Rescued from the Depths of Obscurity, Part 14: Grand Funk Railroad, 10 Songs from the Abyss

We're an American Band by Grand Funk Railroad

What do Homer Simpson and Rescued from the Depths of Obscurity have in common? They are both huge fans of Grand Funk Railroad!

Few rock 'n' roll acts have had such an impact on the music scene and released as many albums in such a short period of time as Grand Funk Railroad. Formed in 1968, this hard working Michigan based group blasted into the stratosphere practically over night. Signed on by Capitol Records in 1969, by 1970 Grand Funk Railroad sold more albums than any other American band! Two albums, On Time and Grand Funk were released in 1969 with the first topping gold status and the second reaching platinum. A third album, Closer to Home, was issued in 1970 and became a multi-platinum success. Another effort, Live Album, also released in 1970 and became certified gold.

By 1971, so phenomenal was Grand Funk Railroad's popularity that they broke the Beatles attendance record at Shea Stadium, the seating capacity sold out in less than 72 hours.

With songs like, We're an American Band, I'm Your Captain, the Loco-Motion and Some Kind of Wonderful, Grand Funk Railroad still chugs across American airwaves over 40 years later.

Yet is it possible that there are 10 songs by this legendary American band that you may not have heard of before?

Here are 10 songs by Grand Funk Railroad that should be on every new millennium hard rock music lovers MP3 player.

1) Heartbreaker

2) T.N.U.C.

3) Into the Sun

From the album, On Time, released by Capitol records, 1969

4) Mr. Limousine Driver

5) Winter and My Soul

6) Paranoid

From the album, Grand Funk, released by Capitol records, 1969

7) Aimless Lady

8) Mean Mistreater

9) Hooked on Love

From the album, Closer to Home, released by Capitol records, 1970

10) Inside Looking Out

From the album, Live Album, released by Capitol records, 1970

From its humble beginnings as a power trio, Grand Funk Railroad has become a full blown six man train wreck that still tours, playing those powerful riffs that have come to embody hard rock music. They can be followed at: www.grandfunkrailroad.com.

So how does this list compare to one of your own? Is there something that was missed that you think should be added? Are there other groups out there that need rescued? Drop us a line, we'd love to hear from you.

Meanwhile, tune in next time when RFDO brings up one of its favorite artists, the incomparable John Hartford.

Peace.