![]() You’re one of the founders and have been the only continuous member. He would show me how to play his drum kit, and we would figure out what drummers were playing on the records.Īndrew: Let’s jump right in and talk about Grand Funk Railroad. My dad used to sit with me, and we would play records. Sandy went on to be a dancer and choreographer on Broadway and in Hollywood.Īndrew: As an artist and drummer, who are some of your earliest and most important influences?ĭon: My earliest influences were my dad, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, and Jerry Lee Lewis. They were both teachers and encouraged both my sister Sandy and me to pursue musical careers. Both my parents were musical, my mother was a dancer (ballet and tap), and my dad played drums in bands during the Depression. I think that’s where the Rock ‘N’ Roll bug bit me. He would put me up on a table and put money in the jukebox, select Elvis doing “Hound Dog,” and let me do my thing. My dad, Don, who was always at the bar, used to take me along sometimes. I remember seeing Elvis Presley on Ed Sullivan, and I was so inspired that I started doing an impersonation of “Hound Dog” and “Blue Suede Shoes. What was your musical gateway, so to speak?ĭon: My musical story started very early. Looking forward to being able to spend more time with the grandkids, and extremely hopeful to get back to work with Grand Funk Soon.Īndrew: Tell us about your backstory. We both have now finally been vaccinated, so we have a little more freedom than we did. How have you been holding up during this seemingly ever-raging dumpster fire?ĭon: Dumpster fire!? Ha! I’ve been at home with my wife Sunny, and we’re doing well. Cheers.Īndrew: Don, thank you for taking the time to speak with us. Once you’ve done that, dig into this chat with Don Brewer. You can also check my recent interview with fellow Grand Funk member Bruce Kulick here. If you would like to learn more about Grand Funk Railroad, you can head over to their website here. We talk about his early origins, the beginnings of Grand Funk, the 70s heyday, what type of drums he’s playing nowadays, and more. So, today I’ve got Grand Funk’s drummer and founding member, Don Brewer, with us. Albums like Closer To Home and We’re An American Band will forever be etched into the minds of millions of Rock fans forever and more. They were one of the first true Arena Rock bands, and they, along with a few others, set the tone for what was to come in the late 70s, early 80s, and beyond. Many of us know Grand Funk, and most of us love Grand Funk. Don Brewer of Grand Funk Railroad is one of those drummers. That said, there is a slew of less-heralded drummers, whose influence can be felt throughout the genre of Rock to this very day. When you heard about drummers from the 70s Rock heyday, you often heard names like Bonham, Moon, Peart, and deservedly so. All images courtesy of Don Brewer/Grand Funk Railroad
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