Don label

 

Don bio

Drum roll, please…Circa 1948. On September 3rd Clara Eileen and Donald A. Brewer of Swartz Creek, Michigan give birth to one of the most celebrated drummers in classic rock history, Don Brewer.  It runs through his blood because by the age of 12, Don starts his very first band.  They call themselves The Red Devils.

Quickly adapting a style uniquely his own, Brewer moves on to his next band, the Jazzmasters.  This band evolves into Terry Knight and the Pack, and Don experiences his first top 40 hit in 1966 with “I Who Have Nothing”.

1969 is a pivotal year when Brewer, along with Mark Farner and Mel Schacher, forms the first major power trio to rock the world with Grand Funk Railroad.  His career sky-rockets in 1973, especially with Grand Funk's #1 hit, “We’re An American Band”, that he not only wrote, but sang while playing his historical drums licks.  Also to his list of credits are “Shinin’ On” and “Walk Like A Man”. He is also the lead singer on the hit recording everyone sings along to…“Some Kind of Wonderful”.  Grand Funk goes on to record 12 Gold and 10 Platinum albums.

In the years 1983 and 1987, Don is recruited to play on tour with Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band.  The 1987 tour proves to be the largest grossing tour of that decade.  Don also tours extensively with Seger in 2006, 2007, 2011, and 2012.

The highlights of this outstanding musician’s career cover the gamut, including bongo features on Frank Zappa’s song “Let Me Take You To The Beach”, a feature in Classic Rock Drum Solos, Modern Drummer Magazine, VH-1’s “Behind The Music”, “Classic Drummer’s” 2011 Hall of Fame, and many, many more.  Brewer also has numerous television appearances with both Seger and Grand Funk, including David Letterman, Jay Leno, and Good Morning America.

Since 2000, Don continues touring with Grand Funk Railroad.  Performing 40 shows a year with Grand Funk, he is excited to be on the road thrilling the fans once again with their current American Tour.

PERSONAL LIFE

Don lives in Jupiter, Florida, with his wife Sunny Quinn, a 23-year radio veteran of the West Palm Beach market, originally from Long Island.  They first met in 1983 and have been together since 1985.  They raised two beautiful daughters, Logan and Dale…and five grandchildren.  They share and support their love of animals and have 3 cats, 3 mini horses, a donkey, 3 parrots and a Paso Fino horse, appropriately named…what else?  Drummer.