The band split in 1977 and reunited in 1980, splitting again in 1983. Since reuniting in 1996 they have remained active, although Farner left the band in 1999. The group currently consists of Max Carl (vocals), Bruce Kulick (guitar), Mel Schacher (bass), Tim Cashion (keyboards), and Don Brewer (drums, vocals).
Despite their name, their music is far from the style known as "funk"; the name "Grand Funk Railroad" is a play on Michigan's "Grand Trunk Western Railroad" line, and it was chosen before "funk" had become the name of a music genre. In 1968, suburban Michigan teens Don Brewer and Mark Farner quit Terry Knight and The Pack and recruited ? and The Mysterians bass player Mel Schacher to form a power trio inspired by contemporary rock n roll.
Early in their career, they headlined a much hyped free concert in Hyde Park, wowing the audience whilst being virtually unknown in the U.K. They also opened for Led Zeppelin in Michigan, their home state. Originally produced and managed by former band leader Terry Knight who brought the group to Capitol records in 1969, they split from Knight in 1972 after money issues left the group nearly bankrupt despite massive commercial success which began after an successful appearance at the Atlanta Pop Festival.
After releasing 12 albums on Capitol (10 platinum), they intend for their final release to be Born To Die in 1975. They actually reunited & recorded one last effort in 1976 with Frank Zappa called "Good Singin' Good Playin' " and then called it quits.
Farner released two solo albums, Mel & Don recorded as Flint with Craig before Craig joined [aritst]Bob Seger's band. In 1981 Mark Farner & Don reformed the band without Mel and released a song on the animated Heavy Metal soundtrack and new album Grand Funk Lives. They toured until 1983.
In 1996 all three original members reunited for a summer tour in which they played to over 250,000 people, and a slate of Bosnian relief dates in 1997 including several TV performances. In 1998 they did a 65+ date tour listed as one of the 10 top grossing tours of the year. In 1999 Capitol issued a 3 disc box set called "Thirty Years Of Funk" 1969-1999, including recent recordings made in 1997.
Original Grand Funk Railroad members Don & Mel still tour and write new material to this day although the group have seen various line up changes, including the absence of original lead singer Mark Farner. Mark is active with his New band Nr'G. They have released 3 CD's since 1999 with For The People released in 2006.
Studio Albums:
* On Time (1969)
* Grand Funk (The Red Album) (1969)
* Closer to Home (1970)
* Survival (1971)
* E Pluribus Funk (1971)
* Phoenix (1972)
* We're an American Band (1973)
* Shinin' On (1974)
* Monumental Funk (1974)
* All the Girls in the World Beware!!! (1974)
* Born to Die (1976)
* Good Singin', Good Playin' (1976)
* Grand Funk Lives (1981)
* What's Funk? (1983)
Live albums:
* Live Album (1970)
* Caught in the Act (1975)
* Bosnia (1997)
* Thirty Years of Funk: 1969-1999 (1999)
* Live: The 1971 Tour (2002)
Compilations:
1972 Mark, Don & Mel: 1969–71
1976 Grand Funk Hits
1990 The Best of Grand Funk
1991 Capitol Collectors Series
1992 Heavy Hitters!
1999 Thirty Years of Funk: 1969-1999
2002 Classic Masters
2006 Greatest Hits
We're An American Band
Grand Funk Railroad Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Last night in Little Rock put me in a haze
Sweet, sweet Connie, doin' her act
She had the whole show and that's a natural fact
Up all night with Freddie King
I got to tell you, poker's his thing
Booze and ladies, keep me right
As long as we can make it to the show tonight
We're an American band
We're an American band
We're comin' to your town
We'll help you party it down
We're an American band
Four young chiquitas in Omaha
Waitin' for the band to return from the show
Feelin' good, feelin' right, it's Saturday night
The hotel detective, he was outta sight
Now these fine ladies, they had a plan
They was out to meet the boys in the band
They said, "Come on dudes, let's get it on"
And we proceeded to tear that hotel down
We're an American band
We're an American band
We're comin' to your town
We'll help you party it down
We're an American band
We're an American band
We're an American band
We're comin' to your town
We'll help you party it down
We're an American band
We're an American band
We're an American band
We're comin' to your town
We'll help you party it down
We're an American band
We're an American band
We're an American band
We're comin' to your town
We'll help you party it down
We're an American band
We're an American band, woo
We're an American band, woo
We're an American band, woo
The song "We're An American Band" by Grand Funk Railroad is an ode to the life of a touring rock band. The lyrics describe the band's experiences on the road and their interactions with their fans. The opening verse sets the scene of the band being on tour for 40 days and the lead singer being in a haze after a night with a woman named Connie, who had "the whole show." The second verse describes four women waiting for the band to return from a show in Omaha, feeling good and ready to party. The women invite the band to come back to their hotel and "tear that hotel down."
Overall, the song is a celebration of American rock culture and the wild lifestyle that often accompanies it. The repeated chorus of "We're an American band" reinforces the idea that the band is a quintessential part of American music culture and is proud to represent it. The song's upbeat tempo and catchy lyrics make it a classic rock anthem that continues to be played on the radio and at sporting events.
Line by Line Meaning
Out on the road for forty days
We've been on tour for forty days
Last night in Little Rock put me in a haze
I got really drunk last night in Little Rock
Sweet, sweet Connie, doin' her act
Connie put on a great performance
She had the whole show and that's a natural fact
Connie was the star of the show
Up all night with Freddie King
I stayed up all night with Freddie King
I got to tell you, poker's his thing
Freddie King loves playing poker
Booze and ladies, keep me right
Drinking and women keep me happy and entertained
As long as we can make it to the show tonight
As long as we can get to the concert tonight
Four young chiquitas in Omaha
There were four young women in Omaha
Waitin' for the band to return from the show
They were waiting for us to come back from the concert
Feelin' good, feelin' right, it's Saturday night
We're feeling good and it's Saturday night
The hotel detective, he was outta sight
The hotel detective was really cool
Now these fine ladies, they had a plan
These women had a plan
They was out to meet the boys in the band
They wanted to meet us
They said, "Come on dudes, let's get it on"
They invited us to hang with them
And we proceeded to tear that hotel down
We had a wild night and caused some damage at the hotel
We're an American band
We're a band from America
We're comin' to your town
We're playing a show in your city
We'll help you party it down
We'll help you have a great time
We're an American band, woo
We're a band from America and we're excited about it
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, BREW MUSIC CO.
Written by: Don Brewer
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind