From: owner-grand-funk To: grand-funk-digest Subject: grand-funk-digest V1 #44 Reply-To: grand-funk@roadkill.com Errors-To: owner-grand-funk Precedence: bulk grand-funk-digest Monday, 28 April 1997 Volume 01 : Number 044 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Twin123185@aol.com Date: Sat, 26 Apr 1997 18:57:18 -0400 (EDT) Subject: Beacon Incredible show, made me feel 15 (1972) again. Larry ------------------------------ From: Bass6plyr@aol.com Date: Sat, 26 Apr 1997 19:53:34 -0400 (EDT) Subject: Re: Beacon This show must have been so good that it left everyone speechless! Where are all the posts? How long did they play for? What song did they open with? Did Leslie West perform with the group? Inquiring funkin minds want to know! :-) Paul Bass6plyr@aol.com ------------------------------ From: Bugsy41157@aol.com Date: Sat, 26 Apr 1997 20:38:15 -0400 (EDT) Subject: Beacon Hey Funkers/Funkettes, Wow... I mean friggin' wow...sorry, but I need more time to put into words what I experienced. Bugsy....Alrighta! ------------------------------ From: Twin123185@aol.com Date: Sat, 26 Apr 1997 22:12:52 -0400 (EDT) Subject: Re: Beacon No particular order, he we go Footstompin' Music Rock and Roll Soul Paranoid/Sin's a Good../Mr Limo Driver Time Machine (w/ Leslie West) T.N.U.C. Inside Looking Out Shinin' On Aimless Lady Locomotion (w/ Leslie West) We're An American Band Orchestral Medley Mean Mistreater To Get Back In Bad Time I'm Your Captain Lonliness If I forgot anything my apologies. They sounded EXACTLY as they did for the Caught in the Act tour. Amazing !! Larry ------------------------------ From: jgiranda@monmouth.com Date: Sat, 26 Apr 1997 22:20:28 -0400 Subject: Re: Beacon Bugsy41157@aol.com wrote: > > Hey Funkers/Funkettes, > > Wow... I mean friggin' wow...sorry, but I need more time to put into words > what I experienced. > > Bugsy....Alrighta! Bugsy: I know what you mean. Even though we saw GFR twice last year..this show was just too much. I had so much friggin' energy today that I spent all afternoon cleaning out my entire two car garage while listening to funk at loud volumes playing on my portable boom box. I can't describe how I feel...seeing the guys have so much fun...it's just amazing. It was great meeting everybody at the Westside Brewery!!! I need more live funk!!!! Jim Giranda ------------------------------ From: WHIRLEGREG@aol.com Date: Sun, 27 Apr 1997 01:05:00 -0400 (EDT) Subject: Re: Tonight's the Night guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! it was awesome!!!! and do i ever have some stories to tell but first i need rest ttysunday am!! cheerio greg ------------------------------ From: WHIRLEGREG@aol.com Date: Sun, 27 Apr 1997 01:10:34 -0400 (EDT) Subject: Re: Beacon hi jim yes indeed it was great to meet so many awesome funkheads!! but just my .02 before i sleep and that is that they played bad time in detroit so the ONLY difference was that they didnt open with are you ready which the plan was to cut that in order to add gimme shelter for a second encore and this morning when jim and tyson (wait til you hear about his tales!) and i spoke briefly with mark he was runnin on empty by shows end since rehearsals had run from 1pm til 6pm!!!!! much more to come ciao 4 now! g ------------------------------ From: MS21@ix.netcom.com Date: Sun, 27 Apr 1997 01:04:49 -0500 (CDT) Subject: Beacon Funkheads, Just to say I had a great time with meeting everyone at my first GFR concert. Mick and Phil, thanks for telling us (brother Wayne and me) about meeting at the WestSide. Same to Row K Al. Hope your brother (having trouble remembering names) likes his GFR Red T-Shirt ($10 bucks man). And hi to the gang from Rochester who had the GFR shirts (how was the Thai food?). Jim and Greg, thanks for the tips and all the info on GFR. The show was great, great, great. Mark and Don were really on. Favorites were Heartbreaker, Inside Looking Out, and Closer To Home, to name a few. Wish they could have played forever. I thought the sound sytem could have been better and tighter. Drums had a great punch, but I wish the bass had more punch. Couldn't really hear the sax or the orchestra much. Hey, who's complaining. This was my best concert experience ever. Thanks of course to Mark, Don and Mel. It's late. Gotta go. Mark ------------------------------ From: theo kooyers Date: Sun, 27 Apr 1997 19:20:17 +0200 Subject: new email adress HI, my new email adress is indiv@pi.net theo kooyers ------------------------------ From: theo kooyers Date: Sun, 27 Apr 1997 19:20:17 +0200 Subject: new email adress HI, my new email adress is indiv@pi.net theo kooyers ------------------------------ From: "mike feldt" Date: Sun, 27 Apr 1997 13:19:39 PDT Subject: GFR on the tube Good news gang, the wife was watching a movie on the family channel and on comes a commercial for The Home and Family T.V. program. Guess who is the guest on Thursday May 1... Grand Funk Railroad!!! I checked in the T.V. guide and the show airs at 2pm Mountain time. Mike in Montana Down my country road... - --------------------------------------------------------- Get Your *Web-Based* Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com - --------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ From: EfahsT@aol.com Date: Sun, 27 Apr 1997 16:42:59 -0400 (EDT) Subject: Re: GFR on the tube In a message dated 97-04-27 16:21:27 EDT, feldtm@hotmail.com (mike feldt) writes: << Good news gang, the wife was watching a movie on the family channel and on comes a commercial for The Home and Family T.V. program. Guess who is the guest on Thursday May 1... Grand Funk Railroad!!! I checked in the T.V. guide and the show airs at 2pm Mountain time. Mike in Montana >> Family channel has a web site at http://familychannel.com, but their schedule is for May is not online yet. Anyway, great going, Mike! Where would be without this internet mailing list? Man, I bet whoever invented the internet and the world wibe web was a Grand Funk fan. What other purpose does it serve so efficiently? Right? And where the heck are the people putting our band on the air waves? Why do we have to stumble on these broadcasts to find them? You would think they would give us the word FIRST (Sunny!). ------------------------------ From: thesonics@earthlink.net (Jay Siekierski) Date: Sun, 27 Apr 1997 14:26:17 -0700 (PDT) Subject: GFR in S.F. CA./Poland? Jayola here; does anyone have a clue if the Funk will have a date in S.F. California or in Poland? Jayola p.s. If you have not signed the guestbook supporting the Funk...please do so now with Name/State/State or Country in comments box. Capitol & MCA are viewing it! The Sonics:The All Music Site! Drifting & Closer To Home. Music Editor: Jay'Sonics'Siekierski http://home.earthlink.net/~thesonics/ ------------------------------ From: "Rex D. Hutto" Date: Sun, 27 Apr 1997 18:46:00 -0500 Subject: RE: GFR on the tube It's true! Take a look at http://www.homeandfamily.com/comingup.html. = Can't imagine why they'd be on that particular show, but I'm psyched = anyway. Problem is, our local cable company doesn't carry the Family = Channel. I've talked to them about it, but they still won't. I'll have = to find someone on another system to tape it for me. Spread the word! - -----Original Message----- From: EfahsT@aol.com [SMTP:EfahsT@aol.com] Sent: Sunday, April 27, 1997 3:43 PM To: grand-funk@roadkill.com Subject: Re: GFR on the tube In a message dated 97-04-27 16:21:27 EDT, feldtm@hotmail.com (mike = feldt) writes: << Good news gang, the wife was watching a movie on the family channel = and on comes a commercial for The Home and Family T.V. program. Guess who is = the guest on Thursday May 1... Grand Funk Railroad!!! I checked in the T.V. = guide and the show airs at 2pm Mountain time. =20 Mike in Montana >> Family channel has a web site at http://familychannel.com, but their schedule is for May is not online yet. =20 ------------------------------ From: "Michael Catalano" Date: Mon, 28 Apr 97 6:00:17 EDT Subject: Re: Beacon Hang in there everyone, I'm compiling the review now. I'll post soon! (It's worth the wait, trust me on this one!) Mick (and Phil) - ------------- Original Text From: Bass6plyr@aol.com, on 4/26/97 7:53 PM: This show must have been so good that it left everyone speechless! Where are all the posts? How long did they play for? What song did they open with? Did Leslie West perform with the group? Inquiring funkin minds want to know! :-) Paul Bass6plyr@aol.com ------------------------------ From: Al Henneborn 595-6669 Date: Mon, 28 Apr 1997 08:32:00 -0400 (EDT) Subject: Beacon Before I discuss the show, I just want to say that Funk fans are the best. All the people who met at the West Side Brewery were great. The West side Brewery played "Caught In The Act" for us while we were there also. The Funk fans I met at the show were great also. What a show!!!! They rocked!!!! Great crowd reaction. My row K seats were great. The guy sitting in front of me got his tix from the guy who owns the Beacon, so I did pretty good with my club seats. From where I sat, the sound was great. Loved the orchestra. Mark, Don & Mel were awesome. TNUC solo unbelievable. I loved the part of the solo where Don tossed his stick 8 stories high, and the crowd went ape poop when he caught the stick, I think on his 3rd try (he was probably playing with us). Farner's guitar sounded great. Mel looked & sounded great. Some disappointments: For some of the songs the crowd sat, they should have been standing for the whole show. A second encore would have been great (I'm greedy). I didn't get an after the show pass to get my Grandfunkengroovin' tee autographed like the Cat Bro's did. Since these are my only disappointments, it tells you what kind of show it was. I was totally ragging on Q104 FM who hosted the show for their lack of promotion and not playing Funk music at their station. After the show I met Sunny Quinn and we chatted briefly. Great lady. I also met Alto Reed Bob Seger's sax player in his limo after the show. Nice guy. I tried to get an autograph as they were comin' out from the stage door to the limo but forget it, too big of a crowd. Bottom line: I want to go to The Greek this Friday!!!!!!! The last time I sign off as, Row K Al ------------------------------ From: "Michael Catalano" Date: Mon, 28 Apr 97 5:47:33 EDT Subject: MCat & PCat GFR Beacon Report Note: those of you that want to cut right to the chase, scroll down to The Good Stuff Others can let the tension build.... PCat Travel Update IV Phil finally caught that red-eye and arrived at Newark at 06:00 am Friday morning. At this point he's already been up for 24 hrs. But that doesn't matter we're going to see Grand Funk, right? It all works out in the end (I promise). To The City 11:40 We took the LIRR to the city and headed to the Hitlon to trade Mike Adair a Funkengrueven and a GMA tape for two of his homebrewed Spotted Dog stouts. Steelhorse was in town for a seminar. Personnaly, I couldn't fathom being in NYC on the same day GFR was playing without tickets to the show. Miked lived in his own personal hell. He even went to the Beacon the night before to further torture himself. Westside Brewery 13:30 Arrived at the Westside and immediately prepped the management as to what would soon transpire. They reserved two tables for roadkills. After a few brews and sometime after 15:00, one Bugsy Alrighta struts in (finally found out what that "Alrighta" means; and yes it is Funk related; try and guess!) Let the party begin. Bugman immediately gets his Funkengruevan and starts in on Funktalk. Soon after, Mauro Colace arrived. He's a fellow roadkill in from Italy for the show. Black leather jacket, red GRAND FUNK RAILROAD lettering. Soon after, Jim Garanda and his wife Liz arrived. Talk about dedicated people, this was they're 10th wedding anniversary and they would be spending it with roadkill and GFR. The beers flowed down and more roadkills flowed in. It wasn't difficult for people to recognize us The CAT hat -- Funkengrueven Ts really worked. By now we were about 24 strong with the noise level rising. Here's a list of the some--most of the people that I can account for (if I didn't list you here, please don't be upset -- just add an addendum): Row K Al Henneborn Ken Goviea Brian Bugsy Butler <41157@aol.com> Jay Funk and Marty Jim Lichtenberg Mauro Colace Jim and Liz Garanda Steve Mark and Wayne Jim and Steve John Phillips Bobby and Nancy Greg Wereley Jim Calacia Plus a pile of friends from my old neighborhood crowd Greg and Jim C. stolled in to tell us how the sound check went. These two guys were blowing are minds and raising the blood pressure of those in earshot. The joint was jumping! People wanted to hear Grand Funk and hear it NOW! I think Bobby went up to the bartender and made the request. Within a minute Caught in the Act started and we were all singing and air--guitaring to Footstompin' Music. This was turning out to be quite a party. The problem was it was time to leave. If nothing else happened, I had one of the best times in my life, partying down with fellow funkers. All possible through roadkill To the Beacon A few groups of us started to walk the two-and-a-half blocks to the Beacon. As we rounded the corner onto Broadway the marquee was plain to see: GRAND FUNK RAILROAD in red letters aginst the white background. Security took my ticket and frisked my bag and then I was in. Immediately I saw the tour T shirts and hat. The foyer was packed with fans. Soon the doors opened and we poured into the orchestra seating area. Phil and I found our to the seats and then went right up to the stage to check out the setup. We found Bobby right up front in the second row, just right of center!!!! (I thought of Jim Malaija's seats at Vegas! These were "sweaters", man!) Equipment Farner was using dual Marshall heads with Peavey stack bottoms. I couldn't tell what Mel was using. And embarrisingly enough I couldn't make out Brewer's drums. The harware just didn't look familiar. I'm not even sure it was the same set as GMA. He had double rack and double floor toms with his standard three-cymbal setup. Mark had a keyboard setup on the right for (I assumed) Footstompin'. The orchestra was setup behind the band. Q104 Boneheads As the lights dimmed and the hysteria climbed the "Classic Rock Radio" sponsers of the show took the stage introducing themselves to the audience. "What a farce, a hoax." I thought. These idiots don't know who Grand Funk Railroad are nor do they play their music. We all endured this nonsense. More on this subject later. The Show Begins The orchestra started with 2001 (common title) as the boys walked onto the stage. We went nuts. Springing to our feet,yelling, cheering 3000 plus fans roared in approval. Getting a tip before the show I knew they weren't going to open with Are You Ready as they did in Auburn Hills. True to the tip Brewer counted out and the boys went into Footstompin' Music. The first set songlist differed in order from the Detroit show and Are You Ready was eliminated. Songlist: Footstompin' Music Rock and Roll Soul Medley: Paranoid -- Sin's a Good Man's Brother -- Mr. Limo Driver Time Machine Heartbreaker Aimless Lady TNUC Inside Lookin' Out Shinin' On Locomotion American Band Intermission Orchestra Medley: American Band -- Locomotion -- Badtime Mean Mistreater Some Kind of Wonderful To Get Back In Bad Time I'm Your Captain Encore: Loneliness Curiously (to me) no selectons from Survival were played. It was rumored (from a reliable source) before the show that they would do Gimme Shelter, but it never happened. I've never heard Mark's guitar sound better (and I've seen him use at least five types). He definately loosened my molars during Inside Lookin' Out. Paranoid was absent of my all-time favorite lead run, but nonetheless it was great to see the original three playing it. Brewer did the stick-toss thing and missed three-of-four. He took it in stride though, had us all laughing as he snapped his fingers saying "Damn" (or at least thinking it!) after he missed.The overall sound where we sat was not that good; very muddled. We spoke with an aquaintance at the soundboard about this during intermission. He said it sounded great from where he was. I do think they adjusted it for the second set. An interesting tidbit from Jim Calacia, who saw them in Auburn Hills, he said that the Beacon show was much better. Farner was all over the place, the boys seemed more relaxed. They didn't have "cameras in their faces" and "weren't under as much pressure because of the recordings". Special Guests Leslie West and Alto Reed were the guest players and Paul Schaefer conducted the 32 piece orchestra. West played during Time Machine and Locomotion while Reed jammed on Aimless Lady, Locomotion and Loneliness. The Bosnian Ambassador presented awards to the boys in the band and their special guests during the intermission. The Good Stuff Acting on a tip, Phil and I went to the soundboard area during the intermission. As we waited to chat with an aquaintance a woman steps up behind us and says, "Hi, I'm Deanna Schacher, Mel's wife." Phil and I looked at each other in bewilderment. We had a short conversation explaining that we were representing the Internet fan club. Deanna chimed right in saying that she knew about this. I told her that I saw one of her posts. She asked," Do you know how we (her and Mel) found out about all this online stuff?" And answered her own question, "Our son is a computer nut. He found all this stuff and showed it to us." (Yeah! They know we're out there.) We also asked if Sunny was here and she said, "Yes, she's the pretty blonde dressed in white, you can't miss her." Our conversation was cut short by an interruption. So we waited at the soundboard in hopes of "something". Well the wait payed off. A GFR employee approached us and verified our ID. Yep, we were Mick and Phil, the CAT Bros. Well, this dude outstretches his hand and places two back stage passes in my hand and says, "This is how this is gonna work. After the show hang out in that area over there (pointing). When everyone else is gone the boys are gonna come out and meet everyone that has these passes." What do you reply with after being handed backstage passes to a GFR show? I think we both uttered, "Thanks man, thanks" in a state of shock. Not wanting to draw too much attention we stuffed the passes in our pockets and tranced our way back to our seats. Slapping and pinching ourselves we asked, "Is this realy gonna happen?" We would have to wait and see. The show ended and the crowd started to thin. I spotted Row K Al talking to Sunny Quinn. Phil and I headed right over. Al introduced me and (remarkably) she knew who I was. Then she asked if Phil was here (BY NAME). So now Phil was in the conversation. So far we met Deanna Schacher and Sunny Quinn, not bad. Security started herding all non-pass holders out the door (some more verbally than others). This was the point where Row K found out we had passes. Do I need to explain how he felt? OK, I won't rub it in, but poor Al had to leave. So now all us VIPs were left and told to sit in a certain area. David Fishoff (I assumed) told us how the boys would come out and work their way row by row from front to back. Sitting right in front of me were those two guys who bought those auction tickets for $1400 and $1350. The station producer was telling them how this whole thing was going to go, pictures autographs and such. Along with us in the room were two other roadkills: Jay Funk and Mauro from Italy. Somehow they too were blessed with passes (unbeknownst to Phil and I). In total we estimated about 100 people including some media types and "possible friends of the band". About a half hour passed when Mark, Don and Mel walked into the room. This was indeed, truly, happening. "All my life I have been waiting, then you turn me on. Now they'll be no hesitating. " I'm gonna meet Grand Funk!!! The boys worked their way through the crowd shaking hands and signing all kinds of stuff. I saw someone with their Survival album pictures, a few guitars and of course T shirts. Our turn finally came and Donnie was our first funkman. I said, "Hi Don, we're Mick and Phil and we represent your "online" fan club." He replied, "Oh yeah, I know about that. I've been on it a few times reading stuff." (Again, they know we're out here!) So Phil says, "We're the guys who asked you about the trivia question we wanted to post." (nothing like having the correct answer BEFORE you post and Bill From New Jersey kicks your butt!) Donnie says, "Oh yeah, the drum setup thing, I remember." Wow, he actually remembered! Don signed my shirt first and then Phil's. While Phil was being inked I snapped a picture. Thanks to Mike Butler's suggestion on how to get a camera into a theatre I had my camera all ready to shoot. Next, we worked our way over to Mel. As I introduced myself, Fishoff points at me and says, "Mel, he's the last one." Mel looks at me and says, "I guess you're the last one." Of course I replied that's OK by me!" As he signed my shirt I told him about roadkill and he said he knew about it. Now that's two out of three! Phil wasn't as lucky, he missed Mel by inches and seconds. We had to get to Mark because this session was almost over. I finally got up to him and introduced myself in the same fashion: roadkill online fan club. Again, a pleasent surprise -- He also knew about this Internet stuff. Mark gladly signed my back. I thanked him, told him how great they were and said, "See you in LA." He replied, "Yeah." then "Yeah?" And I said, "Yup, we'll be in LA next week!" Mark acknowledged with a wink and a underhand air jab exclaiming "Alright!" Mark definately said, "Alright". Phil weaseled his way in for a quick scribing before the boys were wisked away. So there we stood looking at each other trying to understand what just happened. We said, "Let's worry about that tomorrow we've got an after show party to find." Acting on another piece of inside info we sought out the Empire hotel where the boys were staying. Upon arrival we asked the attendant if they could get us in contact with our "connection". She rang up the room and handed me the phone. What would I say if someone picked up? -- It's me and Phil, can we come to your party? Well no one ever answered. We got there before anyone else. We ended up across the street at Houlihan's in eye sight of the Hotel. Nothing happened for 40 minutes. Phil had been up almost 48 by this time and I, myself, 24. It was time. We conceded and headed back to the train station. What a Funkin' night!!!! Special Thanks to all our roadkill buddies especially Greg and Jim. Oh, and gotta thank that turtle too! In closing it was worth all the hype, the waiting. everything...they're the best band we ever saw..even after 22 years!!! Keep it Rockin' Mick and Phil ------------------------------ From: Stan Pace Date: Mon, 28 Apr 1997 10:51:00 -0400 Subject: Re: MCat & PCat GFR Beacon Report Mick and Phil, You guys must have been blessed by "The Man Upstairs" himself!!! It's absolutely outstanding to think that the "guys and their significant others" are paying any attention to our little "family". To find out that they have some interest in our e-mail is awesome. If your e-mail isn't proof enough that this is truly "the people's band", then I can't imagine what else it would take. I guess I should order those special T-shirts just in case Virginia Beach shows up on the tour list this summer. . . I'm so envious I could almost scream! Sure makes a Monday morning better. Peace, Stan At 05:47 4/28/97 EDT, you wrote: >Note: those of you that want to cut right to the chase, scroll down to The >Good Stuff Others can let the tension build.... > >PCat Travel Update IV Phil finally caught that red-eye and arrived at >Newark at 06:00 am Friday morning. At this point he's already been up for >24 hrs. But that doesn't matter we're going to see Grand Funk, right? It >all works out in the end (I promise). > >To The City 11:40 We took the LIRR to the city and headed to the Hitlon to >trade Mike Adair a Funkengrueven and a GMA tape for >two of his homebrewed Spotted Dog stouts. Steelhorse was in town for a >seminar. Personnaly, I couldn't fathom being in NYC on the same day GFR >was playing without tickets to the show. Miked lived in his own personal >hell. He even went to the Beacon the night before to further torture >himself. > >Westside Brewery 13:30 Arrived at the Westside and immediately prepped the >management as to what would soon transpire. They reserved two tables for >roadkills. After a few brews and sometime after 15:00, one Bugsy Alrighta >struts in (finally found out what that "Alrighta" means; and yes it is Funk >related; try and guess!) Let the party begin. Bugman immediately gets his >Funkengruevan and starts in on Funktalk. Soon after, Mauro Colace arrived. > He's a fellow roadkill in from Italy for the show. Black leather jacket, >red GRAND FUNK RAILROAD lettering. Soon after, Jim Garanda and his wife >Liz arrived. Talk about dedicated people, this was they're 10th wedding >anniversary and they would be spending it with roadkill and GFR. > >The beers flowed down and more roadkills flowed in. It wasn't difficult >for people to recognize us The CAT hat -- Funkengrueven Ts really worked. >By now we were about 24 strong with the noise level rising. >Here's a list of the some--most of the people that I can account for (if I >didn't list you here, please don't be upset -- just add an addendum): >Row K Al Henneborn >Ken Goviea >Brian Bugsy Butler <41157@aol.com> >Jay Funk and Marty >Jim Lichtenberg >Mauro Colace >Jim and Liz Garanda >Steve >Mark and Wayne >Jim and Steve >John Phillips >Bobby and Nancy >Greg Wereley >Jim Calacia >Plus a pile of friends from my old neighborhood crowd > >Greg and Jim C. stolled in to tell us how the sound check went. These two >guys were blowing are minds and raising the blood pressure of those in >earshot. The joint was jumping! People wanted to hear Grand Funk and hear >it NOW! I think Bobby went up to the bartender and made the request. >Within a minute Caught in the Act started and we were all singing and >air--guitaring to Footstompin' Music. This was turning out to be quite a >party. The problem was it was time to leave. If nothing else happened, I >had one of the best times in my life, partying down with fellow funkers. >All possible through roadkill > >To the Beacon A few groups of us started to walk the two-and-a-half blocks >to the Beacon. As we rounded the corner onto Broadway the marquee was >plain to see: GRAND FUNK RAILROAD in red letters aginst the white >background. Security took my ticket and frisked my bag and then I was in. >Immediately I saw the tour T shirts and hat. The foyer was packed with >fans. Soon the doors opened and we poured into the orchestra seating area. > Phil and I found our to the seats and then went right up to the stage to >check out the setup. We found Bobby right up front in the second row, just >right of center!!!! (I thought of Jim Malaija's seats at Vegas! These were >"sweaters", man!) > >Equipment Farner was using dual Marshall heads with Peavey stack bottoms. >I couldn't tell what Mel was using. And embarrisingly enough I couldn't >make out Brewer's drums. The harware just didn't look familiar. I'm not >even sure it was the same set as GMA. He had double rack and double floor >toms with his standard three-cymbal setup. Mark had a keyboard setup on >the right for (I assumed) Footstompin'. The orchestra was setup behind the >band. > >Q104 Boneheads As the lights dimmed and the hysteria climbed the "Classic >Rock Radio" sponsers of the show took the stage introducing themselves to >the audience. "What a farce, a hoax." I thought. These idiots don't know >who Grand Funk Railroad are nor do they play their music. We all endured >this nonsense. More on this subject later. > >The Show Begins The orchestra started with 2001 (common title) as the boys >walked onto the stage. We went nuts. Springing to our feet,yelling, >cheering 3000 plus fans roared in approval. Getting a tip before the show >I knew they weren't going to open with Are You Ready as they did in Auburn >Hills. True to the tip Brewer counted out and the boys went into >Footstompin' Music. The first set songlist differed in order from the >Detroit show and Are You Ready was eliminated. > >Songlist: >Footstompin' Music >Rock and Roll Soul >Medley: Paranoid -- Sin's a Good Man's Brother -- Mr. Limo Driver >Time Machine >Heartbreaker >Aimless Lady >TNUC >Inside Lookin' Out >Shinin' On >Locomotion >American Band > >Intermission > >Orchestra Medley: American Band -- Locomotion -- Badtime >Mean Mistreater >Some Kind of Wonderful >To Get Back In >Bad Time >I'm Your Captain > >Encore: Loneliness > >Curiously (to me) no selectons from Survival were played. It was rumored >(from a reliable source) before the show that they would do Gimme Shelter, >but it never happened. I've never heard Mark's guitar sound better (and >I've seen him use at least five types). He definately loosened my molars >during Inside Lookin' Out. Paranoid was absent of my all-time favorite >lead run, but nonetheless it was great to see the original three playing >it. Brewer did the stick-toss thing and missed three-of-four. He took it >in stride though, had us all laughing as he snapped his fingers saying >"Damn" (or at least thinking it!) after he missed.The overall sound where >we sat was not that good; very muddled. We spoke with an aquaintance at >the soundboard about this during intermission. He said it sounded great >from where he was. I do think they adjusted it for the second set. > >An interesting tidbit from Jim Calacia, who saw them in Auburn Hills, he >said that the Beacon show was much better. Farner was all over the place, >the boys seemed more relaxed. They didn't have "cameras in their faces" >and "weren't under as much pressure because of the recordings". > >Special Guests Leslie West and Alto Reed were the guest players and Paul >Schaefer conducted the 32 piece orchestra. West played during Time Machine >and Locomotion while Reed jammed on Aimless Lady, Locomotion and >Loneliness. The Bosnian Ambassador presented awards to the boys in the >band and their special guests during the intermission. > >The Good Stuff Acting on a tip, Phil and I went to the soundboard area >during the intermission. As we waited to chat with an aquaintance a woman >steps up behind us and says, "Hi, I'm Deanna Schacher, Mel's wife." Phil >and I looked at each other in bewilderment. We had a short conversation >explaining that we were representing the Internet fan club. Deanna chimed >right in saying that she knew about this. I told her that I saw one of her >posts. She asked," Do you know how we (her and Mel) found out about all >this online stuff?" And answered her own question, "Our son is a computer >nut. He found all this stuff and showed it to us." (Yeah! They know we're >out there.) We also asked if Sunny was here and she said, "Yes, she's the >pretty blonde dressed in white, you can't miss her." Our conversation was >cut short by an interruption. So we waited at the soundboard in hopes of >"something". > >Well the wait payed off. A GFR employee approached us and verified our ID. > Yep, we were Mick and Phil, the CAT Bros. Well, this dude outstretches >his hand and places two back stage passes in my hand and says, "This is how >this is gonna work. After the show hang out in that area over there >(pointing). When everyone else is gone the boys are gonna come out and >meet everyone that has these passes." What do you reply with after being >handed backstage passes to a GFR show? I think we both uttered, "Thanks >man, thanks" in a state of shock. Not wanting to draw too much attention >we stuffed the passes in our pockets and tranced our way back to our seats. > Slapping and pinching ourselves we asked, "Is this realy gonna happen?" >We would have to wait and see. > >The show ended and the crowd started to thin. I spotted Row K Al talking >to Sunny Quinn. Phil and I headed right over. Al introduced me and >(remarkably) she knew who I was. Then she asked if Phil was here (BY >NAME). So now Phil was in the conversation. So far we met Deanna Schacher >and Sunny Quinn, not bad. Security started herding all non-pass holders >out the door (some more verbally than others). This was the point where >Row K found out we had passes. Do I need to explain how he felt? OK, I >won't rub it in, but poor Al had to leave. > >So now all us VIPs were left and told to sit in a certain area. David >Fishoff (I assumed) told us how the boys would come out and work their way >row by row from front to back. Sitting right in front of me were those two >guys who bought those auction tickets for $1400 and $1350. The station >producer was telling them how this whole thing was going to go, pictures >autographs and such. Along with us in the room were two other roadkills: >Jay Funk and Mauro from Italy. Somehow they too were blessed with passes >(unbeknownst to Phil and I). In total we estimated about 100 people >including some media types and "possible friends of the band". > >About a half hour passed when Mark, Don and Mel walked into the room. This >was indeed, truly, happening. "All my life I have been waiting, then you >turn me on. Now they'll be no hesitating. " I'm gonna meet Grand Funk!!! >The boys worked their way through the crowd shaking hands and signing all >kinds of stuff. I saw someone with their Survival album pictures, a few >guitars and of course T shirts. > >Our turn finally came and Donnie was our first funkman. I said, "Hi Don, >we're Mick and Phil and we represent your "online" fan club." He replied, >"Oh yeah, I know about that. I've been on it a few times reading stuff." >(Again, they know we're out here!) So Phil says, "We're the guys who asked >you about the trivia question we wanted to post." (nothing like having the >correct answer BEFORE you post and Bill From New Jersey kicks your butt!) >Donnie says, "Oh yeah, the drum setup thing, I remember." Wow, he actually >remembered! Don signed my shirt first and then Phil's. While Phil was >being inked I snapped a picture. Thanks to Mike Butler's suggestion on how >to get a camera into a theatre I had my camera all ready to shoot. > >Next, we worked our way over to Mel. As I introduced myself, Fishoff >points at me and says, "Mel, he's the last one." Mel looks at me and says, >"I guess you're the last one." Of course I replied that's OK by me!" As >he signed my shirt I told him about roadkill and he said he knew about it. >Now that's two out of three! Phil wasn't as lucky, he missed Mel by inches >and seconds. > >We had to get to Mark because this session was almost over. I finally got >up to him and introduced myself in the same fashion: roadkill online fan >club. Again, a pleasent surprise -- He also knew about this Internet >stuff. Mark gladly signed my back. I thanked him, told him how great they >were and said, "See you in LA." He replied, "Yeah." then "Yeah?" And I >said, "Yup, we'll be in LA next week!" Mark acknowledged with a wink and a >underhand air jab exclaiming "Alright!" Mark definately said, "Alright". >Phil weaseled his way in for a quick scribing before the boys were wisked >away. > >So there we stood looking at each other trying to understand what just >happened. We said, "Let's worry about that tomorrow we've got an after >show party to find." > >Acting on another piece of inside info we sought out the Empire hotel where >the boys were staying. Upon arrival we asked the attendant if they could >get us in contact with our "connection". She rang up the room and handed >me the phone. What would I say if someone picked up? -- It's me and Phil, > can we come to your party? Well no one ever answered. We got there >before anyone else. We ended up across the street at Houlihan's in eye >sight of the Hotel. Nothing happened for 40 minutes. Phil had been up >almost 48 by this time and I, myself, 24. It was time. We conceded and >headed back to the train station. What a Funkin' night!!!! > >Special Thanks to all our roadkill buddies especially Greg and Jim. Oh, >and gotta thank that turtle too! In closing it was worth all the hype, the >waiting. everything...they're the best band we ever saw..even after 22 >years!!! > >Keep it Rockin' >Mick and Phil > > > > Stan Pace U.S. Atlantic Command Joint Training, Analysis and Simulation Center ------------------------------ From: "Robert Bodily" Date: Mon, 28 Apr 1997 10:46:33 -0400 Subject: Re: MCat & PCat GFR Beacon Report Unfunkingbelievable report, man! One question - what are your (Mick & Phil) wrist sizes? This is for the handcuffs I'm going to use to chain myself to you guys in LA! :-) 4 days, 11 hours, 44 minutes and counting.... Robert ------------------------------ From: Mike Butler <1kfunkrr@vegasnet.net> Date: Mon, 28 Apr 1997 08:12:50 -0700 Subject: Re: MCat & PCat GFR Beacon Report Great job you guys!!! Thanks for the 'Bill Parette' like review of the show, I was starting to worry about you guys being so quiet, but it was worth the wait. As Arlo Guthrie once said . . "flying in to Los Angeles . . . bringing in a couple of tee's" See you guys in LA!! - -=Mike=- ------------------------------ From: riche@1USA.COM Date: Mon, 28 Apr 1997 11:19:20 -0500 Subject: BEACON SHOW FIRST LET ME SAY THE BAND WAS GREAT AND,THEY REALLY POURED THEIR HEART OUT FOR THE WHOLE SHOW, AND I LOVED THE SET LIST. HOWEVER