Thousands of people flocked onto Hillview Street in Sarasota on Sunday afternoon for the 16th Annual “Giving Hunger the Blues” Block Party. The focus of the event was to raise money to feed, nurture and protect the children of the community. In Sarasota County alone, one out of ten neighbors combat hunger every day and of those… 33% are children.
It was a magnificent all day event that included mostly fun under a beautiful Florida sunshine. The climax was a phenomenal stage performance by two of rock and roll’s finest musicians.
First, Floridian Larry Hoppen graced the stage. Hoppen is the co-founder and voice of the Classic Pop band Orleans. His brother Lane Hoppen was also on stage to play keyboards. Hoppen and his band immediately allured the Sarasota crowd into a festive frenzy by playing the 1975- Top40 hit “Dance with me.”
Later Hoppen enticed the crowd with several hits including the 1979- “Love takes time” and “Dancing in the Moonlight” a song written by Sherman Kelly (brother of Orleans late original drummer Wells Kelly) in 1969 and then turned into a huge hit by the group King Harvest in 1973. Larry Hoppen was in the band Boffalongo with Sherman Kelly before forming Orleans. But when Larry Hoppen brought out the headliner for the evening (who played his entire performance on stage with Hoppen and his band) the crowd went absolutely wild!
John Cafferty (Beaver Brown Band) darted out from behind the stage with one simple goal in mind- TO ROCK THE HOUSE DOWN! Cafferty shot out like a missile and initiated a dynamic performance of “On the Dark Side” from the soundtrack of the 1983 movie “Eddie and the Cruisers.”
Cafferty looked and sounded remarkable, and he was somewhat reminiscent of Bruce Springsteen. His hard driven- upbeat rock & roll anthems from the soundtrack had the Sarasota crowd dancing as if they were being televised on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand. Everyone celebrated the return of Eddie Wilson.
Cafferty joked about being asked by Sylvester Stallone to write the soundtrack for his movie Cobra, recalling that it was one of Stallones least popular films. Then Cafferty asked the Sarasota crowd to remember our troops and began to sing “Voice of America's Sons” from Cobra. John Cafferty also performed “Hearts on Fire” from the Rocky IV soundtrack.
It certainly feels like classic rock tours go out of their way these days to evade the state of Florida. So when a good tour finally trickles its way towards the Tampa Bay area, its cause for celebration, especially when five Rock & Roll legends band together under one roof.
On August 27th at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater- probably the best Hippiefest event ever rolls into town.
This year’s Hippiefest headlines Ex Traffic guitarist Dave Mason. Mason cofounded the band Traffic after Steve Winwood left the Spencer Davis Group. In 1967 Mason left the band after the release of theMr. Fantasy album. Mason rejoined the band for awhile in 1968 and recorded “Feelin’ Alright,” a song that became Mason’s trademark. “Feelin’ Alright” was covered by Joe Cocker in 1969. Mason went on to join Delaney & Bonnie & Friends in 1969 and released his debut solo album Alone Togetherproducing the hit single- “Only you know and I know” The album reached gold in the U.S. hitting # 22 on the record charts.
Dave Mason hit superstardom throughout the 70’s with a handful of highly successful albums reaching platinum and gold status- It’s Like You Never Left, Split Coconut, Certified Live,Let it Flow and Mariposo de Oro. Top 40 hits “We Just Disagree” and “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow” were spawned from that triumphant period.
Grand Funk guitarist and singer Mark Farner is also on the bill of Rock & Roll heavyweights to appear at Hippiefest. Grand Funk Railroad broke the Beatles attendance record for Shea Stadium by selling out in only- 72 hours. Mark’s inspirational- classic “I’m Your Captain” was the highlight of the Shea concert.
Felix Cavaliere was originally a member of Joey Dee and the Starliters(Peppermint Twist) but enjoyed rock and roll eminence with The Young Rascals. From 1965 through 1969, the Rascals were one of the most popular groups in America. The Rascals delivered classic mainstay radio hits like “Good Lovin,”“Groovin,”“A girl Like You,”“A Beautiful Morning,” and “People Got to Be Free.”
Cavaliere has released five solo albums since his days with the Rascals.
In 1997, Felix Cavaliere along with his former Rascals band members were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame.
Gary Wright formed the group Spooky Tooth in 1967. After releasing their critically acclaimed first album It’s All About, the band embarked on worldwide tours supporting Jimi Hendrix and The Rolling Stones. Wright became an important player in the rock music circle collaborating with close friend George Harrison on the All Things Must Pass album. Gary Wright has worked with Harrison playing keyboards and co-writing material on many of Harrison’s songs.
Wright celebrated two solo efforts with A&M Records, Extraction andFootprint. He also released three other albums with a reunited Spooky Tooth that included Foreigner’s future guitar hero Mick Jones.
But Gary Wright’s career skyrocketed after the 1975 release of The Dream Weaver. The album featured the first- ever all keyboard synthesizer band. In 1976 Dream Weaver hit #1 on the U.S. charts followed by the #2 favorite “Love Is Alive.”
In 1981 Wright reached the Billboard charts once again with “Really Wanna Know You.” Wright has also concentrated his efforts on delivering musical film scores and soundtracks.
In this shameful musical era filled of American Idol absurdity, it’s refreshing to witness true heroes of the music world entertaining the intelligent enthusiast.
The internationally renowned Irish rock band U2 has perpetually been a top draw amongst music enthusiasts since the early 80’s. After their first album Boy (produced the hits “A Day Without Me,”“I Will Follow”) was released in 1980, U2 frontman Bono revealed to Rolling Stone Magazine...
“Even at this stage, I do feel we are meant to be one of the great bands, there’s a certain spark, a certain chemistry, that was special about the Stones, the Who and the Beatles, and I think it’s also special about U2.”
U2’s collaborations and humanitarian efforts in addressing poverty and social issues around the globe have surely earned them the title of rock’s Ambassadors. Bono referred to the bands symbolic “Sunday Bloody Sunday” the opening track from their 1983 album, War as...
“A song of hope and a song of disgust.”
Drummer Larry Mullen mentioned that it was...
“The first time we ever really made a statement.”
Bono was awarded knighthood in 2007 for his humanitarian efforts around the world.
U2’s album War reached #12 in the U.S. and was their first album to go platinum.
The band transformed into their current majestic stage presence with the release ofUnder a Blood Red Sky, a live album recorded in Colorado, Boston and Germany.
By 1985 the band was touring intensely to sold-out arenas and stadiums- including an unforgettable performance at Live Aid.
Throughout the 90’s, U2’sZoo TV and PopMart tours lured millions of fans to monster concert venues as they watched performances on extravagant stage sets.
Their most current album,No Line on the Horizon was the bands 12th studio album. U2 once again collaborated with Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois. The band supported the album with their worldwide 360- degree tour. The tour officially launched June 30th 2009 and ends July 30th 2011- covering 110 shows. U2’s only Florida appearance for 2011 will be on June 29th at the Sun Life Stadium in Miami. Tickets are available here.
The tour will set industry records of epic proportions. Including- largest concert stage ever toured,highest-grossing tour of all time (more than the previous record held by The Rolling Stones of $558 million) and it will also hold the record for highest-attended tour of all time with over 7 million tickets sold (again beating The Rolling Stones previous record of 6.3 million tickets sold.)
The band conquered 22- Grammy Awards and countless supplementary awards globally. U2 have sold more than 150 million records, placing them amongst the best selling music artists of all time.
And the band has accomplished all of this with its four original members...
Paul David Hewson(Bono)- Vocals, David Howell Evans(The Edge)- Guitar, Adam Charles Clayton- Bass and Lawrence Joseph “Larry” Mullen Jr.-Drums.
Ray's new book is called Check the Gs - The True Story of an Eclectic American Family and Their Wacky Family Business. Order your copy today at http://rayshasho.com/
First, here’s an IMPORTANT UPDATE on the Jethro Tull 40th Anniversary tour of Aqualung. There are only a trifle of U.S. dates scheduled for 2011- then Ian Anderson embarks on a solo European tour for most of the remainder of the year. But hold steady Tull fans because I’ve just been informed by the Tull team that in 2012- the band Jethro Tull will be touring extensively throughout the U.S.A. and will almost certainly include local Florida dates. Whew… that was a close one!
ON A ROCK AND ROLL VACATION NOTE
Classic rock venues have certainly changed these days. Casinos have enticed rock and roll legends into performing for bigger payouts. And then there’s classic rock on the high seas.
