Not every day I discover a performance like this one. Loved this track!! if you enjoy what I do on this channel consider supporting. 70% of my videos are not monetized. Between setting up the studio daily, filming, editing, thumbnails, and research which all take away from my family, you guys motivate me to put out content daily. Consider buying me a coffee here www.buymeacoffee.com/poloreacts or my Patreon www.patreon.com/poloreacts peace!
You will get a number of typical suggestions for certain songs from these guys, but I would say listen to “Hooked On Love” next (studio version probably since not a ton - maybe less than 4 not sure - live versions of poor audio/video quality). Then hit “We’re an American Band.”
Also, all these classic songs were completely fresh back then. Remember when you had only heard songs like Stairway To Heaven 1 or 2 times because it had just been released the day before? Those were the days.
The late sixties and the Seventies was a wonderful time, long hair, bell bottoms, bright colored shirts with bold print, hot cars, beautiful young girls in mini skirts, and the best music that ever exsisted. I was twenty years old in 1974 and I am glad I was there to enjoy it. I miss it everyday.
I laughed so hard at this comment!!!! Hilarious!!! Totally agree, as a "FUNK' fan for over 50+ years, that comment encapsulates my feelings for this fantastic band! That comment, still brings a smile to my face 😄😜👍👍👍👍!
Grand Funk Railroad should have been in the R&R Hall of Fame years ago. One of best 3 man bands of all time. In 1969 they opened for Led Zepplin, and Zepplin's manager fired them because they were too good and the crowds were going wild. True American rock icons.
First of all, I was there. Heard both groups play live at different concerts. Yes Mark Farner and Grand Funk had a great guttural sound & of course “funk” unique to them alone, but you can’t compare the talent of Jimmy Page, John Bohnam, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones to these three in any way and don’t know where you got your story on getting rid of them as a backup. No. Much more likely, Grand Funk became a headline talent on their own. They “graduated” from being a back up. I can assure you, there are very few Grand Funk downloads from Spotify compared to LED Zeppelin
I was in the front row when Grand Funk played inside looking out and Mark Farmer played the harmonica solo, when he finished playing it he tossed it into the audience. I reached out toward the shining instrument flying toward me from the stage full of lights, sound and smoke and caught it! This was in the year 1974, I was 14 years old. My big sister took me to my first rock concert. I am 62 years young now, I remember this moment in time like it was yesterday. Rock N Roll !
I am 73 and I saw GFR as one of the opening acts for a "10 Years After" concert. IMO they blew away the headliner that evening. The audience went nuts.
Pretty hard to blow away Alvin Lee and his mates from 10 years after but GFR were pretty hip too. Two great bands that got lots of FM play back in the day.
Mark has lived down the road from me for 30yrs or so. He is as down to earth a family man as he is talented. He and family are much loved members of our community.
GFR was always one of my all time favorite bands. I still have several of there original albums. Like many bands of that era, GFR occasionally had a rocky road. I'm glad to hear Mark managed to have a good life in a good community. As talented and Phenomenal as Mark and GFR was in their day, the band's had very bad treatment from the studio community of that era and especially Managers. Mark was eventually kicked out of the band by his buddies from his tendency to incorporate religion into concerts. The other members couldn't get Mark to stop and eventually just voted him out in a newly revised policy agreed to by the band created (in an underhanded tactic) to get Mark out. So sad, because the vast majority of the music and lyrics was created and performed by Mark. Alas, everyone can be replaced and pretty soon GFR was touring without Mark. I understand Mark still does shows himself without the original members.
I got this album for my 14th birthday. 1969 I drove my mom nuts playing it over and over. 40 years later, my teen daughter drove me crazy playing ACDC. Thats payback
This band was incredible live. You walked out of the venue drained of all emotions and mental and physical strength. I remember sitting in the parking lot after their concert wondering what just happened.
Thank you so much for reacting to our song request. My husband is in the hospital he broke both hips but he is smiling and he's glad that you enjoyed it. We hope you enjoy your visit to Tennessee♡
Thank you so much for requesting this. A perfect way to be introduced to Grand Funk Railroad. I sincerely hope your husband gets well soon so we can all rock on. 😀❤️✌️🌼
This song blew my 14 year old mind when I first heard it. That guitar riff between verses is killer. It's criminal that they're not in the R&R Hall. Should have been inducted 30 years ago. This is coming from a Canadian fan.
This is no doubt on par with Canada's best Power Trio's RUSH and TRIUMPH! This is just a little more Motown from MI bluesy style, IMHO. All great trios!
I interviewed Mark Farner 3 weeks ago ( The main singer) and he is still intense. He is also strong in his convictions and can still belt out a tune amazingly! Thanks for playing this!
Love this era! When music was pure, raw, and skilled. It was about the live sound. Not a lot gimmick just raw! Bands like GFR, Thin Lizzy, Edgar Winter, BTO, CCR, Led Zeppelin or FogHat, were amazing! Lets not forget the Doors, Pat Travers, Black Oak Arkansas, RUSH, and so many more! Amazing!!!
U done 4got the band that started it all, the band that changed R&R. Another trio, the cream of the crop...CREAM! But I hear ya. The 60's, 70's greatest music of our time.
@@heynow4512 lol, they are in the so many more! But yes. Tommy was my favorite! I would also have to included the electric sound of ELO and Jethro Tull, Pink Floyd, Black Sabbath, and my fav Aerosmith. So many to choose from!
I am a 69-year-old Boomer and Vietnam veteran. I know that our music from back in the day was superior to what is being artificially produced today with synthesizers and autotune technology.
Shameful that Three Dog Night, The Guess Who, Blood Sweat and Tears, Steppenwolf, Grand Funk Railroad etc etc ... still haven't been recognized by The RRHOF!
If I remember correctly..they opened for Led Zepplin..they played for 4 hours..When they finally left the stage...the crowd thru beer bottles/cans at Zepplin when they came out on stage...MARK FARNER AND GRAND FUNK WERE GODS..MOST UNDERRATED BAND IN ROCK HISTORY..FACT
Also saw them twice. Shook the arena in a good way. Everyone were friendly in those days too. They put their heart and souls into long concerts Love them even now after all these years.
“Lorraine” & “Easy Breezes” from his album, “Mark Farner”, showcase his sweet vocals! And Farner’s a genuine PRO-AMERICA PATRIOT!! I love the guy!! Love his song “Red, White, & Blue” from his “Red, White, & Blue Forever” album!
This was my music in high school. We were so lucky to have bands like this, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, the Allman Brothers, Yes, Mountain , Janis Joplin, and on and on. I loved your reaction to the sly version of this song. Love the studio version of it also very much. Thanks for posting. 🎸
Stevie Ray Vaughan, Robin Trower, The Who, Genesis, Pink Floyd, The Doobie Brothers, Credence Clearwater Revival, Kansas, Jethro Tull, Lynard Skynard to name a few more & the list goes on...
You got that right!! I was 18 in 1969. There far too many bands to name or list from our ERA, the best there wever was !! No Comparison to any prior generation or any past generations. That's why my 35+ year old sons have all MY MUSIC on their Playlists!. Your listed bands of that era is missing one Woodstock magnificence band that never get the credit they Deserve: Ten Years After. They too belong in the Hall of Fame just based on thier Woodstock performance alone!! Love it.
Meet Mark, Don, and Mel. In my teens these were the band. Saw them 5 times, always great shows, what a live band! Thanks for making a moment into a classic.
