Twenty three years after the last live shows by the original band, Grand Funk Railroad returned to the northeast for a benefit show for the American-Bosnian Relief Fund. Grand Funk guitarist/vocalist Mark Farner, drummer/vocalist Don Brewer and bassist Mel Schacher were joined by Mountain guitarist Leslie West and other special guests for a sold out show at the Beacon Theatre in New York City.

The show started with Footstompin Music followed by Rock and Roll Soul. Shortly after Leslie West came out and jammed with the band. Then the classic Heartbreaker followed. After a few more songs the intensity level picked up with T.N.U.C., and a great version of Inside Looking Out which had the whole crowd singing along. Next up was Shinin On and The Locomotion. Then a huge American flag unfurled behind the boys as the classic We’re An American Band destroyed the now excited crowd. This was a good time to present all the participants with plaques for the great contributions they were making for the people of Bosnia-Herzegovina.

After a ten minute break, the second set opened with Paul Shaffer leading the Sarajevo Symphony Orchestra into We’re An American Band and The Locomotion. Mark Farner then sat at a piano and did a tremendous version of Mean Mistreater. The song Some Kind Of Wonderful had most of the girls up and dancing; To Get Back In, and Bad Time kept them up as well. Then the Beacon came alive with the radio favorite Closer To Home/I`m Your Captain. An encore of Loneliness closed out the show.

The mighty Grand Funk Railroad is back. Hopefully they will be coming to a station near you soon as they plan to tour later this summer. Long live the railroad it's a mighty good line...

Review by Marcus DeCarlo

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