Several cruises have been announced featuring your favorite rockers- like “Kid Rock’s Chillin’ The Most Cruise 2011.” The Carnival Triumph cruise ship departs from New Orleans on April 7th. You can find out more about this cruise here.
The “VH1 Best Cruise Ever” will be seducing music fans when it departs Tampa on April 28th on the Carnival Inspiration. The lineup on board will include Train, Lifehouse, Colbie Caillat and others. You can find information about this cruise here.
On October 27th, it’s the “Malt Shop Memories Cruise” with the Beach Boys, Chubby Checker, Little Anthony and the Imperials plus a host of early 60’s rock & rollers leaving from Tampa on the Carnival Inspiration. Find out cruise information here.
Then there’s the “SHIPROCKED” cruise onboard the luxurious MSC Poesia departing Ft Lauderdale on November 14th. The lineup includes Buckcherry, Hinder, Hellyeah, Sevendust, In This Moment, Lynam, Broken Teeth, Rival Sons and more bands TBA. Find out about this cruise here.
Then prepare to set sail on December 1st from Ft Lauderdale on the “Rock Legends Cruise.” It’s the granddaddy of all rock & rock cruises. I recently mentioned the event in an earlier article but the lineup has grown since. Classic rockers set to take the stage on Davey Jones locker are- ZZ Top, George Thorogood & The Destroyers, Edgar Winter, Artimus Pyle Band, (original Lynyrd Skynyrd- drummer) Devon Allman’s Honeytribe, The Chris Hick’s Band, John Kay & Steppenwolf, The Marshall Tucker Band, Dickey Betts & Great Southern, Foghat, Molly Hatchet, Johnny Winter, The Outlaws, Pat Travers, Blackfoot and Swampdawamp. Additional information about this cruise can be found here.
There’s also a ‘Where the Action Is’ cruise presented by Concerts at Sea starring Paul Revere & the Raiders and many other acts TBA already set for 2012. Check back here to find out information about this cruise.
All cruises include a meet and greet with the bands.
Recently announced concerts for the Tampa Bay area include- Pure Prairie League & Firefall at the Capitol Theatre in Clearwater on May 20th, Jackson Browne on May 25th at Ruth Eckerd Hall and Goo Goo Dolls post- game show at Tropicana Field on August 6th.
And don’t forget about legendary rock guitarist Jeff Beck on May 7th at Ruth Eckerd. A second show has been added on May 6th.
A FINAL NOTE Foo Fighters frontman David Grohl recently blasted Gleecreator Ryan Murphy. These are some of Grohl’s comments to The Hollywood Reporter...
"It’s every band’s right, you shouldn’t have to do bleepingGlee. And then the guy who created Glee is so offended that we’re not, like, begging to be on his bleeping’ show … bleep that guy for thinking anybody and everybody should want to do Glee. No, we don’t want to be on your show.”
David Grohl on Glee…yea right! The Foo Fighters are going to tour with Lemmy and Motorhead this spring. Get real!
Continue reading on Examiner.com:http://www.examiner.com/classic-rock-music-2-in-st-petersburg/ray-shasho
Pioneers of punk -The New York Dolls will release their third album since reforming in 2004. The new album is called, “Dancing Backward in High Heels” and will be released onMarch 15th. Original Dolls frontman- David Johansen and guitarist Sylvain Sylvain are the only surviving members of the group. Blondies ex guitarist Frank Infante and bass player Jason Hill from Louis XIV are also featured on the album.
On July 6th The New York Dolls will be supporting Motley Crue and Poison at the St. Pete Times Forum. (According to the Dolls- Myspace page) You can purchase tickets here when available.
The Foo Fighters will release their latest hard- rockin’ masterpiece “Wasting Light” on April 12th. It’s their most recent album since 2007. The albums first official single called “Rope” has already generated rave reviews by their fans. The Foo Fighters will perform live at the Hangout Music Festival- in Gulf Shores, Alabama on May 21st and at the Sasquatch! Music Festival on May 27th in George, Washington -state before starting their European tour.
Soundgarden will release "Live on I-5" on March 22nd. It’s the bands first- ever live album from their 1996 tour. The bands hope is to create a brand new Soundgarden album this year. Meanwhle, Chris Cornell will embark on his sold out- 28 date -solo acoustic tour on March 25th thru May 6th.
