Grand Funk Railroad steams into Cape

Grand Funk Railroad founder and drummer Don Brewer said in a recent interview that one of his favorite things about touring 45 years after forming the band is seeing "three generations of fans who know the words to 'Some Kind of Wonderful.'"

Sure enough, there were fans of all ages braving the nighttime chill Thursday to see the band rock the grandstand of the 159th SEMO District Fair.

One of the youngest fans was 9-year-old Joslin Riebeling, who got there early to share a plate of chili fries with her father Andrew. It was her first concert, and Andrew said he had taken it upon himself to introduce her to the so-called American Band.

"We were listening to them on the way over here," he said. "I've got their first three albums on vinyl, but I had to make her a CD."

What are Joslin's favorite songs?

"She likes 'Locomotion' and 'We're an American Ban-'"

"Yeah!" Joslin interjected, nodding excitedly.

Grand Funk's signature blend of hard-driving rock certainly seems to have aged well, and they still put on an entertaining show. Brewer's bass drum had a pointing finger superimposed on an American flag with a caption that read, "We're an American Band!" True to form, the Flint, Michigan-based group kicked things off with "Bottle Rocket" under red, white and blue stagelights after a moment to honor veterans and first responders.

Cape Girardeau resident and fellow Flint, Michigan, native Doug Metzger said he grew up listening to them. Not their records, either.

"In '68, they would play in a garage in Flint, and I would ride my bike up the alley to listen to them," he said. "Now I see them whenever I get the chance."

Metzger said he once snagged a pick that guitarist Bruce Kulick threw into the crowd at a show.

"I've still got it framed," he added.

Brewer treated the crowd to a nearly five-minute exposition on the drums, channeling energy into the syncopated jungle-rumbling solo. And when the band played "Locomotion," nearly everyone got up to groove to it, and the few who didn't could be seen joining in and jamming out on air guitar.

It's the well-known hits like "Locomotion" that drew Kim and Terry Gerlach. They bring back memories.

"The first time I heard Grand Funk Railroad was at a high school dance," said Kim.

"Mine was on an album," Terry added, then specified: "Vinyl."

He said his favorite of Grand Funk's hits would probably have to be "I'm Your Captain (Closer to Home)," and he wasn't disappointed Thursday night. But, then again, he was probably never going to be.

"They've just got so many good ones," he said.

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