Mark Farner is Grand Funk Railroad. Without Mark there is no Grand Funk Railroad. Don and Mel were just back up wallflowers when Mark was in the band, and they knew it, and they didn’t like that. Yes, they are good musicians, but Mark Farner is far more talented, and most people came to see Mark first, and then Don and Mel… maybe. Whenever my friends and I discussed GFR we always spoke about Mark. The others really didn’t even come up in our conversations. It was the same whenever we heard others talking about GFR. I didn’t even know their names for a few years because I could have cared less, but I knew Mark Farner’s name! The first time I heard GFR was the first time I saw Mark Farner, and GFR was on tv, and I knew Mark’s name right away, but Don and Mel weren’t even blips on a radar. Honestly I don’t even think the announcer mentioned Don and Mel’s names, but he did mention Mark’s name, and spoke of him giving an outstanding performance. Mark Farner was unique in nature, and still is, which always makes him stand out. One of the best performers/musicians ever. LONG LIVE MARK FARNER!
I saw Grand Funk ( Mark Farner ) totally blow Led Zeppelin off the stage - Mark's unbelievable voice ( and Fantastic songs ) along with his Stage presence was unbelievable ! Mark didn't even need a band. He totally stole the show all by himself !
every time someone puts a microphone in front of bruce, he never says anything negative about anyone. he's gotta be one of the nicest guys in the biz! nice interview! subbed!
Mark’s been attacked and backstabbed so many times, it’s amazing he still has a heart for anyone willing to extend a hand. 🤝 Bruce sounds ok but he still chose to work w a lying, backstabber. People who know Don before fame say he was a nice kid, but after fame he became unfriendly and arrogant. Interesting interview.
Mark Farner is anyone's friend who wants to be friendly with him. He's even reached his olive branch out toward Mel, who I still have hope for. Its only Donnie who seems like a lost cause. Bottom line is---Mark Farner is NOT John Fogerty---not at all!
Mark Farner is Grand Funk Railroad. Without Mark Farner there is no Grand Funk Railroad. Don was just wallpaper when Mark was in the band and Don can’t stand that. Don made it his job to be deceitful, underhanded, and treacherous to Mark. LONG LIVE MARK FARNER!
I heard that Don Brewer didn't like Mark Farners religious antics towards the crowds during live shows. So Brewer tricked Mark Farner in signing a contract that stated to give up the rights to the name Grand Funk because Brewer wanted to do his own thing and call his band Grand Funk. That's why Mark Farner now is called The Mark Farner Band. So now both bands play all Mark Farners music that he wrote. Mark Farner is Grand Funk !
I love GFRR, they were the band that I shaped my guitar playing after. I saw them in concert in the early 70s. What a show. I had gone to many concerts in that time period, during my time in the 82nd airborne division and they were the best show with maybe Black Oak Arkansas. I got to see many big bands that were still opening acts for others. That was also great because they played their asses off to become the headliners. I was extremely disappointed when they split but I didn't get into the fault thing until later in life, but what a shame to lose a band like they were.
Good to hear Mark & Bruce are friends and have worked together since Bruce joined Don & Mel's version of GFR. However, IMO GFR without Mark Farner isn't the read deal. I much prefer Mark Farner's American Band over Don & Mel's GFR tribute band.
Bruce has got to be the nicest guy in R&R! I had the good fortune to meet him back in 1986 when I worked for International Musician & Recording World, and he was tremendous then as well. I'm so happy that he has had the success he's had in that cut-throat industry.
Farner should have known better than to sign a legal document from Brewer without first having a lawyer review it. The three of them were royally screwed years earlier by Terry Knight, so Farner should not have done that. He did it to himself.
I'm almost willing to give Mel a pass, because I think he still feels bad about not being a part of the 1981 reunion and is trying to atone for it somehow. Don was the brainchild of the whole thing. Mel was just going for the love of the gig and the money. I just wished that both Mel and Don chose to do it as members of Bob Seger's band, rather than playing Mark's songs
@@tommybottsYou're 100 percent right about having an attorney check out a contract! And God help you if you sign something from a car dealership without checking it out. I read everything I sign and have my attorney check out stuff that isn't clear.
