SATURDAY'S SINGLES : GRAND FUNK RAILROAD and GUNS N' ROSES

[maggot]

Good morning gang and welcome to the return of Saturday's Singles, a Birthday edition . Our first wish belongs to Owosso, Michigan (where I've been many times to visit my cousins) native, and bassist, best known for his work in the rock band, Grand Funk Railroad. Mel Schacher (Melvin George Schacher) was born in 1951 is celebrating his 72nd Birthday today. Happy Birthday Mel ! He started his career with Question Mark and the Mysterians and during his time with them, he was approached by drummer Don Brewer and singer/guitarist Mark Farner to join a new band and that band became Grand Funk Railroad. We get Mel's shindig started by spinning the group's first #1 single, "We're an American Band". The song was released July 2, 1973 on the Capitol label. It was written by Don Brewer and produced by Todd Rungdren. The title track, hailing from their 7th studio album, reached #87 in Australia, #4 in Canada, and #1 on the Hot 100. It's B-side is  "Creepin'", from the same LP. Our copy is on red vinyl. 

Mark Farner – vocals, guitar, acoustic guitar, conga; electric piano on "Creepin'"

Craig Frost – organ, clavinet, electric piano, Moog

Mel Schacher – bass

Don Brewer – vocals, drums, percussion

Todd Rundgren – producer, engineer

Francesco Damanti – engineer

Seth Snyder – assistant engineer

Andrew Cavaliere – management

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Our second set of candles belongs to Lafayette, Indiana born rythym guitarist and founding member, Izzy Stradlin (Jeffrey Dean Isbell) of Guns N' Roses fame. He was born in 1962 to parents,  Richard Clyde Isbell, an engraver, and his mother, Sonja LaVern Isbell, who worked for the phone company. Today Izzy celelbrates his 62nd Birthday. Happy Birthday Izzy. With him in mind, we find ourselves listening to "Patience". "Patience" was released April 4, 1989 on the Geffen label and produced by the band with Mike Clink. It peaked at #38 in West Germany, #16 in Australia and Switzerland, #10 in the UK, #9 in Belgium, #8 in Finland, #7 on the Mainstream Rock charts, #4 on the Dutch Top 40, New Zealand, and on the Hot 100, #3 in the Netherlands, and #2 in Ireland. The tune hails from their second studio release,  G N' R Lies, and it's b/w  "Rocket Queen", from their debut record, Appetite For Destruction. 

W. Axl Rose – lead vocals, whistling
Slash – lead acoustic guitar, backing vocals
Izzy Stradlin – rhythm acoustic guitar, backing vocals
Duff McKagan – rhythm acoustic guitar, backing vocals

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