Utilizing his index fingernail as a plectrum, slabs including On Time (1969), Closer to Home (1970), the brash Live (1970), and E Pluribus Funk (1971) are all showcases for Mel’s explosive passages – which actually serve as hooks for compositions that were essentially improvisational platforms. Though Mark Farner and Don Brewer were the song writers, it was Mel’s approach to the instrument which characterized Funk’s canon. Tony Senatore’s rendition of “I’m Your Captain (Closer to Home) Staples on underground and FM radio in the early 1970’s Schacher’s most recognized passage is undoubtedly his melodic underpinning of GFRR’s signature recording I’m Your Captain”
Mel on “Got to Get This Thing on the Move” Grand Funk
Serving as a both the rhythmic anchor and melodic catalyst I can’t imagine how many American teenagers heard Mel on Grand Funk (1969) and decided that’s what they wanted to do in life. In ’68 he was approached by Mark Farner and Don Brewer to form a trio, and the rest as they say, is history…. At age 16 Mel replaced bassist Frank Lugo in Question Mark & The Mysterians as they hit the road to promote their hit “96 Tears” – a classic rock anthem later to be covered by scores of artists spanning garage rockers to punks. Manager Terry Knight poked holes in Schacher’s speaker cones for extra rust.Īt the age of seven, Mel started off on banjo, then gravitated towards the guitar by the age of 12, and by 14 he was gigging as a bassist. Overdrive Perfection: On GFRR’s early slabs, including the legendary “red album” – Mel commandeered a hot-rodded Fender Jazz with a Gibson EB-1 humbucker pickup in the neck position strung with black nylon flatwounds run through a West Fillmore bass rig which, according to the “asbestos glove legend,” was outfitted with Genelex KT88 tubes.
Schacher’s phrasing, motifs, tone, and stage demeanor forever brand the 20 th Century blue-collar American garage rock and roll bassist.Īs tone is defined as “a musical or vocal sound with reference to its pitch, quality, and strength” – Mel’s timbre was incomparable. As the anchor of the unrivaled Flint, Michigan power trio Grand Funk Railroad, and later the “pop” quartet Grand Funk, and then back to Grand Funk Railroad the repertory ensemble, Mel is icon of the instrument in a hard rock format. Mention the name Melvin George Schacher to rock bassists of my generation (and disposition) and most will immediately genuflect in reverence.