Grand Funk Railroad

Grand Funk Railroad
The original trio in 1971. Left to right: Don Brewer, Mark Farner and Mel Schacher
The original trio in 1971. Left to right: Don Brewer, Mark Farner and Mel Schacher
Background information
Also known asGrand Funk, GFR
OriginFlint, Michigan, U.S.
GenresHard rock[1]
Years active
  • 1969–1976
  • 1981–1983
  • 1996–1998
  • 2000–present
Labels
MembersDon Brewer
Mel Schacher
Max Carl
Tim Cashion
Mark Chatfield
Past membersMark Farner
Craig Frost
Dennis Bellinger
Rick Baker
Howard Eddy, Jr.
Stanley Sheldon
Bruce Kulick
Websitegrandfunkrailroad.com

Grand Funk Railroad (often shortened to Grand Funk) is an American rock band formed in Flint, Michigan, in 1969 by Mark Farner (vocals, guitar, keyboards, harmonica), Don Brewer (drums, vocals) and Mel Schacher (bass). The band achieved peak popularity and success during the 1970s with hit songs such as "We're an American Band", "I'm Your Captain (Closer to Home)", "Some Kind of Wonderful" (a cover of Soul Brothers Six), "Walk Like a Man", "The Loco-Motion" (a cover of Little Eva), "Bad Time" and "Inside Looking Out" (a cover of the Animals).[2][3] Grand Funk released six platinum and seven gold-certified albums between their recording debut in 1969 and their first disbandment in 1976.

Known for a crowd-pleasing arena rock style, the band toured extensively and played to packed arenas worldwide, and was well-regarded by audiences despite a relative lack of critical praise.[4] The original trio reunited at various times later into the band's career; after Farner's final departure in 1998, Brewer and Schacher have continued touring as Grand Funk Railroad.

  1. ^ Huey, Steve. "Grand Funk Railroad". AllMusic. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
  2. ^ Larkin, Colin, ed. (1997). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Popular Music (Concise ed.). Virgin Books. p. 539. ISBN 1-85227-745-9.
  3. ^ "Grand Funk Railroad". Spotify. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  4. ^ "Grand Funk Railroad interviews, articles and reviews from Rock's Backpages". Rocksbackpages.com. April 26, 1996. Retrieved July 22, 2011.