While I was stationed in Ettlingen Germany, already ON ORDERS to head to Vietnam, we got word that Grand Funk was going to play in Schweinfurt on Tuesday. That was 180 miles away, and there were about 100 of us that wanted to go, so our commanding officers rented some busses to take us, and gave us the day of the show and the day after off (they knew better!) so we could attend. That was on June 22nd of 1971 (the article first says July, then June. June is correct.) and I shipped out 4 days later.

THIS is the link to an article about it. In True Terry Knight fashion, he makes absolutely no mention that the opening act was Humble Pie, WITH Peter Frampton. Much later on, Grand Funk recorded at Suma Recording in a suburb of Cleveland, and I made a point of going out there and hanging around until they were ready to leave for the day and approached them. I explained that I had been at that show and just wanted to thank them personally. They were stunned that I would go to those lengths. Farner just said "It was our pleasure to entertain out military." Shook hands with all 3 of them and went on my way.

Wow, you saw Frampton...always loved that guy!

Jeff

With Steve Marriott and Jerry Shirley!! Shirley was a DJ at a Cleveland radio station doing a Sunday night show. One Sunday I drove down to meet him and told him I was at that show. He said all he remembered from that show was that is was like 10 degrees outside! I laughed and said "Well, it was 40, but yeah that was cold for a night in late June." And he laughed and said I remember more about it than he does and he had to go back on the air. I remember Farner, who played shirtless in those days, coming out after the show to receive a scroll that was a letter of appreciation and he was wrapped in like 3 OD green wool Army blankets.

I had gotten out of the service and returned to NJ for the summer of 1976. In Philadelphia, it was party city... independence hall, liberty bell, 200 years and all that.

I heard about a big show coming to town. The tickets were the princely sum of $10 plus taxes and fees. Wow, but it seemed to be a great show in the making so I bought a ticket. I couldn't find anyone to go with me due to the cost of the ticket. A guy I worked with said his sister had bought a ticket and needed a ride and she would be interested in going with me. It wasn't a date. And, we didn't get along from the start. Something mumbled about the lack of air conditioning in my car... and it went downhill from there. She really only wanted to see Dream Weaver and Frampton... then she was ready to leave and I was saying oh heck no.... the best is yet to come....

Among the list of performers on that hot July 10th Saturday were: The Philadelphia Mummers in their full feathered costumes. Gary Wright with his band Dream Weaver. Peter Frampton was riding high on the sales from his Frampton Comes Alive album and I think he played that entire album. The headliner for that show was YES. And they hit the stage at 9pm and played well past 11pm. I know there were a bunch of other bands there from a few hit makers to local Philly club bands. The music started at noon and went for almost 12 hrs.

The day started out as hot as you can imagine sitting in southern facing seats in the bleachers. As the sun went down, it cooled off, and seemed to be downright cold. Tony's sister had dressed for the 90 degree day and didn't bring so much as a long sleeve shirt.... probably because she hadn't planned to stay for the after dark part of the show. We stayed to the end, because I had the car and the keys, and she was not a happy camper.

In spite of it all...... it was a superb show. One that stays in my memories. Frampton was amazing and YES, well, they did not disappoint. Everything they played was note perfect to the album. Well worth the $10.

Monday at work... Tony came in laughing.... he said his sister was furious that she had to stay to the end of the show..... we both had a good laugh, and he apologized for his sister's actions and suggesting that I take her to the show.

10 bucks. Damn.

My best ever was a show in OKC with Buddy Miles on first, The Band on second, Deep Purple on third, and Santana on last.

8 bucks.

Every time there are posts like this I always wish the opening act was The Who. Then I could say "Who's on first?" And the only thing that would make that better would be a band called "What" that played second, "I Don't Know" last, or "Third Place!"

The only thing that would have been better about your story would have been if that girl became your wife.

I saw Deep Purple too.... but, that was a different show in a different state. Ritchie Blackmore had quit and Marc Bolan was playing guitar. Nazareth was the opening act. They rocked. DP was good but Marc was a disappointment as a guitarist. He needed to go back to Banging Gongs with T-Rex IMHO.

Nah.... that girl was Italian, with all that infers in South Jersey, and I quickly gathered from her attitude in the first 5 minutes.... high maintenance.

I loved Grand Funk Railroad - We're an American Band. Wish I could have seen them.