Calling all those chiquitas in Omaha

An American band is coming to celebrate America.

Grand Funk Railroad will headline Friday’s concert and fireworks show at Memorial Park.

The classic rock group behind the tunes “We’re an American Band,” “Locomotion” and “Some Kind of Wonderful” will take the stage after Night Wing and the Guess Who.

Night Wing is the country and rock showcase band of the U.S. Air Force’s Heartland of America Band. The Guess Who is known for its songs “American Woman,” “No Sugar Tonight” and “These Eyes.”

It’s the 40th anniversary of the formation of Grand Funk, and founding member Don Brewer can’t believe it.

“It’s pretty incredible,” said Brewer, 60. “I have to pinch myself. I’ve been playing in bands since I was 13 years old, and to still be able to do it now, it’s amazing.”

Even with 40 years as part of the same band (with several breakups and reunions thrown in for good measure), Brewer doesn’t get sick of playing the same tunes.

“I get such a kick out of watching the audience. They’re so excited about it,” Brewer said.

“Now — to look out at the audience and you have kids and parents and grandparents that all know all the words to these songs that you created back in 1969 and ’72 and ’73. I never get sick of it.”

Although the band plays all its hits, it also works into its concerts a few new songs that haven’t been recorded yet. And don’t be surprised to hear “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

“We really stress the ‘American Band’ thing,” Brewer said. “Even as we ... had millions of sales and were playing all over the world, we still did really well playing Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Omaha, Nebraska.

“That’s how we’ve always been. We are an American band.”