Farner is GFR. Still don’t understand how this clown Brewer doesn’t even acknowledge or mention Mark’s overarching contributions. Mark’s writing, guitar and vocals defined the sound of that band. Without him there is no GFR. Amazing omission.
I think Don is an exceptional drummer. Maybe the movie should be based on ...... well the first time I saw GFR everyone shifted in front of Mark. Where the hell was Mel when Grand Funk Lives and the album that never should have been made outside of Don's Still Waitin' on What's Funk. To rid the band of Mark is like firing the heart and soul of the band only to become a cover band of their former selves.
So disappointing... I used to have such respect for Don Brewer and especially, Mel Schacher. I just finished watching an interview with Mark Farner, and he said he wrote American Band and came up with the cowbell and drum part. Don asked Mark if he would give him credit for the song, since he never got any writing credit before. Mark did indeed give it to him, because he’s a nice guy. Don and Mel did him dirty. One day, they will get theirs. Mark is a good man.
Farner has said, yes, Don wrote the lyrics at his (Farner's) insistence, Farner wrote the music and said we gotta get the biggest cowbell we can find... without that driving music groove those lyrics woulda went down the toilet, just like Don & Mel's Owner of a Grand Heartless Funk Band does
Peter: I truly belive in my heart and soul when greedy, jealous Brewer and snake Satcher leave their "bone suits," they will be roommates with Hitler and eat at his table. What they did was legal, yes. But, with premeditation their intent was to deceive Mark by taking advantage of a one sided friendship...Mark IS Grand Funk Railroad! And a truly great human being.
I have seen both versions of Grand Funk, Don and Mel`s and also Marks and they are totally different. Don and Mel`s show is kind of a sanitized, watered down and uninspired version that goes through the motions . Mark puts on a sweaty in your face rock and roll, roll up your sleeves get down concert. Take a guess on who was the driving force behind the original band?
Im 62 now. I remember putting the speakers of my hi fi record player in the window and blasting the thing. Because i felt everybody should listen to Grand Funk. I was 10 years old!
The commentary man stated Don Brewer is such a nice guy. I don't agree with that statement one bit, Don Brewer , drummer and Mel Schacher , bass, tricked Mark Farner into signing an agreement effectively removing him as President of Grand Funk railroad permanently blocked him from voting. Don Brewer and Mel are Greedy, selfish and jealous men. Pathetic and Weak.
If he wrote the song I will eat my shorts. He probably came up with the main lyric and name of the song but no way he wrote the music. They stole the band from Mark, without Mark Farner there is no Grand Funk. IF they had stayed together they would have been in the hall of Fame. Don and Mel voted to steal the band from Mark. That's low.
All the catalog from before Phoenix is owned by terry knights daughter but grandfunk owns the rest and guess who owns grandfunk Don brewer and Mel Schaker Mark gets nothing Corporate greed
I wonder why this doesn't register into Don's head that this band is not legit. Any knowledgeable Grand Funk fan is not interested in this. It's like when Creedence Clearwater Revival parted ways with John Fogerty. It is not the same. Don talks like he is a superstar without Mark Farner.
@@deanguando1335 You're exactly right...I'm a big fan of his time with GFR, it's such a shame he never gets mentioned (or rarely does) when this band is talked about anywhere.
Great point, and it's unfair that he doesn't get, as Dean below mentioned, the recognition he deserves. What a fabulous keyboard/organ player and extremely underrated. Nice that you brought his name up here in these posts :)
Every interview that any of these guys do, for some reason they won't ask Don, why don't you want Mark in the band anymore? That would be the first thing I'd ask him. I never seen anywhere, where he answered that question. I know Mark said what Don did to him, but we don't know why.
I liked the interview, but he's not as nice a guy, in my opinion from what I've heard, as he appears. But I loved the original band. Loved the music and the era, and there will never be another GFR. Would be nice to see Brewer and Farner settle their differences long enough to give us fans perhaps a new album and a final tour. I'd buy the record and see the show! I bet thousands of others would too. Ka-ching for them!!! But that's not likely to happen. The current line up of GFR is just not the same. More like a cover band. But, we fans have our memories of yesteryear, and it was great!
I wonder what Don & Mel think about having to pay Mark every time they play the songs he wrote. Last time I looked Mark had 90% of the writing credits on the LPs. Or did those two steal Mark's publishing rights.
