More than 50 years after their debut, Con Funk Shun brought their R&B/Funk sound to the Grand Theatre on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, reminding audiences why their music resonates to this day.
Before the show, lead vocalist and guitarist Michael Cooper reflected on how the group continues to draw new listeners, even as the band enters its sixth decade.
“It’s astounding,” Cooper said. “We played for people our age when we were in our twenties, and now that we are in our seventies, we are getting new audiences in their twenties. It feels unbelievable.”
The band, known for their hits such as “Too Tight,” “Fun” and “Shake and Dance with Me,” has seen a renewed interest in recent years.
A major reason is Silk Sonic’s 2022 cover of “Love’s Train,” a song Con Funk Shun released in 1982, but was never promoted as a single.
Cooper discussed how he learned about the cover when his daughter sent him a link to the cover early in the morning on Valentine’s Day.
“I was over the moon,” he said. “I ran to the car to really listen to it. When I saw it was Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak, I lost my mind.”
Silk Sonic’s version helped bring the song to a new audience and pushed it onto the charts.
Cooper explained how the reaction in live performances shifted almost immediately.
“There was one show where the audience was so loud at the intro that I started to cry,” he exclaimed. “It was unbelievable to hear that kind of reaction after so many years.”
Even with their recent popularity, Cooper said the band’s creative approach has stayed consistent.
“The music tells me the melody,” Cooper explained. “If I have a story, I put it in. If I don’t, I make one up.”
According to Cooper, the group is preparing a new album titled ‘Smooth Jukebox’ which is planned to be released in early 2026.
Cooper mentioned how the music industry has changed so dramatically that starting today would look quite different for the group. 
“When we came up, there were no cell phones, no digital recording, and no streaming,” he stated. “You practiced and recorded until you got it right. Competing today without hip-hop or pop elements would be tough.”
As for the legacy Con Funk Shun would like to leave behind, Cooper hopes the band’s work will be remembered for its influence and perseverance.
“We hope to be remembered as pioneers,” he discussed. “We were in the trenches, grinding and grinding. When you build that kind of muscle, you last a long time.”
