Why Did Bruce Kulick Leave Grand Funk Railroad After 23 Years?

[@robertwedewer448]

Bruce Kulick may be one of the most humble and gracious people on the planet. I was lucky enough to see him on the Asylum tour. He walked right by me at NAMM a few years ago, and I’m kicking myself for not stopping him and at least telling him how much I appreciate him. Also, till the day I die, I will argue that his brother Bob’s playing on Paul Stanley’s first solo album may be some of the best guitar playing on any Kiss related album there is.

[@dr.roberts4508]

What Bob played on Alive ll is classic

[@martymartin2894]

What he played on wasp crimson idol is also fantastic. He should have been in a big famous band but it didn't work out that way for him, and it really seemed to go hard on him, especially in the years leading up to his death.

[@JS-wl3gi]

Bruce Alive3 is awesome, even his guitar licks was the last song heard at the last show God Gave Rockin Roll to you when the avatars came out.

[@TTonyVairga]

I don't want to see KISS without Ace. I don't want to see Grand Funk without Mark.

[@tyeedwrds]

Bruce is such a class guy, never has bad things to say about others. Even if he has a less than glowing opinion of someone, he doesn't delve into the name calling or insults. He brushes it aside and stays on the positive. He's not only a great guitarist, but a better person.

[@Fuxerz]

I was at the Shea stadium gig. One great show.

[@mysteriowc]

Kiss fan, Bruce has always seemed like a really nice person.

[@Virtuoso78]

Mark Farner was Grand Funk. He was the heart and soul of the band. Firing him would be like The Rolling Stones firing Keith Richards.

[@66balsam]

I’m most familiar with Bruce from his time with KISS, I can’t imagine the stuff he might have went through dealing with that scene, truly a gem of a man to this day.

[@markgabriel5797]

Bruce is a great dude. Fantastic player.

[@stevegardiner8473]

Saw Bruce with Kiss in 1988. Great player. Definitely my favourite Kiss guitar player.

[@myfavoritemartian1]

When they kicked Mark Farner out of the Band, they were not Grand Funk any more! Everyone I know stopped following them. Our GFR was dead.

[@FcThree]

It's motley crew with John corabi

[@philbrown1474]

@@FcThreeMotley Crue couldn’t shine Grand Funk’s shoes.

[@DeliRevv]

💯 No Mark Farner, No thanks

[@kenhaight7774]

Absolutely spot on . No Mark Farner no Grand Funk !!!!!

[@garymartin1045]

You're the reason you go around act like the part of the band you're just a faker. If farmer was out therer, tell the to guys where they were noticed, they would be noticed. Not with you, is the band sorry, dude.

[@808drummerpercussionist9]

Grand Funk R, was addicting,, I started my career as a drummer. Played all their music, the crowd demanded it , it was a Fun time, Hall of Fame in my Books.

[@bobsguitarstudio715]

It was never Grand funk without Mark Farner.

[@keithkoenig5320]

Sure they were...if they want to continue, and I want to hear their songs, done deal.

[@gtw541]

Seeing Bruce with Grand Funk (early 2000snds, Roseburg, Oregon) was several times cooler than seeing him with Kiss in 86/87ish, also southern Oregon. The Kiss show included a solo from Paul, so the time Bruce was allowed was cut in half. His GF solo was mind blowing! Soring and hard AF! I've been a fan ever since the GF show. Excellent rock and roll. The highlight of the Kiss show was seeing Eric Carr do his solo. Absolute power. He beat the skins like he truly wanted them dead. Thank you, Bruce for keeping rock music alive.

[@JLP59]

No Farner , No Funk. Marks new CD " Closer to my home" ROCKS!

[@greggrant502]

Great guy, always been impressed with how cool the is

[@Chef_Jeff69]

Never even knew GFR was still around! No Farner, what’s the point?

[@yb-rk5oh]

agree

[@bobowrathsovine.]

The point for the band itself is to make money. Look at Foreigner who toured with zero original members

[@ms.felonystrutter2472]

BK is pure CLASS. Gotta get those pillows 💜💜💜❤️❤️

[@rockinvida1960]

Bruce is such a class act….helluva player too…

I saw Grand Funk in Stockton, CA at the fairgrounds 2008ish. The remaining members were Don and Mel...but Carl and Bruce were on board. They sounded great!

[@grandbino4703]

Bruce and Dick Wagner are the souls of rock n roll.

[@hollandwright9583]

Mark, Don, & Mel .

[@philbrown1474]

No Farner, No Grand Funk. And he didn’t play with the real GFR. He was in a cover band.