I would like to hear from Don, in his own words, why he f*cked Mark over. GFR is Mark, not Don. And Im a drummer who grew up idolizing Don as a kid in the 70s. Now I've lost all respect for him. Mel too for that matter.
Don and Mel are unrealistic really. Without Mark, they wouldn't be where they are today. Fact. Mark wrote 95% of the musical scores/hits for GFR. Don Brewer asked Mark if he could sing "We're An American Band" and Mark graciously said of course. That's the way Mark rollls, not the way the other two do. Sad.
If you grew up with Grand Funk Railroad like I did, Don and Mel will never get the blessing of true fans. What they did to Mark Farner was inexcusable. They should have started their own band and moved on.
Saw Grand Funk four times vetween '69- '71; best was with Humble Pie opening at Kiel Auditorium in St. Louis/ but GFR was always best "live". Mark, Don, & Mel.
I can understand where kulick is coming from - however - there is no way in hell I would have taken that gig knowing what brewer pulled. In the case of kiss - frehley quit.
Its complicated Mark did quit at the end of the reunion tour in 98. Don and Mel asked Mark to come back for two years and Mark said no. They they got the new guys at the end of 2000. So its not cut and dry the fact is Don and Mel won't let Mark back in now (using the vote in the corporation to keep Mark out). So there is blame to go all the way around. I still hope they can work it out and do one last reunion tour. When Mark quit in 98 he blamed Pot being around the band and Blamed Mel and Don for him quitting. It was a weird situation. He said he solo work was more important and he had to get back to it. He wrote this letter to the fans at the roadkill fan group. It was all in there. So Bruce did not come into a band where Mark was kicked out. Mark quit. I still hope they three of them can work it out and get back together.
@@rickcappetto- I guess that you can be right. It is complicated. I do remember that back in 1976 it was supposedly Farner that originally quit the band. Not the other way around. Also - Never made sense to me why Farner would want a "solo career". Grand Funk would/could always be his trademark. The whole corpa
@@rickcappetto- - The whole corporation deal is a clusterfu*** in my opinion. The corporation certainly is not looking out for it's members as far as turning a profit. I imagine that at the end of the day it all comes down to egos. But I still would not have taken the gig.
Brewers' problem is one that he has had from the GFR beginning, he wants to be the main man and he couldn`t stand Farner being out front instead of him and he knew that the only way he could be front man was to slip Mark that GFR "corporation" contract BS that gave Don and Mel the controling arm of the group. Brewer knows how chicken shit the whole thing was and he most likely can look Farner straight in the eye anymore and he sure won`t man up to it being his fault. Of course, the fans are the biggest losers here, and it`s funny but it always comed down to egos showing that age doesn`t always make you humble.
Let's see -- Mark was the frontman, the main singer and wrote all the original songs except for American Band. Don sang on two of the biggest hits though -- American Band and the cover of Some Kind of Wonderful, therefore he thought he was the most important member of the band. And screwed Mark in order to take over. No fan of the band should support such a low life move by paying to see that travesty.
I quote that line from Ace a lot because I think it’s funny but you’re right. I remember reading that line in Guitar Player. My other favorite line from a Guitar Player interview was from Alex Lifeson when he was asked what it was like getting ready for a tour. He said; we sound like a really bad Rush cover band.😂
@dougduchateau443 You must be one of those KISST#RDS that worships Paul and Gene for being teetotaling machiavellian scam artists. We know Paul and Gene have only been about the music. 😆🤣 You clowns slay me. Totally not a cheeky line line from Ace btw. You took that to heart. Just like you believed Paul and Gene when they said the band was finished in 2001.
@@JefferyHagenWow, you can pick up on humor. It's almost almost like Ace was making a joke. I liked the interview where Neil Peart said Ace and Peter were lovable and Paul and Gene were two businessmen.
@@mr.brenman2132 I thought it was funny when I read that Ace said that and I’m sure he was being sarcastic but then again it’s not called the music business for nothing. Have you ever seen the interview with KISS by Tom Snyder? It’s a hoot. Ace was wasted and he and Peter were laughing it up with Tom egging them on meanwhile Gene is giving them the stink eye. It should still be on TH-cam.
