Some Kind of Wonderful (1975) 11/7/20

The members of Grand Funk Railroad grew up in Flint, Michigan, listening to rhythm & blues, gospel and soul music on radio station WAMM.

According to drummer Don Brewer, one of their favorite songs (as a group) was “Some Kind of Wonderful” by the Soul Brothers Six.” As teens In the '60s, they'd sing it along with the radio, and later on, as a touring group, they'd sing it on the bus while traveling between gigs.

Finally, they decided to record it themselves, and it became a “Great Song of the '70s! In 1975, they took it to #3 on Billboard's Hot 100, and #6 on Canada's Top 40!

John Ellison of the Soul Brothers Six, who wrote the song, became a BIG fan of the Grand Funk version--and not just because the residuals made him a good chunk of change! He felt there was somewhat of a cosmic connection as well.

He told Brewer and the boys that radio had also played a part in the Soul Brothers Six version. He had written the song about a relationship he was into, and one day, a radio DJ heard the Brothers rehearsing it and was able to convince Atlantic Records to sign the group and record it!

Ahh, the power of radio in those days.

For Ellison, it was “Some Kind of Wonderful” that it became a such a big hit.

For Grand Funk Railroad, it was “Some Kind of Wonderful” to have a song they loved...loved by the man who wrote it.

Oh...and in 1994, it was “Some Kind of Wonderful” when Huey Lewis & The News charted at #44 on the Hot 100 with THEIR version...making it a “Great Song of the '60s, '70s...and '90s!

Grand Funk:

Soul Brothers Six:

Huey Lewis: