cavaliere butchered their image and reduced them to a top 40's singles band with a slick, studio sound. The fans just didn't take them seriously any longer, they weren't the "People's Band" anymore. If you ever find any old film clips of their sold out performance at Shea Stadium in 1971, you won't be disappointed. 100% pure, raw, energy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swede Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 Got This Thing On The Move and their cover of The Animals tune, Inside Looking Out, is two of my favorite songs with Grand Funk Railroad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ally Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 They were like a number of hard rockin' bands that got pushed to the side when Zeppelin really started to get big. Not sure why that all happened as I alway's thought there was room for everyone but I guess the record executives thought differently. For me "Closer To Home" is one of the best songs ever. I still crank that up when nobody's home. Takes me right back to my girlfriends house in grade 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZeppFanForever Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 I saw them in 1975 in Vancouver, Canada. Not one note out of place, not one hair out of place. They were dead right on, a great show. Mark Farner was truly amazing! However, I think their Terry Knight days served them best. Their second manager Andrew Cavaliere butchered their image and reduced them to a top 40's singles band with a slick, studio sound. The fans just didn't take them seriously any longer, they weren't the "People's Band" anymore. If you ever find any old film clips of their sold out performance at Shea Stadium in 1971, you won't be disappointed. 100% pure, raw, energy. How's it going "EthernalAirship?" I am a hard core Grand Funk Railroad fan. Have you ever seen the VH-1 Behind The Music on Grand Funk Railroad? I recorded it on tape and I have seen it numeous times. According to the VH-1 Behind The Music, Grand Funk Railroad blew Led Zeppelin off the stage in Miami in 1971! What do all hard core ZEPPELIN fans think of that statement? As hard as it seems to believe, it really did happen. In my opinion, HOW OFTEN DOES ZEPPELIN GET BLOWN OFF THE STAGE? That was probably the only time that ZEPPELIN ever got blown off the stage and it NEVER happened again. ROCK ON! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ally Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 How's it going "EthernalAirship?" I am a hard core Grand Funk Railroad fan. Have you ever seen the VH-1 Behind The Music on Grand Funk Railroad? I recorded it on tape and I have seen it numeous times. According to the VH-1 Behind The Music, Grand Funk Railroad blew Led Zeppelin off the stage in Miami in 1971! What do all hard core ZEPPELIN fans think of that statement? As hard as it seems to believe, it really did happen. In my opinion, HOW OFTEN DOES ZEPPELIN GET BLOWN OFF THE STAGE? That was probably the only time that ZEPPELIN ever got blown off the stage and it NEVER happened again. ROCK ON! Maybe it was another year as Zeppelin didn't tour with anyone in 71. Still, I've heard from many that they were a great live act. Never saw them live myself Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Medhb Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 Hearing Grand Funk Railroad (as they were originally known) will always bring back very, very fond memories for me. I'm from Michigan so maybe they were bigger for us....they were our neighborhood heros. So much of their music stands the test of time. It's so sad that the internal politics between band members took such a toll. Mark Farner lost rights to the name and to me, he was GFW. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EtherealAirship Posted September 30, 2008 Author Share Posted September 30, 2008 According to the VH-1 Behind The Music, Grand Funk Railroad blew Led Zeppelin off the stage in Miami in 1971! Hello ZeppFanForever, Actually I believe the show that Terry Knight and the rest of the band were referring to in the VH-1 special was the October 1969 gig at the Olympia Stadium in Detroit. Grand Funk opened for Zep that night and Peter Grant pulled the plug on their performance before they were finished. The Detroit crowd were going nuts over the local boys from Flint. Knight was standing there rubbing it in, claiming that his band was going to be the next big act. Grant was getting nervous, it was early in their career and he didn't want the press writing a review that claimed that another band blew his band off the stage. Supposedly, Grant ordered Knight to get his band off the stage immediately and when he refused, Grant turned off the power. Terry Knight came out on stage and apologized to the crowd claiming that Led Zeppelin's manager was afraid that his act couldn't follow Grand Funk and everyone booed. I personally have never really cared one way or the other concerning that one gig. I'm a much bigger Zeppelin fan than I am a Grand Funk fan, but I just find it to be very interesting. It's just show-biz, that's