Grand Funk Railroad Rocking the SOLD OUT Flower Power Cruise Feb. 28-March 1

Grand Funk Railroad will be headlining the 2018 Flower Power Cruise, which visits Fort Lauderdale, Aruba, Curacao, Saint Maartens, Puerto Rico.

The SOLD OUT Cruise runs from February 24-March 3, and Grand Funk joins February 28-March 1.

The line up on the cruise, also, includes Canned Heat, The Family Stone, Iron Butterfly, the Cowsills, Peter Noone, the Hollies, Peter Asher, Felix Cavaliere’s Rascals, the Guess Who, the Grass Roots, the Association, the Buckinghams, Mickey Dolenz, Mark Lindsay.

The website is flowerpowercruise.com.

Grand Funk Railroad is available for interviews with the media in advance; please call Anne Leighton at 718-881-8183.

Formed in 1969, Grand Funk was born out of the ashes of Terry Knight & The Pack, another band from Flint, Michigan.  Currently the group includes original founding members Don Brewer (vocals and drums, writer and singer of the hit, "We're An American Band") and bassist Mel Schacher. Joining Don and Mel are true "ALL-STARS"-- Max Carl (38 Special, Jack Mack and the Heart Attack, Max Carl and Big Dance), lead guitarist Bruce Kulick (12 years with KISS and credits with Michael Bolton, Meatloaf and Billy Squier), and keyboardist Tim Cashion (Bob Seger and Robert Palmer).

Together, Brewer and Schacher have created a dynamic and multi-talented five piece band that will not only carry on the tradition of Grand Funk hits, but also has the potential to create a new chapter in the legacy of Grand Funk Railroad.  With Grand Funk reforming in 2000, this new chapter in the band's biography is being written daily.  Both seasoned Grand Funk lovers and contemporary rock fans--discovering the group for the first time on CDs and VH-1-- will be able to see and hear firsthand that Grand Funk Railroad's train is back on track.

“We're Comin' To Your Town, We'll Help You Party It Down, 

WE'RE AN AMERICAN BAND!!!"

Grand Funk Railroad Meets John Ellison, Songwriter of their hit “Some Kind of Wonderful"

From Left to Right:

Stanley Sheldon (of Peter Frampton’s band—filling in for bassist Mel Schacher), guitarist Bruce Kulick, vocalist Max Carl, John Ellison, drummer Don Brewer, keyboardist Tim Cashion.

 

Grand Funk Railroad has some pretty amazing fans.  One of them is songwriter John Ellison, who wrote “Some Kind of Wonderful” for his 1960s soul band, The Six Soul Brothers. “Some Kind” was recorded by Grand Funk Railroad and over 60 different musicians including Huey Lewis, Joss Stone, Edwin McCain, and a duet by Buddy Guy & Paul Rodgers.

The Rochester-based songwriter John Ellison came to the Grand Funk show, on February 1, 2018 show at Del Lago Casino, Waterloo, NY.  The band introduced him to the SOLD OUT crowd and he received a standing ovation. 

Backstage, after the show John told them he started writing the song in his hometown of Rochester, and finished when he and Soul Brothers arrived at the recording studio in Philadelphia in the year 1965.

“It was 4 in the morning, and she was hanging in my arms, and I thought, ‘Damn, she is some kind of morning.  She packed a bag of lunch.  We were broke, and I thought, ‘I don’t need a whole lot of money…’” and the other lyrics.  A local radio personality heard them rehearsing the song, and networked the recording they made that night to Atlantic Records, who offered to release the song.    

They recorded it, and got a record deal w/ Atlantic.

The band and Ellison’s wife asked him if he remember “the girl,” and he says that he doesn’t.  Then he reminds his wife that they have a home because of the song!  

Says Grand Funk Railroad’s lead singer, “John is a charismatic and sweet, funny man that is a joy to spend time with. And it was great to see Don light up while telling his story of his amazing tune. It's always been one of my favorites and I've sung it many times over the years.” 

