Grand Funk Railroad
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). Grand Funk released six platinum and seven gold-certified albums between their recording debut in 1969 and their first disbandment in 1976.
Grand Funk Railroad | |
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The original trio in 1971. Left to right: Don Brewer, Mark Farner, and Mel Schacher | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Grand Funk, GFR |
| Origin | Flint, Michigan, U.S. |
| Genres | Hard rock |
| Years active |
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| Labels | |
| Members | Don Brewer Mel Schacher Mark Chatfield Max Carl Tim Cashion |
| Past members | Mark Farner Craig Frost Dennis Bellinger Rick Baker Howard Eddy, Jr. Stanley Sheldon Bruce Kulick |
| Website | grandfunkrailroad |
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. 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.