Grand Funk Railroad
Biography
One of the 1970s' most successful hard rock bands in spite of critical pans and somewhat reluctant radio airplay (at first), Grand Funk Railroad built a devoted fan base with constant touring, a loud, simple take on the blues-rock power trio sound, and strong working-class appeal. The band was formed by Flint, MI, guitarist/songwriter Mark Farner and drummer Don Brewer, both former members of a local band called Terry Knight & the Pack. They recruited former ? & the Mysterians bassist Mel Schacher in 1968, and Knight retired from performing to become their manager, naming the group after Michigan's well-known Grand Trunk Railroad.
They performed for free at the 1969 Atlanta Pop Festival, and their energetic, if not technically proficient, show led Capitol Records to sign them at once. While radio shied away from Grand Funk Railroad, the group's strong work ethic and commitment to touring produced a series of big-selling albums over the next few years; five of their eight releases from 1969 to 1972 went platinum, and the others all went gold. Meanwhile, Knight promoted the band aggressively, going so far as to rent a Times Square billboard to advertise Closer to Home, which turned out to be the band's first multi-platinum album in spite of a backlash from the rock press.
Selected Discography
Good Singin' Good Playin'
1976
Caught In The Act
1975
E Pluribus Funk
1971
Closer To Home
1970
On Time
1969
True song gang ,the lyrics are real!! They were asked to never come back again!!!
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Saw the group 2 times in Cleveland in 73 then in 74. First date with my now wife in '74 in fact. She threw up on the poster I bought. Have been a big fan of Bowie and Queen since, but the live show Mark Farner put on shirtless, hair down to his waist, metal arm bands, and bright orange pants was unlike anything I've seen before or since. From the opening chords to the final encore, he never stopped moving and like the one other poster said, I couldn't hear for a week. Definitely should be i
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naaaaaaaaaaa a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a w w w w w w w w w w w w w w w
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I treasure my copy of 'Grand Funk Live Album' recorded July 5, 1970 9pm at the Atlanta Internationa l Pop Festival. The most inspiring raw 3-piece band I've heard. They just don't value energy like this anymore! These guys are having the time of their lives and they didn't get a dime for it!!!!! Dan
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Saw them in the 70's at the Toledo Sports Arena. Front row in front of Mark Farner's Wall of Marshall's. Couldn't hear for a week! What a show!!
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Saw them in early 73 in Portland. They were amazing live. Three guys and all that sound. They really were a great band before that 4th dude came in and ruined it; talk about jumping the shark. This was rock!
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One of the greatest 3 piece groups (Guitar, Bass, Drums) of all time!! The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is imcomplete without them!!
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I saw GFR at the Del Mar Fairgrounds( S a n Diego, Ca.) 03 reunion tour. They were outstanding never letting up-rockin hard. Great American Band! Thanks!
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this band is/was great. mark farner released a live recording with a group called n'rg a few years ago. really really good versions of classic grand funk railroad songs. highly recommend. peace out.
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I saw Mark Farner play a free summer show at Santa Cruz, CA's boardwalk in the summer of '07--unbelie v a b l y , loud, powerful, and unforgettabl e ! The man works hard.
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for a 3 man band they sure could make a lot of music. mark farner is a very talented, multi-purpos e musician!
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luv'm,like tim8512 says what happened to Grand Funk Live,one of the better live albums.
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Why didn't anyone mention Grand Funk Live, which I think was their best LP? I remember reading a review very early on which said that Don Brewer's drumming was "guaranteed to drive you up the wall." I always thought that a drummer's job was to keep a beat, and he did.
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Winter 72, opening act Billy Preston, then Grand Funk came out. One of the best concerts I have ever seen in 40 years of great shows. I still remember (well, most of it) how much sound they produced and how fantastic it was. To me they have always been sadly way underrated. This was a great rock band.
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American Iconic Heavy metal/pop rock group. Probably one the most popular early metal bands from the early 1970s. Their music changed by the mid 70s to more pop rock. One of the greatest rock bands ever!!
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They were definitly a great group. Spent most of my senior year in high school listening to Grand Funk on vinal in the school library.
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Man what memoreos Grand Funk brings back.15 years young,I'm your captain man wht an all time greatest tunes ever but on vynal. So many fantastic memories from that era'''.Real rockers coming out seems from every where. The god ole USA England,Germ a n y so on and so on. Thanks pandora for the flash backs on great sex,rockandr o l l drugs And one of the great bands from the USA.Thanks pandora.peac e to all. popsritch
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I love this song. And the album was awesome to. I think they cleared away alot of other groups Pink Floyd, ELO. And were a leader to other groups too.
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hey performed for free at the 1969 Atlanta Pop Festival, and their energetic, if not technically proficient, show led Capitol Records to sign them at once. While radio shied away from Grand Funk Railroad, the group's strong work ethic and commitment to touring produced a series of big-selling albums over the next few years; five of their eight releases from 1969 to 1972 went platinum, and the others all went gold. Meanwhile, Knight promoted the band aggressively , going so far as to rent a Times |
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true what is said about 3-men groups. Them & James Gang. Plus from the USA! My fave is the cover they did of Gimme Shelter, & Sin's a Good Man's Brother, definitley rocks.
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I have "Mark, Don & Mel" as well, but I don't see the double disc Grand Funk Live, which was the best thing they ever did.
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The best band from the states at the time,loved it when I heard that they got kicked off the Led Zep tour cause the fans were coming to see them instead.
LONG LIVE GFR!!! |
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I don't see the album "MARK, DON, MEL". It is a live performance. I still have the album here at home. It is the album that inspired me to play guitar.
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In '68 I saw this awful little film "Mondo Daytona" which really wasn't about music but had a segment featuring the unknown group 'Grand Funk'. I was quite impressed by the group, if not the film. My thoughts were that they compared to Cream and Hendrix in that lead, bass & drums could turn out a lot of great music.
A couple years later they finally had a top-ten hit and became quite well known. My friends didn't believe they were ever in an earlier bad film. Thank you internet for verifying. |
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phoenix is the best. pandora should play the whole record in a single run.
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Thanks to Pandora we all can enjoy listening to the best rocken ever. My thanks goes to all the guy's at Pandora.
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I love Grand Funk and would love to see them live!
I grew up with these guys! |
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where is the red album grand funk live everybidy had that album a must in any rock collection i like their older songs the best.
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GRAND FUNK RAILROAD STARTED OUT WITH A BANG AND ENDED UP A WIMPER... "WE'RE AN AMERICAN BAND" NEVER LIKED THAT SONG. DON'T SELL OUT! KEEP ROCK & ROLL UNDERGROUND AND TRUE TO IT'S ROOTS.
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I am glad to find a place like this where you can get the good music that you can not find like them .
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