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[RickFunkDC]

MY SUGESTION for GFR is After this year's tour, thank Max and Bruce for 6 good years and then give them the pink slip, There excellent musicians (and I think the 4 new songs are great), But this band is going nowhere, NO new recording (NO EP, NOE CD), No LIVE CD/DVD, and now playing smaller and smaller events and less shows. Mark too is languishing, He is going nowhere;  Get together; Make up; and GET MARK BACK. And get back to the arenas DAM IT!!!!!!! There I said it!!!!!!!

[RickFunkDC]

MY SUGESTION for GFR is After this year's tour, thank Max and Bruce for 6 good years and then give them the pink slip, There excellent musicians (and I think the 4 new songs are great), But this band is going nowhere, NO new recording (NO EP, NOE CD), No LIVE CD/DVD, and now playing smaller and smaller events and less shows. Mark too is languishing, He is going nowhere;  Get together; Make up; and GET MARK BACK. And get back to the arenas DAM IT!!!!!!! There I said it!!!!!!!

And Keep TIM.

[Tamara]

MY SUGESTION for GFR is After this year's tour, thank Max and Bruce for 6 good years and then give them the pink slip, There excellent musicians (and I think the 4 new songs are great), But this band is going nowhere, NO new recording (NO EP, NOE CD), No LIVE CD/DVD, and now playing smaller and smaller events and less shows. Mark too is languishing, He is going nowhere;  Get together; Make up; and GET MARK BACK. And get back to the arenas DAM IT!!!!!!! There I said it!!!!!!!

It is extremely disappointing, to say the least, that the new GFR seems intent to not record anything.  This is especially true in an era where self-publishing of CDs is extremely common. 

I'm not sure about the Mark suggestion, though.  Quite honestly, since he and GFR have been fighting rather viciously in federal court, I don't see it happening, now or ever.

[jmaijala]

Never say never....say, that would make a great movie title ...Frankly, I'm sure if enough cash was dangled in front of everyone I'm sure they could hold their collective noses and put on one hell of a tour and make a push for their "Well deserved and Overdue" induction into the RRHOF. 

I seem to recall one of the interviews of Mark in the last two years and when the question of a re-re-reunion was posed he said something along the never say never way.

I too am bored with the NGFR.  I saw them last fall and they were the middle part of a three part show.  The legacy of Grand Funk deserves better. 

In a related story.  No one thought that the original KISS would get back together, but they did and look at the run they have had.  Interestingly, Bruce got the heave ho on that one too .

Maybe if roadkill starts up the cause it might happen. 

Jim Maijala

[Ramatam]

  Rick..Agree 100%..This nGFR band is borderline just plain bad!
 It's obvious to me that Don and Mel are just in it for the $$$'s.
 They are ruining the legacy of Grand Funk with Max and Bruce.
  Together, they don't come close to the talent of Mark. But father time is ticking very loud now..not much time left...Only can hope...Jim Wright

[Tamara]

Just to be clear .... I wouldn't go so far as to say nGFR is bad, or that Max and Bruce lack talent, or that they're damaging GFR's legacy.  Quite the contrary, in fact.  Bear in mind, I haven't seen them in several years but, the three times I did see nGFR since they formed, I thought they put on a great show and it was obvious from the crowd reaction that others there thought the same.

[RickFunkDC]

  Rick..Agree 100%..This nGFR band is borderline just plain bad!
 It's obvious to me that Don and Mel are just in it for the $$$'s.
 They are ruining the legacy of Grand Funk with Max and Bruce.
  Together, they don't come close to the talent of Mark. But father time is ticking very loud now..not much time left...Only can hope...Jim Wright

I am not saying there bad (kulick is a guitar god and Max is a fine singer), its just going nowhere, same with Mark and NRG, Both sould Say; thank you guys; its time for Mark, Don and Mel again. I could enjoy both bands the way it is, BUT I am thinking about the legacy of GFR and the welfare of Mark, Don and Mel. The Best decision for this time would be to reform as the original three amigos. There are a lot of venues out there for them, first off we need a full length DVD of GFR material and that could be the product to tour. To start,

Rick DC

Rick

[Oktay]

I saw new GFR several times. Of course I been exited to meet Don, Mel and Dena in person and hug my heroes. But music itself was not so exiting – I would rather listen Bosnia or other live records with Mark, Don and Mel. Even if new GFR makes new CD or DVD it will be total flop. Guy just run out of ideas - I think they understand that and that’s why they do not do new CDs, they are not stupid. I would do the same. Mark with his band is a perfect example. Of course Mark rocks on the concert, but he is the soul of GFR. His band does not play as well as Don and Mel, but soul is there. But still Mark has no new ideas since late 70s and all his solo albums were irrelevant. Mark, Don and Mel reunited and it was success judging from Bosnia and other live records of 90s. But still they did not create new music and they made good judgment not to produce new mediocre album. All GFR albums with original members I know including Bosnia are excellent albums and they better keep it as it is.

