The ’70s was a great decade for songs about the excessive touring lifestyles of rock stars, and why not? Decades later, these party anthems still make the perfect soundtrack for a night out.
That’s why Grand Funk Railroad’s “We’re an American Band” remains the ideal listen for anybody who’s ready to “party it down.” And now, over 50 years after the track hit #1 in 1973, fans have the chance to see Grand Funk Railroad play the classic song live onstage again.
As Ultimate Classic Rock reported, Grand Funk Railroad recently added a number of summer concert dates to their current Still Shinin’ On tour (named after their 1974 album, Shinin’ On).
The new dates kick off on July 2 in Dalton, Georgia, and include stops in Columbus, Ohio and Washington, Pennsylvania before wrapping up on Sept. 24 in Grand Prairie, Texas.
More information can be found on Grand Funk Railroad’s official touring website.
Max Carl is retiring from Grand Funk Railroad
Along with the announcement of the additional tour dates came the news that Max Carl, Grand Funk Railroad’s singer since 2000, is retiring from the band.
“Effective immediately, and due to a recent medical issue, Max Carl has made the difficult decision to retire from touring and performing with Grand Funk Railroad,” the group said in a statement.
“Max has been an integral part of this band for 26 years,” the statement continued. “For over two decades, his soulful vocals and stage presence have helped keep the Grand Funk legacy alive and vibrant. We are deeply grateful for the immense talent and enthusiasm he brought to the stage night after night. More importantly, Max has been a kind, loyal friend to us all, and a warm, gracious presence to the countless fans he has had the pleasure of meeting over the years.”
The statement went on to explain that founding member Don Brewer, “the voice behind some of the band’s biggest historic hits,” and longtime bandmate Tim Cashion take over on lead vocals.
Related: 1963 Hit Ranked Among ‘Greatest Songs of All Time’ Became the Ultimate Party Anthem