Whitesnake’s newest is their- 11th studio album called “Forevermore” and will be released on March 25th. The ‘snake’ will hit the road to support their latest release for a world-wide tour.
Journey’s “Eclipse” album will be released on May 24th. Journey will launch the “Eclipse Tour” with Foreigner and Night Ranger. They’ll arrive in Tampa on September 17th at the 1-800 Ask-Gary Amphitheatre. Look for tickets here.
Recently released albums earlier this month were R.E.M.’s 15th studio album, "Collapse Into Now." Patti Smith and Eddie Vedder were among the guest artist.
ON MORE OF A PSYCHEDELIC NOTE
The 2011 Hippiefest lineup has been announced. This year’s flower power event will feature Dave Mason (“Only You Know and I Know,” “We Just Disagree”) Grand Funk’s Mark Farner (“I’m Your Captain,” “We’re an American Band”) Rick Derringer (“Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo”)Felix Cavaliere’s Rascals ("Groovin'," "A Beautiful Morning") and Gary Wright (“Dream Weaver”). Look out for a peace-lovin’ sit-in at Clearwater’s Ruth Eckerd Hall on Saturday August 27th.
“I look at the MTV Music Awards and I think: 'I can't be in the same business as this', I don't really belong to that world and I don't think anyone's going to miss me. I'm much happier just to write myself out of the script entirely. I'll go on a mysterious biking holiday and never return. That would be a great way to end the story, wouldn't it?" … These were Phil Collins disheartening remarks in a recent interview with FHM magazine.
The 60 year old classic rocker said he is calling it quits. Phil Collins has hearing problems, a dislocated vertebra and nerve damage in his hands from playing the drums.
Collins also suggested that there was no longer a place for him in today’s music.
He also mentioned that overplaying his music made people “want to strangle” him. "It's hardly surprising that people grew to hate me. I'm sorry that it was all so successful. I honestly didn't mean it to happen like that."
I’m here to say, “You’re wrong Phil!” Your mystical voice on the “A Trick of the Tail “ album resonated through my mind during those complicated high school years, offering calm and hope for the future. Hang in there Phil, we need you. The music world is lacking the talent it needs to deliver power messages like you do. Maybe now is the time to move forward and astonish.
Collins added, "My doctors tell me it's a work in progress that it will take about a year for me to recover. I don't think I'll ever be able to do that again." (Collins is referring to not being able to hold the drumsticks again)
Phil Collins joined Genesis in 1970 after answering an ad in need for a drummer. Genesis became Peter Gabriel- vocals, Phil Collins- drums, Tony Banks- keyboardist, Steve Hackett- guitar, and Mike Rutherford- bass. The progressive bands elaborate song anatomy complemented their mesmerizing live performances.
Peter Gabriel left Genesis in 1975 to pursue a solo career and Collins almost- inconspicuously replaced his vocals, sounding much-like Gabriel’s.
In 1979, I was very fortunate to meet Genesis at a Peaches record store in Ft Lauderdale where they signed my "A Trick of the Tail" album.
Phil Collins solo career sales alone exceeded 150 million. He’s won seven Grammy Awards, an Academy Award, and two Golden Globes. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Genesis in 2010. That sounds like a lot of happy fans to me!
In a November 25th, 2010 Rolling Stone interview, Collins revealed, "Everything has added up to a load that I'm getting tired of carrying, It's gotten so complicated. It's the three failed marriages, and having kids that grew up without me, and it's the personal criticism, of being Mr. Nice Guy, or of divorcing my wife by fax, all that stuff, the journalism, some of which I find insulting. I wouldn't say that I have suicidal tendencies over my career or bad press. They're just another chink in the wall. It's cumulative.”
Please hang in there Phil the music world still needs you desperately, and whatever you’re thinking, we still love you man! The very latest news on Phil Collins can be found here.
IN OTHER CLASSIC ROCK NEWS...
"We'll do it without him if we have to. The music is the issue.”
Those were the sentiments from British Invasion Rocker Ray Davies of The Kinks. Ray Davies and Brother Dave founded the group together in 1964. Earlier speculation had the brothers and original drummer Mick Avory reuniting for a Kinks- Bash.
But apparently Dave’s not ready to commit to a Kinks comeback, even after Ray Davies made his optimistic comment…"I've had emails both from Mick and Dave about various other subject matters, but I think it will be down to Dave at the end of the day. But he's gradually coming round to it."
