The bass player for Grand Funk Railroad

[DZIB]

My favorite GFR album is Phoenix. It's a classic. Mel (and GFR) were kick-ass R&R all the way. I saw them with Uriah Heep in 1972.

[Lucas G]

GFR has always been one of my favorites, and definitely on the list of things that made we want to play bass. in fact, 'closer to home' was the first song i learned once i came back to playing after 4 years off.

i enjoy that this thread was resurrected, and before i even finished reading the thread and bought a copy of that album on itunes then came back and finished reading. i'm listening to it right now, and it is awesome. hooray for this thread getting brought back!

[jarrydee]

Going to resurrect this thread AGAIN!!! I am new to bass, not a total noob but new enough that this guys bass lines are a challenge for me, my band is going to be doing...rock n roll soul, Time machine, and Closer to home, It is defiantly hard for me right now but I love this dudes style!

[BaditudeDude]

GFR was my favorite band in high school, and Mel's bass playing was responsible for me taking notice of bass and learning to appreciate other bass players and bass parts in songs. And reading numerous threads here on TB, he had a major influence on others, too.

I got to see/hear GFR this past summer at a local festival and the band can still rock out the old tunes, although they most definitely miss Mark Farner's vocals. I have a thread here that I started about that show and included a few nice snapshots that I took.

With my teenage son now playing drums in a rock band, my interest in music has become renewed. I had been a pretty good trumpet player in high school, but did't play much after graduation. I had always dreamed of learning to play bass myself, so I treated myself several months ago by buying a Yamaha RBX 170 and Hartke A70 bass amp. Learning on my own, playing along with YouTube videos, and having a great time doing it.

There are a bunch of threads here on TB on Mel. Just do a search from the top of the page.

[theretheyare]

Originally Posted by KJung

Gary Thane (I think that's his name) from Uriah Heep.

Fantastic bass player indeed-thanks for bringing him up! His name was Gary Thain. He was from New Zealand and OD'ed at a young age. The double live Uriah Heep has his great fat funky rock bass playing (though they miss his most spectacular tune, Sweet Lorraine Grooveshark - Listen to Free Music Online - Internet Radio - Free MP3 Streaming)

[Mike in Chicago]

Listen to "Grand Funk Live" T.N.U.C., Are you ready and inside looking out.

From We're an American Band...."Black Licorice"

[jbrannon7]

Reprise, here is an excellent you tube vid of GF. He is using a Fender bass with what appears to be a Gibson humbucker pickup in front of a huge stack of 15s. Awesome distortion. I believe I was this tour at Univ of Maryland, but it was 1969-70 and it's kind of fuzzy.

Grand Funk Railroad - Inside Looking Out 1969 - YouTube