Grand Funk Railroad

Although I don't pay attention to who wins or not, I was recently struck by what I feel is the ultimate irony. Grand Funk Railroad is what I consider the epitome of what Rock and Roll is supposed to be -- a three piece garage band that went on to be one of the most popular groups in the world. They were simple and they were crude and they rocked with a vengeance without pretense or apology. Their live show was 100% energy. It was raw and it was real. They were the only band except for the Beatles to sell out Shea Stadium, and when guitarist Mark Farner stepped on stage in front of 60,000 screaming fans he held up his guitar and said: "You see this? The critics say I can't play it. But it got me here!" That is rock and roll. Grand Funk Railroad has consistently been turned down as nominees in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. What does that tell you? I hope they're never inducted. I wouldn't want to give the academy the satisfaction. Let's call the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame what... Read more

you have to know at least one more chord than Joey Ramone to get in

rock and roll bands should be in a rock hall of fame...

Grand Funk Railroad should be inducted into the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame. Forming in late 1968, they were the first American rock band to obtain 10 consecutive platinum albums, they had many top 40 singles and also had two #1 singles. The 1973 #1 hit, Were An American Band, expresses the life of a rock band on the road and made them the quintessential American Band. Born as a garage band from the industrial city of Flint, Michigan, they rose to fame quickly because their music and persona spoke to the soul of the people. The average Joe (or Jane) found reason in the lyrics and musicianship of Grand Funk Railroad and many musicians following them found inspiration in the style of Grand Funk. The bands many sold out concerts are highlighted with a 1971 Shea Stadium show that sold out in 72 hours .. it took the much higher hyped Beatles 7 weeks to sell out the same venue 7 years earlier. Grand Funk Railroad hits include: Im Your Captain/Closer To Home, Footstompin Music, Rock and Roll S... Read more

Critically despised? Check! Played very little today on Classic Rock stations? Check! Sold out arenas in their day? Check! Sold a lot of platinum records? Check! Confused? Meet the Hard Rock enigma known as Grand Funk Railroad.

"It seems that we are all going to have to come to terms with Grand Funk," wrote Lester Bangs. What did he know that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame does not? Surely the HoF folks have heard "We're an American Band." And surely when it comes on, they turn it ... more up, because they are human. More evidence? How about their indefatigable blue-collar sound, minted just as rock began to take itself seriously, and preserved through the '70s. They were as tough and as durable as their credo: "We'll help you party down." Can't argue with that.

Closer to home

A string of huge albums in the early 70's, followed by a more successful singles-oriented run in the mid-70's, make Grand Funk Railroad one of the decade's consistent bands. The fact that their biggest hits were covers and they're viewed as more of a second tier hard-rock outfit when compared to their contemporaries have likely hurt their chances at a nomination. Probably destined to remain in the station.

F#@%ing Right!

Worst band ever

Top flight

Only if they are including rock and roll legends

Worthy

gettin closer

AMERICAN BAND

"You guys don't know Grand Funk? Mark Farner's wild shirtless lyrics? The bong-rattling bass of Mel Schacher? The competent drum work of Don Brewer?" - Homer Simpson

I had written a letter back in 2008 recommending Grand Funk's induction. 2 years later, we're still waiting. They sold out shows and had albums certified gold before release and "I'm Your Captain" is their anthem song. There are however some things that might hold them back. 1st of all, I heard their manager Terry Knight might have cheesed off Jann Wenner. 2nd of all, Mark Farner is no longer in the band. The solution- get them inducted, let Jann blame Terry and not the Funk and have all 3 original members play at their induction, including of course Mark Farner. I don't know if Mark's religious beliefs may be keeping him out of the band, but Mark, why not pray about it?

an american band

There should be a special place for the dumbest band ever!

They were truly one of the Greatest bands of the seventies.They even blew Led Zeppelin off the stage.I saw them in october 1971 in Seattle with Black Oak Arkansas.As far as I am concerned,It is an embarrassment to the R&R Hall of Fame that they have not been recognized.

Inside Looking Out" · "I'm Your Captain (Closer to Home)" · "Feelin' Alright" · "Gimme Shelter" · "We're an American Band" · "The Loco-Motion" · "Some Kind of Wonderful"

I grew up listening to Grand Funk in the late 60's and throughout the 70's and loved most of their music. In 1974, some Miami D.J. locked himself in the radio broadcast booth and played "The Loco-Motion" over and over again in protest for being told by his supervisors at the station, not to play any of their music. I enjoyed playing their music as loud as possible, listening to the power of the guitars and drums. There was also something magnetic in their vocal harmony.

At some point, but this is a bad time...

ABSOLUTELY!!!! They were THE biggest US band in the early '70s,and a long list of great songs.Should have been in years ago.To hell with the critics then and now.

C'mon guys, they ARE great!!! They deserve well!!!

Dependable hit makers in the golden age of AM radio but hardly ground breaking or influential.

Incredible rock and roll powerhouse. Saw GFR live in 74 and 75. They blew the roof off Hampton Coliseum. Great stage presence and excellent musical ability. It's a no brainer regarding the RRHOF.

Terminally average and derivative.

These guys should have been in there years ago. What a joke the rock and roll hall is. These guys and many more should be in but arent. And yet we see other performers who are in there that have absolutely NO BUSINESS being there! I would like to know who the "inductors" are? Idiots obviously.

'I'm going to strut like a cock until I'm 99' or at least until they're in the HOF. Those 'mean mistreaters' better get their act together. Nothing defines Rock and Roll like the distorted guitar solo on 'locomotion'.

Hey Farner can still do it at 59 its sux they are not in

What is wrong with these people? This is another act that should already be inducted.

got to be better than some bands already in

If any band from the 60's/70's deserves to be inducted into the RRHOF, then Grand Funk Railroad is IT!! Thanks for the memories, Mark, Don, Mel, & Craig!!

i wanna know why GFR is not in the rock hall i mean come on they sold out shea stadium in 72 hours the live album and survival went gold before they were even released they upstaged zeppelin in detroit on that alone they should be in.and there first lp came in 69 so thats more then 25 years i think

rock hall doesnt need funk

Hell yeah, they belong here. Total genious, and great music. Go to youtube.com and type in "inside looking out" and click on the grand funk version. SICK LIVE BAND!!!!!!

While probably not as prolific as Led Zeppelin or The Who; their monster hit "We're an American band" has become a rock and roll anthem.

mark farner was my inspiration for learning the guitar. as far as i'm concerned there music is timeless and i've never been able to figure out how they were overlooked for the hall of fame. much less deserving bands are already there.

They're an American Band

A pretty good American Band. (pun intended)

The absolute best and most original all-american rock & roll band of all time, and the only band to sell out Shea Stadium faster than the Beatles. They're Some Kinda Wonderful!

Not sure they make the grade. They were an immensly popular live act. Even upstaged Zep in a show once upon a time. Raw, gritty, raucous rock but hard to know if the RRHF will even consider them.

I thought maybe they were already in the Hall of Fame. I guess I was wrong.