5 times? You Lucky Bastard! They nearly destroyed the SOLD OUT Shea Stadium from the fans bouncing the bleachers in rythym making the walls of the Stadium wooble!
Grand Funk was bigger then the Beatles ! They sold-out more venues in record time then the Beatles, they sold more gold and platinum albums in a 2 year period then any band ever ! they sold-out more concerts in those 2 years than anybody ever ! they broke attendance records by the Rolling Stones and Elvis ! Grand Funk was the first band to sell 10 straight Platinum albums.
Seriously. How old are you. There are so many more than Grand Funk. They were good, but even when they were at their top, we still were not playing a lot of their stuff. There were too many other great bands out there. Not bashing them, but they didn’t have a lot of material. Hendrix did the Fillmore show on Jan 1, 1970, with Buddy Miles and Billy Cox - that was what was all over. The Stones were putting out Grade A music, as was Clapton.
@@manko5465 kinda Bashing folks for liking something other than what you like. They weren’t my favorite band either. But with 6 platinum and 7 gold records. People obviously likes them. I grew up with everything from Glenn Miller to steppenwolf to Gene Pitney to Three dog night. Saw zep in 77, along with just about every great band back in the day. took my Mom to see Elvis. As a Deadhead, I’m familiar with people Not liking what I like. But that’s why there is more than one station on the radio. Miles Davis opened for the Dead at the Fillmore west in 70.
I grew up in the late 60's and early 70's and this band shaped my youth. My parents were huge Grand Funk Railroad fans and they passed that down to me. Nothing compares to this era of music.
A three piece band, playing live and absolutely kicking ass. I grew up in Detroit in the 1960's and 70's and these guys were from near there. We heard them all the time and we loved it when the rest of the country finally heard about them.
These guys are phenomenal!! I’ve been listening to them since I was 15 - still listening at 68! They came here to Toronto when I was 18. Mark Farner’s hair was down to his waist! They were so amazing every single show and there is NOTHING new out there that gives you even close to that feeling!!
Kick ass funky rock and roll...fantastic vocals and musicians! I remember when these guys were huge, especially around the midwest (from southwest Indiana)..they are from Michigan. The drummer's fro has it's own zip code..cool as hell!
Polo I saw these guys 13 times back in the day. High-volume high-energy they never slow down. Very underrated. They should be in the Rock and roll Hall of Fame but they're not that's because they wouldn't sell out their music to the record company execs so they got black balled for a long time. But they should be in the Rock and roll Hall of Fame. They're still on the road today performing after 50+ yrs.
And you have to belong to the same master that puts stars on sidewalk in the city of fallen angels...he calls himself the morning star and he just adores his "stars" but really abhors them...that shitty hall of Fame is really, in my opinion, a hall of shame.
THAT GUITAR was in the rnr hall of fame but GFR isn't? Mark Farner had to practically break into the rnr hall of fame to get that guitar back!! The fact that acts like Madonna and Public Enemy are in the rnr hall tells you all about that joke of an organization.
You happend to choose absolutely the best live version of this song and you are correct, the studio version though fantastic is paled to this performance. Take it from a 65 year old blue collar type guy here, it gives me joy to see more and more content providers doing reviews of rock and roll from the 60's and 70's. Thank you sir for honoring these artist's.
GFR, from their debut in 1969 and over the next 5 years or so, combined hard rock and blues and were very well received. The music from the late 60s thru the 70s was revolutionary, fresh and progressive, and this band was right in the mix of it all. Such a great time to be immersed in some of the greatest music of all time.
That was one of the greatest reactions ever! Loved your pauses and comments. The look on your face… I am 68 years old and we were hippies in the 70’s and my hubby took me to a Grand Funk Railroad concert for our 1st anniversary in 1974 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
We stood on the seats. We danced. We passed a joint up and down the row. The guy on the end had a baggy and rolled 'em and passed 'em. Security walked by and kept on walkin'. Yeah I remember that concert.
I love GFR. Mark Farner was the gift of the 70's. He played guitar, keyboards and harp and could sing like no ones business. Listen to Aimless Lady to hear his vocal range. Rock on fellow Ohioan!
Grand Funk Railroad were incredible! THREE PEOPLE and all that music! The albums, "Survivor" and "Closer To Home" are my favorites. I'm glad you appreciated them!
Here’s the deal. The Grand Funk Railroad LIVE album was #1 ‘in the hood’ when it came out. Seriously!!! Mark Farner was a soul singer, guitar playing machine. Don Brewer on drums and Mel Schacter on bass got the job done. Those were good times to grow up and a great time for music.
Grand Funk Railroad's sold-out show on July 9, 1971, at New York's Shea Stadium is famous for selling its 55,000 tickets in 72 hours - faster than the Beatles had in August 1965
GFRR perfected their music on stage. My 1st concert. They rocked. It's hard to tell their fans that this band was unappreciated, but they were overlooked by many in the "biz," and still are.
Great reaction! You got it! They were performing for themselves, giving it everything they had, no holding back. So glad to have been in high school and college in the 70’s.
On another note, I was invited to a prom in Flint Michigan, though I was only an 8th grader, by a senior. This band played the prom that night, and my date was a little peeved because I spent most of the night standing in front of Mark Farner. To top it off, it was in the cafeteria of the school, so needless to say, I bought every album once they hit as GFR. Awesome band, cool that someone is just being turned on to them. You should’ve been there in that Basement cafeteria!!!!! Sonny T
We had a garage band back in the early 70's here in upstate New York. A buddy turned me on to GFR and I was hooked. I copied everything that Mel did, almost to the T. In 72 my drummer and I went to the War Memorial in Syracuse and felt the music in person. I say felt because it was like going to the drag races. The sound goes right through you! How did you manage that band in a cafeteria?!
@@justsittinhere72 it was a Big school, small town, only one, so the room was pretty big. That’s one of the first times I had been so close to a stage ( no stage just sat up on the floor!) with that much volume !!! It was a turning point for me, I said “ I’m Goinna Do That!!” So I started writing and playing. I signed with a publisher six hours after arriving in Nashville and had a top ten single recorded by a top country artist within 3 days of that. I’ve done 7 tours of Europe with some amazing artists, have had 156 songs recorded by other artists and over 500 published. I just turned 70 in March, and currently have two songs on an album that’s #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 Blues Charts. I hate egos, just telling you this because I don’t think I would have done all this without that nights impact on me. I couldn’t believe that much sound was coming from three guys. I also became a sound and studio engineer because of that!! Ironically, I saw Steppenwolf the next weekend and once again it made a huge impact on me. All the best, Sonny T
I've listened to this on Vinyl,,, 8-Track,,, Cassette Tape,,, C-D,,, Thumb Drive,,,and today I find myself enjoying it as much as ever. It was a beautiful thing to see your honest reaction......Subscribed right here !
Hey - I'm 76 and this group blew me away in 69/70's era... it's cool to see you so impressed. It also conjures up memries of Savoy Brown, Cactus, Humble Pie, and a few otherwise unknowns..."Unknown" only because the average FM stations never woulda played long jams like this... I was fortunate enough to do dj work at those that did, and later at non-commercial listener supported fm stations where I did late night shows sometimes playing for hours straight without interruptions playing concept albums and long jams. The best callers I had would be those where the dude on the other end was saying..."whoa man! I've been listening for two hours straight and haven't been able to call in for fear I'd miss something...all I can say is jus...WOW." Anyway - this takes me back to those glorious days of yesteryear when we'd open up the latest unknown group's vinyl LPs by Led Zep ("who the hell is Led Zeppelin???"), Aerosmith ("WHAAA?") and sit down and get blown away at what was comin off the table and floating through the studio... Thx Polo... what you're hearing is well understood. And remembered.
When I was a teenager we found out that the studio for our local college fm channel was up on a mountain with the antenna. On weekends where the dj would play long cuts we would drive up there and sit in the parking lot and smoke the dj up. Fun times
The day I bought this album, I was in the 8th grade. That was in 1969 and it's still JAM'N. The entire album. Some albums just age like FINE WINE. They only get better.
Oh! Yeal!!!! I was 19 years old in 1969...now 73 years Old...don't stop here the 60's have some Bad Ass music.. Peace Brother... Still Rocking till the END!
Grand Funk, the 3 piece real deal! Music such as this changes lives and no wonder you’ve been married 30 plus years, with great music you can’t go wrong in your everyday living!
This song can start a revolution! These guys were the biggest live act in 1970. Bigger than Zeppelin. They got burned by their management, the thing that made these guys great is their talent, and the word of mouth of the people who saw them first.
Grand funk railroad 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 Im a 1965 baby girl and i grew up listening to these dudes and this kinda music which we call SOUL FIYA ❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥 Now thats when music was music ❤️🔥 Loved watching your reaction, thanks so much for your open mindedness ☀️🕊️
Awesome! This song was performed when I was 10... and much too young to appreciate all the raw passion. First time hearing it this evening, at 65, though, and... well, I'm with you, this was incredible. So much soul & funk from these white boys! And they were only a trio, to boot! Thank you for the privilege of hearing this!
I fell in love with GFR when I was just a girl and started collecting their albums. I still have every album they made. I miss everything about life during that whole era, but the music can’t be rivaled. I am so glad you have gotten to be exposed to this awesome band! 🥰❣️🥰
Do you even have their 1981 and 82 albums ? they don't have the same Bass player, But the album " Grand Funk Lives " is great, Marks voice is smooth, yet searing. Most songs are good and Ilike the album. But the second one, " What's Funk " I did not care for.
"If you don't think this sounds good, you don't deserve ears." My favorite comment of the year, thank you for this great reaction. So fun, so excellent.
If you didn't live during this time then you just can't understand what you missed. So amazing that folks can still experience this after so much time has passed. What happened to music where we don't have this anymore?
MTV got people caring about looks of bands more than their musicianship then they had to add synthesizers and auto tune. It was better when you were moved by listening to the radio.
I still get chills watching this after many, many times watching it. I saw them three times and they were an amazing live band. They sold out Shea Stadium in hours. This band has an interesting backstory full of drama and backstabbing, but, my Lord, for a few years they were at the very top of rock and roll.
There was a window of rock n roll when musicians didn't hold back. Their energy and releasing the soul & spirit is all that mattered. GFR did that to perfection.
Mark Farner.... Bass guitar (early), drums (Black Brass song), keyboards (before Craig Frost joined), Lead Guitar, Incredible Lead vocals and writer of 90% of the GFR material. One of the most talented front men to ever walk onto a stage in the history of music. What a talent and still touring to this day...
I'm 71 and my first rock concert was seeing GFR in 1969. It was awesomely thunderous and it's up there with my top ten rock live performances. Love Mark Farner, the human dynamo.
Mark is still one of my favorite front men ever. It’s rare to find the lead guitarists and lead singer. And he’s always moving. All their music is awesome.
I was laughing to myself when you kept getting excited in the beginning... I knew how much more was coming and your reaction ended up being priceless. Yes, these guys are THAT GOOD! They have plenty more for you to pick from 😊
I can't believe I lived in this era and enjoyed every minute of these excellent rock bands, professional musicians, never autotune, never lipsync, I will never forget. Also check out Three Dog Night early albums.
Electrifying Grand Funk Railroad in 1969....this is a very special live performance enjoyed all over TH-cam, and it's always great to see a first reaction to actually see how it affects your senses, and appreciate the undeniable talent, and dedication these guys show. Thank you, and explore more of this great band, because they will not disappoint you. "I'm Your Captain" and "Are You Ready " are popular ones, go deeper into their history and you find rock n roll gems💎
The definitive live version of this song was captured in full stadium intensity on their live album, released November 1970. Mark and Don sing and play their hearts out, Mel's bass shakes your house and they encourage and whip the audience into an absolute frenzy. The energy is beyond electric: You are transported back in time, you are THERE. Has to be one of the most dynamic live performances ever recorded. Find it, play it, turn it up to ELEVEN!
GFR was the original party band. Had an old 8 track player in my first car. GFR's greatest hits was the only 8 track I had, so I heard it a lot. For home I had the album, "Mark, Don, and Mel". Great stuff!
OMG that was amazing. I am 53 years old and swear I'd never heard this band play before. Listening to this amazing work of art made me feel like I had gone to church and had an extremely religious experience. Thank you so much for reacting to this amazing band and bringing them back to the forefront.
Ah yes. The myth, the legends, the one and only Grand Funk Railroad!! Sooner or later everyone stumbles into the path of this hidden gem and gets smacked with a dose of raw rock and funk! So many amazing songs yet to go from these guys!
It always amazes me when you see a 3 person band that can consistently put out some unbelievable solid tunes like that. I was in Jr High when I was first tuned into GFR, Janis Joplin, Sly and the Family Stone, Cream, then Derick and the Dominoes, Allman Brothers, Crosby, Stills, and Nash, Zeppelin, etc. To me this was a time when great music was made. Pure artist that took you on a musical journey to escape the horrors of the world(like Vietnam war)
We've listened to the studio version....we'll take this one any day! Love your channel! We listen to it every time we see a reactor reacting to it! Can't get enough!
This double live album set was one of the first records I had bought as a kid, and to this day, this is one of my all-time favorite songs and still know all the words to it. Also keep in mind, this is only a 3-person band making all that sound.
Yup, but in about 1974 or so, they added a keyboard player. GFR was one of the top grossing acts from about '69 to '72 or so. Deep Purple, The Stones, Led Zep were in there too. But the critics hated them. Led Zeppelin actually kicked them off their tour as their opening act because they got more attention than Zep.
I have listened to this track so much I know every note. My favorite GFR song is "Working on the Railroad" With "Into the Sun and "Sin is a Good Mans Brother" tied for second place.
Saw Grand Funk Railroad the summer before my senior year of high school in 1969 at Red Rock outdoor amphitheater outside Denver, Co. Being a young black men we jammed with these guys all while we were getting our buzz on 😊. When I got in country in 1971 we jammed with the Grand Funk Railroad all the till I came back to the world in 1974. I’m almost 72 now and I still love listening to them jam without the buzz 😊. Best 3 person band ever. My favorite all time rock band ❤ them.
One of the best live bands ever, I came home from the military in 1971 and Introduced my friends to rock and it changed our lives we ended up being band mates
As a 56 year old guy, I had not heard this until 2 years ago, and I am marvelling at the sheer genius energy and emotion of the song. If 'Medals of Honor' were available to musicians - this would surely be right up there for an award.
I'm 70 and I have seen alot of rock concerts. Their concert in 1971, my first concert, is still one of my favorites. They kicked ass live and I still prefer to listen to them live rather than from the studio. Just 3 very young guys. I loved their song In Need live.
I saw GFR in 72’, that band was so good live it was ridiculous, Mark is one of the best front men guitarist s of all time. That soul and funk you hear is because they were from Flint, Xichigan which as my you probably know is close to Detroit. I just found your channel and subscribed, I’m looking forward to more from you. FYI I’m from Ohio also, we go to Tennessee every year, we love the Smokey Mountains area.
