Don Brewer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Don Brewer
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Brewer performing in 2008
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| Background information | |
| Born | September 3, 1948 Flint, Michigan, U.S. |
| Died | Error: Need valid death date (first date): year, month, day |
| Genres | Rock, hard rock |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Drums, vocals |
| Years active | 1964–present |
| Labels | Capitol, Lucky Eleven |
| Associated acts | Grand Funk Railroad, Terry Knight and the Pack, Flint, Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band |
Donald George Brewer, born on September 3, 1948, is an American drummer and singer. He is best known as a founding member of the famous rock band Grand Funk Railroad. Don Brewer has been a key part of the band for a long time. He has helped create many of their hit songs.
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Don Brewer's Early Life and Music
Don Brewer was born in Flint, Michigan. He started playing music at a young age. When he was just 12 years old, he formed his first band. They were called The Red Devils.
After The Red Devils, Don started another band. This group was named the Jazzmasters. He played the drums and sang for them. In 1964, Don joined a new band. It was called Terry Knight and the Pack. With this band, he had his first big hit song. It was "I (Who Have Nothing)" in 1966. This song made it into the top 40 music charts.
Grand Funk Railroad: A Rock Legend
In 1968, Don Brewer and his bandmate Mark Farner left Terry Knight and the Pack. They wanted to start a new band. They teamed up with Mel Schacher. Mel was the bassist for another popular band, ? and the Mysterians. Together, they formed Grand Funk Railroad. They asked Terry Knight to be their manager.
Hit Songs and Albums
Grand Funk Railroad released their first album in 1969. It was called On Time. This album was a huge success. It sold over a million copies! In 1973, Grand Funk released another album. It was named We're an American Band. This album had a very famous song with the same name.
The song "We're an American Band" was special. Don Brewer wrote and sang this song. It became the band's first number one hit! Many other artists have recorded this song since then. Besides playing drums, Don also sang lead vocals on other songs. One example is "Some Kind of Wonderful" from 1974. Don's voice was a lower, deeper sound. This was different from Mark Farner's higher voice.
Grand Funk's Journey and Reunions
After a while, Grand Funk Railroad broke up in 1977. Don Brewer, Mel Schacher, and Craig Frost started a new band. They called it Flint. Flint released one album in 1978. Then, the band split up. Don also worked as a music producer for other bands.
In 1981, Don Brewer and Mark Farner brought Grand Funk back together. They released an album called Grand Funk Lives. It even made it onto the Billboard music charts. Two years later, they went their separate ways again. Don then joined Bob Seger's Silver Bullet Band.
Grand Funk Railroad reunited again in 1996. Don Brewer, Mel Schacher, and Mark Farner played together. Mark Farner left the band in 1998 to focus on his solo career. In 2000, Don and Mel added new members. They included singer Max Carl, guitarist Bruce Kulick, and keyboardist Tim Cashion. This new lineup of Grand Funk Railroad has toured across the U.S. and Canada.
Other Music Projects
Don Brewer has played drums for other artists too. He played the bongo drums on a song by Frank Zappa. The song was "Let Me Take You to the Beach." It was on the album Studio Tan in 1978.
Don is also known for his amazing drum solos. He was featured in a DVD called Classic Rock Drum Solos in 2007. This DVD showed his solo from a famous concert. Grand Funk Railroad sold out Shea Stadium in 1971. In 2000, Don also performed at a special event. It was Modern Drummer Magazine's annual Drum Festival.
Don rejoined Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band in 2006. He played with them for their tours in 2006-07, 2011, and 2014-2015.
Don Brewer's Personal Life
Don Brewer lives in Jupiter, Florida. He lives there with his wife, Sunny Quinn. Don and Sunny have been together since 1985. They have two daughters and five grandchildren.