Mark says in every interview he would play with those 2 anytime, anywhere. He says they should do it for the fans. After what those 2 assclowns have done to him (Brewer doesn't even mention Mark's name here! Shameful.) I don't see how he could he even get through a rehearsal with them, much less get on stage with the right spirit. Mark may have his heart in the right place, but those 2 sinister guys don't. If the spirit and bond isn't right, neither is the music. you can't unring a bell. I think Mark should just keep on doing what he's doing. Use great players and do those great songs he wrote and sang. That's way more Grand Funk than the other 2 could be. No matter who they have, they are a cover band doing Mark Farner songs.
I was born in Flint, Michigan. Brewer is a distant cousin. Our cousin was the first woman General in the Marine Corps. Her name was General Margaret Brewer and she never married. She lived with her mother her whole life. Look her up. Brewers are buried in Bristol Cemetery off Bristol Road in Michigan. Friends, If you knew the Brewers, you'd know this dude is a real Brewer. Eaglegards...
Not a surprise that there’s no video. My guess is that this is the guy that tricked his bandmate into signing away his life‘s work and creation. Why would anyone interview someone like that?
Look at Cream, Ginger Baker, Erik Clapton and Jack Bruce. Legends. The most respected Musician's ever. They came together to play the final tour (Royal Albert Hall) Don Brewer needs to recognize they are just as respected and could reach a lever only a few bands have ever achieved. GFR would play Stadiums, making Taylor Swift money but without Mark Farner that is like no Erik Clapton. Come on Don, your goinna blow it. You could leave a huge mark instead of a stain. Make the call. it's gettin late.
How can Don Brewer and Mel Schacher sleep at night knowing they messed over and continue to mess over Mark Farner? Those guys are now just a cover band for Grand Funk Railroad. I don't how anyone would pay to see these guys. It's not Grand Funk Railroad without Mark Farner.
Even Black Sabbath got Ozzie back after awhile but these guys Mel and Don made shure that mark will never have a right to any royalties or touring rights that’s hatefull so we will never see that happen
Faster than the Beatles one decade later.When the Beatles did that was the first time in history,Just cause the Beatle this kind of arena concerts became possible.Led Zepp overcame in numbers all bands in arena concerts.If the Beatles had made another concert there were no stadium big enough to host them.
Brewer has no right to take the GFR name! Without Mark, THERE IS NO GRAND FUNK RAILROAD!!!! BREWER IS A TROUBLE MAKER!! Mark and Don have had their differences, but it's time to put all that behind and get back together for all the fans!! You're not getting any younger , DON!!
As much I liked( at the time) Don’s beating his little drum kit like it owed him money,what happened after soured it all for me.I still think the band was great,I like their music tremendously,they deserve to be in the R and R Hall of Fame,but I hated what happened.
@@rogerdodger6025 JUST ONE DECADE LATER WHEN BECAME FASHION TO GO TO STADIUMS TO WATCH CONCERTS. Whe Beatles did it was new, ackward, ,there were not equipment etc.
This is my only thumbs down ever.. No disrespect to the interviewer at all .. But what is going on with Don and the enabling stooge Mel, for kicking Mark out of his own band?? I absolutely love Grand Funk, and I`m trying to forgive these two guys for what they did. If Mark can forgive them, I guess I can too. But it`s really hard to forget, that`s for sure.
Great interview.Amazing.Please invite Mel to an interview also do the same with Craig Frost and Mark Farmer.Is Terry Knight still alive? If so invite him too.The missing question is : Why the band came to an end?
Knight was murdered by his daughter's boyfriend in 2004.. The short answer to the missing question is Don and Mel screwed Farner out of the band (and use of the name), Farner is willing to forgive and forget to reunite GFR but D&M are jackoffs and sore because they know Farner is the SOUL of GFR!!!
Sounds pretty low down. We all heard Mark’s side but it would interesting to hear Brewer’s side of the story ( which I never did), like what you would see in court.
Hi Don. I wish that you would have sung more Harmony with Mark and that Mark would have let Mel blow out Arena walls with his bad azz Bass -.(just saying !*!) PAX ! ✌
I saw him play drums for Bob Seger??? I think Seger could have done better??? But if you want cheep brewer is what you get ...shame on him for back stabing mark!!!!!
Farner has repeatedly said he has forgiven the past and wants to reunite GFR for the fans .. Don would gladly bury the hatchet,... in Farner's back again!