Love me some Grand Funk !! I cut my teeth on them when I was learning to play in the basement.. Gimme Shelter, Feelin Alright, this song, Closer to Home, Footstompin' Music....the list never ends. What amazing talent from all 3 !! And, at 15:43, Donny is playing those triplets with 1 Bass Drum and 1 Pedal, too !! So good at building that last crescendo !! Love it !!!
If you was a garage band just starting out you couldn't starting playing like Cream but there was something about Grand Funk Railroad that makes you want to play like them!
When this was filmed the band was in a small Pennsylvania TV studio with fewer than 100 audience members. They were still hoping for their big break and went all out with the song. They went on to become one of the largest bands of the early 1970s. By 1971 they sold out Shea Stadium over 55,000 seats in just 72 hours. The Beatles had sold out Shea a few years earlier but took 7 weeks to do so.
It was just 1 show, They were the fastest sell-out in Shea stadium history. , Grand Funk sold-out every stadium around the World. Breaking attendance records everywhere they played !
I love love love this band. The way they play together is perfect. There are 3 insanely talented young men on that stage. The lead singer is Mark Farner who was only 21 years old here, the drummer, Don Brewer is also 21 and the bass is Mel Schacher who was only 18 YEARS OLD!!!! What talent from 3 very young guys. Blows me away!!!!!!!! They do a song An American Band. The drummer sings this one and this guys voice is so big and powerful... listen to more from them, You will love it
I saw Grand Funk 4 times & every time I saw them I walked out of the venue with knowing that I just witnessed one of the most energetic bands in rock history 🙏🏻🤯🤪😵💫😁 I had a hop in my step & was drenched in body sweat from hard core rockin for the 2 hours! I’m 70 yrs young & I thank the almighty that we were all alive to witness such great bands like Grand Funk Railroad. The only band in history that blew Led Zeppelin off the stage. Yes that really happened-check it out!
One thing about them is how fast they sold out tickets for their concerts! Back then you had to go to the box office window in person and if you were late you was not getting in.
The best part is this their first recording live. This song gets tighter, more intricate and Mark’s voice gets smoother and more soulful over the years. This song is on 3 live albums. Check them out!
I think the drummer sings lead on some of their other songs, too. Equally powerful voice. The fact that it sounds so good LIVE with 1960's audio technology is what really blows my mind. Some Kind of Wonderful, We're An American Band, Footstompin Music.... Those are three more GFR tunes worth checking out.
Not every day I discover a performance like this one. Loved this track!! if you enjoy what I do on this channel consider supporting. 70% of my videos are not monetized. Between setting up the studio daily, filming, editing, thumbnails, and research which all take away from my family, you guys motivate me to put out content daily. Consider buying me a coffee here www.buymeacoffee.com/poloreacts or my Patreon www.patreon.com/poloreacts peace!
This should be a epic reaction video if you are not familiar with GFR. Enjoy this gem of a masterpiece.
Man it is such an underrated time to grow up going to concerts. Saw them 4 times among many others. Real music no BS.
Fellow Buckeye here!
I was turned onto this song by an old black guy at work. He knew his music and has retired since. Been a big fan of Grand Funk since.
You will get a number of typical suggestions for certain songs from these guys, but I would say listen to “Hooked On Love” next (studio version probably since not a ton - maybe less than 4 not sure - live versions of poor audio/video quality). Then hit “We’re an American Band.”
There's one good thing about being old: I got to grow up listening to bands like this! 😎
It’s nice to be reminded of just how good the music was back then.
😁😚💨💨💨💚✌️
AGREED… nothing compares to the music from the 60’s & 70s
And, Hopefully.. you have a lot more money!
Also, all these classic songs were completely fresh back then. Remember when you had only heard songs like Stairway To Heaven 1 or 2 times because it had just been released the day before? Those were the days.
No autotune just pure raw talent from Grand Funk Railroad; great music from my youth.
Boom! Yes!
My first double cassette tape!!! Love GFR!!
When music was MUSIC...
Thank you for mentioning the lack of Autotune!!!.
GF Railroad one of my favorites from my youth. They left everything on the stage. ❤
The late sixties and the Seventies was a wonderful time, long hair, bell bottoms, bright colored shirts with bold print, hot cars, beautiful young girls in mini skirts, and the best music that ever exsisted. I was twenty years old in 1974 and I am glad I was there to enjoy it. I miss it everyday.
me too 20 in 1974, these kids today have no clue how great the music we baby boomers grew up listening to was! 😮
I was 16 in 1974. What a great time to be alive!
It’s Unbelievable that GFR is not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame! They have long deserved it!🤔😎🔥🎸
I never realized THAT. Common Hall of Fame, are they Kidding. You have Justin Beiber and other Nonsense in tjhere and not GFR???
RRHOF is a JOKE!
@@everready19373 Indeed, Steve Miller humiliated them deservedly.
This performance should of put them in!!
I did not know that. I do not know why either they were so talented.
“If you don’t think this sounds good, you don’t deserve ears.” Masterfully said sir. ✊✌️
Truedat...
Could not have said it better myself!!!!
Love your comment....
Grand Funk Railroad and Led Zep were the first two major bands I got into and I was 11 years old in 69 for they never disappointed.
I laughed so hard at this comment!!!! Hilarious!!! Totally agree, as a "FUNK' fan
for over 50+ years, that comment encapsulates my feelings for this fantastic band!
That comment, still brings a smile to my face
😄😜👍👍👍👍!
Now you know why my generation is so hard on today's music. Blue, rock ,soul and metal all in one package......forever 6o's and 70's
when music was music!! grateful to be there...:)
Grand Funk Railroad should have been in the R&R Hall of Fame years ago. One of best 3 man bands of all time. In 1969 they opened for Led Zepplin, and Zepplin's manager fired them because they were too good and the crowds were going wild. True American rock icons.
Amen to that!! I’m gonna strike like a cock until I’m 99😂
I saw Billy Preston steal the show from the Stones in 1974! Outa Space!
@@Kathiebaxter Love it! So righteous!
First of all, I was there. Heard both groups play live at different concerts. Yes Mark Farner and Grand Funk had a great guttural sound & of course “funk” unique to them alone, but you can’t compare the talent of Jimmy Page, John Bohnam, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones to these three in any way and don’t know where you got your story on getting rid of them as a backup. No. Much more likely, Grand Funk became a headline talent on their own. They “graduated” from being a back up. I can assure you, there are very few Grand Funk downloads from Spotify compared to LED Zeppelin
The Hall is a joke.
I was in the front row when Grand Funk played inside looking out and Mark Farmer played the harmonica solo, when he finished playing it he tossed it into the audience. I reached out toward the shining instrument flying toward me from the stage full of lights, sound and smoke and caught it! This was in the year 1974, I was 14 years old. My big sister took me to my first rock concert. I am 62 years young now, I remember this moment in time like it was yesterday. Rock N Roll !
Do you still have the Harmonica ?
God, what a fantastic memory!
so DO You Still Have the Harmonica????
Was it on video?
I saw these guys the same in year in 74' i was 13 went with a friend of mine John Gustavson. How weird.
I am 73 and I saw GFR as one of the opening acts for a "10 Years After" concert. IMO they blew away the headliner that evening. The audience went nuts.
Pretty hard to blow away Alvin Lee and his mates from 10 years after but GFR were pretty hip too. Two great bands that got lots of FM play back in the day.
