Still working as a producer with Capitol , Knight renewed his connection with two former Pack members , guitarist Mark Farner and drummer Don Brewer . Knight encouraged the two to add a new bass player and become a " power trio " along the lines of Cream . The group quickly added former Mysterians bassist Mel Schacher and changed their name to ' Grand Funk Railroad ' . While becoming their manager-producer , Knight helped steer the trio to international fame , beginning with his getting them onto the bill --- for free --- at the 1969 Atlanta Pop Festival . This live performance convinced Capitol to sign the trio . For the next two years , Grand Funk Railroad became the most popular rock attraction in the United States despite mixed critical reviews that Knight exploited as part of their appeal ; he also discovered and produced the Fort Worth , Texas group Bloodrock , who hit the Top 40 in early 1971 with the unlikely death anthem " D.O.A. ( Dead On Arrival ) "
Atlanta Pop Festival
Atlanta International Pop Festival (1969)
Terry Knight