FIRST TIME HEARING Grand Funk Railroad - I'm Your Captain REACTION

[@CynicAtLarge]

Almost impossible to follow the song's story in this version. You should check out the studio version.

[@garyarnett1220]

Agreed

[@donakmarie]

Ditto.

[@theboehmshowroom2666]

I also agree. An awful example of what I grew up on. No justice here. Why do people insist on presenting these awful type of renditions. There are groups that sometimes sound better live.....This isn't one of them

[@phila3884]

My one suggestion to make this channel better-when available, always seek out the studio version for the first listen.

[@phila3884]

Suggestion from a fan- in each musical reaction- announce the NEXT song you will be reacting to, so maybe new generations can play along, not just all of us who know these songs.

[@jazzmaan707]

For us Vietnam Vets, the studio long version is the song that we listened to, as our tour was nearly coming to an end, and we would be getting ready to go back home.

[@judithturner1593]

❤

[@frankgublo2323]

welcome home.

[@SAM-dg3vd]

Long long overdue, but thank you for serving

[@carlaglewen5573]

Thanks for coming home, man.

[@Bernie-p9q]

Thank you for your service.❤

[@nativetexan9776]

The drummer, Don Brewer, is also a great lead singer. 'We're An American Band' is a prime example of his talent.

[@timotc50]

The past couple of years, Don Brewer is still hitting the skins except he's spent mist of the time providing rhythm for the Silver Bullet Band.

[@keithosmond5730]

@@timotc50 Didn't Seger retire? I saw his farewell tour pre-COVID.

[@Mr.56Goldtop]

He also wrote that song.

[@kdrbeav]

The guy is an agile…he screwed Mark Farner out of the band. Mark Farner is the band!!! End of story.

[@kdrbeav]

Ahole…

[@beatledad]

just a note......everyone in this crowd is a grandparent or great-grandparent today.....man we were cool back then

[@justtere]

Me three. 3️⃣

[@kimberlygrissom2315]

Proud Grandmother here. Honestly spent alot of time getting high to these songs and now they sound fantastic straight!! Shea Stadium in NY saw the Beatles there and saw Jimi Hendrix at Forrest Hills Tennis Center and Cream in Union Catholic High School !!! Amazing times

[@kilopapa712]

Still pretty cool, I think, Much love All

[@Soundhypno]

By 1971, Grand Funk equaled the Beatles' Shea Stadium attendance record, but sold out the venue in just 72 hours whereas the Beatles concert took a few weeks to sell out. Stadium concerts of all types are a thing.

[@magneto7930]

In all fairness to the Fabs, twice as many people were attending concerts in 1971. But either way, a great accomplishment from a great band!

[@Richard2003]

True and the Beatles were the first!!@@magneto7930

[@nthdegree1269]

Yeah but don't forget to mention the Beatles at that time acquired mail in purchases... later it changed

[@daseguin]

Because The Beatles started it for everyone else !!!

[@elebenty5709]

Indeed. Stadium Rock is its own subgenre

[@827dusty]

This song is one of those that is always played together with the following song ("Closer to Home") on the album. It's all the same story, just segmented into two songs. It's Like Led Zeppelin's "Heartbreaker" and "Livin Lovin Maid." Also, The Guess who's "NO Sugar Tonight," and "The New Mother Nature." Even on the radio, both are played together. I don't expect you or your generation to know these things, that are well known by mine. I'm 67 yrs. old and was a teenager when these songs and Bands were popular in the 60s and 70s. Love your channel guys. God Bless

[@ptournas]

Nice comment! I'm 75 and I love these two. It always bugs me when people around our age group start heavily criticizing young reactors for not knowing songs of our era. They don't seem to realize it would be like people criticizing us at their age at their for not knowing all the band's of the first decade of the 1900s. And kudos to them for taking the to learn!

[@gailjohnson5950]

I'm 73, and I am so happy when I get to listen to my favorite classic rock and soul while young people are discovering them. Young people have such a great appreciation for the difference in the music of our time. They recognize the talent, work and intricacies that are missing in today's groups and music. It just makes me feel so good to pass this beautiful art to another generation. @@ptournas

[@terryohara2284]

The Beatles played Shea Stadium first in '65. It was the 1st Stadium concert ever!