Mark has lived down the road from me for 30yrs or so. He is as down to earth a family man as he is talented. He and family are much loved members of our community.
Love your comment. He is such a special man.
I wonder if this is who I think it is? If it is waving a hand from Indiana
That's great to hear thank for sharing
GFR was always one of my all time favorite bands. I still have several of there original albums. Like many bands of that era, GFR occasionally had a rocky road.
I'm glad to hear Mark managed to have a good life in a good community. As talented and Phenomenal as Mark and GFR was in their day, the band's had very bad treatment from the studio community of that era and especially Managers. Mark was eventually kicked out of the band by his buddies from his tendency to incorporate religion into concerts. The other members couldn't get Mark to stop and eventually just voted him out in a newly revised policy agreed to by the band created (in an underhanded tactic) to get Mark out. So sad, because the vast majority of the music and lyrics was created and performed by Mark. Alas, everyone can be replaced and pretty soon GFR was touring without Mark.
I understand Mark still does shows himself without the original members.
Awe… this is so good to hear. Staying grounded AFTER fame is hard.❤
This 70 yo lady just loves watching younger people discovering our music. Thanks for this one. I'd forgotten how amazing Grand Funk was. ❤
I'm the same age with the same thoughts...Damn we had great music!
You guy's got that right,,,70 here
It's everyones music now
I got this album for my 14th birthday.
1969
I drove my mom nuts playing it over and over.
40 years later, my teen daughter drove me crazy playing ACDC.
Thats payback
PS
I'm 68 now and still love it.
This band was incredible live. You walked out of the venue drained of all emotions and mental and physical strength. I remember sitting in the parking lot after their concert wondering what just happened.
😂😂😂❤❤❤
Thank you so much for reacting to our song request. My husband is in the hospital he broke both hips but he is smiling and he's glad that you enjoyed it. We hope you enjoy your visit to Tennessee♡
Thank you so much for requesting this. A perfect way to be introduced to Grand Funk Railroad. I sincerely hope your husband gets well soon so we can all rock on. 😀❤️✌️🌼
This song is doubly hip!!!
Great request. An iconic performance by GFR. Hope your husband is back up and running real soon.😊
Happy Anniversary
Thank you. Holy hell I was sleeping on GFR!!
This song blew my 14 year old mind when I first heard it. That guitar riff between verses is killer. It's criminal that they're not in the R&R Hall. Should have been inducted 30 years ago. This is coming from a Canadian fan.
This is no doubt on par with Canada's best Power Trio's RUSH and TRIUMPH! This is just a little more Motown from MI bluesy style, IMHO. All great trios!
The HOF is a joke. Boston and Foreigner are also not in.😮
I'm 76 and grew up with this brilliance...It's a joy watching you be so moved and inspired by it. Your appreciation itself is inspiring.
Seen Mark in concert about a month ago and he's still kicking ass at 75 still has the voice and rocks the axe
The things Grand Funk did with a guitar , drums and a bass guitar was incredible , pure music no synthesizers .
I interviewed Mark Farner 3 weeks ago ( The main singer) and he is still intense. He is also strong in his convictions and can still belt out a tune amazingly! Thanks for playing this!
Love this era! When music was pure, raw, and skilled. It was about the live sound. Not a lot gimmick just raw! Bands like GFR, Thin Lizzy, Edgar Winter, BTO, CCR, Led Zeppelin or FogHat, were amazing! Lets not forget the Doors, Pat Travers, Black Oak Arkansas, RUSH, and so many more! Amazing!!!
I agree, I miss it..
U done 4got the band that started it all, the band that changed R&R. Another trio, the cream of the crop...CREAM! But I hear ya. The 60's, 70's greatest music of our time.
@@heynow4512Well its hard for me to admit, but i obviously am not perfect!! 😂
@@Marynoelrh neither r the rest of us. We're not worthy...but don't 4get The Who. 🤣
@@heynow4512 lol, they are in the so many more! But yes. Tommy was my favorite! I would also have to included the electric sound of ELO and Jethro Tull, Pink Floyd, Black Sabbath, and my fav Aerosmith. So many to choose from!
I am a 69-year-old Boomer and Vietnam veteran. I know that our music from back in the day was superior to what is being artificially produced today with synthesizers and autotune technology.
Shameful that Three Dog Night, The Guess Who, Blood Sweat and Tears, Steppenwolf, Grand Funk Railroad etc etc ... still haven't been recognized by The RRHOF!
@@zeppelinfan9360 I'm 60 there I'd so much for these guys to learn.
Welcome home brother. You are absolutely correct.
We did kick it
Amen brother.
I AM HONORED & BLESSED 2 have been born in 63,, PLA&M People...
If I remember correctly..they opened for Led Zepplin..they played for 4 hours..When they finally left the stage...the crowd thru beer bottles/cans at Zepplin when they came out on stage...MARK FARNER AND GRAND FUNK WERE GODS..MOST UNDERRATED BAND IN ROCK HISTORY..FACT
Your memory is incorrect
100% correct
They most certainly were not underrated.
They are not underrated.
Too short lived, they imploded only a few years after hitting it big.
Bands back in the day were pure talent, no gimmicks or electronic tuning needed.
Hands down for sure.
Make no mistake about it, todays talent is as every bit as talented.
You just do not like the music as much
You're so right man no fancy light shows no fancy gimmicks just hard rock and roll
I saw them live 2 times. I was blessed to be the teenagers in the 70s and lived thru the greatest music ever made on earth. ❤❤❤❤❤
Also saw them twice. Shook the arena in a good way. Everyone were friendly in those days too. They put their heart and souls into long concerts
Love them even now after all these years.
Mark Farner is still performing and has a ton of energy. His voice and playing are on point
Judgement Day Blues
“Lorraine” & “Easy Breezes” from his album, “Mark Farner”, showcase his sweet vocals!
And Farner’s a genuine PRO-AMERICA PATRIOT!! I love the guy!! Love his song “Red, White, & Blue” from his “Red, White, & Blue Forever” album!
GFR!! Back in the day the critics hated them, but the fans loved them. All 3 were so underrated as a band and individually as musicians.
Fuck the critics what did they know about music they was so far and away from reality
There's no irony or sarcasm in anything that they do.
@@themoviedealers One thing people seems to forget about GFR was they was loud! A lot of bands who did shows with them picked that up from them.
I really appreciate the video it really brings back the old days. They are a strong powerful band. I'm 73 years old and still love this band❤
This was my music in high school. We were so lucky to have bands like this, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, the Allman Brothers, Yes, Mountain , Janis Joplin, and on and on. I loved your reaction to the sly version of this song. Love the studio version of it also very much. Thanks for posting. 🎸
Stevie Ray Vaughan, Robin Trower, The Who, Genesis, Pink Floyd, The Doobie Brothers, Credence Clearwater Revival, Kansas, Jethro Tull, Lynard Skynard to name a few more & the list goes on...
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, The Groundhogs, UFO, New York Dolls, Eddie and the Hotrods, Budgie.
And YES Trower!
You got that right!! I was 18 in 1969. There far too many bands to name or list from our ERA, the best there wever was !! No Comparison to any prior generation or any past generations. That's why my 35+ year old sons have all MY MUSIC on their Playlists!. Your listed bands of that era is missing one Woodstock magnificence band that never get the credit they Deserve: Ten Years After. They too belong in the Hall of Fame just based on thier Woodstock performance alone!! Love it.
Talk about talent! That solid precise instrumentation along with the Drums and rhythm. Powerful vocals.....what a band.
