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
Get It Together
Grand Funk Railroad Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Got to get it together
Got to get it together
Got to get it together
Got to get it together (Get together now, baby)
Got to get it together (Get it, get it, get it together)
Got to get it together (I'll tell you right now, get it together)
Got to get it together (Everybody has to get)
Got to get it together (Everybody must get it now)
Got to get it together (Come on everybody)
Got to get it together (Come on everybody)
Got to get it together
Got to get it together (Everybody get together)
Got to get it together (I want to sing along with it)
Got to get it together
Got to get it together
Got to get it together
The song "Get It Together" by Grand Funk Railroad emphasizes the importance of unity and coming together. The repetition of the phrase "Got to get it together" is a call to action for everyone to unite and work towards a common goal. The singer is urging listeners to join the movement and do their part in making a positive change in the world.
The repetitive and catchy nature of the song is intentional, as it encourages listeners to sing along and feel a sense of solidarity. The song's upbeat tempo and electric guitar riffs add to the energetic and optimistic feel of the song.
Overall, "Get It Together" is a simple, yet powerful message about the power of unity and collective action. It serves as a reminder that we are all in this together, and we can achieve great things by working together towards a common goal.
Line by Line Meaning
Got to get it together
We need to unify and work cooperatively to achieve our goals and accomplish our objectives.
Get together now, baby
Take action and start collaborating immediately to progress towards our goals.
Get it, get it, get it together
We need to work in harmony and improve our coordination to achieve our objectives effectively.
I'll tell you right now, get it together
We need to be focused and serious about our pursuits to be successful.
Everybody has to get
Each and every individual has to contribute their part in the collective effort to attain our objectives.
Everybody must get it now
Urgency is crucial, and we cannot delay any longer if we want to achieve our goals.
Come on everybody
Encouragement and motivation are necessary to inspire everyone to work together in pursuit of our objectives.
Everybody get together
We need to unify and bring everyone together to work collaboratively towards our objectives.
I want to sing along with it
Success is an enjoyable experience that we all can celebrate, and the artist wants to be a part of that celebration.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MARK FARNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
de verdad de nada
that really eased my soul! great sound, made me travel back in time! thanks!
Electric Sailor
So their first album was psychedelic and moody---the second album was metallic---this album was their SOUL album. The boys from Flint showed the world their SOUL on "Closer To Home"! The Mighty Railroad had so many different aspects to their sound, how DARE the critics ever call them "one dimensional"!
Inaldo Santos
Melhor álbum do Grande Funk , em minha singela opinião
Willie White
the most underated band of all time
Solar Landlord
Willie White I agree. They should have been in the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame years ago.
dgcmusi
Absolutely...and it’s also a shame what both band members did to Mark Farmer....shame on them !
Bill Hunt
@dgcmusi what did they do?
robert perrella
i agree with willie white !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
64SPM
You´re so right ...
MrLive2win
Oh yes, they had it together!!!!!!