VH1’s Behind the Music Highlights the Rise and Fall of Grand Funk Railroad

This week, VH1’s Behind the Music will be profiling the iconic ’70s rock band Grand Funk Railroad. The show will explore the band’s humble beginnings, their massive success, and ultimately their decline.

Don’t miss this fascinating look at one of the most popular bands of the 1970s. Tune in to VH1 on Wednesday at 9pm ET/PT.

Introduction

Grand Funk Railroad, often shortened as Grand Funk, is an American hard rock band that was highly popular during the 1970s. Originally formed in 1969 by drummer and singer-songwriter Don Brewer and bassist Mel Schacher, the band achieved significant popularity among rock fans throughout the world. The band’s name is a play on words of the Grand Trunk Western Railroad.

The group initially gained recognition playing often to sold-out arenas in a string of midwest cities. By 1971 they had amassed a series of hit singles, including “I’m Your Captain/Closer to Home”, which reached number one on the Billboard chart, making them the first American rock band to do so with a debut album.

However, despite their commercial success, the band was dogged by personal conflicts and drug abuse, leading to their eventual breakup in 1976. In 1999, VH1 aired a Behind the Music episode highlighting the band’s career and struggles. The episode was successful in renewing interest in the band, and resulted in a reunion tour in 2000.

The Early Years

Grand Funk Railroad’s career began with their self-titled debut album in 1969. The album was a commercial success, selling over a million copies. The band’s popularity grew exponentially and they became one of the most popular rock bands of the 1970s. However, their success was not without its share of problems.

The Band is Formed

Grand Funk Railroad was formed in 1968 in Flint, Michigan by bassist/vocalist Mark Farner and drummer Don Brewer, with keyboardist/vocalist Mel Schacher rounding out the lineup. The band quickly found success with their blend of blues-influenced hard rock, becoming one of the biggest-selling bands of the 1970s. Farner’s guitar and Brewer’s drums were particularly praised by fans and critics alike, and the band’s live shows were truly legendary, with their energy and passion on stage unmatched by any other band at the time.

Despite their massive popularity, Grand Funk Railroad faced criticism from some who accused them of being “selling out” due to their mass appeal and catchy hooks. However, the band continued to enjoy success throughout the 1970s, both commercially and artistically. In 1976, they even set a then-record for selling out New York’s Shea Stadium in just 72 hours!

Sadly, Grand Funk Railroad disbanded in 1983 after a series of line-up changes and creative differences. However, they reunited briefly in 1996 for a successful reunion tour. In 2001, Farner and Brewer reformed the band again with new members, but this incarnation was short-lived and the original lineup has not performed together since 2002.

First Album and Tour

Grand Funk’s first album, On Time, was released on August 2, 1969. The band’s first single, “Time Machine”, was released on July 22 and entered the Billboard Hot 100 chart on August 16, eventually reaching No. 23. The album was also their first to be certified gold by the RIAA, on October 13. On October 30, Grand Funk started their first tour, a 38-date trek opening for Tony Joe White and Creedence Clearwater Revival. The group’s November 11 performance at Madison Square Garden sold out in 72 hours. Also in 1969, the band appeared on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand and various late-night talk shows such as The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and The Merv Griffin Show.

The Middle Years

By 1974, the band had outgrown its the small clubs and arenas they had been playing for the past few years. They moved on to larger venues, such as stadiums, which allowed them to accommodate their rapidly growing fanbase. They were now playing to sold-out crowds of tens of thousands of people.

Second Album and Tour

Their second album, On Time, was released in August of that year and reached No. 13. The album contained their first Top 30 hit, “Inside Looking Out,” which peaked at No. 24. The success of the album and single launched them into their first major tour, which began in September 1969. They were the opening act for a variety of well-known bands, including the Creemers, Led Zeppelin, and the Who.

Third Album and Tour

After their sophomore album Survival, the group decided to release their next album, E Pluribus Funk, on their own record label, Grand Funk Railroad Records. The album was a commercial and critical success, reaching number five on the Billboard charts and selling over two million copies. The first single from the album, “We’re an American Band,” became the group’s first and only number one hit single on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

The group went on an extended tour of North America and Europe to support the album, playing to sold-out arenas and stadium shows. By the end of the tour, they had replaced their original drummer Don Brewer with Mel Schacher, who had been the bass player for Question Mark & the Mysterians.

Grand Funk’s fourth album, We’re an American Band, was released in July 1973 and quickly went platinum. The album’s title track became their second number one single on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The band continued to tour heavily, but tensions were beginning to rise between Mark Farner and Don Brewer. In December 1973, after completing a grueling world tour, Grand Funk Railroad announced that they were taking an indefinite hiatus.

The Later Years

The later years of Grand Funk Railroad were not as successful as their earlier ones. The band’s popularity began to decline in the late 1970s and they broke up in 1983. They briefly reunited in 1996 and again in 2000, but their reunion tours were not as successful as their earlier tours.

Fourth Album and Tour

Grand Funk’s fourth album, We’re an American Band, was released in July 1973 and became their first No. 1 album. The title track, written by Jemmott, was inspired by an event that occurred during the band’s tour. After a show in Flint, Michigan, the band members were relaxing in their hotel room when Farner saw Don Brewer and Mel Schacher leaving the room with two groupies. When they returned later that night, Farner asked them what they did and Brewer replied “We’re an American band.” The song became Grand Funk’s only No. 1 single on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

The album also includes “Walk Like a Man”, which was written by Frank Zappa after he saw the band perform at the Fillmore East in New York City; “The Loco-Motion”, which was a cover of Little Eva’s 1962 hit and became another successful single for the band; and “Shinin’ On”, which would later be used as the theme song for the 1980s sitcom Newhart.

The album was recorded during a four-day break from touring. The band members were exhausted from touring and their relationship with each other was strained. They decided to take a break after recording just eight tracks. Capitol Records executives pressured them to finish the album quickly so it could be released before their next tour began. As a result, many of the tracks on We’re an American Band sound unfinished.

Despite its flaws, We’re an American Band was a commercial success and is considered one of Grand Funk’s best albums. It was certified gold by the RIAA and has been included on several lists of the best rock albums of all time, including Rolling Stone magazine’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list.

The Band Splits Up

By 1972, with six gold and two platinum albums to their credit, as well as a number of hit singles, Grand Funk Railroad was the biggest band in America, selling out arenas and stadiums across the country. But behind the scenes, all was not well with the band. Tensions were high, and after a particularly disastrous show in New York’s Shea Stadium, where they were booed off the stage, the band decided to call it quits.

The break-up didn’t last long, however, and by 1973 Grand Funk was back together and recording once again. They would go on to release several more albums over the next few years, but never regained the popularity they once had. By the early 1980s, Grand Funk Railroad had decided to call it quits for good.

Conclusion

The story of Grand Funk Railroad is the story of a band that was too big to fail. They had all the ingredients of a classic rock band: the looks, the talent, the charisma, and the attitude. But in the end, they just couldn’t keep it together.

Despite their success, Grand Funk Railroad was plagued by personal conflicts and creative differences. The band members fought constantly, both on stage and off. They frequently argued about money, credit, and control. As a result, they were constantly breaking up and getting back together again.

In the end, their constant fighting took its toll. The band members grew tired of each other and finally went their separate ways. Although they have reunited several times over the years, they have never been able to recapture the magic of their early years.