Don Brewer of Grand Funk at a Drum Clinic Playing "Mark Says Alright"

[rockyspace]

Thank you! Great to actually see Don at his craft! The double album GFR Live is one of the great milestones of Rock & Roll. If you fine a copy, cherish it. They were THE american band.

[jackHNv]

Shouldn't he have retitled the song 'Mark says I earned you a fortune playing my songs then you fucked me?'

[pinwizz69]

I dream of being on Americas got talent and for my 2nd set having Them back me up for Some kinda wonderful !! I prefer singing the blues like House of the rising sun but I grew up near them and was & still am a big fan of GFR !! wish they'd getta new lead singer worth the honor to tour with them. The singer they had in Ft. Laud in the mid or late 90s sucked. My bro and I were bummed .

[pinwizz69]

I dream of being on Americas got talent and for my 2nd set having Them back me up for Some kinda wonderful !! I prefer singing the blues like House of the rising sun but I grew up near them and was & still am a big fan of GFR !!

[lamecasuelas2]

for me Don is like the quintessential rock drummer!! Don rules!! period!!!

[jeffreygaudreault]

 Donny Brewer is BETTER than Neil Peart!!

[jamesfulton1961]

This was from a Modern Drummer Festival a few years ago,i have it on vcr only!

At the end of this song,he goes straight into TNUC,makes it look so easy on stage! Always wanted to go to USA to see GFR,pity never made it!

[Aradia5459]

Back in 1970~71 my sister dated a dude in a band that played "Mean mistreater" , being 7 years younger, I learned about R & R from Grand Funk. When I got into a band in Tucson in '78, the influence of Mark Farner & the boys colored alot. Now, I still rock, & evidently they do also. Long live real R & R !!!

[CVAN687478]

Don Brewer Rules !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[tonlo92]

It would be nice if Don & Mel could put their differences aside & help out Mark Farner's son who had a near fatal accident & is paralyzed from the neck down. They are having a benefit concert for him, Roger Daltry is volunteering along with other acts. Being that they all have children, I would think they would want to help. Maybe they have, who knows, it would of been nice for them to join the concert. The kids only 21.

[slinkydinky999]

Great jam.

Still love all three of these guys just as I did 38 years ago even with there current differences. I can understand Don Brewer not wanting to turn Grand Funk into a religious band, as would be with Mark Farner. Mark didn't push his religious remarks to the fans in the 70's and shouldn't do it now. This being said, Grand Funk Railroad is Mark, Don, & Mel. This band trio cannot be replaced with any other members and be the true Grand Funk.

[maidtoorder28]

we need more cow bell!!

[sheddski]

grandfunk lives today but no mark just don mel and craig frost(bobseigers keyboardest)

[JustDave87]

I give credit where credit is do. HELL of a drummer! But... I'm a little disappointed in his attitude toward fans. Don't hate the guy. He's still on my top THREE list of drummers. I guess just to have something like that to keep and hold onto at my age (23) would of been just aewsome.

[JustDave87]

However, Don wasn't much on fan service. He's a great drummer but out of all the guys only Mel would meet and greet with the fans. There was only maybe twelve of us that stayed behind to meet them too so there wasn't like a HUGE crowed ready to swamp them. I just wanted to get my first (snare) drum head signed by Don or/and maybe Mel but all I got (anyone got) was Mel's signature. Shame, really.

[JustDave87]

I saw them live a few weeks ago and as much as I would of loved to see the original three (four if you count Frost) I still think they deliver. Mark made a choice to leave and that's it. Don and Mel are still great with the three new guys. Except for the added .38 Special songs to the set-list. WTF? Cut that shit out and toss in some more GFR like Into the Sun or even Gimme Shelter. They took that song from Rolling Stones and made it a whole new experience and better.

[GFRFanatic]

To set the record straight. Mel & Don are earning a living. Being loyal to the fans and found a new lead singer and organist. Keep up with the times

[RJiminez51]

one of the greats.

[HortHawg]

This is a drummer often overlooked these days whenever I see someone post a list of top drummers. That's a shame because Don Brewer is a great drummer and should be considered among the best rock drummers ever. I dug his drumming 35 years ago and I still dig it to this day.

[dantev4343]

Don Brewer is a bad ass.

[koolbossjock]

Get a life..Brewer can play anything..Get it?ANYTHING.I have known him for years and he has NOTHING to prove to you or anyone else.Evolve to what? Self indulgence?His Father was a Jazz musician and Donny is always jamming with people when not touring.

[semiLivedj]

totally old school,nothing wrong with that,but as a drummer myself you would think he would evolve a little bit,just because thats what people do and the excitement of learning something new,but whatever,if hes content on not expanding a little than I'll go watch someone else,I;v been playing for 30 yrs and still learn new stuff,old stuff is great but gets old.

