Don Brewer

Don Brewer (born September 3 1948 in Flint, Michigan) is the drummer for American Rock & roll band Grand Funk Railroad. Grand Funk, as they were initially known had a series of hit singles and platinum albums in the '70s, but they were also one of the most critically attacked yet fan-popular groups in the history of rock. Grand Funk Railroad came together in 1968 in Flint, Michigan when ex-Terry Knight and the Pack singer/guitarist Mark Farner, a football prodigy who was sidelined permanently from knee injuries and fellow ex-Pack member Brewer (who once led the Jazz Masters) hooked up with ex ? & the Mysterians bassist Mel Schacher. The trio brought Terry Knight on board as their manager, naming the band Grand Funk Railroad after the Grand Trunk Railroad.

Related Topics:
September 3 - 1948 - Flint, Michigan - Drummer - American - Rock & roll - Band - Grand Funk Railroad - Terry Knight and the Pack - Mark Farner - ? & the Mysterians - Mel Schacher - Terry Knight

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Grand Funk, which initially emphasized blues-rock, performed for free at the 1969 Atlanta Pop Festival in Hampton, Georgia, which led to their signing with Capitol Records. At first, radio was very chilly to the band, but constant touring and heavy promotion helped Grand Funk produce five platinum and three gold-certified albums between 1969 and 1972. In 1970, the band had one of its biggest early hits with the #22 single "Closer to Home."

Related Topics:
1969 - Atlanta Pop Festival - Hampton, Georgia - Capitol Records

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But, in 1972, Grand Funk fired Knight, a move which initiated a protracted legal battle. The band eventually hired John Eastman, Paul McCartney's brother-in-law, to handle business matters. At the end of the year, the group added keyboardist Craig Frost for Phoenix. The following year, they officially dropped "Railroad" from their name and issued the Todd Rundgren produced "We're an American Band", which spawned a #1 hit single, the band's first ever and written by Brewer, in the title track.

Related Topics:
John Eastman - Paul McCartney's - Craig Frost - Todd Rundgren

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In 1974, Grand Funk released the more pop-based Shinin' On, which included another chart-topper in their cover of Little Eva's "The Loco-Motion". Grand Funk's version marked only the second time in history that a remake of a #1 song hit the top. All the Girls in the World Beware!!! (1974), which spawned the #3 "Some Kind of Wonderful," was the last hit album for Grand Funk.

Related Topics:
Shinin' On - The Loco-Motion - All the Girls in the World Beware!!!

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Grand Funk announced their dissolution in 1976, but reconsidered and came back later that year with the Frank Zappa produced Good Singin', Good Playin'. The following year, Brewer and Schacher formed a new band, Flint, effectively ending Grand Funk. Flint's eponymous debut album wasn't a big success, nor were Farner's solo efforts.

Related Topics:
Frank Zappa - Good Singin', Good Playin'

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In 1981, Brewer and Farner resurrected Grand Funk for an album that cracked the Billboard albums chart. Two years later, they split again and Brewer decided to join rocker Bob Seger's Silver Bullet Band. He also continued in other muscial endeavors, including producing for the band "The Godz".

Related Topics:
Billboard - Bob Seger's Silver Bullet Band

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In 1996 the original members, Brewer, Schacher, and Farner, reunitied for a few trial engagements that were so well received and successful that they decided to continue. Grand Funk went on an expanded tour schedule that led to them being named one of Pollstar's top-grossing acts of 1998. Farner decided to leave the band at the end of 1998 to resume a solo career.

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In 2000, Don performed as a guest clinician at Modern Drummer Magazine's annual Drum Festival event where he was honored as one of the most influential drummers in the history of rock.

Related Topics:
2000 - Modern Drummer

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In December of 2000, Brewer and Schacher brought on Max Carl (of .38 Special fame) as lead-vocalist and front man, Bruce Kulick (of KISS fame) as lead guitarist, and Tim Cashion (of Robert Palmer and others) as keyboardist/vocalist and resumed touring as Grand Funk Railroad. They continue to tour successfully as of 2005.

Related Topics:
Max Carl - .38 Special - Bruce Kulick - KISS - Tim Cashion - Robert Palmer

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