all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZeppFanForever Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 Hello ZeppFanForever, Actually I believe the show that Terry Knight and the rest of the band were referring to in the VH-1 special was the October 1969 gig at the Olympia Stadium in Detroit. Grand Funk opened for Zep that night and Peter Grant pulled the plug on their performance before they were finished. The Detroit crowd were going nuts over the local boys from Flint. Knight was standing there rubbing it in, claiming that his band was going to be the next big act. Grant was getting nervous, it was early in their career and he didn't want the press writing a review that claimed that another band blew his band off the stage. Supposedly, Grant ordered Knight to get his band off the stage immediately and when he refused, Grant turned off the power. Terry Knight came out on stage and apologized to the crowd claiming that Led Zeppelin's manager was afraid that his act couldn't follow Grand Funk and everyone booed. I personally have never really cared one way or the other concerning that one gig. I'm a much bigger Zeppelin fan than I am a Grand Funk fan, but I just find it to be very interesting. It's just show-biz, that's all. How's it going "EtherealAirship?" Thanks for the additional info on this subject. VH-1 and Terry Knight really rubbed in how Grand Funk blew Zeppelin off the stage. Like you said, its just show biz! ROCK ON! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JethroTull Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 I was watching some circa 1970/71 GFR on youtube a couple of days ago. Let's face it, that mindless plodding played by a bunch of derelicts could have only been pulled off in the late 60's or early 70's. I enjoyed watching the videos(what does that say about me?? LOL!!), but the music and performance(s) were really pedestrian. They even had a song called T.N.U.C. I mean please...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZeppFanForever Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 I was watching some circa 1970/71 GFR on youtube a couple of days ago. Let's face it, that mindless plodding played by a bunch of derelicts could have only been pulled off in the late 60's or early 70's. I enjoyed watching the videos(what does that say about me?? LOL!!), but the music and performance(s) were really pedestrian. They even had a song called T.N.U.C. I mean please...... How's it going "JethroTull?" I knew only one person that used the term "derelicts" and he lived in Sacramento, California. Do you by any chance live in Sacramento, California? ROCK ON! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danelectro59 Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 Hello ZeppFanForever, Actually I believe the show that Terry Knight and the rest of the band were referring to in the VH-1 special was the October 1969 gig at the Olympia Stadium in Detroit. Grand Funk opened for Zep that night and Peter Grant pulled the plug on their performance before they were finished. The Detroit crowd were going nuts over the local boys from Flint. Knight was standing there rubbing it in, claiming that his band was going to be the next big act. Grant was getting nervous, it was early in their career and he didn't want the press writing a review that claimed that another band blew his band off the stage. Supposedly, Grant ordered Knight to get his band off the stage immediately and when he refused, Grant turned off the power. Terry Knight came out on stage and apologized to the crowd claiming that Led Zeppelin's manager was afraid that his act couldn't follow Grand Funk and everyone booed. I personally have never really cared one way or the other concerning that one gig. I'm a much bigger Zeppelin fan than I am a Grand Funk fan, but I just find it to be very interesting. It's just show-biz, that's all. From what i've heard, that's not quite the way it happened. True, GFR were connecting with the audience and were close to going over their allotted time, so Mr. Grant told Knight to get his band off the stage immediately. When Knight protested, Grant threatened him with bodily harm, as so often happened when Mr. Grant didn't get his way. AFAIK, there was no announcement made from the stage. That wouldn't have been a wise decision for Terry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EtherealAirship Posted September 30, 2008 Author Share Posted September 30, 2008 AFAIK, there was no announcement made from the stage. That wouldn't have been a wise decision for Terry. My sources include: the VH-1 special, Mark Farner's biography, and a last interview with Terry Knight in a classic rock magazine shortly before he was killed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZeppFanForever Posted September 30, 2008 Share Posted September 30, 2008 My sources include: the VH-1 special, Mark Farner's biography, and a last interview with Terry Knight in a classic rock magazine shortly before he was killed. I heard about Terry Knight getting killed, it couldn't have happened to a nicer man. Just think about how badly Terry Knight screwed Grand Funk Railroad. Knight screw GFR real bad. ROCK ON! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danelectro59 Posted October 1, 2008 Share Posted October 1, 2008 My sources include: the VH-1 special, Mark Farner's biography, and a last interview with Terry Knight in a classic rock magazine shortly before he was killed. I saw the VH1 show, but don't recall any mention of making a statement to the audience. It was awhile ago, so maybe that's what TK said. Doesn't mean it's true, though. I just can't see him stepping on Peter Grant's toes and getting away with it. And even harder to believe is that, as good and as high energy as GFRR was, i can't fathom them "blowing Led Zep off the stage" unless they were totally hammered out of their minds. People I remember who went to that show said both bands kicked ass that night. So just on that, I can't give the story any credibility. And I would think no one in the Zep camp would remember, especially Peter Grant, since he's long since passed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EtherealAirship Posted October 1, 2008 Author Share Posted October 1, 2008 I hate to keep dragging this on, but here is a direct quote from Don Brewer from the VH-1 special: "Terry comes up on stage and he announces to the audience you know that Led Zeppelin is afraid to follow Grand Funk, the audience boo boo." Then Terry Knight continues and says: "A riot ensued, they tore the place up inside and the concert wasn't continued." Then Mel Schacher exclaims: "At that point, we said Yup, we blew Zeppelin off the stage, how 'bout that?" (Laughter) Grand Funk was officially kicked off the Zeppelin tour. Find that in any sensationalist Led Zeppelin book out there, you won't find it because they purposely didn't include it. It really doesn't mean anything, it's just show-biz that's all. Grand Funk Railroad grew like a rocket out of control only to fall back down into the earth's gravity and eventually crash and burn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Detroit Dan Posted October 1, 2008 Share Posted October 1, 2008 yes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EtherealAirship Posted October 1, 2008 Author Share Posted October 1, 2008 They need Mark Farner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Medhb Posted October 1, 2008 Share Posted October 1, 2008 They need Mark Farner. I agree, it's not GFR if Mark Farner isn't involved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JethroTull Posted October 1, 2008 Share Posted October 1, 2008 Well, here it is 2008 and the dust has settled. Let's just say Grand Funk Railroad doesn't hold a candle to the likes of Led Zeppelin, Jethro Tull and Abba. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Medhb Posted October 1, 2008 Share Posted October 1, 2008 Well, here it is 2008 and the dust has settled. Let's just say Grand Funk Railroad doesn't hold a candle to the likes of Led Zeppelin, Jethro Tull and Abba. Abba? I assume you are being facetious? Of course I adore Zeppelin and no one holds a candle to them. That said I love Jethro Tull and Grand Funk along with many other bands but....not Abba Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alucard Posted October 2, 2008 Share Posted October 2, 2008 They even had a song called T.N.U.C. I mean please...... Hey, give them a break! That song was mainly a drum solo like Led Zeppelin's MOBY DICK. I mean please..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L 7 Posted October 2, 2008 Share Posted October 2, 2008 The Red Album is a classic. One of the best recordings of the rock era. Many scientist believe the back background radiation detected in the heavens is the echo from the Big Bang. I think its the shock wave reverberations from the Red Album radiating through the Universe at the speed of light. It will catch up to Voyager soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JethroTull Posted October 3, 2008 Share Posted October 3, 2008 Hey, give them a break! That song was mainly a drum solo like Led Zeppelin's MOBY DICK. I mean please..... You totally missed my point. I don't care about the actual song. Did they really need to spell that word backwards? I mean please. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alucard Posted October 4, 2008 Share Posted October 4, 2008 You totally missed my point. I don't care about the actual song. Did they really need to spell that word backwards? I mean please. You're right, I missed that. I imagine they DID have to spell it backward and put periods in, as per their record label, wouldn't ya think? I saw the original Grand Funk reunited in the 90s and they were excellent. For sure my favorite was Closer to Home, Sin's a good man's brother, Aimless Lady, Nothing is the same etc. Survival and E Pluribus Funk had some good songs too, besides their earliest LP's. I thought their live album from 1970 was rather weak in production, one I didn't have, but most of my friends did so I didn't miss out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTM Posted October 4, 2008 Share Posted October 4, 2008 Liked their cover version of the Stones Gimme Shelter... but the rest of their stuff....nah, not for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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