You know Mick fleetwood and John Mcvie and its allways been Fleetwood Mac but they Dont sing or Play lead Guitar or keyboards So Don Brewer and Mel Shacher are Like them except There Lead player is Still playing Fleetwood Macs Guitar player Quit on his own and took his name off the bands original namesake Which was Peter Greens Fleetwood mac 1968 so there Just a Rythem Section
It's unfortunate they couldn't work things out but it's a business and Brewer did sing lead on 25 GFR songs most of which he wrote. Don and Mel wanted Mark in the band full time. Mark wanted to keep a solo career and get 50% of GFR's money so a business decision had to be made. It's one more page in Rock History.
Seen Mark years back with B.T.O. he ran back & forth for 90 min. straight not missing a beat he`s talented as hell !!!! HE DON`T NEED THE OTHER TWO AT ALL 🤗 THE SHOW WAS BITCHIN 🤗
Man, I have been listening to GFR since 1970 and loving it. Mark Farner is GFR, without him it is a cheap imitation. I am sad that he went on Stern’s show, as I know Mark is a man of faith and Stern is a hypochondriac, bigoted lunatic who should be ignored by everyone. He is state-run media now, and just plain nuts. Mark Farner is better than that, and I will always love his music.
Mark Farner's birth certificate should say Grand Funk Railroad. He was born to create great music.
Agree 💯
TRUTH
Bruce is a class act....
No Mark Farner? Not Grand Funk………………
I'm Glad you said that !
Mark farner is grand funk period
They screwed Mark but let's be honest all three are GFR. Even though Mark is the man, Don and Mel also make the band special too.
Like John Fogerty is CCR
Mark Farner is Grand Funk Railroad.
Without Mark there is no Grand Funk Railroad. Don and Mel were just back up wallflowers when Mark was in the band, and they knew it, and they didn’t like that. Yes, they are good musicians, but Mark Farner is far more talented, and most people came to see Mark first, and then Don and Mel… maybe. Whenever my friends and I discussed GFR we always spoke about Mark. The others really didn’t even come up in our conversations. It was the same whenever we heard others talking about GFR. I didn’t even know their names for a few years because I could have cared less, but I knew Mark Farner’s name! The first time I heard GFR was the first time I saw Mark Farner, and GFR was on tv, and I knew Mark’s name right away, but Don and Mel weren’t even blips on a radar. Honestly I don’t even think the announcer mentioned Don and Mel’s names, but he did mention Mark’s name, and spoke of him giving an outstanding performance. Mark Farner was unique in nature, and still is, which always makes him stand out. One of the best performers/musicians ever.
LONG LIVE MARK FARNER!
As always, Bruce is a class act!
I saw Grand Funk ( Mark Farner ) totally blow Led Zeppelin off the stage - Mark's unbelievable voice ( and Fantastic songs ) along with his Stage presence was unbelievable ! Mark didn't even need a band. He totally stole the show all by himself !
Can't believe they are not in the rock hall of fame.
every time someone puts a microphone in front of bruce, he never says anything negative about anyone. he's gotta be one of the nicest guys in the biz! nice interview! subbed!
I'm fully behind Ace telling the truth about Paul and Gene.
Same with Mark Farner, by the way.
Mark’s been attacked and backstabbed so many times, it’s amazing he still has a heart for anyone willing to extend a hand. 🤝
Bruce sounds ok but he still chose to work w a lying, backstabber. People who know Don before fame say he was a nice kid, but after fame he became unfriendly and arrogant.
Interesting interview.
There is no Grand Funk Railroad without Mark Farner, they are just a cover band.
There's no Grand Funk Railroad without funk and railroads.
Yep, kinda like KISS without Ace and Peter (who Bruce threw a barb at early in this very video clip)...
@@mysteriowc Yeah, as time goes on the real revelation is that Paul and Gene are just monsters.
100%, and Ive been listening to them since the mid 70s
@@johnhead6116 I've been working on the railroad
Mark Farner is anyone's friend who wants to be friendly with him. He's even reached his olive branch out toward Mel, who I still have hope for. Its only Donnie who seems like a lost cause. Bottom line is---Mark Farner is NOT John Fogerty---not at all!
