GRAND FUNK RAILROAD
Some Kind of Wonderful Tour 2020
Twin River Casino Event Center
Lincoln, Rhode Island
February 8, 2020
Photos & Review by Dan Wenc
The American Band was out on the road on the Some Kind of Wonderful Tour. The opening band for this sold out show was, The Guess Who, a perfect compliment to the opening band, over 100 years worth of combined musical experience. Grand Funk Railroad’s music had defined several decades worth of music, with rock anthems that live on into the 21st Century. The band have made it almost an annual tradition to bring their music to Rhode Island at Twin River Casino Event Center, each time a sold out show. Their music continues to enlighten the fans and bring us to a place in time were their music dominated the times. They are a band that once sold out Shea stadium in 72 hours, faster than the Beatles did. Grand Funk Railroad took the stage, Don Brewer coming out to the front of the stage with enthusiastic smiles and waves to the audience, before taking his spot behind his drum kit. They started off the set with “Rock & Roll Soul”, “Footstompin’ Music” and “Shinin’ On”.
Grand Funk Railroad consists of founding members Don Brewer on drums and Mel Schacher on bass. The rest of the band has been with Grand Funk since about 2000. Max Carl on lead vocals and guitar at center stage. Carl previously played with .38 Special and a number of other well known artists through the years. The night’s set included 38 Special’s “Second Chance”, from the 1988 Rock and Roll Strategy album, a song that Carl wrote and sang on. Another group of performers who appear to to be enjoying their time on stage, smiles and a genuine feeling of good time music.
Tim Cashion on keyboards. Bruce Kulick on guitar since 2000. Kulick was a long time guitarist in KISS, during the unmasked era toured and performed on KISS albums, Asylum, Crazy Nights, Hot In The Shade, Revenge and Carnival of Souls: The Final Sessions.
Grand Funk Railroad has been at it since 1969 when they first started out as a trio. Now out on the road bringing the music to the fans of all ages, celebrating 40 plus years. It is great to see them out on the road playing their classics, keeping the music going. This line up is a lot of fun to watch. The night’s set also included the Grand Funk Railroad version of “The Loco-Motion”. The remainder of the night included other classics like, “Walk Like A Man”, “Sky High”, the percussion infused “Lightning and Thunder”, “Star Spangled Banner”, “Inside Looking Out” and “Some Kind of Wonderful”.
The night closed out with to hugely popular favorites, “I’m Your Captain (Closer to Home). And of course the timeless classic rock n’ roll story about being out in the road for 40 days, a night in Little Rock with Sweet Connie, Freddie King, poker, booze and ladies. We all know how the rest of this tale goes; as told to rhythmic guitar riffs and infamous sound of the cowbell by Don Brewer on drums and vocals, for the icon rock anthem, a song that will easily be stuck in your head kind of song, “We’re an American Band”. The night closed out and it was done. If you missed this show check them out at other dates.
GRAND FUNK RAILROAD Photo Gallery:
Grand Funk Railroad will be out on the road in 2020, many dates nationwide, included other New England area shows; for more news, music and tour dates visit: https://www.grandfunkrailroad.com
