Grand Funk’s Flight of the Phoenix: Footstompin’ Music
Grand Funk Railroad’s “Flight of the Phoenix” is a certified classic. This song is the perfect example of the band’s signature style of hard-hitting, footstompin’ music.
Introduction
Grand Funk’s Flight of the Phoenix: Footstompin’ Music is a live album by American rock band Grand Funk Railroad, released in April 1973 by Capitol Records. It was recorded at Cobo Arena in Detroit, Michigan on March 30, 1973.
The album peaked at number 4 on the Billboard 200 and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on June 21, 1973.
The album’s title is a reference to the mythical bird that is said to be reborn from its own ashes.
The Band
Grand Funk Railroad (also known as Grand Funk) is an American rock band popular during the 1970s, when they toured extensively and played to packed arenas worldwide. The band was signed to Capitol Records in 1969 and their first album, On Time, was released in August of that year. It was the first of seven gold albums in a row for Grand Funk Railroad. The group’s name is taken from Michigan’s grandiose history of railroads.
The band’s lineup originally consisted of lead vocalist and guitarist Mark Farner, bassist Mel Schacher, and drummer Don Brewer. In 1971, keyboardist Craig Frost joined the group; he would play on all subsequent studio albums except for 1974’s Shinin’ On.
The band’s popularity continued throughout the decade; they had a series of gold and platinum albums and singles, including the No. 1 hits “We’re an American Band” (1973) and “The Loco-Motion” (1974). Their signature sound was a mix of Farner’s blues-influenced vocals and guitar with Schacher’s thunderous bass playing and Brewer’s high-energy drumming; this sound was augmented by Frost’s keyboards on many of their later albums.
Due to creative differences, Grand Funk Railroad announced their disbandment in 1976; however, they reunited in 1981 and have been performing together sporadically since then.
The Album
Grand Funk’s Flight of the Phoenix: Footstompin’ Music is the sixth studio album by American rock band Grand Funk Railroad, released in March 1973 by Capitol Records. It was produced by veteran rock producer Frank Zappa and was the band’s first album with new drummer Don Brewer. The album was a commercial success, peaking at number 5 on the Billboard 200 chart and selling over one million copies. It would be Grand Funk’s last album with Capitol Records.
The album features a mixture of hard rock and country-flavored tunes, including the hit single “We’re an American Band”, which peaked at number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Other notable tracks include “The Loco-Motion”, “Shinin’ On”, and “Footstompin’ Music”.
The Songs
1. “Flight of the Phoenix” – 4:40
2. “Footstompin’ Music” – 5:29
3. “Rock & Roll Soul” – 4:57
4. “People, Let’s Stop the War” – 3:54
5. “I Come Tumblin'” – 5:42
6. “Save the Land” – 4:20
7. “Sin’s a Good Man’s Brother” – 5:51
8. “Inside Looking Out” (Eric Burdon, Chas Chandler, Alan Price) – 10:53
9. “Into the Sun” – 6:03
The Legacy
Grand Funk Railroad, commonly known as Grand Funk, is an American rock band that was popular during the 1970s. The band was formed in 1968 in Flint, Michigan, by bass player Mel Schacher, guitarist Mark Farner, and drummer Don Brewer. Grand Funk Railroad’s first album was released in February 1969 and was titled On Time. The album was a success, reaching number 27 on the Billboard 200 chart. The band’s second album, entitled Grand Funk, was released in November of the same year and reached number 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. This made Grand Funk the first American band to have their first two albums reach number 1 on the charts.