[@ptournas]

@@terryohara2284 Not really, but the biggest of the time which did greatly increase the number of large stadium concerts. But the played dozens of stadiums before that, starting in October of 1963 when they played the Royal Tennis Hall of Sweden and the Eskiltuna Sports Hall in Sweden. In America their first stadium concert was at the Washington Coliseum in February of 1964 and they did many more before Shea Stadium, including the Kansas City Staduim, the Gator Bowl Stadium and the Boston Garden.

[@keithosmond5730]

Or We Will Rock You / We are the Champions. Yeah, there were quite a few like that during the late 60s and 70s.

[@andrewcole3736]

The Beatles were the first band to play stadiums and of course it was Shea Stadium. This song actually came out in the spring of 1970 so the crowd was already familiar with it and knew it well. I love this kind of video because the band is live and the leaving it all out on the stage. There’s no place to hide and no recording tricks. When the Beatles played Shea, it was before stage monitors were invented so they had no stage mix and couldn’t hear themselves over the cheering crowd. I’ve always loved this band since the first time I heard them. 🕊❤️🎼

[@lynnlutz5737]

Closer To My Home became a symbolic anthem for American servicemen waiting to finish their duty in the Viet Nam War. Its a crime that Grand Funk isn't in the Rock Hall of Fame. 😢

[@VicEclectica]

This is great for people already familiar with the song, but I'd suggest checking out the studio version.

[@marksilverman4537]

Yes, you really should hear the studio version with an orchestra behind them. It reaches a crescendo that puts you into a trance. It'a amazing!

[@chrisweidner4768]

When it first came out, we knew it was special. The studio version is the masterpiece.

[@kdnp529]

This is a GREAT song!❤ Mark Farner can still sing by the way. My wife and I saw him perform live last year. Merry Christmas to you both!🎉

[@glassontherocks]

Mark Farner got a royal screwing from his own band.

[@sunnystormy4973]

cheers !

[@willdwyer6782]

Mark rocks. Love that guy! They used to come to Lansing and play free concerts during the festivals in Old Town near the fish ladder.

[@billcarralero7281]

No Mark Farner, no Grand Funk!

[@sunnystormy4973]

@@billcarralero7281 //

[@donalddixon6541]

There were so many tickets sold for this concert, they had to rent the stadium out to hold all the people. And yes this happened quite often! Do check out the studio version of this song.

[@RabbiSteve]

Yes, please do this. You owe it to the song, to the band, to yourselves and to your followers. This was great, the studio version is even better.

[@gkiferonhs]

Some of my best concerts were at Royals' Stadium in KC. No one had ever worried about stadium-sized crowds for music before. It was only stadia that had the sound capacity to handle the bands. Basketball arenas were a lot smaller - they weren't built for multi-use like today. So early on, if your facility had the electrical capacity to handle the equipment, you were on. So, lots of sports venue were used early on. Woodstock opened the eyes of promoters to the potential of rock.

[@josegiordano9838]

i was at one of those in 77\78 sponsered by KY 102

[@tkroupa]

This is one of the greatest songs! Thanks for doing a reaction on it!

[@shruggzdastr8-facedclown]

This is one of those very deserving bands that perennially gets snubbed by the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. For going on four decades now, they've been eligible to be inducted but, for whatever they're reasoning, the R&RHOF keeps on passing over them year after year after year. Luckily, all three of the original members are still alive (albeit not necessarily on the best of terms, interpersonally), but that may not remain the case for much longer as these guys are all in their early to mid 70s. Perhaps, if the R&RHOF were to finally, and long-overdue, give them the nod within the next few years, this gesture might help to heal that rift between Mark and the other two. If they were to play at least one of their songs live for the show, and that were to turn out to be their career swansong as a band, then what a way to go out!!

[@charlenezack37]

Another great Michigan band. We were so Blessed to have all the great tunes in our backyard.

[@danevans5823]

This song covers everything,Stuck in war,Lost on the streets, Crisis in your family.I have had my ship taken and it wasn't easy getting it back.Dont ever give up

[@larryhudgins3647]

To really appreciate this song, please check out the studio version. It's a lot longer and was the one that we all heard. Bass is so prominent and he adds a lot more guitar.

[@surlechapeau]

J & Amber, you'll love their "Bad Time" and "The Loco-Motion" !! Edit -Jay, The NY Jets used to play at Shea Stadium along with The Mets.