Mark Farner is Grand Funk Railroad. Without Mark Farner there is no Grand Funk Railroad. Don was just wallpaper when Mark was in the band and Don can’t stand that. Don made it his job to be deceitful, underhanded, and treacherous to Mark.
LONG LIVE MARK FARNER!
I heard that Don Brewer didn't like Mark Farners religious antics towards the crowds during live shows. So Brewer tricked Mark Farner in signing a contract that stated to give up the rights to the name Grand Funk because Brewer wanted to do his own thing and call his band Grand Funk. That's why Mark Farner now is called The Mark Farner Band. So now both bands play all Mark Farners music that he wrote. Mark Farner is Grand Funk !
I love GFRR, they were the band that I shaped my guitar playing after. I saw them in concert in the early 70s. What a show. I had gone to many concerts in that time period, during my time in the 82nd airborne division and they were the best show with maybe Black Oak Arkansas. I got to see many big bands that were still opening acts for others. That was also great because they played their asses off to become the headliners. I was extremely disappointed when they split but I didn't get into the fault thing until later in life, but what a shame to lose a band like they were.
Good to hear Mark & Bruce are friends and have worked together since Bruce joined Don & Mel's version of GFR. However, IMO GFR without Mark Farner isn't the read deal. I much prefer Mark Farner's American Band over Don & Mel's GFR tribute band.
Farner and Brewer were both great. Just listen to the vocals and harmonies. Both voices were distinct that what made it work.
What a straight up dude. Heard him play, but never interviewed.
P.s. No Farner-No Funk. But I love this guy now.
Bruce has got to be the nicest guy in R&R! I had the good fortune to meet him back in 1986 when I worked for International Musician & Recording World, and he was tremendous then as well. I'm so happy that he has had the success he's had in that cut-throat industry.
Wow did you see the big head ego on this guy? Yeah me neither , Bruce is epitome of what CLASS looks like ! Rock on BK
😂
Don and Mel straight up screwed Mark out of money.
Guess they learned a thing or two from Terry Knight didn't they?
Farner should have known better than to sign a legal document from Brewer without first having a lawyer review it. The three of them were royally screwed years earlier by Terry Knight, so Farner should not have done that. He did it to himself.
I'm almost willing to give Mel a pass, because I think he still feels bad about not being a part of the 1981 reunion and is trying to atone for it somehow. Don was the brainchild of the whole thing. Mel was just going for the love of the gig and the money. I just wished that both Mel and Don chose to do it as members of Bob Seger's band, rather than playing Mark's songs
@@tommybotts He really believed they were brothers..and he trusted them on that level.
Despicable.
@@tommybottsYou're 100 percent right about having an attorney check out a contract! And God help you if you sign something from a car dealership without checking it out. I read everything I sign and have my attorney check out stuff that isn't clear.
@@radiomindchatter7994Don’s a reptile
BRUCE KULICK. CLASS ACT!!!!!!!😊
It's insulting calling the band Grand Funk RR without Mark Farner in the band. Please.
Grand Funk Railroad. The best garage band ever. They just turned there shit up!
Sure would b great if those guys could get back together
No Farner No Funk. I’ve seen Brewer’s “incarnation” of the band.
It’s embarrassing. Seriously.
I haven’t really heard much of your playing with GFR, but I did see you play with KISS. And you did an excellent job.
I would like to hear from Don, in his own words, why he f*cked Mark over. GFR is Mark, not Don. And Im a drummer who grew up idolizing Don as a kid in the 70s. Now I've lost all respect for him. Mel too for that matter.
Saw Bruce on stage here in Vegas with Micki Free. WOW! 2 GREAT musicians. What a treat.
Micki Free is from my home town, Quincy Illinois. I went to high school with him.
@@janschroder1559Cool. Micki is a nice guy, and what a talent.
Don and Mel are unrealistic really. Without Mark, they wouldn't be where they are today. Fact. Mark wrote 95% of the musical scores/hits for GFR. Don Brewer asked Mark if he could sing "We're An American Band" and Mark graciously said of course. That's the way Mark rollls, not the way the other two do. Sad.
Mark Farner is a good and decent man.
I saw GFR with BK in my home County of Cobb .It was fun .I enjoyed it 😀😀
I love their talent but Don Brewer and Mel Schacher will forever be backstabbing douchebags in my opinion..
