Boston to headline Army Entertainment Concert Aug. 11

By FMWRJuly 12, 2012

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. - Army Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation and Army Entertainment present an evening of classic rock featuring Boston with special guests Kansas and Grand Funk Railroad, Saturday, Aug. 11 on Shine Sports Field. Tickets can be purchased over-the-counter at the APG North recreation center, Bldg. 3326, or call 410-278-4011; or at the APG South recreation center, Bldg. E4140, or call 410-436-2713. To purchase tickets online, visit www.ticketmaster.com.

Tickets cost $30 in advance; $40 the day of the concert (if available).

BOSTON

Centered on guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter and producer Tom Scholz, the band Boston is a staple of classic rock radio playlists. Boston's best-known works include the songs "More Than a Feeling," "Peace of Mind," "We're Ready, Foreplay/Long Time," "Rock and Roll Band," "Smokin," "Don't Look Back," and "Amanda."

They have sold more than 31 million albums in the United States. Distinguished for their ability to perform live with no pre-recorded materials, Boston concerts are celebrated for their crowd-pleasing showmanship and high energy.

Members include Gary Pihl, lead guitar; Tommy DeCarlo, vocals, percussion, keyboards; David Victor, vocals, guitar; Tracy Ferrie, bass guitar; Curly Smith, drums.

KANSAS

Kansas' first public statement appeared on their self-titled album in 1974, "From the beginning, we considered ourselves and our music different and we hope we will always remain so." Little did this legendary rock group realize that back in the early '70s, what "seemed to be different," was actually ahead of its time.

From the beginning, Kansas achieved success by playing only their original music. This "garage band" from Topeka was discovered by Wally Gold who worked for Don Kirshner, and released their first album in 1974.

The band has produced eight Gold albums, three sextuble-Platinum albums (Leftoverture, Point of Know Return, Best of), one platinum live album (Two for the Show) and a million-selling gold single, "Dust in the Wind."

Kansas appeared on the Billboard charts for over 200 weeks throughout the '70s and '80s and played to sold-out arenas and stadiums throughout North America, Europe and Japan. In fact, "Carry On Wayward Son" was the #2 Most Played Track on classic rock radio in 1995 and went to #1 in 1997.

GRAND FUNK RAILROAD

Terry Knight and The Pack

The story of Grand Funk Railroad begins in the 1960s; the place is the working class, auto industry town of Flint, Michigan.

Richard Terrance Knapp (who later changed his name to Terry Knight) was a popular Flint / Detroit disc jockey. He soon tired of radio, and decided to enter the music end of the business.

Terry dee-jayed at record hops with a local band named "The Jazz Masters," which consisted of Don Brewer (drums), Al Pippins (guitar), Bob Caldwell (keyboards), and Herm Jackson (bass). Soon he asked to join the band as lead singer. Because of his radio connections, the band readily agreed. To sound more "English," they renamed themselves "The Pack."

After about a year, they developed a large following, and became known as "Terry Knight and The Pack." Herman Jackson was drafted, and was replaced by a local kid named Mark Farner.

In 1968, Mark and Don decided to leave and form a new band of their own. They renamed themselves "Grand Funk Railroad," inspired by a Michigan landmark, "The Grand Trunk Western Railroad."

Terry Knight then became their manager.

After a wildly successful performance at the Atlanta Pop Festival on July 4, 1969, the band landed a recording contract with Capitol Records. In 1970 they had sold more albums than any other American band, and went on to break the Beatles' record at Shea Stadium in 1971, selling it out in 72 hours.

Sometime during/after the recording of "E Pluribus Funk," it was decided to replace Terry Knight with Andy Cavaliere as manager. The next few years were spent in litigation over the rights to the name "Grand Funk Railroad" and song royalties. The band got to keep its name, but little else.

During this time, the band recorded the album "Phoenix," which they produced themselves, and added a keyboardist, former "Fabulous Pack" member, Craig Frost. Although not yet an official member, Craig added an extra element into the GFR sound, which would continue for the remainder of the 1970s.

The American Band

The next two albums, "We're An American Band" and "Shinin' On," produced by Todd Rundgren, would introduce GFR to the AM radio audience, and begin a succession of top 40 hits.

Jimmy Lenner (Raspberries, Kiss, Three Dog Night) produced their next few albums, including the final Capitol release "Born to Die," which many thought would be the last GFR album.

One more album was recorded with the original members on MCA records. "Good Singin' Good Playin'," produced by Frank Zappa, and is considered their finest by many fans.