WILMINGTON — It will be a ’70s rewind at the Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College come next spring. Grand Funk Railroad’s Some Kind of Wonderful tour will move through Wilmington, with former Traffic member Dave Mason in tow. They will perform downtown in the Third Street venue on Apr. 2, 7:30 p.m.
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Grand Funk has gone platinum 10 times and accumulated 13 gold records, selling 25 million worldwide and scoring numerous chart-topping singles — “We’re an American Band,” “I’m Your Captain (Closer to Home),” and “Footstompin’ Music.” The five-piece’s latest tour will take them on 40 stops with original founding members Don Brewer (vocals, drums, songwriter) and bassist Mel Schacher. Joining the group will be Max Carl (.38 Special), lead guitarist Bruce Kulick (KISS, Meatloaf, Billy Squier), and keyboardist Tim Cashion (Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band, Robert Palmer).
The Flint, Michigan, band started as a trio — Don Brewer, Mark Farner, and Mel Schacher — and was inspired by the dynamics of Cream (Ginger Baker, Jack Bruce and Eric Clapton), but eventually they added various members throughout the years. Grand Funk worked with producers such as Todd Rundgren and Frank Zappa before disbanding in the mid ’70s, reuniting in the ’80s, disbanding again in the mid-’80s, and reforming in 1996.
Grand Funk has created quintessential classic-rock standards that have aired on stations worldwide, charting 19 singles, eight Top 40 hits, and two Number One singles (“We’re an American Band,” “The Loco Motion”). They packed and sold out arenas with their blend of hard rock and soulful pop that paved the way for ’80s muscular sounds from bands like Van Halen, Bon Jovi and Foreigner.
Grand Funk has been on the road as part of its current tour since July 2021 and will be joined by Traffic’s Dave Mason in Wilmington. Mason’s solo career since leaving Traffic has led to over 100 songs and three gold albums: “Alone Together,” “Dave Mason,” and “Mariposa De Oro.” He also scored a platinum release in “Let It Flow,” featuring the top 10 single “We Just Disagree.”
As well, Mason has contributed to some of the greatest rock ‘n’ roll records to date, including The Stones’ “Beggars Banquet,” George Harrison’s “All Things Must Pass,” and Jimi Hendrix’s “Electric Ladyland.” Mason can be heard playing acoustic guitar on the track “All Along the Watchtower,” which he performs live today.
Tickets will go on sale to the Some Kind of Wonderful tour for Wilson Center’s Cape Fear Stage members on Wednesday, Dec. 15. It opens to the general public Friday, Dec. 17, 10 a.m., either online or by calling the box office, 910-362-7999.
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