Meet Mark, Don, and Mel. In my teens these were the band. Saw them 5 times, always great shows, what a live band! Thanks for making a moment into a classic.
How big were they at their peak? Well, they sold out Shea Stadium…and sold it out faster than *The Beatles* , so that should give you an idea.
When this was recorded this guy’s were like 19 or 20 years old. This was the first album I ever bought one of my all time favorites.
5 times? You Lucky Bastard! They nearly destroyed the SOLD OUT Shea Stadium from the fans bouncing the bleachers in rythym making the walls of the Stadium wooble!
Remembering this like I was 18 again, yep I’m 72 and still loving it like I did back in the day
One the greatest live performances you’ll ever see, GFR was HUGE in the 70’s. If you pause it you can see the harmonica is real…….✌️
People forget or don't know how BIG GFR were .
Grand Funk was bigger then the Beatles ! They sold-out more venues in record time then the Beatles,
they sold more gold and platinum albums in a 2 year period then any band ever ! they sold-out more concerts in those 2 years than anybody ever ! they broke attendance records by the Rolling Stones and Elvis !
Grand Funk was the first band to sell 10 straight Platinum albums.
Here is another great jam.
Humble pie
Steve Marriott and Peter Frampton burn it up
th-cam.com/video/30rm29hKRFo/w-d-xo.html
Seriously. How old are you. There are so many more than Grand Funk. They were good, but even when they were at their top, we still were not playing a lot of their stuff. There were too many other great bands out there. Not bashing them, but they didn’t have a lot of material. Hendrix did the Fillmore show on Jan 1, 1970, with Buddy Miles and Billy Cox - that was what was all over. The Stones were putting out Grade A music, as was Clapton.
@@manko5465 kinda Bashing folks for liking something other than what you like.
They weren’t my favorite band either. But with 6 platinum and 7 gold records. People obviously likes them.
I grew up with everything from Glenn Miller to steppenwolf to Gene Pitney to Three dog night.
Saw zep in 77, along with just about every great band back in the day. took my Mom to see Elvis.
As a Deadhead, I’m familiar with people Not liking what I like. But that’s why there is more than one station on the radio.
Miles Davis opened for the Dead at the Fillmore west in 70.
I grew up in the late 60's and early 70's and this band shaped my youth. My parents were huge Grand Funk Railroad fans and they passed that down to me. Nothing compares to this era of music.
You’re so right 🎉❤
Exactly! Nothing compares.
A three piece band, playing live and absolutely kicking ass. I grew up in Detroit in the 1960's and 70's and these guys were from near there. We heard them all the time and we loved it when the rest of the country finally heard about them.
100%! Lansing girl here. Love our GFR ❤
These guys are phenomenal!! I’ve been listening to them since I was 15 - still listening at 68! They came here to Toronto when I was 18. Mark Farner’s hair was down to his waist! They were so amazing every single show and there is NOTHING new out there that gives you even close to that feeling!!
Listen to BABYMETAL. They are happiness.
The baseline through this entire song is so beyond next level.
And the bassist was only 18 years old at the time.
Sick, sick, sick bass.
Kick ass funky rock and roll...fantastic vocals and musicians! I remember when these guys were huge, especially around the midwest (from southwest Indiana)..they are from Michigan. The drummer's fro has it's own zip code..cool as hell!
Polo I saw these guys 13 times back in the day. High-volume high-energy they never slow down. Very underrated. They should be in the Rock and roll Hall of Fame but they're not that's because they wouldn't sell out their music to the record company execs so they got black balled for a long time. But they should be in the Rock and roll Hall of Fame. They're still on the road today performing after 50+ yrs.
Today's version of GFR does not have Farner and without him they are not that good. If you want to hear Grand Funk music go see Mark Farner's band.
@@timfatout5339 Absolutely! There is no GFR without Mark Farner as the Frontman! Hell he wrote damn near all the songs and all their biggest hits!
@@timfatout5339 Amen brother!!!!
And you have to belong to the same master that puts stars on sidewalk in the city of fallen angels...he calls himself the morning star and he just adores his "stars" but really abhors them...that shitty hall of Fame is really, in my opinion, a hall of shame.
THAT GUITAR was in the rnr hall of fame but GFR isn't? Mark Farner had to practically break into the rnr hall of fame to get that guitar back!! The fact that acts like Madonna and Public Enemy are in the rnr hall tells you all about that joke of an organization.
You happend to choose absolutely the best live version of this song and you are correct, the studio version though fantastic is paled to this performance. Take it from a 65 year old blue collar type guy here, it gives me joy to see more and more content providers doing reviews of rock and roll from the 60's and 70's. Thank you sir for honoring these artist's.
GRF live is I think a better version.
The late 60’s and 70’s was some of the BEST music to grow up with.
GFR, from their debut in 1969 and over the next 5 years or so, combined hard rock and blues and were very well received. The music from the late 60s thru the 70s was revolutionary, fresh and progressive, and this band was right in the mix of it all. Such a great time to be immersed in some of the greatest music of all time.
That was one of the greatest reactions ever! Loved your pauses and comments. The look on your face… I am 68 years old and we were hippies in the 70’s and my hubby took me to a Grand Funk Railroad concert for our 1st anniversary in 1974 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
We stood on the seats. We danced. We passed a joint up and down the row. The guy on the end had a baggy and rolled 'em and passed 'em. Security walked by and kept on walkin'. Yeah I remember that concert.
I love GFR.
Mark Farner was the gift of the 70's.
He played guitar, keyboards and harp and could sing like no ones business.
Listen to Aimless Lady to hear his vocal range.
Rock on fellow Ohioan!
And the harmonica.
Mark was born in Flint, Michigan. He was OUR homeboy 👍🏻😁
@@jillykz yes, I know.
Or no lies
@@ACG7001 explain please.
This performance is one of, if not THE greatest live performance ever captured. PERIOD.
Grand Funk Railroad were incredible! THREE PEOPLE and all that music!
The albums, "Survivor" and "Closer To Home" are my favorites. I'm glad you appreciated them!
Grand Funk Railroad was my favorite band from 1971 when I was 9 years old. Thanks for reminding me how great they were.
Here’s the deal. The Grand Funk Railroad LIVE album was #1 ‘in the hood’ when it came out. Seriously!!! Mark Farner was a soul singer, guitar playing machine. Don Brewer on drums and Mel Schacter on bass got the job done. Those were good times to grow up and a great time for music.
That live album was the first true hard rock live LP
My thoughts exactly. So glad I grew up when I did. 60s/70s and in a very diverse area in NY ❤
Grand Funk Railroad,, incredible Band!!!!
One of my favorites 😎
Thanks to whoever requested this song. Ive never heard it before. That was damn impressive musicianship.
Good review too Polo !
Grand Funk Railroad's sold-out show on July 9, 1971, at New York's Shea Stadium is famous for selling its 55,000 tickets in 72 hours - faster than the Beatles had in August 1965
New to me too, a surprise. It should have been on the greatest hits tape i wore out in 1990.
GFRR perfected their music on stage. My 1st concert. They rocked. It's hard to tell their fans that this band was unappreciated, but they were overlooked by many in the "biz," and still are.
Listen to johnny and Edgar Winter sing tobacco road. Musical geniuses and they are really white, those albino brothers will blow your mind.
that is because some critics decided that three people in a band wasn't enough,
Great reaction! You got it! They were performing for themselves, giving it everything they had, no holding back. So glad to have been in high school and college in the 70’s.
