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03-26-2020, 08:14 AM | #2 | |
I could of gone pro
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: The Villages, Florida
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Quote:
During the tour Don Brewer the drummer was usually the businessman of the group and one night he gave some papers to Mark to sign, and he didn't even read them, but signed because he trusted Don. He signed away control of the name of the band to Don. So now when you see GFR on tour, it's only Don and Mel with a couple of other guys trying to fill in for a legend and Mark does the solo tour on his own. Back in the beginning the band was signed by Terry Knight, a local Michigan singer who went to NY and got connected with Capitol and became a manager and producer. He had actually sang songs with the guys and went back to Michigan and signed them. He produced their first five albums, the best I think of the bunch, they have the more raw sound and the separation of instruments and vocals in the stereo mix, sort of like the Beatles. After 5 albums and big tours selling out Shea Stadium and all, they were still broke. They went to Terry Knight and asked for money, he showed them what they signed and basically were getting paid peanuts and Terry was making all the money. They fired Terry on the spot. Then they went to go play Madison Square Garden, Knight got an injunction and said he owned everything and confiscated their equipment and they couldn't play live or record for a year. Finally when the dust settled they hired Todd Rundgren as a producer and released the album We're an American Band and they finally made the big time, but for fans like me, they sort of sold out. I can't blame them, they needed a big hit and to go commercial but I really only listen to the early albums. Last edited by DeepPurple; 03-26-2020 at 08:22 AM.. |
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Posts: 1,340
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