The Kinks broke-up in 1996 and the brothers are still in a tizzy.
Ray revealed in a recent interview, "I can understand what Dave's trying to say, I think it's a reference to comebacks in general."
In 2004, Ray Davies was shot in the leg after chasing a purse snatcher. The victim was the girl he was walking with. The shooting happened within blocks of Bourbon Street in New Orleans. In November of 2010, Davies was forced to cancel four shows due to complications from his injuries.
Davies said of the complications, "To put it politely, I don't think the wound was handled very well at the time, Partly because the hospital was busy, and partly due to the nature of the wound.It's been pretty bad, actually, I got quite sick before Christmas from residue that is still in the leg and which formed a clot. It made me quite ill and I was hospitalized for a bit."
Davies recently reported that he plans to tour this year with or without Brother Dave for Ray's version of a Kinks reunion.
“Our band has been through the ringer. We have gone into some bad situations with our heads held high and came out looking good. We’ve had a lot of willpower. I think a lot of others would have given up where we kept going” …A recent interview with Pat Travers.
At the impressionable age of 13, Toronto native Pat Travers witnessed Jimi Hendrix perform his guitar-wizardry live on an Ottawa stage. By age 15 Travers was playing in his first rock band.
While playing in a band called Merge, he was recognized by “Mr. Dynamo” Ronnie Hawkins. (“Hey, Bo Didley”, “Marylou”) Hawkins had a reputation for recruiting and grooming noteworthy Canadian talent. Hawkins became a permanent resident of Canada in 1964. Pat Travers toured with Hawkins as his lead guitar player.
In ‘77 Pat Travers released the good time rock ‘n roll album “Putting it Straight.”
While in England, Pat Travers performed at the annual Reading Festival. Travers released two more albums before concentrating his efforts on the U.S. music scene.
The best of times for the Canadian-rocker came in 1979 with the release of his first- Live album “Go For What You Know.” The Live album recruited droves of new fans after listening to Travers dynamic- rock and roll performance transpire on stage.
Travers is both an outstanding lead and rhythm guitar player.
The Live album was followed by the 1980 brilliant release “Crash and Burn.”
Some thirty albums later, the monster- guitarist, keyboardist, vocalist, composer, producer and arranger, continues to record and tour with his Paul Reed Smith- Modern Eagle electric guitar.
Pat Travers has certainly ridden a rock and roll rollercoaster through the years, but lately the rocker is having some fun by marketing himself through the electronic media. And why not-what better way is there to get your message out instantly- while networking and attracting new fans? Especially during the contemptible- state of the music business these days. Pat promotes regularly on Twitter and Facebook.
He’s also got a fan club on his website called The Hammerhead Club.
Some of the member perks include- a discussion forum which usually includes the guitar –hero himself, a private- video stash from Pat’s secret vault, participation in live interviews, shows and mini-concerts, and members only- music downloads. Pat would also like to release some of the material that gets recorded but never makes it to a record on the site. (Membership is only $2.95 a month)
Hold on…I haven’t even scratched the surface yet on Pat Travers recent updates. Listen to this, book your next cruise NOW! On December 1st of this year, the fabulous- Liberty of the Seas will set sail for 4 nights on the “Rock Legends Cruise.” It’s a floating rock festival leaving from Fort Lauderdale with a stop at a private beach island and Nassau, Bahamas. The event is sponsored by Sioux Native Americans living on reservations in South Dakota.
Headliners performing on board the ship are- ZZ Top, George Thorogood and The Destroyers, John Kay and Steppenwolf, The Marshall Tucker Band, Dickey Betts & Great Southern, Foghat, Johnny Winter, Molly Hatchet, The Outlaws, Blackfoot, SwampDaWamp and PAT TRAVERS. Each band will be playing multiple sets in an array of ship board venues. It’s a floating Woodstock!
And there’s more great news…Floridian- Pat Travers will be performing live on stage- March 17th at “The Local 662” (State Theatre) in St. Petersburg. Tickets go on sale this- Friday March 4th at 10am and are available here or at Ticketmaster outlets. You can call the Local 662 club (Formerly The Garage) for more information.
Travers also announced that he may be playing some shows this year with fellow guitar- whiz Ronnie Montrose.