On another note, I was invited to a prom in Flint Michigan, though I was only an 8th grader, by a senior. This band played the prom that night, and my date was a little peeved because I spent most of the night standing in front of Mark Farner. To top it off, it was in the cafeteria of the school, so needless to say, I bought every album once they hit as GFR. Awesome band, cool that someone is just being turned on to them. You should’ve been there in that Basement cafeteria!!!!! Sonny T
.... wow ...
Oh my God! I grew up in Flint! GFR played at one of my Jr High School dances too!!! Mark Farner was a God!!!
We had a garage band back in the early 70's here in upstate New York. A buddy turned me on to GFR and I was hooked. I copied everything that Mel did, almost to the T. In 72 my drummer and I went to the War Memorial in Syracuse and felt the music in person. I say felt because it was like going to the drag races. The sound goes right through you! How did you manage that band in a cafeteria?!
EXCEEDINGLY BITCHIN'!!!
@@justsittinhere72 it was a Big school, small town, only one, so the room was pretty big. That’s one of the first times I had been so close to a stage ( no stage just sat up on the floor!) with that much volume !!! It was a turning point for me, I said “ I’m Goinna Do That!!” So I started writing and playing. I signed with a publisher six hours after arriving in Nashville and had a top ten single recorded by a top country artist within 3 days of that. I’ve done 7 tours of Europe with some amazing artists, have had 156 songs recorded by other artists and over 500 published. I just turned 70 in March, and currently have two songs on an album that’s #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 Blues Charts. I hate egos, just telling you this because I don’t think I would have done all this without that nights impact on me. I couldn’t believe that much sound was coming from three guys. I also became a sound and studio engineer because of that!! Ironically, I saw Steppenwolf the next weekend and once again it made a huge impact on me. All the best, Sonny T
I've listened to this on Vinyl,,, 8-Track,,, Cassette Tape,,, C-D,,, Thumb Drive,,,and today I find myself enjoying it as much as ever. It was a beautiful thing to see your honest reaction......Subscribed right here !
Hey - I'm 76 and this group blew me away in 69/70's era... it's cool to see you so impressed. It also conjures up memries of Savoy Brown, Cactus, Humble Pie, and a few otherwise unknowns..."Unknown" only because the average FM stations never woulda played long jams like this... I was fortunate enough to do dj work at those that did, and later at non-commercial listener supported fm stations where I did late night shows sometimes playing for hours straight without interruptions playing concept albums and long jams. The best callers I had would be those where the dude on the other end was saying..."whoa man! I've been listening for two hours straight and haven't been able to call in for fear I'd miss something...all I can say is jus...WOW." Anyway - this takes me back to those glorious days of yesteryear when we'd open up the latest unknown group's vinyl LPs by Led Zep ("who the hell is Led Zeppelin???"), Aerosmith ("WHAAA?") and sit down and get blown away at what was comin off the table and floating through the studio... Thx Polo... what you're hearing is well understood. And remembered.
...and UFO (pre- Bad Co, and Scorpions)
Savoy Brown, Cactus, Humble Pie...now here's someone who knows about Good Music!! ✌🏼😎
When I was a teenager we found out that the studio for our local college fm channel was up on a mountain with the antenna. On weekends where the dj would play long cuts we would drive up there and sit in the parking lot and smoke the dj up. Fun times
The day I bought this album, I was in the 8th grade. That was in 1969 and it's still JAM'N. The entire album. Some albums just age like FINE WINE. They only get better.
I was 13 in 1975 when I heard it , and been a lifelong fan ever since.
Oh! Yeal!!!!
I was 19 years old in 1969...now 73 years
Old...don't stop here the 60's have some
Bad Ass music..
Peace Brother...
Still Rocking till the END!
Grand Funk, the 3 piece real deal! Music such as this changes lives and no wonder you’ve been married 30 plus years, with great music you can’t go wrong in your everyday living!
Yep good music has kept us together lol
-#cheers-- !-
@@FadedRose62 -xD !-
This song can start a revolution!
These guys were the biggest live act in 1970. Bigger than Zeppelin. They got burned by their management, the thing that made these guys great is their talent, and the word of mouth of the people who saw them first.
I wouldn’t go that far saying that they were bigger than Zeppelin. Crazy talk.
Grand Funk OUTSOLD the Beatles! Led Zepplin got boo-d by crowd when they came on after GFRR! FACTS!
Grand funk railroad 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Im a 1965 baby girl and i grew up listening to these dudes and this kinda music which we call SOUL FIYA ❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥
Now thats when music was music ❤️🔥
Loved watching your reaction, thanks so much for your open mindedness ☀️🕊️
Awesome! This song was performed when I was 10... and much too young to appreciate all the raw passion. First time hearing it this evening, at 65, though, and... well, I'm with you, this was incredible. So much soul & funk from these white boys! And they were only a trio, to boot! Thank you for the privilege of hearing this!
I fell in love with GFR when I was just a girl and started collecting their albums. I still have every album they made. I miss everything about life during that whole era, but the music can’t be rivaled. I am so glad you have gotten to be exposed to this awesome band! 🥰❣️🥰
Do you even have their 1981 and 82 albums ? they don't have the same Bass player,
But the album " Grand Funk Lives " is great, Marks voice is smooth, yet searing.
Most songs are good and Ilike the album. But the second one, " What's Funk " I did not care for.
We were blessed with talent and scope. Music was allowed to happen organically and fully. No tech artifice.
My comment was similar it was a great time growing up lots of happiness and fun.
I still have my expansive collection of GFR on vinyl too.
"If you don't think this sounds good, you don't deserve ears." My favorite comment of the year, thank you for this great reaction. So fun, so excellent.
If you didn't live during this time then you just can't understand what you missed. So amazing that folks can still experience this after so much time has passed. What happened to music where we don't have this anymore?
Corporations took over the music scene and copycats followed each other. Sucks today. Classic rock forever!!!
MTV got people caring about looks of bands more than their musicianship then they had to add synthesizers and auto tune. It was better when you were moved by listening to the radio.
"If you don't think this sounds good, then you don't deserve ears!" BEST COMMENT EVER. Love your reactions, keep it going.
I still get chills watching this after many, many times watching it. I saw them three times and they were an amazing live band. They sold out Shea Stadium in hours. This band has an interesting backstory full of drama and backstabbing, but, my Lord, for a few years they were at the very top of rock and roll.
I think it was summer of 70 or 71 and all anyone could talk about was Grand Funk. They were #1 in the USA.
Sold out Shea Stadium faster than The Beatles and held that record until Shea was demolished in 2009.
There was a window of rock n roll when musicians didn't hold back. Their energy and releasing the soul & spirit is all that mattered. GFR did that to perfection.
Mark Farner.... Bass guitar (early), drums (Black Brass song), keyboards (before Craig Frost joined), Lead Guitar, Incredible Lead vocals and writer of 90% of the GFR material. One of the most talented front men to ever walk onto a stage in the history of music. What a talent and still touring to this day...
I was lucky enough to have seen this band for my very first live concert. These guys are great!!
I'm 71 and my first rock concert was seeing GFR in 1969. It was awesomely thunderous and it's up there with my top ten rock live performances. Love Mark Farner, the human dynamo.
Michigan boys go hard... No matter what it is... Get it... This was 1969... LIVE
Mark is still one of my favorite front men ever. It’s rare to find the lead guitarists and lead singer. And he’s always moving. All their music is awesome.
I was laughing to myself when you kept getting excited in the beginning... I knew how much more was coming and your reaction ended up being priceless.
Yes, these guys are THAT GOOD!