[@chazcp]

Beatles were the first to do stadium concerts, starting at Shea Stadium.

[@tedcole9936]

When I was a kid in the 50’s and 60s, my dad commuted to work on the Grand Trunk Railroad. It ran from Pontiac Michigan to Detroit. This commuter line was the very last commuter train that used a steam locomotive before finally converting to a diesel engine in September 1961.

[@johnsilva9139]

Thanks for that info. Many people don't know there was a Grand Truck Railroad. The last people to ride on steam locomotives are dying off. I believe some locomotives still run in England on Heritage Lines.

[@llywydd6614]

All the best to you.@@johnsilva9139

[@willdwyer6782]

Grand Trunk is still in business as a freight line.

[@davenamanda]

Rock and Roll doesn't get any better than THIS! Grand Funk has always rocked with pedal to the metal energy. No holds barred flat out incredible music from three guys who are masters of their instruments. Check out Closer to Home (studio version) on the Closer to Home CD or LP. Also check out their LIVE CD or LP. A lot of great stuff on those albums. So glad you like Grand Funk...but unfortunately Mark Farner is no longer with the two other original members. So sad that they can't iron out their differences. Grand Funk isn't Grand Funk without Mark!

[@mitziesanders9840]

Grand Funk is so great!

[@sylviafarese8837]

This always takes me back to age 14 in the cotton fields. Without my transistor radio, I couldn’t have made those 13 hour days; we’d start before sunrise and work till dark. We had the greatest music in my generation!

[@richardkint6531]

Yes, Jay, stadium concerts were a regular thing. Remember this was the Baby Boomer Generation. Many young people. Don Brewer was the drummer. He would also do vocals on some songs (We're An American Band). This was an edit live version, but you have to check out the studio version sometime. Back in '71 they were a trio. added a keyboardist, Craig Frost afterwards. One of my favorite bands! Gotta reacts to "Foot Stompin' Music" next. Thanks. 😎

[@michaelharrisonthequietdude]

This particular song always brings back good memories.

[@ericanderson8886]

Brilliant early seventies group. "I'm getting close to my home" love it.

[@brucekastel707]

I talked to Mark Farner for a couple of hours in a motel bar. We were talking about living in motels and I told him I was engineering project manager and he told me he was in a rock and roll band. Several drinks later he told me he was Mark Farner from Grand Funk. I almost fell off my bar stool. I told the bartender and he dragged him up to the stage where a typical motel band was playing. What happened on that little stage was unbelievable.

[@wpl8275]

This is the true story about how GFR was formed through the words of Mark Farner: "We were actually a five-piece, I was the singer, there were four other musicians (including Brewer), but I wasn't playing anything in that band, the Fabulous Pack (so renamed after Knight had gone). I just stood up front and sang. We got waylaid; we were out in Cape Cod in a summer beach house, a little cabin, and it was winter. We had the worst snowstorm in the history of the world and we got stranded there for weeks in February of 1969. We were melting down snow to have water to drink and mix with our oatmeal that didn't have any butter or sugar and that's all we were living on. These two other players were married. When we got home (to Flint), the two guys that were married, their wives were gonna divorce them and the band broke up. We got all these gigs coming up and now we don't have a band. I said, 'We ought just do a three-piece' and Don said, 'Do you think we can?' And I said, 'If we get the right bass player we can.' We started looking and went out to Delta Promotions in Bay City where this company that sent us out to the Boston area to do these gigs [was located] and we were going to give them a piece of our minds. But while we were sitting in the outer office waiting to get in, there was somebody in their rehearsal hall playing. You couldn't hear it very good, but you could feel the bass coming through the wall and I said, 'Ooh, listen to that bass player, that guy's getting down under that. We gotta see who that is.' "So, they took a break and it was ? and the Mysterians and Mel Schacher was playing bass. Mel and I had grown up together, rode dirt bikes, hung out together and I said, 'Mel, are you playing with him now?' and he said, 'Yeah, but I'm not liking it.' I said, 'Brewer and I were talking about putting together a three-piece. Would you be interested in being the bass player?' He said, 'Hell, yeah, when are you gonna do it?' and I said, 'Next week we're gonna start.'

