Felder recreates Eagles' hits

Don Felder,left, former lead guitarist for
the Eagles, brought "An Evening at the Hotel
California" to the Island Resort and Casino.

By STEVE SEYMOUR

Don Felder brought "An Evening at the Hotel California" to the Island Resort and Casino in Harris on Jan. 15, recreating Eagles' hits for a receptive audience.

Playing a variety of guitars, Felder performed flawless versions of a dozen tunes.

He was backed by a crack five-piece band consisting of his son Cory Felder (percussion), Shem von Schroeck (bass), Timothy Drury (keyboards), Chris Ralles (drums) and Frank Simes (guitar).

Born in Gainesville, Fla. the teenage Felder was in bands with Stephen Stills (later of Crosby, Stills & Nash) and Bernie Leadon, who later co-founded the Eagles. Future hit-maker Tom Petty even looked to Felder as his guitar teacher.

Moving to California, Felder contributed a rockier sound to the Eagles when he joined as lead guitarist in 1975.

A career high point came when he composed the music to "Hotel California," the band's signature song.

His first stint in the Eagles lasted until 1980 when he quit the conflict-wrought band.

"An Evening at the Hotel California" proved to be an entertaining show. Felder and his band manipulated their instruments skillfully and included subtle harmonies and background vocals.

The 62-year-old Felder opened the program with "Hotel California," playing the white double-neck Gibson EDS 1275 guitar he used on the hit record.

As with all the songs he played live, Felder sang lead on his version of the 1977 chart topper. Bandmate Don Henley performed the vocals on the Eagles' original recording, which opened the album of the same name. Released in 1976, the best-selling LP also included "New Kid in Town" and "Life in the Fast Lane."

Next, Felder performed "Already Gone," a track from the Eagles' "On the Border" LP. The single reached the Top 40 in 1974, and featured Felder as a guest guitarist, before he officially joined the Los Angeles-based group.

Felder returned to the Eagles' heyday with "One of These Nights," a No. 1 smash from 1975. He recreated his distinctive lead guitar work from the original, to the audience's approval.

Guitar workout "Pride and Joy" was featured next. The song was written and performed by legendary Texas bluesman Stevie Ray Vaughan. Felder called Vaughan, who was killed in a helicopter crash following a show at Wisconsin's Alpine Valley, "one of my favorite guitar players."

Wearing a black leather jacket, Felder moved to the front of the stage to highlight his guitar-playing during the tribute to Vaughan, who died in 1990.

Felder continued with "Tequila Sunrise," a track from the Eagles' "Desperado" album and a minor hit in the summer of 1973.

"Seven Bridges Road," composed by Steve Young, followed. The Eagles' version of the song, recorded live at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium on July 28, 1980 went to No. 2 later that year.

The Upper Peninsula audience clapped along as Felder sang the number.

"These Shoes," composed by Felder, Don Henley and Glenn Frey, came next. The song was issued on 1979's "The Long Run," the group's final studio album before their mid-1990s reunion.

Felder turned to his solo career for the next selection, "Heavy Metal (Takin' a Ride)." Featured in the "Heavy Metal" animated film in 1981, the song was released on the Full Moon/Asylum label. The tune has been played on the television program "South Park," Felder said.

"The Long Run," title track from the Eagles' sixth album, came next. The "talk box" guitars on the original recording were played by Felder and Joe Walsh.

Saying "Everybody knows what this song is about, especially Tiger Woods," Felder followed with "Witchy Woman." Felder sang the familiar lyrics: "Raven hair and ruby lips; sparks fly from her fingertips." The song was a Top Ten hit for the Eagles in the fall of 1972.

The No. 1 "Heartache Tonight" followed. Included on "The Long Run," the tune was written by Bob Seger, J. D. Souther, Don Henley and Glenn Frey. Felder's memorable concert version earned the band a standing ovation.

"Take It Easy," written by Jackson Browne and Glenn Frey, served as the encore. Released on June 24, 1972 the single reached No. 12 and was the first of 19 Eagles' songs to chart prior to the group disbanding in 1980.

While "Take It Easy" opened their debut album, it also led directly to the Eagles' mid-1990s reunion.

After country singer Travis Tritt recorded the song for an Eagles tribute album called "Common Thread," he asked Warner Brothers Records to arrange for the Eagles to appear in an promotional video with him. Tritt never thought the contentious group would ever get together again. However, to Tritt's amazement, the five Eagles joined him in the clip, recorded on Dec. 6, 1993.

