Another Chapter in Grand Funk History....


1. Preshow Activities: Liz and I left NJ via Philly International and arrived into Detroit. We hooked up with JR and wife, RickDC, JD White, Jim C., Ralph and Wanda, Funkin'Fish, for breakfast. We then hooked up with some more Funkers including Stan and Tia, Shock, Jerry, Bill and others (sorry if I left your names out, but I can't remember everybody), and drove up to Flint to the famous bridge. About 20 of us arrived at the bridge and proceeded to dodge traffic and two trains as we climbed under and on top of the bridge. Some nice photos were taken. Then some lady came out of a building across the street and offered to take some group photos of us. We did not stay long, since I estimated that in 6-10 minutes, the police would show up.

2. The Show: We all met at the Palace Grill at 6 PM, but before that, Liz and I ran into Bruzer Jeff and The Ripper in the parking lot. It was 5:30 PM and the Grill was not open yet...the guard outside said to start banging on the doors....I decided not to take this advice, and instead went into the venue and explained to the person that we needed in by 6 PM, so they let us in. There was a cake that was to be given to Mel 'cause his birthday is coming up. Anyway, after 6 PM everyone started to arrive, including Bill P., LocoLorie, Jan and others. Then the restaurant manager gets anal about the cake and said we can't have it in there.....so we left and went somewhere behind the stage in the bowels of the Palace to present the cake to Mel. Dena brought Mel out, we sang him Happy Birthday, and then the cake and a special plaque was presented to him. This was one of those you had to be there things to fully appreciate. The emotions were flowing; Mel was totally surprised and there was a lot of crying....I haven't cried since my dad died last July... but I did this night...and so did many others...and that's all I have to say about that.

The concert started and here's the set list:

Rock and Roll Soul
Footstompin' Music
Walk Like a Man
Heartbreaker
Shinin' On
Second Chance
Locomotion
Mean Mistreater
Rollin' and Tumblin'
Inside Looking Out
One More River
Some Kind of Wonderful
Bad Time
I'm Your Captain
We're an American Band
Rock and Roll Music (Encore)

Once again, Grand Funk Railroad put on a fantastic performance in front of what I would estimate to be between 10,000-12,000 people. Mel's bass was positively cranked, and when they broke into Rock and Roll soul, my hair was vibrating. The crowd was totally into this awesome band, clapping, standing, singing along and begging for more GRAND FUNK RAILROAD. Max's vocals were right-on and as usual, Bruce's guitar was smoking...and what can you say about Don...he is a Rock and Roll legend.

3. After The Show: There was a large group of people waiting to meet the band after the show, including fan-club members, friends of the band and people who had won passes from the radio station. We were all herded down into a large room and waited....then the guys came down. They were very accommodating to all.

4. Final Thoughts: I'm always amazed when I go to see this band. They keep getting better and better. I've met so many people at these shows whom I now call my friends. I will never, never, forget all these times....the memories will last truly forever. Thanks again to Don, Sunny, Mel, Dena, Max, Bruce and Tim for allowing this to happen... they are truly wonderful people.

Jimmy G.