History Music / GrandFunkRailroad

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-->-- '''[[WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons Homer Simpson]]'''

** Their cover of "Inside Looking Out" is 10 minutes, but live versions could go as long as 16 minutes.

** They reached #3 with "Some Kind of Wonderful", originally a minor hit by the '60s R&B group Soul Brothers Six.

* NonIndicativeName: Not actually a {{funk}} band. However, they did have a few tracks that could loosely be described as falling into the [[FunkRock funk rock]] category (e.g. their cover of "Inside Looking Out" by Music/TheAnimals).

* NonIndicativeName: Not actually a {{funk}} band.

One of the most popular American rock bands of TheSeventies, Grand Funk Railroad was formed in 1969 by Mark Farner (co-lead vocals, lead guitar, keyboards), Don Brewer (co-lead vocals, drums) and Mel Schacher (bass guitar), with Craig Frost (organ) joining the band by the time they had their biggest hits. Hailing from Michigan, they took their name from the Grand Trunk Railway that operated in the state.

-->--'''[[WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons Homer Simpson]]'''

One of the most popular American rock bands of TheSeventies, '''Grand Funk Railroad''' was formed in 1969 by Mark Farner (co-lead vocals, lead guitar, keyboards), Don Brewer (co-lead vocals, drums) and Mel Schacher (bass guitar), with Craig Frost (organ) joining the band by the time they had their biggest hits. Hailing from Michigan, they took their name from the state's famous Grand Trunk Railroad rail line.

* RecordProducer: ''Good Singin', Good Playin''' was produced by Creator/FrankZappa, one of his few production gigs outside of his musical entourage. In fact, Zappa approached the band, who technically had broken up, to offer his services and they agreed to get back together just to work with him.

* RecordProducer: ''Good Singin', Good Playin''' was produced by Creator/FrankZappa, one of his few production gigs outside of his musical entourage.

!!! Discography:

!!! "Grand Trope Railroad":

* EpicRocking: "I'm Your Captain[=/=]Closer To Home"

* TheBandMinusTheFace: Since 2000, when Mark Farner departed and the band chose to continue without him.

One of the most popular American rock bands of TheSeventies, '''Grand Funk Railroad''' was formed in 1969 by Mark Farner (co-lead vocals, lead guitar, keyboards), Don Brewer (co-lead vocals, drums) and Mel Schacher (bass guitar). Hailing from Michigan, they took their name from the state's famous Grand Trunk Railroad rail line.

Reunion attempts were initially unsuccessful, resulting in Mark Farner quitting the band in favour of his solo career as a ChristianRock artist. He was replaced by former .38Special vocalist Max Carl and Music/{{KISS}} guitarist Bruce Kulick, with whom the group continues to tour.

---

** They reached #3 with "Some Kind of Wonderful", originally a minor hit by the obscure '60s R&B group Soul Brothers Six.

* CoverVersion: Their second number one hit was a cover of "The Loco-Motion" (written by Carole King), which had previously occupied the top position as a version by Little Eva.

-->'''[[WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons Homer Simpson]]'''

One of the most popular American rock bands of TheSeventies, Grand Funk Railroad was formed in 1969 by Mark Farner (co-lead vocals, lead guitar, keyboards), Don Brewer (co-lead vocals, drums) and Mel Schacher (bass guitar). Hailing from Michigan, they took their name from the state's famous Grand Trunk Railroad rail line.

* PunBasedTitle: Named after their state's Grand Trunk Railroad.

->''"You kids don't know Grand Funk? The wild shirtless lyrics of Mark Farner? The bong-rattling bass of Mel Schacher? The competent drumwork of Don Brewer? Oh, man!"''

Notably, they're [[TheSimpsons Homer Simpson's]] favourite band.

!!Tropes associated with Grand Funk include:

* SignatureSong: "We're An American Band", which supposedly arose from an argument

* AGoodNameForARockBand: Named after their state's Grand Trunk Railroad.

->''You kids don't know Grand Funk? The wild shirtless lyrics of Mark Farner? The bong-rattling bass of Mel Schacher? The competent drumwork of Don Brewer? Oh, man!''
-->[[TheSimpsons Homer Simpson]]

Earning [[CriticalDissonance massive popularity at the expense of critical derision]] with their [[HardRock hard-edged]] BluesRock style, the group shifted millions of records, scored two number one singles on the Billboard Hot 100 ("We're An American Band" and "The Loco-Motion") and even broke the attendance record at Shea Stadium set by TheBeatles. However, [[CreativeDifferences disputes within the band]], ExecutiveMeddling and burn-out resulting from their touring schedule took their toll on Grand Funk, who decided to call it a day in 1976.

* CoverVersion: Their second number one hit was a cover of "The Loco-Motion" (written by Carole King), which had previously occupied the top position as a version by the {{Motown}} artist Little Eva.

* WhatCouldHaveBeen: Before Craig Frost was upgraded from sideman to full band member, Grand Funk's management attempted to recruit PeterFrampton to join the band.

* AmericansHateTingle: They never acquired much of an audience outside of the USA.
* {{Anvilicious}}: When they tried to be political (for example, "Save the Land") this was typically the result.
* CriticalDissonance: At their peak, they drew huge crowds and enjoyed platinum-selling albums, but the music press hated them.

* DeaderThanDisco: Betwee 1970 and 1974 they were one of the biggest bands in America, ranking alongside Music/LedZeppelin, Music/BadCompany and Music/TheWho as a top live draw. Since breaking up, they haven't maintained the same reputation and popularity of any of those groups.