Classic blues-rock group on the way to San Diego
A band that has been labeled a “quintessential blues-rock” outfit is coming to San Diego.
Grand Funk Railroad (GFR) got together in 1969 in Flint, Michigan, first calling themselves the “Grand Trunk Railroad,” a play on words alluding to the Grand Trunk Western Railroad, which had routes in Michigan. They later changed the name, switching “trunk” to “funk.”
The three original members were Mark Farner, vocalist and guitarist, Don Brewer on drums, and Mel Schacher on bass. GFR was heavily influenced by Cream, a short-lived but memorable hard rock trio comprising Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce, and Ginger Baker.
GFR began to come into their own in 1969, when they appeared at the Atlanta Pop Festival, the same year they released their debut album, “On Time.” RIAA certified the album Gold, and their next album, “Grand Funk,” also released in 1969, went Platinum.
In 1972, GFR added keyboardist Craig Frost, moving away from hard rock to a pop and R&B sound. One of the group’s most successful albums was 1973’s “We’re an American Band,” which climbed to No. 2 on the US Billboard 200 chart. The album spawned two hit singles, “Walk Like a Man” and the title track.
Although the lineup has changed, the band still tours. A review says:
“Performance was great…These guys are electric!”
Grand Funk Railroad will be at Humphreys by the Bay on Thursday, September 11. Organizers of events like this can turn to poster printing to create advertising for them.
Grand Funk Railroad (GFR) got together in 1969 in Flint, Michigan, first calling themselves the “Grand Trunk Railroad,” a play on words alluding to the Grand Trunk Western Railroad, which had routes in Michigan. They later changed the name, switching “trunk” to “funk.”
The three original members were Mark Farner, vocalist and guitarist, Don Brewer on drums, and Mel Schacher on bass. GFR was heavily influenced by Cream, a short-lived but memorable hard rock trio comprising Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce, and Ginger Baker.
GFR began to come into their own in 1969, when they appeared at the Atlanta Pop Festival, the same year they released their debut album, “On Time.” RIAA certified the album Gold, and their next album, “Grand Funk,” also released in 1969, went Platinum.
In 1972, GFR added keyboardist Craig Frost, moving away from hard rock to a pop and R&B sound. One of the group’s most successful albums was 1973’s “We’re an American Band,” which climbed to No. 2 on the US Billboard 200 chart. The album spawned two hit singles, “Walk Like a Man” and the title track.
Although the lineup has changed, the band still tours. A review says:
“Performance was great…These guys are electric!”
Grand Funk Railroad will be at Humphreys by the Bay on Thursday, September 11. Organizers of events like this can turn to poster printing to create advertising for them.