Old Folks Night at the Midland? An American Band Rocks Newark.
Jon Hanson, EtnaTimes April 25.
On Thursday night (April 24) in Newark, Ohio, I attended the Grand Funk Railroad concert, a loud enough for me (sold out) rock concert at the Midland Theater in downtown Newark, Ohio. The last concert I attended was BB King at the Palace Theater (Columbus), a few months before he passed on. BB’s stories were at least as entertaining as his playing that night.
There were no stories with GFR, just killer rock and roll, specifically 1970s rock if you like that, and I do.
It is surreal to see a band (2 original members left) you admired in 1969 at age 12. Of course, in 1969, when I was not thinking of my recently passed father, I enjoyed hearing music on the radio and seeing what changes would be on the Chevy or Mopar models. That was the year I stored many trivial facts about muscle cars (odd memories of Camaros, Road Runners, Super Bees, etc.). Of course, our family could not afford any newer car, so it was a sport or perhaps fodder for trivial pursuit at Bennett’s Garage in old Reynoldsburg. Eventually, the odd 1950s to 1972 hyperbole of fenders and flesh (in advertising) faded. In 1973, cars turned ugly. It was a good year to change interests from cars to girls.
Let me A-D-D redirect myself back to last night. I was pleasantly surprised at the venue, the crowd, and the sound. Of course, the drummer, Don Brewer, was fantastic, and his vocals were familiar. Mark Chatfield, a Columbus native, formerly played for years with Bob Seger ( I last saw in 1971 at the Reynoldsburg Swim Club), and Chatfield was the leader of the GODZ and Rosie both played at Al Rosa Villa Sinclair Road. Chatfield stood out as lead guitarist but did not overshadow anyone. Chatfield is about my age, so seeing him standing there with past-the-shoulder blonde hair and black bifocals shredding the guitar and later a version of the Star Spangled Banner was thought-provoking. Of course, that could have been me, except for my lack of instrumental skills, vocal ability, and discipline to practice every day for 50 years. When people say they would give anything to play like Chatfield or other guitar geniuses or own what someone else owns, they don’t mean it. It’s gently lying to themselves.
The lady that sat next to me was a cancer survivor still in treatment and apologized over and over again for getting up (8 times to go to the restroom). I told her, no problem, we went through that with my wife, I was happy to accommodate her. It was quite a crowd, I’d say 97 percent over age 60. There were a few aging hippies and a couple of wanna-be bikers/CPAs (you can always tell). A dozen folks in walkers hurry canes, or wheelchairs.
The 1,800-seat theater was packed. In 1976, I saw Led Zepplin at Richfield Coliseum, with laser lights, killer loud, and perhaps 25,000 people with floor seating. Of course, Foreigner, Ted Nugent, Dobie Brothers, and Chicago are probably all at Riverfront in Cincinnati. Those are different kinds of shows, mostly 45 to 50 years ago. At this point in life, the smaller venues, 2,000 or so, create a great atmosphere that is manageable to the senses. Being part of 2,000 folks standing and singing the words of fifty-year-old rock songs was surprisingly refreshing. The last time I had that experience was in 1994 as part of Promise Keepers, standing with 63,000 men singing This Little Light of Mine. If life is only memories (as I have written in several songs), then last night at the Midland and the Geriatric Rock show will be a good one.
Jon Hanson
Etna Ohio
April 24th, 2025