Rick, nice to hear from you again.

[HookedOnFunk]

I agree that the current lineup seems intent on going nowhere. I don't buy the excuses for not putting out a new cd. I HIGHLY disagree that the new lineup is "bad". I think they are fantastic and the casual fan that doesn't have all the baggage we have seems to agree from what I've seen at the many shows I've been to over the past 6 years. The new songs they've played at the shows are great. Far superior to the 3 "new" songs the original lineup put on the TYOF cd. Those were just downright awful IMHO. As for Mark getting back in the band, I very seriously doubt we will ever see that again. Stranger things have happened, I guess, but not many.

[Ramatam]

  This new line-up is Fantastic????WOW! Not even close..Mark,Don & Mel
were fantastic. I have a CD from one of nGFR's live show's from about a year ago. It was taken right from the soundboard where they "highlight"
 Max's voice. Not Good. Almost like Linda McCartney singing backround
on Hey Jude. Maybe he was just having a bad day. This band is almost like a Grand Funk tribute band. Don & Mel are awesome but they surrounded themselves with 2 guys that don't work in the GFRR
scheme of things. IMHO.....Jim Wright

[Oktay]

Actually I do not know if original line up will work this time. I have last reunion live recordings just before they broke and it does not sound as true GFR even though Mark is there. There simply is no enthusiasm and it shows that guys are not happy with each other. True GFR probably now is only the memory (but not for - I never been on their concert). There has too much damage been done.

BTW Rush is coming to the town (Mountain View, CA). Those were phenomenal musicians and virtuoso players. Is anybody going to concert? Of course I am not sure if they play as good as in past.

[southeastfunk]

I agree that the current lineup seems intent on going nowhere. I don't buy the excuses for not putting out a new cd. I HIGHLY disagree that the new lineup is "bad". I think they are fantastic and the casual fan that doesn't have all the baggage we have seems to agree from what I've seen at the many shows I've been to over the past 6 years. The new songs they've played at the shows are great. Far superior to the 3 "new" songs the original lineup put on the TYOF cd. Those were just downright awful IMHO. As for Mark getting back in the band, I very seriously doubt we will ever see that again. Stranger things have happened, I guess, but not many.

C'mon Jim, I still have a copy of your review of 30 Years of Funk and you were very complimentary of the "new" stuff.  "Pay Attention To Me" in my opinion ranks up there with the early GFR stuff, it is that good.

[southeastfunk]

Lynn & I saw Chicago last weekend.  Excellent show, but................only two of the original members were onstage. 

[HookedOnFunk]

There are 4 original members in Chicago. My understanding is that Jimmy Pankow and Walt Parazaider have "temporary" replacements for some of this year's shows. They are still in the band. The way I understand it, they do some of the shows and some they don't. Last year, Pankow had to miss part of the tour due to rotator cuff surgery. Too many years of jerking trombone slides around I guess. Could be the shoulder can't hold up too many shows in a row. Not sure what's up with Walt but I've heard he's had some health problems. Lest we forget, all 4 of these guys are in their 60's now. I'm sure they do what they can. The replacements are VERY good, though. Nick Lane is the sub for Pankow and I saw a show last year with him playing. Amazing horn player. Larry Klimas is Walt's sub. I haven't heard him live but saw a video with him and he's very good also.

[Randy]

Just my opinion here, folks. But I think the biggest danger of damaging GFR's legacy would be if Mark, Don, & Mel DID try to play together again. Given the animosity between the 3 former amigos, the potential for bad far outweighs the potential for good. Don and Mel (from everything I've heard) love playing with Max, Bruce, & Tim. Mark clearly loves playing with his band. Maybe that's the way it's supposed to be.

GFR's legacy will always be in the recordings and captured live performances of the finest power trio that ever graced a stage. I'd hate to see it be further tarnished by more infighting.
JMHO.