The band’s 1972 album “Phoenix” was the first studio album with Craig Frost and it contained the single “Rock & Roll Soul”, which reached the No. Grand Funk Railroad expanded their sound by adding keyboardist Craig Frost to their lineup in 1972, which allowed the band to adopt a more R&B and pop style as opposed to their traditional hard rock sound. That same year they also released two albums: “Survival” and “E Pluribus Funk”. In 1971 the band broke the Beatles’ record of selling out Shea Stadium in 72 hours. The song is the band’s longest recorded song to date and contains elements of progressive rock. The year 1970 also showed the band releasing their third album “Closer to Home”, which had the single “I’m Your Captain (Closer to Home)”. Singles from the album include a cover of The Animals’ “Inside Looking Out”, “Got This Thing On the Move”, and “In Need”. Although the album experienced a lack of airplay and critical acclaim, the album sold quite well. In 1970 the band released their second studio album “Grand Funk” – aka “The Red Album”. The album contained the single “Time Machine” and went on to reach gold status.

The band released their debut album “On Time” in 1969. Due to the success of their performance at the festival they were asked to return in 1970. Grand Funk Railroad started to gain mainstream attention when they played the Atlanta Pop Festival in 1969. The band was strongly influenced by the hard rock trio Cream, and based much of their style on them. The band formed in 1969 as a trio consisting of guitarist/vocalist Mark Farner, drummer Don Brewer, and bassist Mel Schacher.

Grand funk railroad poster