Grand Funk Railroad

He was 61. Although Love's flamboyant personality and controversial statements have often overshadowed the reception of Hole's music, it should be stressed that Hole's records all sold over 500,000 copies worldwide, and that their music releases (as well as the musicianship of the band members) have been critically praised. Terry Knight (Richard Terrance Knapp) was murdered in Killeen, Texas on November 1, 2004. Hole's band members have changed frequently over the years; the line-up of Hole's last album Celebrity Skin (1998) was Love (lead vocals), Melissa Auf der Maur (bass), Eric Erlandson (guitars), and Patty Schemel (drums). Grand Funk Railroad reunited again in 1997 to record a benefit album called Bosnia. After a number of releases on independent record labels, including their first full length album Pretty on the Inside which received praise from underground critics, Hole released their major label debut Live Through This (1994) very shortly after the suicide death of Love's husband Kurt Cobain. After disbanding a second time, Farner launched a solo career as a Christian recording artist, while Brewer and Frost joined Bob Seger's Silver Bullet Band. Hole was a musical group, formed in 1989 and (officially) disbanded in 2002, fronted by Courtney Love and co-founded by Eric Erlandson.

The band reunited in 1981 with the addition of Dennis Bellinger and released two failed albums. Celebrity Skin (1998). Farner began a solo career, while the rest of the band became Flint after adding Billy Ellworthy. My Body The Hand Grenade (1997). After finishing Good Singin', Good Playin' (1976) with producer Frank Zappa, Grand Funk Railroad disbanded. Ask For It (1995). After a pop-style album, All the Girls in the World Beware!!!, and a revert to "Grand Funk Railroad", the band's fortunes were at an end. Live Through This (1994).

This was followed by two huge hit singles, "We're an American Band" (off We're an American Band) and "The Locomotion" (written by Carole King and Gerry Goffin for Little Eva). Pretty on the Inside (1991). After recruiting Craig Frost (keyboards), Grand Funk Railroad released Phoenix in 1972, then shorted their name to Grand Funk. In 1972, Grand Funk Railroad fired Knight, who sued for breach of contract, resulting in a protracted legal battle. Knight launched an intense advertising campaign to promote Closer to Home, a multi-platinum, smash hit album that was slammed by virtually all music critics.

Even with critical pans and lack of radio airplay (at first), the group's first eight albums, released in three years, were successful. That record still stands today. A year later, they went on to break The Beatles' record at Shea Stadium, selling out in just 71 hours. In that same year they had a hit single "Closer To Home," a song that was closer in style to the old Terry Knight & The Pack than it was to GFR.

In 1970 they had sold more albums than any other American band. After a free performance at the 1969 Atlanta Pop Festival, the band was signed by Capitol Records. Terry Knight soon became their manager and named the band after the Grand Trunk Western Railroad, a famous rail line in Michigan. Mark Farner (vocals, guitar) and Don Brewer (drums), former members of a local band together, Terry Knight & the Pack, recruited Mel Schacher (bass) from ? & the Mysterians.

In spite of near-constant critical denigration (Rolling Stone once called them the world's worst rock band), Grand Funk Railroad managed to keep a career going for several years based on constant touring, a loud, simple take on the blues-rock power trio, and strong working class appeal and managed to reach the top of the charts on several occasions. They are sometimes considered as the first great American Hard Rock outfit and the original "American Band", due to their hit song "We're an American Band". Grand Funk Railroad was an American Rock and Roll band in the 1970s, originally from Flint, Michigan. Official Site (http://www.grandfunkrailroad.com/).

Trunk of Funk - (2001). Classic Masters - (2002). Very Best Grand Funk Railroad Album Ever - (2001). Rock Champions - (2001).

Super Best - (1999). Thirty Years of Funk : 1969 - 1999 - (1999). Collectors - (1993). Heavy Hitters - (1992).

Capitol Collectors Series - (1991). The Best of Grand Funk - (1990). Hits - (1977). Grand Funk Hits - (1976).

Mark, Don and Mel : 1969 - 71 - (1972). Grand Funk / Live Album - (1970). Thirty Years of Funk : 1969 - 1999 - (1999). Bosnia - (October 1997).

Caught in the Act - (August 1975). Live Album - (November 1970). What's Funk? - (January 1983). Grand Funk Lives - (July 1981).

Good Singin', Good Playin' - (August 1976). Born To Die - (January 1976). All the Girls in the World Beware!!! - (December 1974). Shinin' On - (March 1974).

We're An American Band - (July 1973). Phoenix - (September 1972). E Pluribus Funk - (November 1971). Survival - (April 1971).

Closer To Home - (July 1970). Grand Funk (The Red Album) - (December 1969). On Time - (August 1969).