[@M_Lev___]

Right on Phil! No Farner, No Funk! Grand 'Farner' Railroad!

[@michaelr.4878]

I agree, 100%. I don't think that there is a band that fell from grace and aged poorly than GFR. They went from being a legit, rocking act, to being background noise at county fairs. I know that as bands age and tastes in music change, stadium acts become arena acts...and arena acts become club acts..and club acts become casino acts... That is just how it works. But I think groups can do this and still retain their integrity. GFR, for whatever reason, lots all of their funk.... It is really sad. But at the same time, if Farner was 'allowed back', I think they could have decent run...still. I dunno. I like Bruce...but it was sad seeing him play with them with that doo-rag on his head.

[@fortyseven1832]

He didn't play with kiss then either.

[@Fender73472]

No mark farner no GFR

[@darylcleghorn9410]

I agree 👍

[@danebrackvitch4901]

I love Bruce but I didn't even know Grand Funk has been around much the last 23 years! LOL

[@joshuaramirez]

Flights??? Flights??? Try traveling to Florida, Vegas, or Milwaukee from Dallas TX at 50 in an RV or van. I'd kill for flights!!!!!

[@John-c8q6q]

Be proud of Mark Farner who was the band, wrote most of the songs, kept the band functioning! Mark is doing good! One thing Mark should stop having in his minset hoping there will be a reunion with Brewer & Schacer! 2 back stabbers especially the way they tossed him out of the band! Screw them 2!!!!!

[@geo.cgeier3435]

Agreed! “Grand Fraud Railtoads”

[@mattstickle2725]

The guy that replaced Bruce in GFR is a Columbus Ohio hero named Mark Chatfield. Capable and talented replacement. They are old friends from the Michael Bolton days. Exciting for us Ohio natives to see Mark in the band that inspired him to play music in the first place.

[@RandyFricke]

Bruce is of course a top notch player. But they should have hired Mark Farner. I hear he's available. Yes. I'm a "there is no Grand Funk Railroad without Mark Farner" guy.

[@edwardwilliams6514]

That was a Don Brewer ego trip. Nothing more.

[@LoyalOpposition]

What do you mean?

[@williamsanborn5628]

I like everybody's opinion. No farner no funk

[@TransAmBandit]

I want to hear the original lineup.. Hands down !!!

[@905Alive]

The band I was in opened for Good Rats when Bruce was in it, there were really good then, I think the drummer at that pint went on to play in Saraya, didn't meet him, but it's funny how you never know.

[@Blues.Fusion]

Interesting about Chatfield. I knew him a little in Columbus in the Rosie dsys.

[@chipforlong3317]

23 years in a tribute band. It’s not GFR unless Mark is in it .

[@chrisi123]

constant travel...?! they never came to Australia, Japan,Europe or south America

[@randywissler9923]

Man if you really wanna see some super cheesy but really good stuff, go watch Bruce and Michael Bolton in Michael's hard rock band from the 70's called Blackjack!!!🤘🤘

[@davidrice3337]

Without MF - they are nothing

[@milesmorris5729]

I'm old school with GFR. They lost me after Good Singin' When their first live record came out i bought it as a 14 year old and was floored by it!. Never saw them live but I did see Farner solo and that was excellent. His sound guy was incredible. I will always respect MF as a musician but it's really too bad he's such an idiot!

[@davelowglide4384]

Can’t be grand funk without mark

[@Duqsteel1115]

It sounds in the comments like the main feeling is, when an original member leaves a band and the band keeps going, it’s just a covers band. Grand Funk, KISS, AC-DC, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Deep Purple, Blue Oyster Cult, Metallica, Cheap Trick, Rolling Stones…the list goes on forever. If bands stopped because members leave, there would be a lot of great music not being made or played. Original line-ups are preferred, yes, but if it’s replacement members or nothing, as long as they can play well, I’ll take the replacements.

[@1962egl]

The thing is Mark was the band. He was the creative force. Don Brewer is an average drummer at best and wants all the credit for something he had very little to do with. Mel was a very underrated bass player.