The experience led to an Eagles' reunion including Felder, Henley, Frey, Walsh and bassist Timothy B. Schmidt. In 1994, they embarked on the highly successful "Hell Freezes Over" tour. Three more hits, "Get Over It," "Love Will Keep Us Alive" and "Learn to Be Still," followed. All three tracks appeared on the resulting live album, released on Geffen, which debuted at No. 1.

In 1998 they performed again when the Eagles were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. With founders Randy Meisner and Bernie Leadon, all seven past and present members of the Eagles played together for the only time. They performed "Take It Easy" and "Hotel California."

The reunited Eagles also played some shows around New Year's Eve 2000, but Felder was dismissed from the band in 2001 after questioning why his cut of the band's earnings was less than that of Henley and Frey. Previously, the money had been split into five equal shares. Felder sued. The case was settled for an undisclosed amount six years later.

In 2008, Felder published his autobiography, "Heaven and Hell: My Life in the Eagles (1974-1999)," which made the New York Times Best Sellers list.

After explaining his story in print, Felder is now touring with "An Evening at the Hotel California" showing audiences first- hand the considerable contributions he made to the Eagles.

Grand Funk keeps rolling along

Grand Funk Railroad played at a pair of
shows at the Island Resort and Casino in Harris
last weekend.


By STEVE SEYMOUR

Adding to the thousands of performances to their credit, Grand Funk Railroad brought their high-energy live show to the Chip-In Resort and Casino in Harris on Jan. 15.

The veteran rock band has played sold-out concerts around the world since they first took the stage in early 1969.

Taking their name from Michigan's famed Grand Trunk Western Railroad, the group was formed in Flint by Mark Farner, Don Brewer and Mel Schacher.

After performing for free at the Atlanta Pop Festival on July 4 & 5, 1969 Grand Funk was signed by Capitol Records based largely on their energetic live show.

Their debut album, "On Time," was issued the next month.

During the 1970s, they were America's most commercially successful heavy-metal band, selling over 20 million LPs, despite being reviled by critics.

Founding members Brewer (drums, vocals) and Schacher (bass) anchor the current line-up. The remainder of the band consists of Max Carl (lead vocals), Bruce Kulick (guitar) and Timothy "Tim" Cashion (keyboards).

Schacher came to Grand Funk after playing bass for ? (Question Mark) & the Mysterians when they toured the country after "96 Tears" became a hit single.

Brewer and ex-Grand Funk vocalist Farner were members of garage band Terry Knight & the Pack and registered a national hit in 1966 with their version of Ben E. King's "I (Who Have Nothing)," recorded later by Tom Jones.

A former Detroit disc jockey, Knight retired from performing to become manager of the newly-created Grand Funk Railroad. He also produced the group's records prior to being dismissed in 1972.

As my wife Sue and I settled into our seats in the second row, the band opened their show with "Bottle Rocket," a newer number composed by singer Carl, a former member of Thirty Eight Special. The song has a R&B feel and fits well into the Grand Funk repertoire.

"Rock and Roll Soul," written by Farner, continued the party atmosphere. Released in 1972, the single reached No. 29 and featured the keyboard work of Craig Frost, who had recently joined the band. Drummer Brewer and bassist Schacher propelled the band through their live take on the song.

"Footstompin' Music" followed. Like "Rock and Roll Soul" the tune was written by Farner and also reached No. 29 in 1972.

Fans stood for "The Loco-Motion" which Grand Funk took to the top of the charts in 1974. Kulick, who played lead guitar in Kiss for 12 years, provided a sharp solo for the concert rendition.

The group's version was a remake of the Little Eva song which went to No. 1 in 1962. The tune was penned by Carole King and Gerry Goffin who discovered Little Eva when the teenager was babysitting for them.

"The Loco-Motion" propelled sales of "Shinin' On," the group's 10th studio album.

Frontman Carl was featured on the concert's next selection, "Second Chance." He originally sang the track as vocalist for Thirty Eight Special. The song, which reached No. 6 in early 1989, was the southern rock group's biggest hit.

Next, Brewer showed his considerable chops with a crowd-pleasing drum solo as the other band members left the stage. "Are you with me?" the drummer asked. Cheers followed.

At age 61, Brewer proved to be a wild man behind the skins and an inspiration to the audience.

The drum demonstration was followed by an extended take on "Inside- Looking Out" the closing track from Grand Funk's self-titled second LP (also known as the red album). In 1966, British rock band the Animals released a 45 of the song which became a Top 40 smash. Schacher laid down a heavy bass line on stage, earning his "God of Thunder" nickname, while Carl added some tasty harp work.