[tstoakley]

iv been playing for 30 odd years on and off with a couple of local pub rock bands...i cant play even 20% as good as Don..Can you and perhaps youll show us by posting a clip here on you tube ..we would all love to hear and learn some evolving and expanding..Dons getting on a bit now and doesnt seem to break into a sweat.I think its fantastic he is passing on the techniques he has..a modest rock God and a Gentelman respect to Don

[semiLivedj]

@tstoakley if your only 20% as good,then a video clip is not necessary,I have nothing but respect for the man and what he does,that is his nitch and what isnt broke dont fix,i get that,i really do,but drumming has come a long way since then and their is no denying that,all the way from equipment to technique,I'm just saying,being a musician myself,I have always tried to learn something new and different,thats all.

[lawnenforcement11]

Can somebody tell me what he is doing there ? looks like paradiddles ,maybe?

[TheDrumChannel]

@lawnenforcement11 - I don't think he is doing paradiddles. The way I see it, it is right, left, right, left with accents on certain notes. The notes that are not accented are more like ghost notes. Hope that helps you out.

[koolbossjock]

Brewer just kix ass.

[rosesredvioletsblue]

Excellent. Thank you!

[Drewtazy]

WOW!

[hinamauka]

Saw GFR last night in Denver. Never saw them with Farner so I don't really know the difference. The band sounds GREAT and Don did an incredible solo!!

[recurveshot]

Of course they can earn a living. Even Mark said his big objection was that they were touring as "Grand Funk Railroad" and not "formerly of Grand Funk Railroad." THAT is how they are making him tour under this incorporation thing and hey, once again, NO FARNER NO FUNK! There are a lot of groups doing this sort of thing and it IS a swindle on the public!

[CVAN687478]

Bullshit

[blueraider316]

o man i wish you could've let the whole thing play..at the end it gets crazy fast but this was cool

[recurveshot]

MrGarageband ,

OK. Other than that I don't know what I said that bugged you. I still have little interest in seeing Grand Funk without Mark in it.

[jmcphail2]

I would go just to see Don. He was the real showman (ham, if you will) of the band, and funny, too. I saw them in 1971 and Don's drum solo on TNUC brought the house down, not a guitar riff. I'm glad he's doing clinics and showing us up close how he played his most famous solos.

[recurveshot]

."because it took the 3 original members to make it happen." Proves my point. No Farner no Funk. Tour as Mel and Donnie or Donnie and Marie for all I care. I wouldn't see 'em for free anymore than I'd bother with Creedence Revisted! David Lee Roth said he once met them and wouldn't even get on the same plane with them!

[MrGarageband]

You're such an expert on Grand Funk! Too bad you know not of what you speak. Mark and I are family and I was there in the 1960's when they irritated the heck out of some neighbors practicing in the garage. Were you there? No. Check your facts before you post, recurveshot, as a wise man speaks when he has something to say, a fool speaks just to say something. Your reply makes no point as Van Halen went the same route as Grand Funk, yet you somehow think Roth's opinion matters. . . . .

[MrGarageband]

. .and every band gets lucky. Every band. Those who are still playing after decades in this business do so on talent. One can surmise you included Roth into your reply because you're a fan of him, otherwise why do it? Is he the authority on musical groups? Perhaps to you he is. I was offered a free ticket to see Van Halen in Detroit last year yet turned it down. I have no interest in seeing them live just as you wouldn't see GFR. It's easy to criticize someone when you dislike them.

[recurveshot]

Then you're a fool by your own definition MrGarageband as you make no point at all-even if you were an errand boy for Farner or whatever it was you did for them back in the garage days. Funk but only with Farner in it!

[MrGarageband]

Not an errand boy .. an uncle.

[recurveshot]

The point that I wasn't there is nonsensical. So?! The Van Halen comment was anecdotal and given as it mirrored my position. What facts do I have wrong that I need to check you inarticulate poser?! There are many bad artists-musicians, actors etc. that are still around. That is proof or popularity not talent. Oh and once more-I like Grand

[dertrommler54]

Set the record straight: Farner refused to play because he wanted to spend the whole show castigating fans and preaching. Don and Mel said you can have a slot to say whatever you want, but outside of that, not gonna happen, because that was never what GFR was about.

Farner took his ball and went home. Mel and Don put as much of their lives into that band as Mark did. Why should they sit at home a cry in their beer because Farner is petulant and short-sighted ? Can't Mel and Don earn a living ?

[GFRFanatic]

@dertrommler54 To set the record straight. Mel & Don are earning a living.  Being loyal to the fans and found a new lead singer and organist. Keep up with the times.

