The guitar legend played his last show with the band on December 14

Bruce Kulick [Robert Armstrong]

After more than two decades with the storied group, Bruce Kulick has decided to leave Grand Funk Railroad.

The guitar legend made the announcement Tuesday on his official social media. Kulick joined Grand Funk Railroad back in 2000, along with frontman Max Carl and keyboardist Tim Cashion. On December 14, 2023, Kulick played his final show with the band at the Peoples Bank Theatre in Marietta, Ohio.

“Thank you to the members of Grand Funk Railroad, Don Brewer, Mel Schacher, Max Carl, and Tim Cashion for these past 23 years of making great music together,” Kulick said in a statement.

Kulick, who turned 70 last month, told Ultimate Classic Rock that the milestone made him step back and contemplate his future. “I really wanted to look at what I wanted to do personally and creatively,” he said. “I’ve always loved playing with Grand Funk for all of those years, but all of that travel for most weekends of every month, all year, the time involved became more and more difficult.”

Last month also saw rock icons KISS retire from touring after their extensive End of the Road Tour that stretched across several years. Kulick was a member of KISS from 1984 to 1996. He appeared on five studio albums and two live efforts during his tenure with the band.