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Grand Funk Railroad

Midwestern blue-collar rockers Grand Funk Railroad landed hit after hit on the charts during the '70s. Formed in 1968 in Flint, Michigan, when guitarist/songwriter Mark Farner and drummer Don Brewer joined forces with bassist Mel Schacher, late of ? and the Mysterians. Despite critical indifference and little airplay for their music, hard work and a grueling touring schedule paid off as the band released numerous gold and platinum albums into the early '70s. Management and legal hassles interfered with their work for most of 1972. Returning to the studio after the dust settled, the band flirted for a couple of years with shortening its name to Grand Funk, but in the same period worked with Todd Rundgren on We're an American Band (which spawned their first #1 single with the title track), as well as the follow-up, 1974's platinum-selling Shinin' On. After their next, poppier album, they did a complete switch of direction, changed labels, and worked on Good Singin', Good Playin'with Frank Zappa. Immediately thereafter, they disbanded. Various configurations of the band have reunited periodically since then; Farner, meanwhile, went on to a successful career in Christian music, while Brewer and keyboardist Craig Frost eventually joined Bob Seger's Silver Bullet Band.

Written by: Mary Eisenhart

http://www.grandfunkrailroad.com

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