By Mike McKenney, Rock At Night New England
Venue: Twin River Casino Hotel, Lincoln, Rhode Island-February 8, 2020-Some Kind of Wonderful Tour-Grand Funk Railroad and The Guess Who
Two powerful pillars of rock music reveled the sold out audience at Twin River Saturday night with iconic hits spanning more than six decades. Over three hours with two time tested rock stalwarts that have been carrying the torch of such stout music for so many years, brought the house down.
The Guess Who started the night off with a high energy set that included all their timeless hits. Unfortunately, due to a last minute medical issue, founding member and drummer Garry Peterson, couldn’t make the trip. Thankfully, after a last minute cross country red-eye flight, drummer Brent Fritz (Slash, Gene Simmons, Vince Neil) seamlessly filled in.
“No Sugar”, “Hand Me Down World”, and “Share The Land”, were all performed to perfection. Led by Front man Derek (D#) Sharp (Lead Vocals, Guitar, Piano), along with Will Evankovich (Guitar, Harp, Vocals), Leonard Shaw (Keyboard, Flute, Sax, Vocals), Rudy Sarzo ( Wicked Bass, Vocals), and Brent Fritz (Drums) the band was loose and appeared to be having as much fun as the audience. When he wasn’t flexing his phenomenal pipes, D# kept the crowd engaged, slightly embarrassing a women that he picked to sing to, and cracking jokes with everyone about getting older.
Sprinkled in amongst hits, “Undun”, “American Woman”, and “ Clap for the Wolfman”(an homage to the late great DJ Wolfman Jack), were some newer songs. From The Guess Who’s 2018 album “The Future IS What It Used To Be”, “We Were Young”, “Haunted”, “In America” were all warmly received by the appreciative audience. Finishing off the set with fan favorites, “These Eyes” and “No Time”, The Guess Who left nothing in the tank as they had the entire jam packed Twin River ballroom on their feet singing along.
When “The American Band” aka Grand Funk Railroad, took the stage, the room was ready to rock again. Founding members Mel ” The God Of Thunder” Schacher (Bass), and Don Brewer (Drums,Vocals) were joined by the talented Max Carl (Vocals,Guitar), Bruce Kulick (Guitar), and Tim Cashion (Keys). GFR crushed their set, beginning with “Rock & Roll Soul” and “Footstompin’ Music”. These pioneers of Rock & Roll gave the audience everything they came for including mega hits “The Loco-Motion”, “Some Kind Of Wonderful”, and “I’m Your Captain”. Closing the night with the requiem “We’re An American Band”, left both the audience and band spent.
Grand Funk Railroad’s “SOME KIND OF WONDERFUL” TOUR 2020”, along with The Guess Who is a fun evening featuring live Rock & Roll, played the way we remember it!
The Guess Who Set list:
Intro
We Were Young
Clap For The Wolfman
Undun
No Sugar Tonight
Haunted
Shakin’ All Over
Hand Me Down World
Share The Land
Baby’s Come Around
American Woman
In America
These Eyes
No Time
Grand Funk Railroad Set list:
Rock & Roll Soul
Footstompin’ Music
Shinin’ On
The Loco-Motion (Carole King cover)
Walk Like a Man
Sky High
Second Chance (38 Special cover)
Don Brewer Drum Solo
Lightning and Thunder
The Star-Spangled Banner
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
PHOTO GALLERY
Mike McKenney is an award winning professional photographer and current New England Correspondent for Rock At Night magazine.
With his years of experience and passion for Concert Photography, Mike has photographed many of the famous acts in the world today.
Rock Icons such as Sting, Peter Gabriel, Dave Matthews, and Fleetwood Mac along with Country artist Blake Shelton, Kenny Chesney,and Jason Aldean have all appeared before Mike’s camera.
"My goal is always to present the experience truthfully so fans can feel the energy and emotions the Artists convey. It’s a tremendous honor and responsibility to be allowed to create art while blending my two passions, music and photography”
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