Brewer left his drum kit to sing "Some Kind of Wonderful," sharing lead vocals with Carl. Originally recorded by R&B group Soul Brothers Six, Grand Funk took their version to No. 3.

The audience sang along with "I'm Your Captain (Closer to Home)," composed by ex-member Mark Farner. Clocking in at 9:58, the epic track is the longest number recorded by Grand Funk and ends the "Closer to Home" album. The song stalled at No. 22 in 1970 but has since become regarded as a rock classic.

Some fans may have thought Grand Funk saved the best for last when they ended their hour-long set with "We're an American Band." Brewer donned a red, white and blue Uncle Sam hat for the tune, about a young rock band out on the road, which he wrote. "We're comin' to your town. We'll help you party down. We're an American band," Brewer sang.

The record, which reached No. 1 in the summer of 1973, was produced by Todd Rundgren. Grand Funk's spirited live version left the crowd cheering for more, but there was no encore.

In addition to the songs on the band's setlist, Grand Funk is also known for "Bad Time," "Shinin' On," "Walk Like a Man," "Mean Mistreater" and "Time Machine."

Founded in 1968, Grand Funk recorded 19 hit singles before the original band broke up in 1976.

A reunion occurred in 1980 including Farner and Brewer, with Dennis Bellinger replacing Schacher on bass. The group disbanded again in 1983.

Schacher joined Farner and Brewer for another reunion in 1996 which lasted three years. The reunited Grand Funk Railroad played at Marion Park in Norway on July 5, 1996 and at the Kewadin Casino in Sault Ste. Marie on Oct. 30 & 31, 1998.

Farner left in 1999 to resume a solo career. He still tours, playing solo and Grand Funk material. The Mark Farner Band performed at Marion Park in Norway on June 24, 2000.

Brewer and Schacher, meanwhile, recruited Carl, Kulick and Cashion in a new edition of Grand Funk which has remained stable since 2000. The band has toured every year since then, including shows at the Chip-in Resort and Casino on Oct. 26 & 27, 2001 and at the Kewadin Shores Casino in St. Ignace on Sept. 21, 2006.

The concerts at the Chip-in on Jan. 15 & 16 were Grand Funk Railroad's first gigs of 2010 and a good indication these road warriors can and, judging by audience reaction, should keep chugging along.

Stooges get recognition, finally

The Stooges, formed in Ann Arbor in 1967,
will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of
Fame on Mar. 15.

By STEVE SEYMOUR

Michigan band The Stooges, under-appreciated for decades, are heading to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Based in Ann Arbor, the Stooges recorded three albums, now regarded as influential, but which sold poorly at the time of their release.

The band was formed in 1967 by "Iggy Stooge," also known as "Iggy Pop" (lead vocals), Ron Asheton (guitar, bass), Dave Alexander (bass) and Scott Asheton (drums).

Born James Newell Osterberg, Jr. on April 21, 1947 in Muskegon, the group's singer became known as "Iggy," a reference to his high school band, the Iguanas.

Iggy played drums and sang in the Iguanas which also included guitarist Jim McLaughlin, saxophonist Sam Swisher, bassist Don Swickerath and Nick Kolokithas, a second guitar player.

Locally popular, the group merited a photograph in the 1965 edition of the "Omega," Ann Arbor High School's yearbook.

After Iggy graduated, the Iguanas became house band at Club Ponytail in Harbor Springs where they shared the stage with many national acts including the Four Tops ("I Can't Help Myself"), Kingsmen ("Louie Louie"), and Reflections ("[Just Like] Romeo and Juliet").

The Iguanas worked up a version of Bo Diddley's "Mona" as their theme song and cut that number and two originals at United Sound Recording Studio in Detroit.

Intrigued by the blues, Iggy left the Iguanas in 1966 for a drumming gig with the Prime Movers, a local blues outfit.

Enrolled at the University of Michigan, Iggy dropped out to move to Chicago where met legendary blues drummer Sam Lay and played drums in various blues clubs.

Returning to Michigan, Iggy attended a performance by The Doors ("Light My Fire") at the U. of M. on Friday, Oct. 20, 1967. Transfixed by charismatic frontman Jim Morrison, Iggy quickly assembled the group known at first as the Psychedelic Stooges.

After a one-off Halloween gig, the band began in earnest in early 1968 and quickly became known for its primitive sound. Iggy, who performed shirtless as a trademark, added outrageous stage antics to the mix.

