Greta Van Fleet Live in Detroit

Greta Van Fleet sells out three Homecoming shows in Detroit: Rising Stars

Fillmore, Detroit, MI, USA  May 23, 2108

By: Kenny Kulpa

The first time I heard of the band Greta Van Fleet was about a year ago from my cousin Al, he was really geeked up about this group.

I like to refer to him, some of my friends, relatives and my brother Gerry as “Music Heads.” They all have one thing in common, their love and passion for music. He said, “You need to check out this band from Frankenmuth, Michigan they sound just like Led Zeppelin.”

A few weeks later my brother calls me up and says the exact same thing, I still didn’t do it.

It was about a month later I was at a Rockets concert when another cousin of mine, Greg, came up to say hello and

the next thing out of his mouth was, “Have you heard this band called Greta Van Fleet, they sound just like Led Zeppelin, their amazing.”

That’s my barometer on checking out new acts. Three music heads that are excited about a new group, I knew they were onto something.

First thing I did when I got home from the concert, (The Rockets minus their lead guitarist Jimmy McCarty are still incredible) was to turn on my Tandy Radio Shack TRS-80 and go right to You Tube.

First video I looked at, “Highway Tune.” “Wow” was all I could say. After watching more of their video’s, I knew I had to check this group out. The Music Heads were right on about these kids.

Greta Van Fleet is three brothers, Josh Kiszka on vocals, brother Jake on guitar, brother Sam on bass, and Danny Wagner on drums.

They hail from Frankenmuth, Michigan a small town about 90 miles outside Detroit. The towns known for their German heritage and a store named Bronner’s which they claim is the “The World’s Largest Christmas Store.” I’ve been there, and I would say it is.

The tickets for their three sold-out shows were a scalpers dream come true, they were at a premium price.

The crowd at the Fillmore, one of Detroit’s premiere venue was packed to the rafters. Kids as young as five were escorted in to their first concert ever, what a treat that was in store for them.

(I have to give props to the people that work at the Filmore, very helpful, accommodating and they all smiled.)

The first song from their 90-minute set was the Led Zeppelin-esque song, “Highway Tune,” which started off the night of rock n roll.

Josh Kiszka dressed in an Indian styled tunic and sporting a feather head-band, who’s voice sounds identical to a

young Robert Plant. He strutted on the stage, he sung with confidence and fervor, way beyond his age of 22.

His twin brother Jake, which really, I thought Sam was the twin, looked like a rock god with just a jacket on showing off his toned torso, he reminded me of Jimmy Page. He played his guitar like a seasoned professional. Half-way through an extended version of “Edge of Darkness,” Jake showed off his guitar playing prowess. He threw his 1961 Gibson Les Paul behind his head and jammed on it. The crowd went wild with his over the top theatrics.

Younger brother Sam, barefoot, kept the bottom end pumping and Danny with his hair up in a man bun drummed like there was no tomorrow.

They also did extended versions of “Flower Power” and “Lover Leaver Taker Believer,” which again let Jake show off his guitar playing ability.

 For their encore they played “Black Smoke Rising” and “Safari Song” which had the crowd of 2,800 not wanting to leave.

GVF has a spiritual kinship to Led Zeppelin, you can hear and feel it in their music and lyrics. As Robert Plant said to an Australian interviewer:

“Their Led Zeppelin 1.” What a compliment for the band.

Right now, they’re the torch bearers for rock n roll.

God Bless Great Van Fleet.

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