[@derangedhermit2879]

When a famous band looses its singer, if the remaining members had any balls, or real faith in their abilities, they would just change their bands name, there are only a few bands that it ever worked out for like Iron Maiden, Genesis, Pink Floyd & AC/DC? Most bands who replaced a singer & still carried on under their bands name, were underwhelming and milking it, like Van Halen, Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Doobie Brothers, Sepultera, Anthrax, Journey & Grand Funk Railroad, left too much to be desired & ultimately stagnated after alienating a large part of their original fan bases & should have cut their losses & just renamed their bands name, after their singers left the bands. Led Zeppelin was commendable for disbanding when their Drummer past away, Bill Ward was right to quit Black Sabbath when Ronnie James Dio changed Sabbath’s vibe so severely, that Sabbath with Dio should have been called Black Rainbow and Van Halen woulda been call Van Gina when Sammy Hagar joined…🤣

[@1962egl]

@ grand funk not only lost their singer but also lost the only person responsible for bringing the material. They are a tribute band at this point.

[@mikefromohio7787]

Bruce Mark Chatfield of Columbus, Ohio my hometown filled in your spot for Grand Funk Railroad. They’re about to be done with tour

[@brenthatcher5748]

The Godz!!!

[@dday9257]

@@brenthatcher5748The Godz were one rocking band.If I remember correctly Don Brewer produced their first album.

[@brenthatcher5748]

@@dday9257 That's right.

[@thecrossroadcafe7291]

Did he play with The Godz also?

[@mikefromohio7787]

@ Mark Chatfield did and Rosie

[@WilliamCurry-bh3dk]

how much studio material is there all kiss albums ?

[@gregsuperguitarsawnick4653]

Bruce, this is just my opinion. You should have left Grand Funk alot sooner. Who knows , with your incredible talen, what else you could have accomplished musically . If you would have left sooner. 👍🤘🎸

[@mikeking6106]

Love all the guys, saw Grand Funk at age 16 in '69 in Lewisville TX, God bless them all but the underlying truth is without Mark it ain't the real GFR. It would be like 2 or 3 Beatles callingt it the Beatles. (Which of course they never did) Or Credence..That wasnt Credence without John. But yeah, people gotta work. Like I said, God bless them all.

[@wendywright5486]

It aint Grand Funk Railroad without mark Farner.End of conversation

[@williamslattery9222]

Was Mark Farner actually fired from Grand Funk ? What I read is that he left on his own to return to his solo career .

[@bobsguitarstudio715]

Bruce was a scab in a Grand funk tribute band, they screwed themselves when they voted Farner out.

[@ferox965]

What a stupid comment.

[@jeff-ds2pr]

IDK. Bruce in that band just seemed like a weird fit. Kind of like having George Lynch joining Yes or Warren Demartini joining Steely Dan.

[@metallives529]

They refused to pay for his continued use of hair/beard dye.

[@848evo4]

dude talking about Detroit attitude? Grand Funk is from Flint Mi.

[@diniwozini5895]

And?!

[@iceblue56]

Know what I mean, lol. Know what I mean, lol. Know what I mean, lol.

[@JamesBurchell-r5p]

Didn't know he was even in the band

[@thetruthchannel349]

*Title Fix - 'How did Bruce Kulick Stay with GFR for 23 years?'*

[@GreggoriR1]

FARNER,BREWER AND SCHACHER WAS GRAND FUNK RADIO...ANYONE AFTER THAT IS ELEMENTRY!!

[@justingoulet9714]

No Mark Farmer No Grand Funk

[@martyc2637]

Bruce seems like a really good guy. But the fact is they became a cover band after the reunion. I saw them once and had to leave mid set because it was not gfr

[@TerryDavey-lo5ke]

No mark no gfr

[@davidkulczyk678]

Chatfield was in the Godz from Columbus

[@stevosguitars]

I still dream about gigs with them 😂😂 6:59

[@scotv5099]

Check out Mark Chatfield with The Godz or Rosie!

[@LarryNiles-t1d]

I am a Don Brewer fan, not a batshit crazy Trumper like Mark Farner has become, he was cool at one time......

[@fenderjazz6213]

No Farner, No GFR..🤷

[@markmorrison5073]

Anything bout past 74 wasn't GFRR

[@twozero9]

probably because he has 15 mil in the bank.

[@M_Lev___]

Without Mark Farner, it's Grand Flunk Derailment!

[@DonaldWebber-o9v]

Grand Fraud Railroad as Mark would say

[@ronaldtinkham2989]

Bruce played with Grand funk for a paid gig. He is way better than them and could get into a better band or go solo in my opinion.

[@NelsonMontana1234]

He was in the band for 23 years? Huh, I guess it's been that long since I stopped paying attention. Just listened to the Red album today though.

[@thecrossroadcafe7291]

As a bass player, the red album is my favorite Grand Funk album. Loud and proud and distorted in your brace bass! I love it.

[@thecrossroadcafe7291]

In your face.