  

John Ellison & Soul Brothers Six:

Former KISS Guitarist Bruce Kulick Releases NEW Album and Single

Bruce available for interviews on new recording 

The Cover for the Single, GOT TO GET BACK by KKB

KKB, Bruce Kulick's first band created back in 1974 with his local friends, singer/bassist Mike Katz and drummer Guy Bois, are releasing a brand new single and CD called “Got To Get Back.” The new single leads off the CD, which continues with 6 more songs they recorded in 1974. The vintage tracks were revisited for 2015, and the original tapes were totally remixed and remastered. 

Kulick was fortunate growing up in Jackson Heights, NY to find other talented local musicians who shared the same passion for the British Invasion of rock. They lived within blocks of each other, with drummer Guy's basement being the breeding ground for the musical concoction they were creating. The young band rehearsed for months before entering a studio in NYC capturing music that was urgent, intense and compelling. Sadly, with no clear direction for the group to follow the band never played together live, and ultimately went their separate ways. Bruce continued on in the music world, playing guitar with Michael Bolton, Meatloaf, KISS, and Grand Funk Railroad.  

The music KKB recorded in 1974, however, sat idle on a tape in Kulick's closet for many years. In 2008, Bruce bought a TEAC tape deck at a local garage sale and decided to listen to the KKB recording again. He loved it, and shared it with his friends, who all agreed: "You must release this music for people to hear." The vintage tape was transferred and, after some cleaning up of the tracks, KKB 1974 was released in 2008. The limited-run CD sold out quickly.  

An unexpected new chapter for KKB happened in 2013, when Mike found the original session tapes. By using the actual tracks recorded, Kulick had the opportunity to remix, remaster and get creative with this music once again. But the discovery sparked something substantially more interesting than simply polishing up “old” music—the desire for Bruce and Mike to create a new song for KKB, 40 years after its genesis. 

As a result of KKB’s rekindled fire, the trio wrote and recorded a new song, “Got To Get Back," a total throwback to their vintage sound, style and vibe. Each band member recorded their parts in a local studio—Guy in Paris, Mike in New York City, and Bruce in LA. Further adding to KKB’s renaissance, a string quartet, scored by Bruce’s longtime collaborator Jeremy Rubolino, was added to the ballad "Someday," giving the song a shine that couldn't have been imagined in 1974. 

"This music represents a time in my career that I feel helped define the potential of my guitar playing," Kulick says. "It gives me chills to hear it. The interplay with Mike on bass and Guy on drums was expertly executed, filled with passion that defined our age. To think that so long ago I was involved in something this powerful that sat in my closet unheard for nearly 35 years made me furious. My intense desire to share this music that is relevant now, more than ever, is a huge accomplishment. Play it loud and imagine three young men pouring their hearts out making music, never concerned about anything but the music. That was the intention. It was pure, it was real. And now it's available for all to enjoy."   

The record studio in Jackson Heights, Queens used by KKB in 1974.

KKB's music is in the power rock/progressive/melodic rock genre, and Got To Get Back captures styles of a variety of

British bands including Led Zeppelin, Cream, and King Crimson, with arrangements performed in a hard rock trio context. Give it a listen, and see if you agree that this time capsule of music from Kulick's beginnings is totally unique and captivating to your ears.

Songs on the album:

1) GOT TO GET BACK

2) I'LL NEVER TAKE YOU BACK

3) MY BABY

4) SOMEDAY

5) TRYING TO FIND A WAY

6) YOU WON'T BE THERE

7)YOU'VE GOT A HOLD ON ME

####

www.kulick.net

KKB album webpage: www.kulick.net/kkb/

The book, STICKS'N'SKINS

Jethro Tull's Doane Perry, Tower of Power's David Garibaldi, Grand Funk Railroad's Don Brewer, and Stratospheerius' Lucianna Padmore are featured in the upcoming coffeetable book of drummers, STICKS'N'SKINS.

Visit the web site http://www.sticksnskins.com for links to myspace and facebook web sites.

News Briefs

Cevin Soling's THE WAR ON KIDS' documentary won "Best Educational Film" in the New York International Film and Video Festival this past April. The film shows how public schools have been taking away children's civil rights. More info--including a screener-- at www.thewaronkids.com.

