Mel Schacher

Mel Schacher
Schacher performing at Gulfstream Park in Hallendale, FL
Background information
Born	April 8, 1951 (1951-04-08)
Origin	Flint, Michigan
Genres	Rock, funk
Instruments	Bass guitar
Years active	1960's–present
Labels	Capitol, MCA
Associated acts	Question Mark and the Mysterians, Grand Funk Railroad, Flint
Notable instruments
Fender Jazz Bass

Mel Schacher (born April 8, 1951) is best known as the bassist for rock band Grand Funk Railroad.

Early career

Schacher was born in Flint, Michigan. He became interested in music at the age of seven playing with his father's banjo. By age twelve he had moved to playing guitar and then bass. By age fourteen, Schacher was part of a trio playing mostly wedding receptions and talent competitions while playing with other local bands.

Professional career

At sixteen, Schacher caught his first professional break when he was invited to replace bassist Frank Lugo in Question Mark and the Mysterians, then riding their sole hit "96 Tears." During this stint, he was approached to join former Terry Knight and the Pack drummer Don Brewer and singer/guitarist Mark Farner---who had been working as the Fabulous Pack but sought to change musical direction---to form a new power trio. Intrigued by the power trio concept, Schacher joined the new lineup, and almost from the moment they played the 1969 Atlanta International Pop Festival, inspiring a rousing reception and fast-spreading word of mouth, they achieved international fame as Grand Funk Railroad.

From 1969 through 1975, Grand Funk was one of the U.S.'s top rock groups, managing to hold on despite an acrimonious parting with manager/producer Terry Knight and a musical shift toward a more compact hard rock, including a fourth member, keyboard player Craig Frost. They achieved several platinum-selling albums and several hit singles but, by 1976, Grand Funk broke up over musical differences. On VH-1's Behind the Music series in the 1990s, Schacher spoke of the sorrow when the impasse between Farner's sociopolitical song leanings and Brewer's party-band song leanings couldn't be reconciled.

Farner, Brewer, and Schacher decided to give Grand Funk another try in 1980 until Schacher balked at relocating to California; according to Mark Farner in several interviews since, Schacher developed a distaste for flying and elected to stay behind. The trio reformed with Flint bassist Dennis Bellinger, recorded two albums, and disbanded again.

Schacher spent the intervening years making his way as an investor and occasional musician until, almost by chance, he reteamed with Farner and Brewer in a reunited Grand Funk Railroad in 1996. They recorded a concert set, Bosnia, and a few new selections for a major anthology project. The original lineup toured until 1998, when Farner left to reconvene his solo music career. Schacher and Brewer continue to lead Grand Funk Railroad with new musicians, sporadic recording, and continuing concert tours.