Canton Ohio
August 3rd, 2002
REVIEW OF THE CANTON, OHIO EXPERIENCES
We decided to drive from NJ to Ohio for this show. We picked up Shock at an exit along the Pa. Turnpike, had breakfast, then we were on our way. It was a nice drive up, and we all stayed in one hotel room in Youngstown, Ohio on Friday night. Friday night we checked out a local pub called the Bull and the Bear Tavern. It was a nice place, with a concert venue in the rear of the building. There was a bar band playing, lots of girls to look at, and Guinness draught on tap..we had a good time.
Saturday morning we left for Akron, and as we were driving up we saw the signs for Kent State University. We decided to visit the place where four students lost their lives on May 4, 1970, while protesting the invasion of Cambodia. They have a memorial at the location, and we all found it quite moving. I have put up a separate web page concerning this...please check it out, and don't ever forget what happened that day.
We got to the venue in the early afternoon. The Pub was a nice bar and the venue was in the back parking lot. I've seen better venues, but it looked OK. We found out that Leaf Garrett was opening for Funk...well, I just couldn't wait for that. People started to arrive at the Pub for the pre-show gathering, and it was great to see everybody, including Joe & Luann, Lorie, Smitty, Craig & Nancy, J.R. & A.J., Stan & Tia, Denise, Vicki, Steve & Kim. The waitresses were in the lady's room covering their breasts with a nice looking blue GFR bandana. I felt my mojo kicking up a notch, and a few of us got some good pics with some very good-looking gals....well, it IS traditional. I also met a booth full of very nice Ohio women, that was mojoin' also. I must say, I think Ohio has some very nice ladies.
Leaf went on first, and, I must say, I don't think there are enough bad words in the English language to describe how really bad that was..I mean, come on, Leaf on stage shouting out F--K this and that..WOW..how very impressive..NOT!!!
GFR hit the stage after 9 PM and unleashed a furry of high-energy
rock and roll on the large crowd that had packed the parking lot.
The set list was the same, except Heartbreaker was deleted. The
crowd was in a frenzy as Grand Funk punched out song after song...everybody
was rockin'. I really think this band needs to consider two encores.
The last few shows I have been to, the crowd wants more, and more,
of the Funk,,,,,,,GRAND FUNK, that is. After the show, there was
a kind of a meet and greet, for almost everybody that wanted to
wait in line to see the guys. Bruce came out and had some very
nice young girl with long black hair give him a back massage...it
was so funny, as he directed her what areas to massage...ah, the
life of a big time rock guitarist. Sunday, Liz and I drove back
to Jersey while Shock traveled with J.R. to the Oak Lawn show.
As usual, we had a GREAT time.
Looking forward to seeing you
in Dallas/Fort Worth.
Jimmy G.
The Total Experience:
I Got Some Major Mojo Workin' Here (Photo Credit: Lorie Petrey)
OUR VISIT TO THE KENT STATE MEMORIAL
Send comments to: Jimmy G. at JimmyG@monmouth.com
Last Update: 08/09/02
Web Author: Jim Giranda
Copyright ©2002, except as noted, by Jimmy G. - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED