Grand Funk Railroad

Ashburn

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 <a href="spotify:artist:6EIXFRkQvNMjdmgoBz2Gb7">Mark Farner</a> and drummer Don Brewer, both former members of a local band called <a href="spotify:artist:6qLZdPW7iYL5oF8tc0g3p0">Terry Knight & the Pack</a>. They recruited former <a href="spotify:artist:3ZZHB1Xh2PM88QTMiqHB62">? & the Mysterians</a> 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. However, Grand Funk Railroad fired Knight in March of 1972, who promptly sued; the band spent most of the year in a court battle that ended when they bought Knight out.

Keyboardist Craig Frost joined the group for the Phoenix LP at the end of 1972. Following that album, the band's name was officially shortened to Grand Funk, and the group finally scored a big hit single (number one, in fact) with the title track of the Todd Rundgren-produced We're an American Band. The follow-up, Shinin' On, contained another number one hit in a remake of <a href="spotify:artist:4S76LQXJD6N2uPcLhKejG8">Little Eva</a>'s "The Loco-Motion." However, following Grand Funk's next album, All the Girls in the World Beware!!, interest in the group began to wane. Reverting back to Grand Funk Railroad, they remained together in 1976 solely to work with producer <a href="spotify:artist:6ra4GIOgCZQZMOaUECftGN">Frank Zappa</a> on Good Singin', Good Playin'. <a href="spotify:artist:6EIXFRkQvNMjdmgoBz2Gb7">Farner</a> left for a solo career, and the remainder of the band released an album as <a href="spotify:artist:2mppfxG648L6penE7dfPm5">Flint</a> with guitarist Billy Elworthy.

Grand Funk Railroad re-formed in 1981 with Dennis Bellinger on bass and released two albums; only Grand Funk Lives even managed to scrape the bottom of the charts. The group disbanded again, with Brewer and Frost joining <a href="spotify:artist:485uL27bPomh29R4JmQehQ">Bob Seger</a>'s Silver Bullet Band and <a href="spotify:artist:6EIXFRkQvNMjdmgoBz2Gb7">Farner</a> embarking on a new career as a CCM artist; his "Isn't It Amazing" was a number two gospel hit in 1988. In 1997, Grand Funk Railroad reunited once again to record a benefit album titled Bosnia; two years later, Capitol issued a three-disc box set retrospective, Thirty Years of Funk: 1969-1999. ~ Steve Huey, Rovi

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Closer To Home (I'm Your Captain) · Grand Funk Railroad

Closer To Home

℗ 2002 Capitol Records, LLC

Released on: 1970-06-15

Producer: Terry Knight
Studio  Personnel, Engineer: Kenneth Hamann
Conductor, Associated  Performer, Recording  Arranger: Tom Baker
Studio  Personnel, Mastering  Engineer: Evren Göknar
Composer  Lyricist: Mark Farner

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Closer To Home (I'm Your Captain)

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We're An American Band (Remastered 2002) · Grand Funk Railroad

We're An American Band

℗ 2002 Capitol Records, LLC

Released on: 1973-07-15

Producer, Studio  Personnel, Engineer: Todd Rundgren
Studio  Personnel, Asst.  Recording  Engineer: Seth Snyder
Studio  Personnel, Mastering  Engineer: Robert Vosgien
Associated  Performer, Vocals, Guitar: Mark Farner
Associated  Performer, Vocals, Drums, Percussion: Don Brewer
Associated  Performer, Bass  Guitar: Mel Schacher
Associated  Performer, Organ: Craig Frost
Composer  Lyricist: Don Brewer

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We're An American Band (Remastered 2002)

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Some Kind Of Wonderful (Remastered) · Grand Funk Railroad

All The Girls In The World Beware!!!

℗ A Capitol Records Release; ℗ 2003 Capitol Records, LLC

Released on: 2003-01-01

Producer: Jimmy Lenner
Studio  Personnel, Engineer: Shelly Yakus
Studio  Personnel, Mastering  Engineer: Evren Göknar
Composer  Lyricist: John Ellison
Composer  Lyricist: Avi Kulawy
Composer  Lyricist: R.J. Ober
Composer  Lyricist: Chris Moore

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Some Kind Of Wonderful (Remastered)

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I'm Your Captain/Closer To Home (Remastered) · Grand Funk Railroad

30 Years Of Funk: 1969-1999 The Anthology

℗ 1999 Capitol Records, LLC

Released on: 1999-01-01

Producer: Terry Knight
Studio  Personnel, Engineer: Kenneth Hamann
Conductor, Associated  Performer, Recording  Arranger: Tom Baker
Studio  Personnel, Mastering  Engineer: Evren Göknar
Composer  Lyricist: Mark Farner

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I'm Your Captain/Closer To Home (Remastered)

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Some Kind Of Wonderful (Remastered 1999) · Grand Funk Railroad

30 Years Of Funk: 1969-1999 The Anthology

℗ 1999 Capitol Records Inc.

Released on: 1999-01-01

Producer: Jimmy Lenner
Studio  Personnel, Engineer: Shelly Yakus
Studio  Personnel, Mastering  Engineer: Evren Göknar
Composer: Willie John Ellison

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Some Kind Of Wonderful (Remastered 1999)

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Inside Looking Out (Remastered) · Grand Funk Railroad

Grand Funk (Red Album)

℗ 2002 Capitol Records, LLC

Released on: 1969-12-29

Producer: Terry Knight
Studio  Personnel, Engineer: Kenneth Hamann
Studio  Personnel, Mastering  Engineer: Evren Göknar
Composer  Lyricist: Eric Burdon
Composer  Lyricist: Bryan Chandler
Arranger, Work  Arranger: Alan Lomax

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Inside Looking Out (Remastered)

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The Loco-Motion (Remastered 2002) · Grand Funk Railroad

Shinin' On

℗ 2002 Capitol Records, LLC

Released on: 1974-03-01

Producer, Studio  Personnel, Engineer: Todd Rundgren
Studio  Personnel, Asst.  Recording  Engineer: John White
Studio  Personnel, Mastering  Engineer: Robert Vosgien
Composer  Lyricist: Gerry Goffin
Composer  Lyricist: Carole King

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The Loco-Motion (Remastered 2002)

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Bad Time (Remastered 2002) · Grand Funk Railroad

All The Girls In The World Beware!!!

℗ A Capitol Records Release; ℗ 2002 Capitol Records LLC

Released on: 2003-01-01

Producer: Jimmy Lenner
Studio  Personnel, Engineer: Shelly Yakus
Studio  Personnel, Mastering  Engineer: Robert Vosgien
Composer  Lyricist: Mark Farner

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Bad Time (Remastered 2002)

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Some Kind Of Wonderful · Grand Funk Railroad

Greatest Hits: Grand Funk Railroad

℗ 2002 Capitol Records, LLC

Released on: 2006-01-01

Producer: Jimmy Ienner
Studio  Personnel, Engineer: Shelly Yakus
Studio  Personnel, Asst.  Recording  Engineer: Kevin Ayers
Studio  Personnel, Asst.  Recording  Engineer: Rod O'Brien
Studio  Personnel, Mastering  Engineer: Robert Vosgien
Composer: Willie John Ellison

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Some Kind Of Wonderful

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Heartbreaker (Remastered 2002) · Grand Funk Railroad

On Time

℗ 2002 Capitol Records, LLC

Released on: 2002-01-01

Producer: Terry Knight
Studio  Personnel, Engineer: Kenneth Hamann
Studio  Personnel, Mastering  Engineer: Robert Vosgien
Composer  Lyricist: Mark Farner

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Heartbreaker (Remastered 2002)

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Footstompin' Music (Remastered 2002) · Grand Funk Railroad

E Pluribus Funk

℗ 2002 Capitol Records, LLC

Released on: 2002-01-01

Producer: Terry Knight
Studio  Personnel, Engineer: Kenneth Hamann
Studio  Personnel, Mastering  Engineer: Robert Vosgien
Composer  Lyricist: Mark Farner

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Footstompin' Music (Remastered 2002)

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I'm Your Captain/Closer To Home (Remastered 2002) · Grand Funk Railroad

Greatest Hits: Grand Funk Railroad

℗ 2002 Capitol Records, LLC

Released on: 2006-01-01

Producer: Terry Knight
Studio  Personnel, Engineer: Kenneth Hamann
Conductor, Associated  Performer, Recording  Arranger: Tom Baker
Studio  Personnel, Mastering  Engineer: Robert Vosgien
Composer  Lyricist, Composer: Mark Farner

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I'm Your Captain/Closer To Home (Remastered 2002)

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Gimme Shelter (Remastered 2002) · Grand Funk Railroad

Survival

℗ 2002 Capitol Records, LLC

Released on: 1971-04-15

Producer: Terry Knight
Studio  Personnel, Engineer: Kenneth Hamann
Studio  Personnel, Mastering  Engineer: Robert Vosgien
Composer  Lyricist: Mick Jagger
Composer  Lyricist: Keith Richards

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Gimme Shelter (Remastered 2002)

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Feelin' Alright (Remastered 2002) · Grand Funk Railroad

Survival

℗ 2002 Capitol Records, LLC

Released on: 1971-04-15

Producer: Terry Knight
Studio  Personnel, Engineer: Kenneth Hamann
Studio  Personnel, Mastering  Engineer: Robert Vosgien
Composer  Lyricist: Dave Mason

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Feelin' Alright (Remastered 2002)

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Loneliness (Remastered) · Grand Funk Railroad

E Pluribus Funk

℗ 2002 Capitol Records, LLC

Released on: 2002-01-01

Conductor, Associated  Performer, Recording  Arranger: Thomas A. Baker
Producer: Terry Knight
Studio  Personnel, Engineer: Kenneth Hamann
Studio  Personnel, Mastering  Engineer: Evren Göknar
Composer  Lyricist: Mark Farner

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Loneliness (Remastered)

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The Loco-Motion · Grand Funk Railroad

BEST ROAD TRIP 70'S ROCK BALLADS

℗ 1974 Capitol Records, LLC

Released on: 2023-05-18

Producer: Todd Rundgren
Composer  Lyricist: Gerry Goffin
Composer  Lyricist: Carole King

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The Loco-Motion

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Some Kind Of Wonderful (Remastered 1999) · Grand Funk Railroad

Classic Road Trip Songs

℗ 1999 Capitol Records Inc.

Released on: 2022-09-28

Producer: Jimmy Lenner
Studio  Personnel, Engineer: Shelly Yakus
Studio  Personnel, Mastering  Engineer: Evren Göknar
Composer: Willie John Ellison

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Gimme Shelter · Grand Funk Railroad

Campfire Blues

℗ 1971 Capitol Records, LLC

Released on: 2022-08-15

Producer: Terry Knight
Studio  Personnel, Engineer: Kenneth Hamann
Producer: Wayne C. Watkins
Unknown, Other, A& R: Bob Furmanek
Unknown, Other, A& R: Ron Furmanek
Studio  Personnel, Mastering  Engineer: Kevin Reeves
Composer  Lyricist: Mick Jagger
Composer  Lyricist: Keith Richards

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Gimme Shelter

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I'm Your Captain/Closer To Home (Remastered) · Grand Funk Railroad

Happy Blues Classics

℗ 1999 Capitol Records, LLC

Released on: 2022-08-09

Producer: Terry Knight
Studio  Personnel, Engineer: Kenneth Hamann
Conductor, Associated  Performer, Recording  Arranger: Tom Baker
Studio  Personnel, Mastering  Engineer: Evren Göknar
Composer  Lyricist: Mark Farner

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We're An American Band (Remastered) · Grand Funk Railroad

Happy Soft Rock For Kids

℗ A Capitol Records Release; ℗ 2013 Capitol Records, LLC

Released on: 2022-06-20

Producer, Studio  Personnel, Engineer: Todd Rundgren
Studio  Personnel, Asst.  Recording  Engineer: Seth Snyder
Associated  Performer, Guitar, Vocals: Mark Farner
Associated  Performer, Bass  Guitar: Craig Frost
Associated  Performer, Organ: Mel Schacher
Associated  Performer, Drums, Vocals: Don Brewer
Composer  Lyricist: Don Brewer

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We're An American Band (Remastered)

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Inside Looking Out · Grand Funk Railroad

Mark, Don & Mel (1969-1971)

℗ A Capitol Records Release; ℗ 1969 Capitol Records, LLC

Released on: 1972-01-01

Producer: Terry Knight
Studio  Personnel, Engineer: Kenneth Hamann
Composer  Lyricist: Eric Burdon
Composer  Lyricist: Bryan Chandler
Arranger, Work  Arranger: Alan Lomax

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Inside Looking Out

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Paranoid · Grand Funk Railroad

Mark, Don & Mel (1969-1971)

℗ A Capitol Records release; ℗ 1969 Capitol Records, LLC

Released on: 1972-01-01

Producer: Terry Knight
Studio  Personnel, Engineer: Kenneth Hamann
Composer  Lyricist: Mark Farner

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Paranoid

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Time Machine · Grand Funk Railroad

Mark, Don & Mel (1969-1971)

℗ A Capitol Records release; ℗ 1969 Capitol Records, LLC

Released on: 1972-01-01

Producer: Terry Knight
Composer  Lyricist: Mark Farner

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Time Machine

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Footstompin' Music · Grand Funk Railroad

Mark, Don & Mel (1969-1971)

℗ A Capitol Records release; ℗ 1971 Capitol Records, LLC

Released on: 1972-01-01

Producer: Terry Knight
Composer  Lyricist: Mark Farner

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Footstompin' Music

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Heartbreaker · Grand Funk Railroad

Mark, Don & Mel (1969-1971)

℗ 1969 Capitol Records, LLC

Released on: 1972-01-01

Producer: Terry Knight
Composer  Lyricist: Mark Farner

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Grand Funk Railroad

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On Time (Remastered 2002 / Expanded Edition)

Live: The 1971 Tour

E Pluribus Funk (Remastered)

30 Years Of Funk: 1969-1999 The Anthology

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