[@NelsonMontana1234]

@@thecrossroadcafe7291 You can edit the original comment. But, yeah...the bass is mixed insanely up front on that album and Mel plays some bad-ass lines throughout.

[@davehenderson2186]

No harm intended.. but... No Mark Farner.... NO Grand Funk Railroad Band....Just a cover band...

[@tonypetrillo3488]

I also think GFR should absolutely be in the Rock and Roll hall of Fame.. But I think the reason they are not in the hall is because they spent years and years not being Grand Funk Railroad... You can be a good band, but without Mark Farner, you are just not Grand Funk.

[@ernestcruz6316]

Saw Bruce last year with Grand Funk at Twin River casino in RI. They were good, but it just isn't the same without Mark Farner. No knock against Bruce because he's fantastic, but if my buddy hadn't been comped free tickets I wouldn't have gone to the show. They need to work things out with Farner.

[@anthonylove821]

Glad I got to see Bruce and kiss during the crazy nights tour. As much as I respect Ted nugent and his American Patriots values he really stunk as an opening act.

[@JamesWilliams-ii7yv]

There is no GFR without Farner there is only a cover band

[@Darin.Pearson]

It's quite funny, all the purists who say once an important band member leaves, the band is now a cover band. Of course, they would never use that standard in their personal life. If they were in the band and, say, Roger Waters or Peter Gabriel or Eric Clapton or Steve Perry or Dave Mustaine or, I could go on and on, you would shut down the band and change the name, right? Hahahahahaha. No you wouldn't.

[@SuperSlik50]

They backstabbed Farmer

[@gmac5431]

Ahhh.... maybe he got tired of playing someone else's licks, you know, Farner's.

[@princevultan6589]

Grand Funk Railroad is Mark, Don and Mel. It will never be Grand Funk Railroad without Mark. They need to bring Mark back and then they will have their credibility back.

[@dougkennedy4906]

I dont waste my hard earned money to see a cover band. Any band that don't have the original members ( minus the death of a member) is a cover band. They are not the same as the original band. Bruce is an awesome player that needs to to start his own band.

[@lionheartroar3104]

Grand Funk would be more famous today if Don and Mel had not swindled him out of the band.

[@Bop7324]

Was it because they ran out of ideas and got Ace back?

[@VRPRocks]

Ace back? In Grand Funk Railroad?

[@donlessnau3983]

who cares?

[@jackolson8775]

Mark Farner. The only guitarist for GFR.

[@sicksquid3258]

No Farner, No Funk.

[@janschroder1559]

Max Carl couldn't carry Mark Farner's jock strap.

[@mr.timebombman2230]

Was only GF in name only. Just a commercial touring entity. Mark was GFR.

[@mht525]

Grand Funk. Homer Simpson band. The band had no following in Australia. At the time ACDC ruled Australian airwaves... ✌️🤘⚖️🏴💀🇦🇺

[@Porsche35688]

So, because the band did not have a following in your piss ant country? They are a “Homer Simpson” band? Oh wow, AC / DC ruled the airwaves. Shocking 😳 . An Australian band, big in their home country.

[@M_Lev___]

Who is Bruce Kulick????????

[@georgeprice4212]

Ex-Kiss guitarist (replaced Mark St. John who replaced Vinnie Vincent who….), and was Kiss’ best lead guitarist ever.

[@boblorek4484]

Who is this guy?

[@shannon5373]

It's Bruce Kulick. He played guitar with KISS from 1984-1996 up until the first KISS reunion.

[@ferox965]

Pay attention.

[@chelrob2]

Who left what?

[@Robert-tb9hu]

Like sonny always said nobody cares😂

[@larrynelson4909]

Nobody cares

[@ferox965]

You do. You commented.

[@tommiller9230]

Don Brewer is the reason I started drumming many years ago, Mark, Don and Mel is the only Grand Funk, period.

[@davitofarito]

He was never in GFR. He was in a GFR cover band.

[@johnweber928]

Good one

[@DavidDill-k6s]

Don and Mel are stealing from ignorant people who still believe they are seeing Grand Funk

[@THECHIEF-1981]

Grand funk suck. Bruce rulz

[@johneasler9967]

Your mom sure does

[@THECHIEF-1981]

@johneasler9967 true....but grand funk sucks way more

[@georgeprice4212]

@@johneasler9967 YOU SAID YOU WOULDN’T BLAB ABOUT THAT! 😆

[@jamesmccormick7657]

Without Farner they are just a Cover Band.

[@SuperSlik50]

They backstabbed Farmer