Jacob Hamilton/ MLive

By JOHN D. GONZALEZ | gonzo@mlive.com

@MichiganGonzo

FRANKENMUTH, MI -- Just last week Michigan rock band Greta Van Fleet got another treat, opening for rock legend Bob Seger at the Dow Event Center in Saginaw.

The quartet from Frankenmuth called it a "bucket list" moment. Although I doubt the band members are old enough to even have a bucket list.

I caught up with bassist Sam Kiszka just before the show to talk about a lot of things, including how a band from a tiny town in Michigan is lighting up the rock world only months after releasing it debut single.

Seemingly, over night, the foursome is selling out venues from coast to coast with a classic sound reminiscent to Led Zeppelin, but with a swagger of youthful exuberance. Two of the members just graduated from high school.

Here are links to some of our stories, as a list of the band's early accomplishments:

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Jacob Hamilton/ MLive

Great Van Fleet opened up for Seger in front of a crowd of 6,000-plus.

Frankenmuth natives Greta Van Fleet rock Dow Event Center with Bob Seger (Sept. 7, 2017, MLive)

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Opening for Seger

I asked bassist Sam Kiszka to rank on a scale of 1-10 what it meant to open for Bob Seger in Saginaw.

“Maybe an 11,” he said. "It’s an honor, being from Michigan. And even in other places, when you listen to classic rock radio, every other song is Bob Seger.

“We grew up with it, ever since we were in the cradle. It’s Michigan rock... He is one of the absolute greats.”

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An enormous thank you to Bob Seger for having us and the magnificent crowd in Saginaw 🤘

📷: @cardinalgrl pic.twitter.com/mzj1qqioQ2 — Greta Van Fleet (@GretaVanFleet) September 8, 2017

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Photographer credit: Michael Lavine

The quartet includes 21-year-old twin brothers Josh Kiszka (vocals) and Jake Kiszka (lead guitar), as well as younger brother Sam Kiszka, 18 (bass) and Danny Wagner, 18 (drums).

Is America's next greatest rock band from Michigan? (July 3, 2017, MLive)

(L-R: Sam Kiszka, Josh Kiszka, Danny Wagner, Jake Kiszka)

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Graduation

Earlier this year, MLive reporter Isis Simpson-Mersha talked to Jake Kiszka as two band members -- Sam Kiszka and Danny Wagner -- were getting ready to graduate from Frankenmuth High School.

"If you can imagine senioritis and you just multiply that by a couple thousand that's probably how they're feeling," Jake sad.

Frankenmuth's Greta Van Fleet talks record deal, tour and graduation (May 21, 2017, MLive)

(L-R: Danny Wagner, Sam Kiszka, Jake Kiszka, Josh Kiszka)

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Released in April, 2017, the band's first single "Highway Tune" is No. 1!

On September 11, the song was the No. 1 track on the Active (Media Base) and Mainstream Rock (BDS/Billboard) radio charts.

In addition:

4.1million Spotify streams of "Highway Tune" (averaging 100,000 a day)

Companion music video now at 2.1-million YouTube views, adding 150,000-200,000 views a week

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LA! We are thrilled to announce a third and final @theTroubadour show! Tickets go on sale this Friday at 10am at https://t.co/xb15fk4KDk. pic.twitter.com/3gJTlR6nJq — Greta Van Fleet (@GretaVanFleet) September 6, 2017

Leg One of the band's first-ever tour (and they're headlining), COMPLETELY SOLD OUT!

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While you're at it, we're also up for a @Loudwire Award for Best New Artist and would love your support! Vote here https://t.co/1IvgCnUZrL — Greta Van Fleet (@GretaVanFleet) September 1, 2017

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Without further ado, our EP #BlackSmokeRising is now available everywhere! Go listen to it, and listen LOUD!! 🔊 https://t.co/vOHBUrNoxw pic.twitter.com/yMaWFFrYc2 — Greta Van Fleet (@GretaVanFleet) April 21, 2017

The band's four-song EP, "Black Smoke Rising," was released in April and almost immediately caught fire.

Apple Music named the band Artist of the week, calling members "good-looking millennial guys who are out of step with their era: they're unapologetic throwbacks to the golden era of classic rock -- specifically, the golden era of Led Zeppelin."

Recently, "Black Smoke Rising" debuted Aug. 17 at #1 on both the American and Canadian iTunes Rock Charts.

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John Gonzalez | gonzo@mlive.com

The Tour

September

(Leg One)

14 The Stache, Grand Rapids, MI* SOLD OUT

15 The Rave, Milwaukee, WI* SOLD OUT

16 Canterbury Park, Shakopee, MN**

(Leg Two)

29 WRIF Riff Fest, Detroit, MI**

30 WJJO - Sonic Boom Festival, Janesville, WI**

October

1 Louder Than Life, Louisville, KY**

3 Ottobar, Baltimore, MD* SOLD OUT

5 Funhouse at Mr. Smalls, Pittsburgh, PA* SOLD OUT

6 Main Street Armory, Rochester, NY (supporting Halestorm)

7 Rock Allegiance, Camden, NJ**

10 O’Connors Irish Pub, Clarksville, TN*

11 SideTracks Music Hall, Huntsville, AL* SOLD OUT

12 One Eyed Jacks, New Orleans, LA*

14 Houston Open Air, Houston, TX**

15 97.1 The Eagle Freakers Ball, Verizon Theatre @ Grand Prairie, TX

17 The Rock, Tucson, AZ* SOLD OUT

19 The Troubadour, Los Angeles, CA* SOLD OUT

20 Moroccan Lounge, Los Angeles, CA* SOLD OUT

21 Aftershock Festival, Sacramento, CA**

23 Hawthorne Theatre, Portland, OR*

24 Tractor Tavern, Seattle, WA* SOLD OUT

29 The Troubadour, Los Angeles, CA* SOLD OUT

November

30 Lincoln Hall, Chicago, IL SOLD OUT

December

2 Sokol Auditorium, Omaha, NE

* headline date

** festival

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Sept. 20-27 the band will be in Europe before returning to Michigan. Dates include stops in Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam and London.

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Jacob Hamilton/MLive

Has it all sunk in yet?

“Really, it’s not. It just moves so quickly," Sam said in an interview before the Saginaw show with Seger.

"We go from place to place to place. We go to a lot of beautiful places and we get to meet a lot of great people. But, unfortunately, we never have enough time to go hiking or go sailing. Or do something outdoors to reconnect with yourself or nature.”

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Jacob Hamilton/ MLive

Fans

“Our thing is we just get up there, and we have a lot of fun doing what we do," Sam said. "Just playing, jamming a little bit. There is no better feeling as an artist seeing those people respond the way we do. It’s amazing.”

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Back to good health. Thanks for being patient while we recovered. So grateful to have your support. Can’t wait to get back on the road! pic.twitter.com/58QGhwOSfH — Greta Van Fleet (@GretaVanFleet) September 6, 2017

The band spent time back home in Frankenmuth before going back on the road.

Look for a full-length album in 2018.

And more tour dates, of course.

More info at gretavanfleet.com.

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Lunchtime antics pic.twitter.com/ShbwSNcwnu — Greta Van Fleet (@GretaVanFleet) September 11, 2017

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