[@timorr2399]

I love these personal beginning stories. Thank you for telling it. And thank GRAND FUNK RAILROAD for existing and the music.

[@kris-zq6wj]

Him was the mysterians...hard to understand that part

[@christopherwinkler4451]

@@kris-zq6wj The "him" would be Rudy Martinez, lead singer of ? and the Mysterians. Question Mark was the stage name of Rudy Martínez. Their big hit, way back in 1966, was 96 Tears. Anyone who doesn't know it should check it out.

[@oceanbluebandflorida]

Cool story ty

[@MollieC-uc1fk]

Mark (lead singer), Don (drums) and Mel (bass). One of my fav groups from high school that was early on with the Moody's, Chicago, Beatles, Doobies and a few more. They sold out Shea faster than the Beatles did. Finally got to see them in the 90s before they broke up. They had a horrid manager who stole from them and really hindered their success down the road so lots of trials. Also Mark kinda got screwed over by the other band members down the line as well. He's still singing but more spiritual music. As you can tell by this video his temple was his body and he kept it fit. GFR didn't sell out like a lot of groups did and you'll understand that if you're awake or not. Saw Paul McCartney at the Cowboys stadium so yeah, they had concerts there but mostly football stadiums than baseball but I think Shea did both since they also hosted the Beatles, the last concert before Paul's car wreck which is a whole other topic ;-).

[@stormy8207]

It was quite common for groups to use large venues ... football stadiums, etc. The Guns and Roses Concert in Melbourne around 1993 was held at Calder Park Raceway (drags). Rock groups could pull massive crowds so yes, they used whatever venues that could take large crowds.

[@billg763]

This has probably already been mentioned, but you really need to listen to the studio version of this classic, classic song. It means something different to every listener, but to me it represents a Captain that face a mutiny and his approaching death. The studio version incorporates orchestral music and ocean waves to ease the captain's transition. A powerful song.

[@willdwyer6782]

Lead singer Mark Farner is a friend of mine. He lives in Flint, Michigan about 100 miles from where I live. I'm in Battle Creek where Del Shannon wrote and recorded Runaway.

[@RicoCosta317]

You never heard of a stadium concert, Jay? I'm surprised. They're still common to this day. And when the Beatles first came to the US, they played at Shea Stadium in one of the most epic concerts ever. It's history man!

[@johnsilva9139]

Yes, very common. See Beyonce and Taylor Swift tours for starters. As far as I know The Beatles were the first musical act to perform in a stadium. I for one shun stadium concerts and much prefer to see shows in clubs or theater settings.

[@RicoCosta317]

@@johnsilva9139 I agree. The only stadium concert I've ever been to was back in the 80's when Simon & Garfunkel was on a reunion tour. We had great seats near the stage but what should have been an intimate show was a nightmare, with people constantly standing up in front of us and generally being disruptive. It was still a once in a lifetime experience, but I much prefer smaller theaters or arenas instead of outdoor venues.

[@richvalois6405]

Jay is sometimes you know....

[@macmclean9281]

When you're steaming back to your last tour in Vietnam and this is the music, we listened to! US Navy that is!

[@t.r.1708]

Thx y’all! The Beatles began stadium seating! Their last concert was at candlestick park! After them stadium seating became standard.

[@richardfeldkamp1707]

Memories of Friday nights at the roller rink during high school in the last 60's and early 70's. This song was one of the staples.

[@charlesbetz5145]

Happy to hear you listening to a little more Grand Funk Railroad! Maybe add "Footstompin' Music" on the list for your next GFR reaction.

[@jerryconnors1703]

Yeah! Footstompin' Music! The last organ note on the record is SIXTEEN seconds long!

[@FelixcatGarcia]

It was 1973 I was in Vietnam and it was my birthday and the team was having a birthday party for me. Someone had a cassette player and this song was playing in the background. So this song always transports me back to that place in time.

[@kittykaleidoscope434]

Baseball Stadiums and Rock Concerts have been going strong since The Beatles first played at Shea Stadium! I'm in Cali.,and have attended many great ones such as The Rolling Stones Angel Stadium in Anaheim,and The Ultimate Concert at Dodger Stadium! still happening today!I think Grand Funk sold out Shea 10 minutes.Thanks for this one !you guys rock❤️🎸🎶

[@salbuda6957]

72 hours.