They have plenty more for you to pick from 😊
I can't believe I lived in this era and enjoyed every minute of these excellent rock bands, professional musicians, never autotune, never lipsync, I will never forget. Also check out Three Dog Night early albums.
I discovered GFR in 1971. After the first few seconds of “Sin’s a Good Man’s Brother” I was hooked. I still have all of my vinyl.
Electrifying Grand Funk Railroad in 1969....this is a very special live performance enjoyed all over TH-cam, and it's always great to see a first reaction to actually see how it affects your senses, and appreciate the undeniable talent, and dedication these guys show. Thank you, and explore more of this great band, because they will not disappoint you. "I'm Your Captain" and "Are You Ready " are popular ones, go deeper into their history and you find rock n roll gems💎
The definitive live version of this song was captured in full stadium intensity on their live album, released November 1970. Mark and Don sing and play their hearts out, Mel's bass shakes your house and they encourage and whip the audience into an absolute frenzy. The energy is beyond electric: You are transported back in time, you are THERE. Has to be one of the most dynamic live performances ever recorded. Find it, play it, turn it up to ELEVEN!
GFR was the original party band. Had an old 8 track player in my first car. GFR's greatest hits was the only 8 track I had, so I heard it a lot. For home I had the album, "Mark, Don, and Mel". Great stuff!
Check out We're an American Band
Blues based bands from this Era never get old... pure talent.
OMG that was amazing. I am 53 years old and swear I'd never heard this band play before. Listening to this amazing work of art made me feel like I had gone to church and had an extremely religious experience. Thank you so much for reacting to this amazing band and bringing them back to the forefront.
Ah yes. The myth, the legends, the one and only Grand Funk Railroad!! Sooner or later everyone stumbles into the path of this hidden gem and gets smacked with a dose of raw rock and funk! So many amazing songs yet to go from these guys!
GFR was in a league of their own. Can't wait til you experience more of them.
It always amazes me when you see a 3 person band that can consistently put out some unbelievable solid tunes like that. I was in Jr High when I was first tuned into GFR, Janis Joplin, Sly and the Family Stone, Cream, then Derick and the Dominoes, Allman Brothers, Crosby, Stills, and Nash, Zeppelin, etc. To me this was a time when great music was made. Pure artist that took you on a musical journey to escape the horrors of the world(like Vietnam war)
TRUE THAT
Exactly
We've listened to the studio version....we'll take this one any day! Love your channel! We listen to it every time we see a reactor reacting to it! Can't get enough!
This double live album set was one of the first records I had bought as a kid, and to this day, this is one of my all-time favorite songs and still know all the words to it. Also keep in mind, this is only a 3-person band making all that sound.
Exactly-3 people bursting with talent! GFR!!!
Yup, but in about 1974 or so, they added a keyboard player. GFR was one of the top grossing acts from about '69 to '72 or so. Deep Purple, The Stones, Led Zep were in there too. But the critics hated them. Led Zeppelin actually kicked them off their tour as their opening act because they got more attention than Zep.
I have listened to this track so much I know every note. My favorite GFR song is "Working on the Railroad" With "Into the Sun and "Sin is a Good Mans Brother" tied for second place.
I still have the original LP and I still listen to it
Saw Grand Funk Railroad the summer before my senior year of high school in 1969 at Red Rock outdoor amphitheater outside Denver, Co. Being a young black men we jammed with these guys all while we were getting our buzz on 😊. When I got in country in 1971 we jammed with the Grand Funk Railroad all the till I came back to the world in 1974. I’m almost 72 now and I still love listening to them jam without the buzz 😊. Best 3 person band ever. My favorite all time rock band ❤ them.
I'm in my 60s and this Band was my favorite. So many songs that you can react to. Love Grand Funk! Great react by the way!
One of the best live bands ever, I came home from the military in 1971 and Introduced my friends to rock and it changed our lives we ended up being band mates
Like a train coming down the tracks! GFR one of the most intense and talented bands ever ❤❤❤
Love and thanks POLO!!
As a 56 year old guy, I had not heard this until 2 years ago, and I am marvelling at the sheer genius energy and emotion of the song. If 'Medals of Honor' were available to musicians - this would surely be right up there for an award.
Sane here.
How is that possible , genuinely curious
This is a cover from the animal Eric burdon.
I'm 70 and I have seen alot of rock concerts. Their concert in 1971, my first concert, is still one of my favorites. They kicked ass live and I still prefer to listen to them live rather than from the studio. Just 3 very young guys. I loved their song In Need live.
I saw GFR in 72’, that band was so good live it was ridiculous, Mark is one of the best front men guitarist s of all time. That soul and funk you hear is because they were from Flint, Xichigan which as my you probably know is close to Detroit. I just found your channel and subscribed, I’m looking forward to more from you. FYI I’m from Ohio also, we go to Tennessee every year, we love the Smokey Mountains area.
Love me some Grand Funk !! I cut my teeth on them when I was learning to play in the basement.. Gimme Shelter, Feelin Alright, this song, Closer to Home, Footstompin' Music....the list never ends. What amazing talent from all 3 !! And, at 15:43, Donny is playing those triplets with 1 Bass Drum and 1 Pedal, too !! So good at building that last crescendo !! Love it !!!
Exactly! A simple, basic drum set and he made it sound like double everything.
If you was a garage band just starting out you couldn't starting playing like Cream but there was something about Grand Funk Railroad that makes you want to play like them!
When this was filmed the band was in a small Pennsylvania TV studio with fewer than 100 audience members. They were still hoping for their big break and went all out with the song. They went on to become one of the largest bands of the early 1970s. By 1971 they sold out Shea Stadium over 55,000 seats in just 72 hours. The Beatles had sold out Shea a few years earlier but took 7 weeks to do so.
It was just 1 show, They were the fastest sell-out in Shea stadium history.
, Grand Funk sold-out every stadium around the World. Breaking attendance records everywhere they played !
I love love love this band. The way they play together is perfect. There are 3 insanely talented young men on that stage. The lead singer is Mark Farner who was only 21 years old here, the drummer, Don Brewer is also 21 and the bass is Mel Schacher who was only 18 YEARS OLD!!!! What talent from 3 very young guys. Blows me away!!!!!!!! They do a song An American Band. The drummer sings this one and this guys voice is so big and powerful... listen to more from them, You will love it
I saw Grand Funk 4 times & every time I saw them I walked out of the venue with knowing that I just witnessed one of the most energetic bands in rock history 🙏🏻🤯🤪😵💫😁 I had a hop in my step & was drenched in body sweat from hard core rockin for the 2 hours! I’m 70 yrs young & I thank the almighty that we were all alive to witness such great bands like Grand Funk Railroad. The only band in history that blew Led Zeppelin off the stage. Yes that really happened-check it out!
I agree 💯 with you they were the best band in America
One thing about them is how fast they sold out tickets for their concerts! Back then you had to go to the box office window in person and if you were late you was not getting in.
The best part is this their first recording live. This song gets tighter, more intricate and Mark’s voice gets smoother and more soulful over the years. This song is on 3 live albums. Check them out!
"Caught in the Act", Toledo, I was there!
Every time I hear this song I’m reminded how lucky I was to be a 70s kid !
I think the drummer sings lead on some of their other songs, too. Equally powerful voice. The fact that it sounds so good LIVE with 1960's audio technology is what really blows my mind. Some Kind of Wonderful, We're An American Band, Footstompin Music.... Those are three more GFR tunes worth checking out.
What can I say 60's band's were the best ever!
Still sounds so amazing even after all of these years 😊