I MUST DISAGREE THAT GFR FANS ARE THE BEST! I THINK IT WAS A MISTAKE FOR THE BEACON TO SERVE BOOZE TO THIS KIND OF CROWD. I WAS SITTING IN ROW T AND AS FAR AS MY EYES COULD SEE WERE DRUNKEN,IDIOTS. THEY WERE MORE INTERESTED IN DRINKING, SMOKING JOINTS, STANDING UP AND DOWN, COMING IN AND OUT OF THE ROW, FALLING ALL OVER THE PLACE, FIDDLING WITH CAMERAS AND TAPE PLAYERS, SPILLING BEER ON TWO YOUNG BOYS THAT WERE THERE WITH THEIR PARENTS, BOOING PAUL SCHAEFFER, AND MAKING STUPID COMMENTS LIKE (ER, I DON'T KNOW WHY THEY HAVE TO HAVE AN ORCHESTRA WITH THEM?) THIS IS THE SAME MENTALITY AS THE GUYS THAT STOLE THE TEE SHIRTS AT THE LAST SHOW. THIS PUT A DAMPER ON THE SHOW FOR ME AND MY GIRL ,BUT WE LOVED THE BAND ,WE JUST THINK THAT (****MOST****) OF THE FANS SHOULD GET A GRIP. ------------------------------ From: "Michael Catalano" Date: Mon, 28 Apr 97 9:42:08 EDT Subject: More Beacon Stuff -- Inside Lookin' Out Lyrics As I remember significant things about the show, I'll just post 'em. A few people seeing the Auburn Hills show said something to the effect that "Mark didn't remember the words" or that they "couldn't understand what he sang". Well he's what I thought I heard: ....work all day making up a BURLAP bag.......these walls and bars won't keep that LOVE from me.....keep that LOVE from me....that LOVE from me....... Mick ------------------------------ From: "Michael Catalano" Date: Mon, 28 Apr 97 9:48:27 EDT Subject: Beacon Review by New York's Newsday Just a heads up...I'll post the article as soon as I get the chance... The critics are still bashing our boys! In fact this joker said, "...same boringshow, nothing has changed...a bunch of over the hill men playing the same crap...and so on..." Well I think this is GREAT. Why? Because nothing HAS changed! The Boys still rock the house, the fans still love it and the critics keep trying to pound 'em into the ground! No matter how little airplay Funk gets and no matter how deep the pen of the critics' cuts -- GFR still sold the most albums, sold out Shea and continues to have an overwhelming following around the globe. Funk On!!! Mick ------------------------------ From: "G. Jeffrey Gower" Date: Mon, 28 Apr 1997 13:33:55 -0400 (EDT) Subject: Re: Beacon Review by New York's Newsday On Mon, 28 Apr 1997, Michael Catalano wrote: > Just a heads up...I'll post the article as soon as I get the chance... Thanks, Michael. Also, many thanks to all who have written reviews of the shows - they have been fun to read. > The critics are still bashing our boys! In fact this joker said, "...same > boringshow, nothing has changed...a bunch of over the hill men playing the > same crap...and so on..." Jeesh. I wonder if they thought the Who's "Tommy" show a few years back was boring, same-ol same-ol, old-farts playing the same-ol same-ol tunes, etc.. Haha. That show was GREAT! And the recent Doobie Brothers reunion was also GREAT! And the Eagles! And Alice Cooper! And Steely Dan! On and on... I also wonder if these same critics would bemoan the Stones or Beatles doing a concert of their classic tunes, simply because "nothing has changed"? > Well I think this is GREAT. Why? Because nothing HAS changed! The Boys > still rock the house, the fans still love it and the critics keep trying to > pound 'em into the ground! You are 100% correct, Michael! The critics never learn, do they? Let's face it - it has always been "hip" to trash GFR. I don't think they could do anything to satisfy the vacuous critics, who are not really music critics at all, but more accurately, trend/fashion sustainers. I really wonder what the value in criticizing a one-time show is, anyway? I mean, a criticism of an on-going show, or of a record, etc., might be useful. It can help someone decide whether or not to buy/attend, etc.. But what is the point of criticizing an event that has come and gone? I mean, are readers of NY Newsday going to be going to the LA show? Oh well.... > No matter how little airplay Funk gets and no > matter how deep the pen of the critics' cuts -- GFR still sold the most > albums, sold out Shea and continues to have an overwhelming following > around the globe. Funk On!!! Yep. They are just as much CLASSIC rock and roll as the aforementioned legendary acts, whether the "critics" or the "classic rock" DJs like to believe it or not. "The critics got together and they started a game, They get their records for nothing and they call each other names. Things got out of hand, somebody got sore, Now we're all tuning up for the rock and roll war. Time to take up sides, Watching Rock and Roll die. (Pick up your check at the window)" - - from Todd Rundgren's "The Death of Rock and Roll", a GREAT tune from his best album, "Initiation" (1975) Jeff ------------------------------ From: Jacob Lowe Date: Mon, 28 Apr 97 12:25:21 CDT Subject: Re: BEACON SHOW Unfortunatly, there seems to a group of total idiots that have made it their mission in life to ruin perfectly good concerts. They show up at every concert in various numbers, from Glen Miller to Steve Miller, and make complete idiots out of themselves and anyone around them, and it seems that GFR concerts(unfortunatly) are no exception to this. In fact, in all my concert experience, I have never been to a show w/o these type of people. It really makes the true fans look bad, and it can put the whole show in a bad "mood" if it is really persistant. Does anyone care to comment on this? Jacob p.s. My envy goes out to all of you mother funkers that got to see the band live, much less the group that actually got to MEET Mark, Don, and Mel. Congradulations!!!!!! ------------------------------ From: James Lichtenberg Date: Mon, 28 Apr 1997 14:11:29 -0700 Subject: Re: Beacon Review by New York's Newsday Mick, I somewhat agree with Riche. The smell of reefer was as strong as I've ever smelled at a rock show and the crowd was a little unruly and wasted, but overall I think that most were serious GFRR lovers and behaved decently(for a concert). Good to meet you at the Westside and thanks for your hard work. Nice job on the backstage passes! I'm writing the list to say that Mark, Don & Mel were on Rotrock Q104 at 4pm for an hour long interview on the day of the show. I heard this in my car on my way to the