Still an American Band: Grand Funk Railroad heads to Summerfest
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- They’ve been rocking stages for more than 50 years — and now, Grand Funk Railroad is bringing their iconic sound to Milwaukee.
The legendary rock group, known for hits like “Some Kind of Wonderful” and “We’re an American Band,” is returning to Summerfest on Friday, June 20th, performing at 7:30 p.m. on the Uline Warehouse Stage.
Original member Don Brewer, who sings and plays drums, joined CBS 58 to reflect on the band’s legacy and the story behind their most well-known song.
“Oh absolutely, we have done Summerfest before a couple of times but it's been a long time. I'd say it's been about 10-15 years since we've been there. Looking forward to it,” Brewer said.
The band’s biggest hit, “We’re an American Band,” still resonates with generations of fans. Brewer wrote the song — and still remembers the moment he realized it was something special.
“We're an American Band, actually when I wrote the song, I took it into the band I started working on the arrangement. I said do you guys really like this, oh yea we love it, and we were recording it down in Miami, at Criteria Studios, a bunch of people from Capitol came in and they were all standing in the control room with Todd Rundgren and again he's playing it back to them and they are jumping up and down. So, I walked back to them and said you really like it? You really like it? And they said oh yeah! We love it. So, you know I didn't know what it was really until I heard it on the radio, I heard it in my car, I heard it on the radio and went God it sounds like a hit," explained Brewer.
The song itself came together quickly — and was built on real moments from the road.
“Not very long, you know I'm not a great guitar player and I only know three or four chords and all of them are in that song. So I put together a song in just a day it was and it was from experiences on the road we were playing cards all night with Freddy King, so up all night with Freddy King I got to tell you poker is his thing, the four young Chiquita's in Omaha and sweet sweet Connie in Little Rock and all these little stories of what was going on the road and it all just came together. But I couldn't find a punchline or a hook... and so, I kept practicing and practicing the song and I just thought we're an American Band and it just sounded good to say it. So, I sang that and went that's the song right there, we're an American Band," said Brewer.
Even after decades of touring and performing, Brewer says the thrill never goes away.
“You know I still get a little butterfly before we go on just because you never know what's going to happen. Is everything going to be working, is the monitors going to be set? Is the sound system going to go down? Is the lighting guy going to be working tonight? You know you get a little butterfly but I always get excited to watch the crowd. And I love to watch now four generations of people you know kids, grandkids, parents and they are all singing along to Some Kind of Wonderful. I don't need whole lots of money I don't need a big fat car, and pretty soon they are singing as loud as you are. I can't tell you as great that feels it's wonderful," said Brewer.
Grand Funk Railroad is one of the headliners helping to celebrate Summerfest’s rich tradition of music and memories. Brewer says he’s ready to bring the energy.
“We're on Friday night and I think we're going on at 7:30. And yeah, and I'm looking forward to it it's going to be a great show.”