When he's not touring with Jethro Tull, drummer Doane Perry has been working on a new album with his own band, Thread. The last one came out in the 1990s.

Elliott Murphy has come in first place in the 2008 Concert Poll in Austria's prestigious Concerto magazine in the category "Best Singer: Rock and Pop" and third place in the category "Best Singer: Folk, World, Singer/Songwriter" - the only artist to win in two categories! Look for Elliott to return to the East Coast this December.

Jay and the Americans have festivals, fairs, and benefits this summer--visit the "show page" at www.jayandtheamericans.net.

The Fabulous Thunderbirds will be back in the States soon, which shows starting June 12 in Syracuse. Friend Kim Wilson, Randy Bermudes, Mike Keller, Johnny Moeller and Jason Moeller on myspace.com/fabulousthunderbirds.

Talented writer Jennifer Chance wrote a really good article on Grand Funk Railroad at Stage Shottz magazine. Also visit www.grandfunkrailroad.com for updated tour info.

My American musicians! Grand Funk Railroad, Jay and the Americans

Jay and The Americans have dates online, as well, at the site. But the guys (Jay Reincke, Howie Kane, Marty Saunders, Sandy Deanne)are also encouraging folks to join the http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Jay-and-the-Americans/63380664448?ref=ts"_blank"> Jay and the Americans’ Facebook fan page.


Grand Funk Railroad is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. Tourdates posted at Grand Funk Railroad.com. Grand Funk Railroad features original members drummer Don Brewer and bassist Mel Schacher, plus the all stars: singer Max Carl, guitarist Bruce Kulick and keyboardist Tim Cashion.

ATTENTION: JOE THE VIOLINIST PIMPING FOR HIS AND GRAND FUNK RAILROAD’S REAL PUBLICIST

ATTENTION: JOE THE VIOLINIST PIMPING FOR HIS AND GRAND FUNK RAILROAD’S REAL PUBLICIST


The real Grand Funk Railroad publicist Anne Leighton is issuing retractions to a variety of mainstream media outlets, who announced that she handles public relations for Joe the Plumber. This comes after Bill Maher announced on Friday, October 31, that Grand Funk Railroad's publicist was handling press for a wannabe musician and John McCain spokesperson named Joe the Plumber.

Leighton states, "While I certainly hope Joe the Plumber gets his record deal, so he really understands what it's like NOT to earn more than $250,000 a year, I would never work for someone who neither pays taxes nor is able to remove the waste product from anyone’s drains.

"However I work with Joe the Violinist, whose wondrous music can drain the world’s junk from your brains….and even a few drains."

Leighton has been publicizing Grand Funk Railroad since 2001 and also a band called Stratospheerius, which features “Joe the Violinist” Deninzon! Joe recently played a BarackandRoll event in Hoboken, and even tho’ he’s originally from Russia, he is a capitalist.

Here's a link to Joe the Violinist fiddling "If I Were A Rich Man....."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAqe4bkUNRU

Joe's available for commentary, but even better to play violin!

His group Stratospheerius has one more show, this Friday night—November 7 at the Underscore in New York City, and then will be starting work on a new album. Joe's current album, HEADSPACE received accolades in a range of media outlets and airplay on most every jam band radio show in North America.

Justin Scro reviews, "Stratospheerius is creating a genre of its own," and "the vocal performance of Joe Deninzon is on par with his stringed abilities." THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER praises Stratospheerius for its "funky electric violins, driving guitar rhythms, and fevered drumming layered in an explosive fashion."

Other outlets have been praising the group for not fitting into one genre. Mark Kirby of MUSIC DISH NETWORK writes, "Stratospheerius' music has smarts, but not of the cold calculating kind; the music has rawness and intensity, but not the stupid punk kind. Statospheerius have a band sound that avoids the pitfalls of jazz, while keeping its sophistication and musical depth." COSMOS GAMING's Chris Dahlberg says, "Stratospheerius is an impressive group, and HEADSPACE continues to see them progressing further and further in both technical prowess and original ideas. There are other groups that try to work string instruments in like this one has, but no one else has the ability to switch up genres like Stratospheerius."



http://www.joedeninzon.com