[@jhood758]

We went to one of the Texas Jams at the Cotten Bowl where the Dallas Cowboys played in that era. July of ‘78 we saw Fleetwood Mac, Steve Miller, The Little River Band, Bob Welch who at one time was with Fleetwood Mac. It was packed, even down on the field. Great concert. Another time Foreigner, Loverboy, Ozzy Osborn, (Louisiana)La Roux. There were many concerts back then that played in large sports “arenas” and pretty wild and fun!! 🤟🏼

[@gpxo11]

Agree-the studio album version is far superior-you get that etheral feel during the Closer To Home coda that's missing here. also the Beatles played a famous concert at Shea in 1965-the first of its kind-lots of feinting women and screaming-full concert video available on KZbin.

[@Shan-5544]

I love grand funk, Mel don and mark. Mark can still burn the guitar up. I love these guys. Yea marks still at it. So talented. Ok I see this is a live version both are great. Thanks amber and j for doing this song. It’s a great tune !!! Do the studio version sometime. It will not disappoint .😊💜🎸🇺🇸

[@bigbow62]

I'm Your Captain should always be followed by Close to Home ( the long version that is) This Shea Stadium performance is amazing and the fans were moving the whole section of grandstands as they jumped up & down ! 🙂🎸 Mark Farner (lead singer/guitar) is a beast. They also sold the place out faster than those 60's mop top super stars from across the pond 😉 Now thats saying something ! ....and still not in the Rock-n-Roll HOF .... Sad so sad ! Especially with 80's and 90's rappers and hair bands that made it in.... with a music catalog from the lower part of the class inductees from 80s - 90's that all together didn't equal Grand Funk Railroad history of memorable music ❤

[@bigbow62]

Yes plenty of concerts in stadums Fenway Park in Boston. Tom Petty played their before he passed and Aerosmith has played there ! Mark is saying " Closer to Home " ( name of the song the shortened quite a bit ) Mark Farner is GFR ( Nuff said )

[@craigmarkowski7156]

Back in the 70s they use to have concerts at local stadiums and they would have 5 headliners they were called Super Jam ! My first concert was a super jam with Journey , Death Leopard , And I can't remember the other 3 for reasons I can't discuss 😂

[@allenlocke1935]

This was an excellent performance no doubt! But you owe it to yourselves to go back and hear the "full" studio version. It is an artistic masterpiece that ruled the airwaves for years! Even if you don't react to it ...check it out:)

[@glassontherocks]

1971 was when I joined the service. I met my Captain.

[@thomasmcintosh390]

As Iconic a 70's song as they come. I got to see Mark Farner perform this in the late 80s on an solo tour to an audience of about 300 people. Theater in the round.

[@dennismims2999]

We had concerts everywhere. Baseball stadiums, football stadiums, fields, drive-in theater grounds, huge bars, and small bars, wherever there was a place to plug in. I went to a couple of huge events in Orlando that were called the Superbowl of Rock. A band would set up on one end of the football field and play while another would get set up on the other. It started around noon and ended around midnight. About every hour, it was time for a new group, and all you had to do was turn around. They were incredible.

[@nanyabyzness3234]

My favorite song of theirs. So glad you did this. You need to listen to recorded version to really hear the lyrics.

[@terryrogers8304]

I graduated high school in 1974 and literally grew up on Grand Funk, Uriah Heep, the Beatles, etc. So when I saw your reaction to Grand Funk, I thought it is time for some more Uriah Heep. Since you have done "The Wizard", "Stealin" and "Lady in Black", how about "Look at Yourself", "Bird of Prey", "Rainbow Demon", "Sweet Lorraine", "July Morning" or their only top 40 type hit, "Easy Livin".

[@quantanglement]

Amazing talent in this band - all three (and a shout out to Don - singing while drumming is NOT easy). How many groups today can pull this off live (and no cheating with computer aided anything). How many can you name?

[@timmyeades7908]

This whole concert was recorded and you can watch it on KZbin. It's an amazing concert. Mark Farmer is a rock god.

[@vicprovost2561]

Great song, became their most famous epic. That whole album is killer, do Sins a Good Mans Brother for a slamming banger from it. Enjoy! 🎵🎸🎤🎸🎶

[@johnupholz512]

I saw Grand Funk Railroad live in 1973 as a 3-piece band and then later when they became a 4-piece band. They were my favorite band growing up as a kid. I've seen them over the years with and without Mark Farner. I've all so seen Mark Farner by himself. I got to meet the whole band and they were friendly and great to talk to.

[@roberthofmann8403]

Classic song!

[@txrojas]

He’s singing “I’m getting closer to my home”. There’s been many concerts at baseball stadiums. Dodger Stadium has seen Linda Ronstadt, Elton John, KISS, Pink, Rolling Stones, Bee Gees, as well as many others.

[@billy11113]

They sold out Shea Stadium faster than The Beatles . ( Still not in the hall of fame )

[@ROSEBILL]

Great selection. Grand Funk is from my hometown of Flint, Michigan. They were extremely popular in the late 60's early 70's. Back then it was common for top bands to perform in stadiums when they'd tour. The Beatles performed at Shea Stadium in 1966. Believe it or not, Grand Funk even outdrew the Beatles at Shea, that's how popular they were. Thanks for posting this song.

[@neillenet291]

Grandfunk is the only band to ever blow led zeppelin off the stage.

[@johnpeek2122]

I saw Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young at Milwaukee County Stadium. Home of the Brewers in the day. I also saw The Rolling Stones at Camp Randall Stadium. Home of the Wisconsin Badger football.

[@venomdust1]

My older brother got me into grand funk . Every summer my brother would play the live album in the morning to wake up I saw grand funk in 1984 at the University of Hawaii Andrews Amphitheater . I just turned 17 and me and my friend ran to stand in front of the stage for the whole concert . I new every song and word and sang along. Best part of the concert Mark Farner walking off stage points and says “ rock on brother “ to me . My brother who had to work on another island at the time missed the concert and when he heard about the rock on part he was so jealous 😀🤘

[@tomaroni6670]

..."Class of 76"...Grand Funk Railroad, Bachman Turner Overdrive, Black Oak Arkansas, ZZ Top and the list just goes on...really, just imagine being a teenager in the 70's!

[@AnitaH-r3f]

Graduated in "78" and you're right. No music from any subsequent decade can equal what we had in the 1970's. And I'll add to your list groups like Bad Company, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Foreigner, The Doobie Brothers , and last, but never least, Steely Dan

[@Jessica_Roth]

This is another "You Haven't Hit This??" song. Classic, and the prototype for their early sound, albeit Todd Rundgren helped with later hits. "Inside Looking Out" is an obvious follow-up. I know there's a video from this same show, which was filmed for a TV special, but never aired.

[@hoovgroov1571]

Mark Farner still rocking it 73 years old I think he's still cut like Tarzan ,still catches that guitar on fire when he plays it and hasn't lost a bit of his voice! We seen him after breakfast in the lobby and talked for a few , we wished him and his wife safe journeys and headed for the elevator and they were doing the same , ended up they were 1 door away I'm glad my wife and I stepped out first and headed down the hallway first they probably would have thought that we were stalking them! We just had a good laugh about it as we stepped into our room

[@piedmontish]

Great reaction! Yeah, I remember the Beatles at Shea and it candlestick Park in San Francisco. And I believe one of your viewers reminded me that Grand Funk were opening for Led Zeppelin on a tour and the management for Led Zeppelin told them to “Bring it down a notch“ or something to that effect. They refused and left the tour. That tells you something about the crowd reaction to them!

[@sweisbrod6109]

Stadium concerts were a "thing" back then. But, back then we all got along.

[@joelopez843]

I always enjoy thoroughly your reactions. Shea Stadium is where the Beatles played for their first HUGE concert outdoors. They sold it out in a couple of weeks. Grand Funk Railroad sold out Shea Stadium in 72 hours for back to back days! A record that still remains. Three young men from Flint, Michigan that never disappointed. Mark Farner, the guitarist and singer played on a homemade guitar that he handmade. Mel Schacher, the bass player played with a group called Question Mark and the Mysterians before GFR and they had a hit song (96Tears) Don Brewer the drummer and singer played with Terry Knight and the Pack before GFR who I saw in person too in Detroit where I grew up. Terry Knight went on to be their manager.

[@davidsanders5788]

I saw The Beach Boys at our minor league stadium in the summer of 82. They had lots of concerts there.

