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:

TOWER OF POWER's GREAT AMERICAN SOULBOOK enters Billboard's Contemporary Jazz Charts at Number 3

Tower of Power's "Great American Soulbook" album, which features covers of classic soul songs has entered Billboard's Contemporary Jazz Charts at Number 3. It is the highest placing debut album of the week. The album has also entered the Soundscan Jazz charts for record sales at Number 6.

"The Great American Soulbook" features guest vocalists. Sir Tom Jones duets on Sam and Dave's "I Thank You." Joss Stone shares two songs and Tammi Terrel and Marvin Gaye's "(Heaven Must Have Sent) Your Precious Love" and Marvin Gaye and Kim Weston's "It Takes Two." Sam Moore joins the group on Otis Redding's "Mr. Pitiful," and Huey Lewis shares vocals on Wilson Pickett's "“634-5789” The album also features a 4-song "James Brown medley, and songs originally performed by Stevie Wonder, Bill Withers, Aretha Franklin, Tavares, Watts 103rd St Rhythm Band, and Billy Paul.

Tower of Power's THE GREAT AMERICAN SOULBOOK

There are two links on the right side of this web page to videos for--if I could twist Casey Kasem's words--Tower of Power’s “short distance” dedication to an American soldier stationed in Iraq, who was able to get a leave to be with his wife at a show in Las Vegas.

This is the rest of the story.... A while ago, Tower of Power received an e-mail from Tim Lorenzen, who is in the army and stationed in Iraq. His request was for the band to possibly dedicate "You're Still A Young Man" to his wife Mona, who would be at the Orleans Casino show in Las Vegas on Saturday, March 7.

He wrote that TOP was their favorite band, and on their last day together they took a ride in his convertible, top down, listing to TOP music, despite the fact that it was raining.

Tim was able to get a leave, and come to the show, and surprise his wife with roses after TOP frontman Larry Braggs called her onto the stage.

Here is a link to the story on the band's message board!


Tim Lorenzen (on the right) and his buddies in Iraq.

Tower of Power is coming out with a new CD April 7. It’s called The Great American Soulbook. I love the album, how it sounds and Tower of Power's signature take of the arrangements. Right now I'm grooving on Larry's interpretations--my favorite covers are “Me and Mrs. Jones” and “Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel.” He sings lead on those; the LP has guest singers who share vocals with him on a few songs: Sir Tom Jones, Joss Stone, Huey Lewis and Sam Moore.