They're another pair like Doug Clifford & Stu Cook.
@@woodrowmagnus2535 Or Tommy Shaw & JY
Don't get the whole Grand Funk deal. Mark Farner was and still is the thing. Not "don brewer", and co. Parasites.🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝
As a member of team Farner I hold no ill will towards Bruce. He did an admirable job with the other two-thirds of the original band GFR.
Fabulous interview... 🎅
Farner and Brewer are Grand Funk. Mel Schacher's bass was the icing on the cake. Now there's no cake. Just a poop sandwich. It's a shame.
The break up of this band pisses me off to this day.
If you grew up with Grand Funk Railroad like I did, Don and Mel will never get the blessing of true fans. What they did to Mark Farner was inexcusable. They should have started their own band and moved on.
I'm 68, Mark Farner id GFR! Chicago Charlie~
❤ The Mark Years in Grand Funk and The Bruce years in Kiss👍✌️❤️🤘
Saw Grand Funk four times vetween '69- '71; best was with Humble Pie opening at Kiel Auditorium in St. Louis/ but GFR was always best "live". Mark, Don, & Mel.
I have seen the Brewer GFR and also the Farner solo GFR and I can honestly say that Farners shows are hands down the best.
I was at that show at Kiel Auditorium
It’s the same with Yes…No Jon Anderson, No Yes… Neither Mark Farner or Jon Anderson need their former bands.
I can understand where kulick is coming from - however - there is no way in hell I would have taken that gig knowing what brewer pulled.
In the case of kiss - frehley quit.
Reminds me of Tris Imboden...says he idolized Danny Seraphine, but takes the gig as Chicago's drummer after they fired Danny.
@@boomer3150No problem with that. We have a problem with guys like Thayer and Singer pretending to be two other men on stage.
Its complicated Mark did quit at the end of the reunion tour in 98. Don and Mel asked Mark to come back for two years and Mark said no. They they got the new guys at the end of 2000. So its not cut and dry the fact is Don and Mel won't let Mark back in now (using the vote in the corporation to keep Mark out). So there is blame to go all the way around. I still hope they can work it out and do one last reunion tour. When Mark quit in 98 he blamed Pot being around the band and Blamed Mel and Don for him quitting. It was a weird situation. He said he solo work was more important and he had to get back to it. He wrote this letter to the fans at the roadkill fan group. It was all in there. So Bruce did not come into a band where Mark was kicked out. Mark quit. I still hope they three of them can work it out and get back together.
@@rickcappetto- I guess that you can be right. It is complicated.
I do remember that back in 1976 it was supposedly Farner that originally quit the band. Not the other way around.
Also - Never made sense to me why Farner would want a "solo career".
Grand Funk would/could always be his trademark.
The whole corpa
@@rickcappetto- - The whole corporation deal is a clusterfu*** in my opinion.
The corporation certainly is not looking out for it's members as far as turning a profit.
I imagine that at the end of the day it all comes down to egos.
But I still would not have taken the gig.
Brewers' problem is one that he has had from the GFR beginning, he wants to be the main man and he couldn`t stand Farner being out front instead of him and he knew that the only way he could be front man was to slip Mark that GFR "corporation" contract BS that gave Don and Mel the controling arm of the group. Brewer knows how chicken shit the whole thing was and he most likely can look Farner straight in the eye anymore and he sure won`t man up to it being his fault. Of course, the fans are the biggest losers here, and it`s funny but it always comed down to egos showing that age doesn`t always make you humble.
No Farner, no Funk, just two bandjackers that were never punished.
Their last tour with Mark, i said ah shit i have plans, I'll see them next time. Fuck.
No Mark No Grand Funk Period 😊
Seems like a good dude. Still no Farner no Grand Funk. Sorry Don and Mel. Nice try though. You fooled some people.
Let's see -- Mark was the frontman, the main singer and wrote all the original songs except for American Band. Don sang on two of the biggest hits though -- American Band and the cover of Some Kind of Wonderful, therefore he thought he was the most important member of the band. And screwed Mark in order to take over. No fan of the band should support such a low life move by paying to see that travesty.
BABA BOOEY!!!