[@riccottrell7179]

Mark Farmer who wrote 92% of Grand Funk's songs prayed to God for a song that'd reach out & touch the hearts of those God felt needed it most. As it turned out it was Vietnam Vets. A questionnaire sent out before the 25th anniversary of the Vietnam memorial wall, when asked what song got them through tough times, Closer to home won by a landslide. They asked Mark if he'd come & play it. He was tricked by the drummer out of his voting rights in the Corporation. But Mark's still playing in the same key at 75, with 2 soul brothers the drummer was James Brown's last drummer & has been with Mark Farner's American band since the early 2000's. His first bass player stayed till he got his medical degree. Mark met the current bass player while playing with Alice Cooper's album to celebrate Detroit. He's been with Mark ever since. Mark's always as one of his hits say had Rock n roll soul & has never seen color. Most of Mark's songs are about love, stopping the war & in the early 80's singing about what we were doing to mother earth. One of Mark's best Christian rock songs was "Isn't it amazing" written for Mark by the song writer. Other great Grand Funk songs are 'People let's stop the war, Loneliness, any from either the Closer or home LPluribus Funk, The Railroad especially knowing at 9 years old Mark lost his 3 time Bronze star tank driving father at an unmarked Railroad crossing, but Mark's always forgiven anyone & everyone whose done him wrong. He's told the other 2 members that they should tour for the fans. There are too many songs to list, some of their best covers are Feelin alright, Gimme Shelter & James Brown's 'This is a man's world. I started playing his material in 1975 when I was hired by a band together for a decade in Spain as lead singer & shared lead & rhythm guitar with the only Spanish guy in the band, the rest were GI's. Also Uriah heep & Deep Purple along with all styles of music. You may want to hear the album version of Closer to home with full orchestration, still a staple of classic rock stations.

[@judithturner1593]

😍 DON BREWER TOOK MY HAND first-- 🎉MY HAND🎉 --after their 'We're an American Band' encore in Las Vegas & held onto me for about a minute!!!! Afterwards, I didn’t want to wash it, cause I could still feel the tingle!! My Rocker Husband was sooo envious!!! 😂

[@lilpoohbear653]

"I'm getting closer to my hoooo-me"...long lost sailor...ready to get back on shore!!!

[@wendellkelley4754]

I remember sometime around 74 or 75 that the press said Mark Farner of GFR cut 18 inches of hair and it was still below his shoulders. Cut it because his hair was getting tangled in his guitar strings.

[@b4ucmego]

True American rock band of the early '70s. The Vietnam War era rocked.

[@scottallen6160]

The studio version has more instruments in it and it’s a bit longer. Also, you can hear the instruments in a unique way with the stereo panning.

[@Mr.56Goldtop]

The studio version has many more musical components that they just couldn't do live back then.

[@janster3000]

Now, listen to the studio version. It's so good. Baseball stadium concerts were great. I saw Pink Floyd at a baseball stadium in 1977. We sat in the infield on the grass. Great fun.

[@reneemaciag3084]

In the 70s in Cleveland, OH, there was a series of legendary concerts at the stadium called the World Series of Rock.

[@staindbraind]

I saw The Stones, Kansas and ELO at The World Series of Rock. I still kick myself for missing Pink Floyd there though.

[@dougphelps6917]

This song brings back memories of Christmas in the early 70's. I got a portable 8 track player, and this album was always in it when I went to sleep with the headphones on...

[@jimmayors2315]

Now this was a POWER TRIO!

[@blackwolf6082]

When I was young and this song came out I could not listen to it enough. I played it on the turntable over and over again. It was epic in ways that other songs were not in that same era

[@ewrekzz7360]

Yes, baseball stadiums hosting concerts was a thing. In the mid-70s there was a concert series called World Series of Rock - included multiple huge names at each show. The lyric is "I'm getting closer to my home". Most people assume that "the ship" was the author's body struggling against an invader (overdose?) - It all fits with the psychedelic feel.

[@cathybrookeburt2616]

I grew up with this band & graduated with the lead singer, Mark Farner's sister Susie. So, I got to go to his house & see them in the early days before they were famous. Mark is still touring & doing both the old & new songs. He did a concert in our town Flint, Michigan, back in 2009 & then the guys came into Timothy's Pub, where I host Karaoke. He has a black man in his band now & he got up & sang Karaoke & instead of singing 'I'm your captain' he would sing 'I'm your black man'. Mark was dying laughing watching this goofball. Great music & wonderful memories. My son ran into him this summer up in Traverse City & got a pic of him. He's still looking good & still performing. FYI~ There is too much noise in this performance. Check them out from an album to hear it clean. Also, Donny Brewer is the fabulous drummer.