[eroewade]

@dertrommler54 Unfortunately, from everything I have read, this seems to be the truth. Mark's a Jesus freak, which is his right, but Don & Mel obviously didn't think a GFR reunion should be a travelling tent revival meeting with all the preaching. So odd. You know, Rick Derringer, Lou Gramm from Foreigner, Alice Cooper - they're all about Jesus these days, also Dave Mustaine from Megadeth. Someone explain to me how this happens lol.....ugh. Really kind of odd. But there you have it.

[tomitstube]

@eroewade ~ i hear ya, lol, mustaine too. wtf? i think unfortunately it's a pathetic sign of the times, i blame post 9-11. same thing with sports, used to go to games, die hard fan... now every athlete has to thank god for his opponent tripping over his shoestrings. is there a white quarterback who isn't a jesus nut? kurt warner after the super bowl, "thank you jesus, thank you jesus", stfu you clown! steinbrenner used to block fans from leaving their seats during 'god bless america.'

[dareangel69]

@dertrommler54 i understand yr views but farner told them he wanted to pursue his own career...that's all and it was a pity, i agree....the good story of their comeback didn't last long....but they remained three giants in the american heavy rock history. they all deserve the best for what they gave to the people....in terms of soul, power and happiness while thinking about many social and environmental problems,,,

[tomitstube]

@dertrommler54 ~ well said. love these guys as a group and wish mark didn't have his head stuck up his ass like most religious people do with respect to other peoples (especially their long suffering fans) beliefs.

and i can tell you i would NOT spend good money to see one of my all time favorite bands if i was to be preached too.  i've always wondered about what happened, had my suspisions... now confirmed. mark is being a complete ass.

[recurveshot]

Nonsense. They got lucky with the Atlanta Pop Festival. They ALL would've been nowhere without that most likely. NRG play those songs that way because that's the way they were written. These aren't jazz tunes-what's really to improvise at this point? Did John Fogerty miss "Cosmo Clifford?!" Kenny Aronoff plays a whole lot better! Don and Mel are touring as GFR and they forced MARK FARNER to tour as "formerly of Grand Funk Railroad!" A travesty anyway you look at it!

[recurveshot]

Don Brewer is a disgraceful man as is Mel! They fff'd over their friend. It doesn't get any lower than that. At BEST they would be session players were it not for Mark! They sold out Shea with MARK FARNER songs!!!

[lancelightning]

Mark Farner wrote or co-wrote most of GFR's songs, but without Brewer and Schacher he would have been nobody. Don't forget that it was Farner who left GFR in '98 only to do the same stuff with a different line-up. Why do the drummer and bassist from NrG copy Brewer and Schacher note for note and beat for beat? Why....because it took the 3 original members to make it happen. Don Brewer is a great rock n roll drummer who has every right to show us how he played it....... Chris

[groovingsoul]

MODERN DRUMMER FESTIVAL........

[seventiesgetsome]

Don, I don't know how you do it! You never cease to amaze me with the beats you come up with.

[fattdaddy3755]

40TH Anniversary Grand Funk Reunion in 09?

FUNK ON!

[ALICECOOPERFANATIC]

FUNK YEA! Saw them yesterday, but they played this song that i cannot find where EVERY member had some sort of percussion do and I can't figure out what song that was help?

[LadyDelynn]

Yeah! It's called "Drumthing" and does it not totally kick? I wish they would at least release it as a single, it would be mine sooooooooo fast!

[HD80EVO]

Clinic is right. Mark, Don, & Mel forever.

[ForReelFunk]

His T-shirt reads "Grand Funk Railroad" and he talks about those "three guys" Mark, Don and Mel...now he and Mel play with three other guys. Mark Farner is making Grand Funk flavored solo music...I'm confused.

Don hits 'em hard that's for sure. Bless those chops!

[Bekki54]

I agree. That's funny.

[mmyers6167]

Great video. Thanks for posting. I have this entire clinic on VHS and tried unsuccessfully to transfer it to DVD. The tape has an anti-copy feature. Hudson has not released it on DVD yet and I no longer have a VHS player. Please post more of this clinic if you have it, especially the TNUC portion.

[webman1956]

Ahhhh but there are ways to get around stuff. Get a thing called Dazzle that is made by Pinnacle that has RCA connections and a USB connection converter. You then have the VCR play in real time directly to your hard drive bypassing everything restricted as the VCR see itself as only playing!

[Jimmers131005]

Don Brewer is a great example of what real rock drummers should aspire to be. Even though this particular tune doesn't show his full prowess, This is a drummer's drummer. And he can sing too!