Ace: "If I knew we were gonna be so big I would've practiced more". Me: "If I knew how little you cared, I would'nt have been such a big fan".
I quote that line from Ace a lot because I think it’s funny but you’re right. I remember reading that line in Guitar Player. My other favorite line from a Guitar Player interview was from Alex Lifeson when he was asked what it was like getting ready for a tour. He said; we sound like a really bad Rush cover band.😂
@dougduchateau443 You must be one of those KISST#RDS that worships Paul and Gene for being teetotaling machiavellian scam artists. We know Paul and Gene have only been about the music. 😆🤣 You clowns slay me. Totally not a cheeky line line from Ace btw. You took that to heart. Just like you believed Paul and Gene when they said the band was finished in 2001.
@@JefferyHagenWow, you can pick up on humor. It's almost almost like Ace was making a joke. I liked the interview where Neil Peart said Ace and Peter were lovable and Paul and Gene were two businessmen.
@@mr.brenman2132 I thought it was funny when I read that Ace said that and I’m sure he was being sarcastic but then again it’s not called the music business for nothing. Have you ever seen the interview with KISS by Tom Snyder? It’s a hoot. Ace was wasted and he and Peter were laughing it up with Tom egging them on meanwhile Gene is giving them the stink eye. It should still be on TH-cam.
Mark Farmer deserved better from Don. Mark wrote the majority of songs for GFR, was the lead singer and lead guitarist! Enough said.
Thats when Stern was good. Grand Funk was as huge as anyone back in the day.
Don't insult GFRR fans. Change your band name.
Not even in the HOF… F the HOF…. not interested.
But Bruce had bad Egg Gas kiss said he used to talk about having Gas all the time
Ask howard why he fled Roosevelt for Rockville Center.
I’ll answer that: too many ppl beating him up of the type who stole Uncle Junior’s car 🚙 😲 😲 😲 😲 😲 😲 😲 😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😂😂😂😂😂
Why the hell is Mark not in? The truth?
You know Mick fleetwood and John Mcvie and its allways been Fleetwood Mac but they Dont sing or Play lead Guitar or keyboards So Don Brewer and Mel Shacher are Like them except There Lead player is Still playing Fleetwood Macs Guitar player Quit on his own and took his name off the bands original namesake Which was Peter Greens Fleetwood mac 1968 so there Just a Rythem Section
Bruce is great! And a better player than Mark. And by the way, Mark chose to pursue a solo career.
Who is this guy?
Who Cares!! M.O'B
Farner has ALWAYS been VERY full of himself. Don Brewer sang the BEST Grand Funk song of all time.
Could Bruce be any cooler🎸
Like any great guitar player---he is very humble. No egos.
No Farner, No Funk
Never liked this guy!...He is always there to grab someones elses position.He is like the guy who breaks the strike line to take your job.
If you had any talent would you turn down any of the gigs Kulick has taken?
It's unfortunate they couldn't work things out but it's a business and Brewer did sing lead on 25 GFR songs most of which he wrote. Don and Mel wanted Mark in the band full time. Mark wanted to keep a solo career and get 50% of GFR's money so a business decision had to be made. It's one more page in Rock History.
Howard who?
Stern
Two con men and Mark Farner
Stern covering GFR lol thats about his level now lol
No Bruce No Grand Funk.
😂😂😂what a stupid comment. How old are you?
Who cares? Just a publicity stunt to get any attention
I don't know gfr history sure ! This bit just keeps popping up like others it's fine . Gfr is a good group everyone has their favorites
Seen Mark years back with B.T.O. he ran back & forth for 90 min. straight not missing a beat he`s talented as hell !!!! HE DON`T NEED THE OTHER TWO AT ALL 🤗 THE SHOW WAS BITCHIN 🤗
Man, I have been listening to GFR since 1970 and loving it. Mark Farner is GFR, without him it is a cheap imitation.
I am sad that he went on Stern’s show, as I know Mark is a man of faith and Stern is a hypochondriac, bigoted lunatic who should be ignored by everyone. He is state-run media now, and just plain nuts. Mark Farner is better than that, and I will always love his music.
None of grand funk came from Flint just the surrounding area. Look it up
Your not a flint stone. Flint michigan people are real
Real what?