The story of Grand Funk Railroad begins in the 1960's. The place is the working class, auto industry town of Flint, Michigan.

Richard Terrance Knapp (who later changed his name to Terry Knight) was a popular Flint / Detroit D.J. He soon tired of radio, and decided to to enter the music end of the business.

After deejaying at record hops with a local band named "The Jazz Masters", which consisted of Don Brewer (drums), Al Pippins (guitar), Bob Caldwell (keyboards), and Herm Jackson (bass). He told them that he was "the sixth Rollingstone" and personal friends with Mick Jagger and Brian Jones; he asked to join the band as lead singer. Because of this, and his radio connections, the band readily agreed. To sound more "English", they renamed themselves "The Pack".

After about a year, they developed a large following, and became known as "Terry Knight and The Pack". Herman Jackson was drafted, and was replaced by a local kid named Mark Farner.

In 1968, Mark and Don decided to leave and form a new band of their own. They recruited ? and The Mysterians bass player Mel Schacher, and renamed themselves "Grand Funk Railroad", inspired by a Michigan landmark, "The Grand Trunk Railroad". Terry Knight then became their Manager.

After a wildly successful performance at the Atlanta Pop Festival on July 4, 1969, the American Band landed a recording contract with Capitol Records. In 1970 they had sold more albums than any other American band, and went on to break the Beatles' record at Shea Stadium in 1971.

Sometime during/after the recording of E Pluribus Funk, it was decided to replace Terry Knight with Andy Cavaliere as Manager. The next few years were spent in litigation over the rights to the name "Grand Funk Railroad" and song royalties. The band got to keep their name, but little else.

During this time, the band recorded the album "Phoenix", which they produced themselves, and added a keyboardist, former "Fabulous Pack" member, Craig Frost. Although not yet an official member, Craig added an extra element into the GFR sound, which would continue for the remaining of the 1970's.

The American Band

The next two albums, "We're An American Band" and "Shinin' On", produced by Todd Rundgren, would introduce GFR to the AM radio audience, and begin a succession of top 40 hits.

Jimmy Ienner (Raspberries, Kiss, Three Dog Night) produced their next few albums, including the final Capitol release "Born to Die", which many thought would be the last GFR album.

One more album was recorded with the original members on MCA records. "Good Singin' Good Playin' ", produced by Frank Zappa, and is considered their finest by many fans.

Solo Careers

Mark then went on to record two solo albums, while Don Brewer, Mel Schacher and Craig Frost continued on as "Flint".

In the 1980's, Mark and Don teamed up with Flint musician Dennis Bellinger (replacing Mel on bass) to record two more GF albums, this time with Warner Brothers label, Full Moon.

Mark resumed his solo career, recording three Christian albums. Don followed Craig and joined Bob Seger's Silver Bullet Band, and Mel was continuing his non-musical pursuits.

The Reunion

In 1995, Mark was asked to join Ringo Starr's All Starr Band. Sometime during the next year, Mark, Don and Mel decided to go out and play a few "Reunion" concerts back east. Howard Eddy Jr. was asked to join as a sideman on keyboards, rhythm guitar, and back ground vocals. It wasn't long after that it became official, Grand Funk Railroad was reunited "for good" as Mel said in a 1997 interview.

Teaming up with Ringo's Promoter, David Fishof, the band played three Bosnia benefit concerts in 1997, released a new live album then continued on their current tour.

Bio by Donna Wightman

Grand Funk Railroad Offical Site