Jefferson Starship and Grand Funk Railroad
Grand Sierra Resort and Casino (GSR)
Reno Nevada
September 1, 2023
Reno was in for a treat. Two legendary rock bands, Grand Funk Railroad and Jefferson Starship, joined forces for a performance a co-headlining show at Grand Sierra Resort and Casino (GSR) on Friday, Sept. 1, 2023.
Internationally acclaimed Grand Funk Railroad (often shortened to Grand Funk) remains one of the most successful hard rock bands of the 1970s and beyond. Despite initial backlash from critics following their recording debut in 1969, the Michigan-based power trio unabashedly leaned into their blues-rock sound and cultivated a devoted fan base that propelled the group into stardom. The band has since toured the world, selling out arenas in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Japan, and South America. With a career spanning over five decades, Grand Funk has accumulated an impressive collection of prestigious recording achievements, including 19 charted singles, eight Top 40 hits, and two No. 1 singles – “We’re An American Band” and “Locomotion.” To date, Grand Funk Railroad has released 10 platinum and 13 gold-certified albums with record sales of over 25 million copies sold worldwide.
Many people think of Grand Funk as just a cover band now. But most people don’t know that there are still two original members in the band. They are Don Brewer (drums, vocals), and Mel Schacher (bass). And the good thing about this lineup is Don is known for most of Grand Funk hits so he is Grand Funk Railroad.
Their setlist included.
Rock & Roll Soul
Footstompin’ Music
Shinin’ On
Heartbreaker
The Loco-Motion (Carole King cover)
Walk Like a Man
Sky High
Second Chance (38 Special cover)
Lightning and Thunder
The Star-Spangled Banner (John Stafford Smith & Francis Scott Key cover)
Inside Looking Out (The Animals cover)
Some Kind of Wonderful (Soul Brothers Six cover)
I’m Your Captain (Closer to Home)
We’re an American Band
Joining Grand Funk is another band that helped define arena rock in the 1970s and ‘80s – Jefferson Starship. Guitarist Paul Kanter and Grace Slick started the group after the disbandment of Jefferson Airplane, the seminal San Francisco psychedelic rock band of the ‘60s. Jefferson Starship’s second album, “Red Octopus,” topped Billboard’s album chart, and its hit single “Miracles” became a crossover hit, solidifying the group’s place in mainstream rock. Although the band has experienced countless waves of change throughout the years, they continue to captivate audiences with their timeless sound. Even with most of the original members being gone. And with the addition of Chicago’s Cathy Richardson. The band has still been able to capture the sound and feel of the 60s. Even without Grace Slick, Cathy was able to channel Ms. Slick essence and make it her own. There is still one original member David Freiberg who is 85 and also was outstanding in his performance.
Their setlist was the following:
Find Your Way Back
Stranger
Count on Me
Runaway
With Your Love
It’s About Time
Sara
Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now (Albert Hammond cover)
Miracles
Embryonic Journey
White Rabbit
We Built This City
Jane
Somebody to Love (The Great Society cover)
So the night was great with two bands from the 60s showing the audience what it meant to be a band from the 60s and still have music people can enjoy.
Jefferson Starship Website | Facebook | YouTube | Tweeter | Instagram |
Grand Funk Railroad Website | Facebook | YouTube | Tweeter | Instagram |