Elektra Records field representative Danny Fields, who visited Detroit that year to sign the MC5 also found himself inking a deal with the Stooges with a $25,000 advance.

Wasting no time, Elektra had the Stooges in the recording studio by April 1, 1969. They cut eight songs in four days for their self-titled debut album, released in August, 1969 just as the Woodstock Festival was grabbing the nation's attention.

The project was produced by John Cale, former bass player for New York's Velvet Underground, who had tons of street credibility in the emerging punk rock scene. The LP opened with the addictive "1969" and included "I Wanna Be Your Dog," issued as a single to little notice.

Michigan's Creem magazine called "1969," a song about boredom,"the perfect expression of the oldest complaint of rebellious anarcho/crazy youth."

Sax player Steve Mackay and guitarist Bill Cheatham were added for "Fun House," the group's second album. Issued in July, 1970 that album also failed to sell.

Still, the band's fortunes could have improved with their appearance at the Goose Lake International Music Festival near Jackson, held August 7-9, 1970. A crowd estimated at 200,000 attended the event.

The Stooges took the stage on Saturday, Aug. 8 and performed "1970 (I Feel Alright)" as well as other tracks from their two long-players.

Bassist Dave Alexander showed up drunk for what became the last appearance of the original band.

The musician was fired from the group and replaced by a number of bass players, but the Stooges disintegrated. (Suffering from alcoholism, the 27-year-old Alexander died on Feb. 10, 1975 of a pulmonary edema.)

Iggy and the Asheton brothers reconvened with David Bowie as producer, emerging in 1973 with "Raw Power," which also failed to catch on with the LP-buying public. This version of the band split in 1974.

By 1977, however, critics and rock fans were beginning to appreciate the Stooges. "1969," which they performed at the Cincinnati Pop Festival on June 13, 1970 was included in a compilation titled "Michigan Rocks" issued on Stems and Seeds Records, based in Clarkston.

Air-Wreck Genheimer paid tribute to Iggy and the Stooges in his liner notes: "Iggy crawled out from under the rocks on his parents' trailer park lawn in Ypsilanti to successfully share with us the very depths of his own tormented nightmares, even illuminating a few of our own, despite his self-proclaimed philosophical determination to fail at anything and everything he attempts to do."

Iggy's nightmares included heroin abuse, but he re-emerged in 1976 to began a solo career which continues to this day.

He co-wrote the Top Ten smash "China Girl" with David Bowie for the British star's 1983 "Let's Dance" album and dueted with Kate Pierson of the B-52s on "Candy" a hit in late 1990.

My wife Sue and I saw Iggy perform briefly a few years later during the Concert for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame staged at Cleveland Municipal Stadium on Sept. 2, 1995. During the seven-hour show which featured many of rock's greatest stars, Iggy fronted the Minneapolis rock group Soul Asylum in a version of "Back Door Man." The Howlin' Wolf tune, written by Willie Dixon and Chester Burnett, was a stand-out track on the Doors' debut album.

Perhaps realizing their time had finally come, the Stooges reunited on April 27, 2003 to play for the first time in nearly 30 years at California's Coachella Festival. Years of touring followed.

They even released a new album, "The Weirdness," in 2007.

Tragically, Ron Asheton, 60, was found dead in his Ann Arbor home of an apparent heart attack in the early days of 2009 ending the the band's 21st century reincarnation. Iggy called Asheton "irreplaceable."

Still, in May, 2009 Iggy announced plans to tour with drummer Scott Asheton and other former members of the group as "Iggy and the Stooges."

From the beginning, the Stooges enjoyed cult status among some fans, especially in Michigan. Although their first three albums sold poorly, the recordings have endured over the years to influence punk, grunge and hard rock.

After being rejected seven times, the Stooges were finally voted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2010. The Stooges will be inducted with Genesis, Abba, the Hollies and Jimmy Cliff. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is located in Cleveland, but the March 15 induction ceremony will take place at New York's famed Waldorf Astoria Hotel.

It took forty years for their contribution to rock 'n' roll to be acknowledged, but for the Stooges the honor is better late than never.

Beatles board games span years

"Flip Your Wig" was introduced in 1964, decades
before Beatles-themed "Trivial Pursuit" and "Monopoly"
board games appeared.

By STEVE SEYMOUR

Looking at a Beatles-themed "Trivial Pursuit" game which came out last year reminded me that the Fab Four were the subject of a less sophisticated board game decades ago.

"The Beatles Flip Your Wig Game" was produced by Milton Bradley Co. within months of the British group's "invasion" of America in 1964.

