Vintage rock concert poster
Greenville, SC – The Upstate’s 2024 concert schedule so far has been a classic rock fan’s dream. If you love the prime period of the mid- to late-1970s, bands like Heart, Cheap Trick and REO Speedwagon have been in town recently to scratch that itch. And now, Grand Funk Railroad is coming to town. That’s right: The rockers who brought you massive hits like “We’re an American Band,” “The Loco-Motion,” “Some Kind of Wonderful” and many more will hit the Peace Center stage in Greenville May 2.
Which raises the question: What is it about the rock music from the 1970s that still resonates with people to the point that thousands of them still show up to see these bands? Don Brewer, drummer, vocalist and co-founding member of Grand Funk Railroad, had a pretty simple answer to that question.
“I think it was some of the greatest music that was ever done,” Brewer said. “That time period was very creative, and radio was very supportive of artists going out on a limb and making new music. And we were competitive as well. You’d hear songs by other bands and know that you had to step up to the plate and kick it up a notch. So it was good competition.”
Whatever the reason for classic rock’s continued popularity, Brewer and his co-founding bass player and friend Mel Schacher, still the nucleus of Grand Funk Railroad, are thankful that they’ve been able to stay in the game for a staggering 55 years. The lineup also includes singer Max Carl, keyboardist Tim Cashion and new guitarist Mark Chatfield, who replaced the departing Bruce Kulick last year.
“I really don’t know how to describe it,” Brewer said of the band’s longevity. “It’s kind of surreal that I’m 76 years old and I’m doing what I was doing when I was a kid. That’s pretty awesome. This is what I’ve always done, and I’ve gotten to do it my entire life.”
As for the Peace Center show itself, to hear Brewer tell it, it’s going to be a Grand Funk fan’s wildest dreams come true.
“We like to get everybody up on their feet and having a good time and seeing smiles on their faces,” he said, “so we do play all of the Grand Funk stuff that most people know, like ‘Rock ’n Roll Soul,’ ‘Footstompin’ Music,’ ‘Shinin’ On,’ ‘The Loco-Motion,’ ‘Some Kind Of Wonderful’ and ‘We’re An American Band.’ It’s a great, high-energy rock ’n’ roll show.”
Who: Grand Funk Railroad
When: Thursday, May 2
Where: Peace Center
Tickets and info: peacecenter.org
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