Homer Simpson, like many middle Americans who worshipped the band, may have been a fan, but there were many in the press who weren't. Writers from every area of the media were soon queueing up to take potshots at the power trio from Flint. "They're back - like a bad case of herpes", was typical of the press reaction in the 70's to a new album from the band. Despite this, they went on to become one of the biggest grossing US rock 'n' roll acts of all time.

In an era dominated by over complicated progressive rock, the press savaging of Grand Funk's distinctive brand of hard rocking now seems particularly harsh and unwarranted. Billy James redresses this inbalance and charts the band's meteoric rise to fame and how they captured America's heart. Assessing the mixture of management hype, rock 'n' rolling, the sometimes naïve if laudable political beliefs that underpinned their US success, An American Band places the band back in their rightful place as one of the seventies supergroups. Recently reformed and once again playing arenas in the States, this is a fascinating look at one of the heaviest and hardest rocking American bands. Includes contributions from Band members.

ISBN: 0946719 2 68 224 pages -
234 x 156mm fully illustrated

AN AMERICAN BAND
THE STORY OF GRAND FUNK RAILROAD

Billy James
"The 190-page softback chronologically lays out the boys' story, with handy subheadings introducing new characters and scenes, sketched with clarity and bolstered by many critical reviews. If you want a clear well-written account about one of the oft-forgotten pioneers of hard rock, then this is a safe and satisfying bet."
Record Collector

"Biographer Billy James managed to interview all band members and makes no bones about where his loyalties lay. To be honest his pro-funk enthusiasm makes for a compelling read. There are some great anecdotes."  Record Mart & Buyer

"Break out the soda-pop wine, the definitive Grand Funk Railroad history is here!" Booklist

"The author's belligerence shines through: this is his long-fermented diatribe aagainst the dons of rock crit - the Marcuses and Christagaus - who mocked his favourite band. In that, like Grand Funk Railroad themselves, it has a certain dumb charm."
Q Magazine

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