Aimed at players aged 7 to 15, the game was among hundreds of items licensed by NEMS (North End Music Store) Enterprises, a company owned by Beatles manager Brian Epstein.

While the Beatles were busy making hit records such as "I Want To Hold Your Hand," "She Loves You" and "Can't Buy Me Love," fans were snapping up all things related to the group.

Based in Springfield, Mass., game-maker Milton Bradley was quick to pursue a discretionary license for its Beatles board game, which found its way into thousands of American homes.

The company manufactured such popular games as "Candy Land," "Concentration" and "Password."

Packaged in a cardboard box, the "Flip Your Wig Game" contained a colorful playing board, die, mover pieces depicting each of the four Beatles, and 48 cards. The cards were divided into four types: faces, hit records, instruments and signatures.

In the game, each player chooses to be one of the Beatles and moves his piece around the board to collect the four cards needed to win.

The box features a color photograph of John, Paul, George and Ringo, while the same image is reversed on the inside panel containing the directions. Headshots used for the mover pieces are taken from the same photo.

An older picture of the Beatles dressed in collarless suits is displayed on the playing board.

Made in the U.S.A.,"Flip Your Wig Game," carries the product number 4404, and can accommodate two, three or four players.

The Beatles weren't known to endorse products, and licenses to use their name and images were limited to quality products at fair prices, Beatles experts say.

Dozens of products were licensed including clothing, metal trays, wigs, boots, talcum power, lipstick, blankets, wallpaper, dolls and chewing gum.

The original tag still stapled to my copy of "Flip Your Wig Game," lists the price at $2.19.

While that may have been good value for the money, my wife Sue and I paid even less for when we picked up the board game for 50 cents at a rummage sale back in the 1970s.

The game came complete with all the pieces in good condition and even contained a promotional flyer dated April, 1964. The box has one corner split and a bit of staining.

Still, it's in remarkable condition for a product meant for children to play with 46 years ago.

Today a copy of "Flip Your Wig Game" in near mint condition can bring up to several hundred dollars. Not a bad return for some spare change, right?

Whether "Trivial Pursuit: Beatles Collector's Edition" will also escalate in value in coming years is another question, but the game is considerably more elaborate than its 1960s counterpart.

Appearing in the marketplace during 2009, the Beatles' edition was manufactured by Hasbro in conjunction with the Beatles and their Apple Corps Ltd.

Geared for 2 to 36 players the set includes a game board, die, 432 question and answer cards, card holders, track pawns, tokens and scoring wedges.

Players show off their knowledge by answering 2,592 queries about the Fab Four, from how the group came together to their post-Beatles activities.

The object of the game is to be the first player, or team, to fill a scoring token with different colored wedges by correctly answering questions; then get back to the center first and answer one final question to win.

Questions come in six categories: The Beatles in America, Albums & Singles, History, Songs, On Their Own and Movies.

Beatles author and historian Bruce Spitzer wrote the questions and answers for the game.

The game's box features the group's black & white portrait from the "Meet the Beatles" album as well as other vintage photographs and album covers. The game board includes individual photos, an early band portrait, a group image taken in London on April 9, 1969, and in the center, the Apple Records logo.

Except for the die, which was made in China, the game was manufactured in the U.S.A.

The "Trivial Pursuit: Beatles Edition" followed the 2008 release of "The Beatles Monopoly Game," by Hasbro, the game company located in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.

All familiar properties have been replaced in the new version with Beatles albums and other points of interest.

The standard pewter tokens have been replaced by an octopus ("Octopus's Garden"), walrus ("I Am the Walrus"), strawberry ("Strawberry Fields Forever"), raccoon ("Rocky Raccoon"), sun ("Here Comes the Sun"), and hammer ("Maxwell's Silver Hammer").

Many other aspects of the game have also changed. The railroads are now concert tickets, chance is the Fab Four and community chest is Beatlemania. Houses are listening parties and hotels are concerts in the new game. Money has been replaced by 'love,' a reference to "All You Need Is Love."

The set includes a game board, title deeds, play money, banker's tray, two dice and instructions.

Introduced in 1935, the Parker Brothers-produced "Monopoly" is the most-successful board game in the United States.

As a kid, I loved "Monopoly" just like millions of other people. I remember saving the princely sum of $3.98, plus sales tax, to buy my own copy at Shoppers Town, a general merchandise store then located at 720-722 Ludington St. in downtown Escanaba.

However, on second thought, maybe the "Flip Your Wig Game" would have been a better investment.