The Pat Travers Band’s latest power-rock album -Fidelis can be purchased on Amazon.com
Got a classic rock story you’d like to share? Email me at rockraymond.shasho@gmail.com I may feature your story in my next article.
Continue reading on Examiner.com:http://www.examiner.com/classic-rock-music-2-in-st-petersburg/ray-shasho
Famed- classic rock guitarist for Grand Funk Railroad, Mark Farner, has just announced a stop at Ruth Eckerd Hall on August 27th for the upcoming- Hippiefest Tour.
Mark Farner’s world turned upside- down recently after his 22 year old son Jesse’s near fatal- fracture to the C-5 vertebra in his neck. He remains paralyzed but is starting to show improvement by lifting his head off of the pillow. Farner is one of the 44- million Americans who don’t have health insurance and Jesse is faced with long- term medical care.
Mark Farner was the lead guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter of an unsigned- Flint Michigan garage band called Grand Funk Railroad, when they got their first big break performing at the Atlanta International Pop Festival in 1969. On the way to the concert their U-Haul trailer overturned ripping out wiring inside their equipment. The band had to get out their soldering gun and solder the wires back together before their performance.
After an awe-inspiring performance they achieved instant recognition and were immediately signed to Capitol Records. Some of the big names to play at the Fourth of July weekend festival included, Led Zeppelin, Janis Joplin, Credence Clearwater Revival, Johnny Winter, Chicago Transit Authority, and Joe Cocker. An estimated 180,000 rock fans- jammed the Atlanta International Speedway to watch the two-day event.
Two years later on July 9th, Grand Funk Railroad broke the Beatles attendance record for Shea Stadium by selling out in only- 72 hours. Farner described his helicopter flight to the Shea stadium concert,
“We took off from East River, and we were supposed to land in the parking lot, where a limo was going to pick us up, and when we got over the stadium, with Humble Pie already on stage, we could actually see the building bouncing up and down from the fans so excited from the music.”
The stage was set-up on second base in the infield. Mark’s inspirational- classic “I’m Your Captain” was the highlight of the Shea concert.
In an interview with http://www.classicbands.com/ Farner talked about writing “I’m Your Captain.” (940,034 views on You Tube)
I wrote "I'm Your Captain," that was the first song I wrote lyrics to prior to music. My Mother taught us how to pray - now I lay me down to sleep...I used to do that thinking that in case there is a God, in case there is a Hell, I didn't want to be there, so let me say this. I put a P.S. on the end of my prayer and said "God, would you please give me a song that will reach and touch the hearts of people that you want to touch." I got up in the middle of the night and wrote what I thought was poetry.”
The band became known for refusing individual band interviews (Because their manager- Terry Knight would personally conduct all the band- interviews himself) so they were slammed by critics and radio stations unwillingly gave them air-play.
But the power- trio of Grand Funk Railroad was a people’s band, and they captured a huge following of Funk- fans anyway through persistent touring and achieving platinum awards with five of their eight releases from ‘69 through ‘72. The rest went gold.
Farner wanted to keep the band as a trio but was out-voted in ‘72 and keyboardist Craig Frost was added to the lineup of Mark Farner- vocals and guitar, Don Brewer- vocals and drums and Mel Schacher -bass.
The band officially shortened their name to Grand Funk and hit number #1 status with their huge single “We’re an American Band,” and after they recruited the musical genius of Todd Rundgren as producer. Their next album- Shinin’ On had a 3D cover that could be viewed with special cutout glasses. The album produced yet another number #1 hit song, “Loco-motion” a remake of Little Eva’s classic tune.
In ‘74 they released the album -All The Girls in The World Beware, spawning the top 5- hits“Some Kind of Wonderful” and ”Bad Time.”
Grand Funk disbanded in 1983. The band sold over 50-million records worldwide.
In ’96 Grand Funk reunited and toured with the original line-up of Mark, Don and Mel. The reunited band produced a 2-CD live, greatest hits package from their sold-out Bosnia benefit concerts. Peter Frampton also joined the band on stage. The show featured the Detroit Symphony Orchestra conducted by David Letterman’s- Paul Shaffer.
In 1999 Mark was forced out of the band and Grand Funk continues to tour without him. But for some ungodly reason rock bands are allowed to dump their major stars and continue doing business with the original brand name.
