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
Wait for Me
Grand Funk Railroad Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For your neighbor
That's why i remind you
Of the words
That he spoke for everyone
And those who believe them
Are anointed by the son
Oh yeah
And go on to heaven
And there you'll be received
By the arms
Of a love you've never known
And nobody forced you
Because you did it on your own
And wait for me
Cause i'll meet you there
When these rags are gone
And my body's dead
Oh wait for me
And i'll meet you there
When these rags are gone
And my body's dead
Wait for me
And i'll meet you there
When these rags are gone
And my body's dead
Repeat
Repeat
Repeat
Repeat
Fade
The lyrics to Grand Funk Railroad's song Wait For Me touches on themes of lost love, faith, and the afterlife. The song delves into the singer's acceptance that the person he loves has left him for someone else, his neighbor. He reminds his love of the words spoken by someone significant- possibly referring to religious figures such as Jesus- and how those who believed them would be rewarded in the afterlife.
The song emphasizes the importance of belief in attaining salvation, heaven, and a love beyond what is known on Earth. The singer seems to accept that he won't be able to join his love in this lifetime but promises to meet them when they pass away, urging them to "wait for me" until that time comes.
Overall, the lyrics seem to convey a sense of resignation towards lost love while encouraging faith in something beyond what we can see or know while alive.
Line by Line Meaning
Now that your love is left behind
Since you have abandoned your love, and moved on to your neighbor
For your neighbor
Towards another person, replacing what once existed with someone else
That's why i remind you
That is the reason why I keep telling you, hoping you will understand
Of the words
About the message, the teachings from the holy book, preached by the messiah
That he spoke for everyone
Words said by Jesus Christ which apply to all believers
And those who believe them
The people who follow these teachings, who put their faith in him can be saved
Are anointed by the son
They are chosen, blessed and sanctified by God's son
All you got to do is believe
The only thing you need to do is have faith in his doctrine
And go on to heaven
Trust in Him, and you're promised an entrance to eternal life in heaven
And there you'll be received
You'll be welcomed and embraced in His loving arms
By the arms
With love and tenderness, He will hold you in his arms
Of a love you've never known
An affection so profound and new, a feeling of comfort like you've never felt before
And nobody forced you
You committed to this on your own, nobody influenced or coerced you
Because you did it on your own
You came to believe sincerely, under your own choice.
Wait for me
With patience, await for me to come.
Cause i'll meet you there
Since we share the same beliefs, we'll eventually reunite in heaven.
When these rags are gone
When our earthly bodies cease to exist
And my body's dead
When my physical material existence ends
And i'll meet you there
I'll be with you in the afterlife, where we belong.
Repeat
Replay the song from the beginning.
Fade
Gradually silence and discreteness, bringing the song to an end.
Contributed by Amelia C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.