Happy Moon Day! Let's go back to the 60s and 70s when the USA rocked the world and beyond. We were firing on all 8 cylinders, being innovative and aiming for the moon in everything we did.
Grand Funk Railroad were rocking Detroit and Flint in those days. They were named after the Grand Trunk rail line. This was a 3 man band, Guitar/singer, Bass Guitar, and Drums. Similar to Cream, Hendrix, and Rush - all famous 3 man bands with the same instruments. Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin were rocking hard as well, with the same 3 instruments but the singer was not the guitarist.
So 2 of the 3 Grand Funk guys had been in another band in the mid 60s and we'll see them below. Now we'll listen to their most famous song, in my opinion, American Band! This is a 2002 remaster. The original was from 1973. There are many videos on YouTube of this song. This one has over 16 Million views.
We're An American Band
We're an American Band, We're an American Band!
We come into your town
We'll help you party it down
We're an American Band
The following year, 1974, Grand Funk covered a 60s dance craze song called The Loco Motion. It's fairly close to the original in tempo and lyrics, but of course it's guitar driven. It has a short but unreal fuzzed out explosive guitar solo, one of my all time faves for a pop rock song!
There are many versions of this song too, on YouTube. This one has people dancing. I like dancing! Let's listen and watch and learn some new old moves!
The Loco Motion
You gotta swing your hips now, come on!
Jump up, jump back,
well I think you got the knack!
Let's go way back to 1965. The Beatles and The Rolling Stones ruled Rock.
So in Flint Michigan, this guy Terry Knight was a DJ who wanted to front a band. Said band became Terry Knight & the Pack. Click that link to read all about them, and how they kind of turned into Grand Funk Railroad.
This song is quite a stomper for 1965. It's a bit up tempo and features a fuzz guitar. Mister Terry is doing a Mick Jagger thing but maybe even louder and snottier. Maybe later becoming an inspiration for the 70s Punks who wanted to be known to be Young Loud and Snotty.
If you never heard this, buckle up! Here we go!
How Much More
Hey YOU with the long hair (hey)
Tell me where you're going
Man I don't know, I can't tell, I got no way of knowin'!
Well as I said, 2 of 'em were going on to Grand Funk!
Rockin' The Earth and Moon!
So what will be the first Music Venue on the Moon?
Will it be built by 2050?
Will you go there?
Stay Safe and Rock on, To The Moon! \m/
