In 1972 the band attempted to gain its independence by firing manager Knight. Quite fittingly, their next album, E Pluribus Funk, was shaped to look like a coin. ” It was ironic, then, that 1971 proved the band ’s most successful year to date with earnings of $5 million and a sold-out European tour. “To it was all hype, ” wrote James, “and in their opinion nothing important enough to write about or report on. In May of 1971, 150 reporters were invited to a press conference announcing tour dates at Shea Stadium and in Japan. Grand Funk Railroad ’s battle with the rock press continued. It ultimately reached number six on the charts and was the third Grand Funk Railroad album to be certified gold. In June the group spent $100,000 to buy billboard space in Times Square to announce the upcoming release of Closer to Home. There was little surprise, then, when Grand Funk reached number eleven on the charts in March of 1970. They performed between 18 and 22 days per month throughout that year, delivering their brand of hard rock through a 4,000-watt system to as many as 30,000 fans per concert. The band released Grand Funk at the end of 1969 and on January 9, 1970, kicked off their first American tour. Everywhere they traveled, the group from Flint, Michigan, dubbed “the people ’s band, ” received an enthusiastic response. Grand Funk Railroad opened shows for Led Zeppelin in Detroit and Cleveland during the summer and played before 120,000 at the Texas International Pop Festival. ” De-spite this, by November the album had reached number 27 on the charts. “On Time received a unanimous thumbs-down from the rock ‘n ’ roll press, ” wrote James, “and achieved little or no airplay. In the studio, Grand Funk Railroad recorded their debut album On Time in the summer of 1969, featuring songs like “Are You Ready ” and “Into the Sun. ” A warm reception and standing ovation by the crowd led to the band being signed by Capitol Records. “The first Atlanta Pop Festival is the most memorable experience in Grand Funk for me …, ” Farner told Billy James in An American Band: The Story of Grand Funk Railroad, “the first time around 200,000 people got a look at the group and showed appreciation like that. Their breakthrough came when Knight arranged a free performance at the Atlanta Pop Festival in July of 1969. Knight borrowed $500 so the band could record “Heartbreaker ” and “High on a Horse, ” but record labels showed little interest in the group. ”Īt first Grand Funk Railroad, named after the famous Grand Trunk railroad line, failed to find a footing. “With no other prospects, ” noted Kaye, “the soon-to-be Grand Funk Railroad signed on. Group an offer: he would manage them if they would agree to follow all of his instructions. Website -Grand Funk Railroad Official Website. Group formed in Flint, MI, 1969 received attention for a free performance at the Atlanta Pop Festival, 1969 signed recording contract with Capitol Records released eight albums between 1969-72, including Grand Funk and Closer to Home, 1970, and E Pluribus Funk, 1971 sold out Shea Stadium in 72 hours, July 1971 recorded We ’re an American Band with producer Todd Rundgren, 1973 charted with a new version Little Eva ’s hit, “Locomotion, ” 1974, and with “Some Kind of Wonderful, ” 1975 group disbanded, 1977 reformed in 1981, 1997.Īddresses: Record company -Capitol Records, 1750 North Vine St., Hollywood, CA 90028-5274, phone: (323) 462-6252, website. Members include Dennis Bellinger (joined group, 1981), bass Don Brewer, drums Mark Farner, guitar, vocals Craig Frost (joined group, 1972), keyboards Mel Schacher, bass. Knight had been a deejay and had played in a number of bands with only moderate success. They were considering selling their instruments when former bandmate, Terry Knight, entered the picture. Known as the Fabulous Pack, the Michigan-based group found itself stranded in Massachusetts one winter with no prospects in sight. Despite management upheavals and the derision of critics, Grand Funk Railroad became one of the most popular bands of the 1970s.Įarly in 1969 drummer Don Brewer, bassist Mel Schacher, and singer/guitarist Mark Farner contemplated their future as a band. ” While it took the Beatles three weeks to sell out Shea Stadium, Grand Funk accomplished the same feat in three days. “Bypassing the ruling elite of ‘progressive ’ rock ’s tastemakers and scene-dwellers, ” wrote Lenny Kaye of The Marshall Cavendish Illustrated History of Popular Music, “they took their music directly to the concert stages of all 50 United States …. The band defied the early 1970s trend toward keyboards, complex arrangements, and poetic lyrics, opting for straightforward rock ‘n ’ roll. Although a number of critics dismissed the heavy metal assault of Grand Funk Railroad, legions of fans filled stadiums to hear them.
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