city. I can't believe that Mark Coppola, a great N.Y. DJ works for that craphole. They started the interview by talking to GFRR for 30 seconds and then playing WAAB. By this time, I'm drooling and can't wait for more. After 8 minutes of commercials, Rotrock Q104 plays ROLLING STONES and STEVE MILLER tunes! Then they went to more commercials. Finally at about 4:23, we were back to the main men. The DJ(I don't think it was Cope) asked the boys about the origination of "The Locomotion" and Brewer explained that Mark walked in one day singing the song and they made a quick decision to record it. I've heard elsewhere that Rundgren had heard the Raspberries do the song live and suggested it to GFRR. Brewer's version is probably more like it. After playing the tune, they went to more commercials and then played BUFFALO SPRINGFIELD and BLUE OYSTER CULT tunes! I was in shock and I wondered how M,D & M were taking it. I didn't have to wait long to find out. At about 4:40, the DJ asked the boys why they regrouped. Mark said, "First, we wanna know why you're playing Blue Oyster Cult during a Grand Funk interview?". The DJ mumbled something about spreading the wealth and then played SKOW. It was then 4:50 and I decided to start heading for the Westside. It was by far the most pathetic rock interview I have ever heard. This station had GFRR in their studios for 1 hour and had about 90 seconds of talk with the boys and only 3 songs! When they stood up before the show I was laughing at them, but seething underneath because of their shabby treatment of our heros. Later. Regards Jim ------------------------------ From: Bugsy41157@aol.com Date: Mon, 28 Apr 1997 14:38:50 -0400 (EDT) Subject: More Beacon Hello All, My head has stopped spinning (slightly) from the absolutely great time had Friday. The roadkill people were the icing, the show the cherry on top! Walked into the Westside and sure enough, there they were, the Cat Bros. (I think they had the keys to the joint!). Time just flew. The company and the brewski's (blonde & red) were fantastic. Seemed like I was constantly holding an empty pitcher. Note to all roadkill members meeting before the LA show: do not sit between Phil Cat and the bathroom! Also, it was nice to meet Jim Garanda and his wife Liz. We are practically neighbors! Tryed to meet as many roadkillers as possible, but again, time just flew. As far as the show, well I could babble on forever. I will comment on it as posts are made. Mark was out-of-this-world. If I had to pick one song that just blew people out onto Broadway (and there were a few), it had to be Inside Looking Out. I found myself not being able to stand still (going friggin' nuts) for some songs and in a coma of pure awe for others, Loneliness, for example. I couldn't move, only watch. Well, when the head stops spinning completely I'll add some more. Bugsy...Alrighta! ------------------------------ From: Donna Wightman Date: Mon, 28 Apr 1997 17:31:22 -0700 Subject: Re: Beacon Review by New York's Newsday "Amen" Michael Catalano wrote: > > Just a heads up...I'll post the article as soon as I get the chance... > > The critics are still bashing our boys! In fact this joker said, "...same > boringshow, nothing has changed...a bunch of over the hill men playing the > same crap...and so on..." > > Well I think this is GREAT. Why? Because nothing HAS changed! The Boys > still rock the house, the fans still love it and the critics keep trying to > pound 'em into the ground! No matter how little airplay Funk gets and no > matter how deep the pen of the critics' cuts -- GFR still sold the most > albums, sold out Shea and continues to have an overwhelming following > around the globe. Funk On!!! > > Mick ------------------------------ From: jmaijala@sprynet.com Date: Mon, 28 Apr 1997 18:46:56 -0700 Subject: Re: MCat & PCat GFR Beacon Report Mike, That is one of the most incredible, and complete stories I have ever heard. I think it's great that you actually got to meet them in person. Phil's head must have been blowing apart since he had been up so long!! I would almost (yes, only almost) give up my front row seats to get back stage passes and meet the guys. I thought I was pumped up before, But now I'm going NUCLEAR!!!! Jim Maijala ------------------------------ From: jmaijala@sprynet.com Date: Mon, 28 Apr 1997 18:59:31 -0700 Subject: Re: Beacon Review by New York's Newsday Bravo Jim, I completely agree with your comments regarding that obviously pathetic interview. A few years ago our local "Classic Rock Station" KSLX in Phoenix had Mark on one morning. He was in studio for about 2 hours and they did a good job with it. Telling alot of stories about the early days even before 1969. Oh well, better luck next time, Jim Maijala ------------------------------ From: thesonics@earthlink.net (Jay Siekierski) Date: Mon, 28 Apr 1997 19:47:38 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: Beacon Review by New York's Newsday HEY I am a writer/musician WHO LOVES THE FUNKING FUNK! ALL THE CRITICS IN THE WORLD BEWARE................................THE FUNK ARE BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I did not see the show but.........I BELIEVE MY FELLOW FUNKERS & FUNKETTES WORDS!!!!!!!!!!!! FUNK FUNKING RULE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Jayola >"Amen" > >Michael Catalano wrote: >> >> Just a heads up...I'll post the article as soon as I get the chance... >> >> The critics are still bashing our boys! In fact this joker said, "...same >> boringshow, nothing has changed...a bunch of over the hill men playing the >> same crap...and so on..." >> >> Well I think this is GREAT. Why? Because nothing HAS changed! The Boys >> still rock the house, the fans still love it and the critics keep trying to >> pound 'em into the ground! No matter how little airplay Funk gets and no >> matter how deep the pen of the critics' cuts -- GFR still sold the most >> albums, sold out Shea and continues to have an overwhelming following >> around the globe. Funk On!!! >> >> Mick The Sonics:The All Music Site! Drifting & Closer To Home. Music Editor: Jay'Sonics'Siekierski http://home.earthlink.net/~thesonics/ ------------------------------ End of grand-funk-digest V1 #44 *******************************