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Originally Posted by srvy
Thats awesome the recording is really good for that time frame. I was a junior in HS what that concert was happening. GFR was a great live concert as I saw them in KC around this time. Bravo  |
I never got a chance to see them in their prime, I did see the three in 1998 when they did a reunion tour. That band has gone through a lot of politics. Mark became born-again in the 80's and wouldn't touch pot or have anything to do with the other two guys. Then when they regrouped Mark took along his 19 year old son as a guitar tech, he had been living with his ex and had been getting into trouble and thought this way he could keep an eye on him. Before the tour Mark told the guys, no drugs. One night he caught his son and Mel smoking pot, end of GFR.
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.