[@charlesclark9932]

Wow, that's amazing!! These guys are so deserving to be in the Rock & Roll hall of fame.

[@timschultz7860]

Flint, Michigan band, very near my home town. Super weird fact…I went to high school with the drummer’s (Don Brewer) nephew. He went on to become an actor on Broadway. Decades later he returned to teach in Michigan and ended up becoming a co-worker of mine at a school. Small world and all.

[@davidscott129]

I was about 16 when this song came out. I and my friends thought they were singing about the "ship of state". The voter's supposed to be the captain and give the orders, but the power brokers have taken over.

[@allendixon7700]

88vh. I wonder I'm wondering if my brother. You think that I do and christmas songs this year?

[@allendixon7700]

I got some Christmas and my brother. It's Christmas siren dithe Alabama's got a song called Christmas Sunday except better. Alright? I Alabama doing that so Christmas Sunday. So even if you're a yankee you can close your eyes and imagine😊😅😅😅😅

[@allendixon7700]

Elvis Presley? I couldn't be christmas without elvis? Ava's person does a silver silver bale's brother

[@livingandriding]

Yes, most of the concerts were outdoors and on a baseball field..The 3rd base was usually the Emergency hut. But yes, I went to probably all of the "Day On The Green" concerts in Oakland. That was Billy Graham presents...There would be 3 bands stacked up for one big concert for the day on the Green concerts..These bands had to have talent, they had to sing and sound good or they would be booed..Now that only happened once that I know of and I don't remember the band but they were booed and got there shit together. This era was a really fun, fairly safe time for a teen ager. I feel so blessed that I grew up in the 70's with these bands....thanks for the reaction! Brings back many memories!

[@Friend_Of_The_Muse]

The Beatles were the first to play Shea. 1965. It was the first major Stadium concert. They couldnt hear themselves because they didnt have sound systems to handle such a crowd. The screaming eventually took them off the road and into the studio where they became the masters they are.

[@edallen3662]

That's one thing about Grand Funk you're usually going to hear some pretty mean bass work oh yeah and speaking of Bass work check out the red album a song called got this thing on the move some of the meanest Bass I've ever heard

[@JimLaughlan]

And they broke the Beatles record for ticket sales!!

[@JAMESMOORE-gq4vv]

55,000 tickets went on sale at 10am that Friday, priced at $4, $5 and $6, and by Monday morning they were gone.

[@big106razor]

The studio version is really the definitive version of this song.

[@rghilino6734]

Shea Stadium was a great venue for concerts from it's beginning to it's end.

[@williamjones6031]

1. My all time favorite GFR song! 2. Saw them in the Reno GSR on 10/22/22 3. I was in the US Navy for 24 years so there's somthin' there 5. Three months? How about a nine-month deployment.

[@johnwatson9507]

I agree with the others. Check out the studio version. You’ll be able to understand the lyrics and story better. It’s a very powerful song, and you can pick your own meaning for it. I like to picture a mutiny, and the captain passionately trying to get control back until one of the crew members chokes him to death. The “Closer to Home” part, to me, is his spirit singing as the ship sails home. I love this song. It’s one of my all time favorites.

[@WisdomDoctor]

The Beatles took six weeks to sell out Shea Stadium. Grand Funk did it in 72 hours! Still a record...!

[@robroymenzies8641]

The dude in the audience starting at 7:57 is TRIPPEN!! LOL!! What a great song and performance! Yes, "Supergroups" as we used to call them would easily fill Large Sports Arenas. The good 'ol days!

[@PiePie453]

"Grand Funk Railroad paved the way for Jefferson Airplane, which cleared the way for Jefferson Starship. The stage was now set for the Alan Parsons Project, which I believe was some sort of hovercraft"

[@lindanoreika893]

Concerts were outrageous, tailgating, smoking weed, eating, drinking, and then…the concert…wow. Such memories

[@wallytverstol8627]

one of Grand Funk's greatest hits. they had many of them