Mark Farner

Mark Fredrick Farner (born September 29, 1948) is an American musician, best known as the original lead singer and lead guitarist for the hard rock band Grand Funk Railroad, which he co-founded in 1969, and later as a contemporary Christian musician.

Mark Farner
Farner performing in 2009
Farner performing in 2009
Background information
Born (1948-09-29) September 29, 1948
Flint, Michigan, U.S.
GenresRock, hard rock, CCM
Occupation(s)Musician, singer, songwriter
Instrument(s)Guitar, vocals
Years active1965–present
Member ofMark Farner's American Band
Formerly ofGrand Funk Railroad, Terry Knight and the Pack, N'rG, Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band
Websitemarkfarner.com

Early life and career

Farner began his career in music by playing in Terry Knight and The Pack (1965–1966),[1] The Bossmen (1966–1967),[1] The Pack (aka The Fabulous Pack) (1967–1968), before forming Grand Funk Railroad with Don Brewer (drums) and Mel Schacher (bass guitar) in 1969.[2] Craig Frost (keyboards) joined the band in 1972. Farner claims Cherokee descent on his maternal side.[3]

With Grand Funk Railroad
Main article: Grand Funk Railroad
Farner in 1971

Farner was the guitarist and lead singer for Grand Funk Railroad as well as the songwriter for most of their material. His best-known composition is the 1970 epic "I'm Your Captain (Closer to Home)".[4] He also wrote the 1975 hit "Bad Time", the last of the band's four singles to make the top 5 on the Billboard Hot 100.[5]

Post-Grand Funk Railroad

After Grand Funk initially disbanded in 1976, Farner released his self-titled debut solo album in 1977,[6] and his second, No Frills, in 1978 (both Atlantic Records).[7] In 1981, Farner and Don Brewer launched a new Grand Funk line-up with bassist Dennis Bellinger and recorded two albums, Grand Funk Lives and What's Funk? Farner went solo again with 1988's Just Another Injustice on Frontline Records.[8] His third Frontline release was 1991's Some Kind of Wonderful, which featured a revamped Jesus version of the Grand Funk classic of the same name. Farner became a born again Christian in the late 1980s and enjoyed success with the John Beland composition "Isn't it Amazing", which earned him a Dove Award nomination and reached No. 2 on the Contemporary Christian music charts.

In the 1990s, Farner formed Lismark Communications with former Freedom Reader editor Steve Lisuk. Soon after, Farner began reissuing his solo albums on his own record label, LisMark Records.[9]

From 1994 to 1995, Farner toured with Ringo Starr's Allstars, which also featured Randy Bachman, John Entwistle, Felix Cavaliere, Billy Preston, and Starr's son, Zak Starkey.[10]

In the late 1990s, Farner reunited with Grand Funk, but left after three years to resume his solo career. He currently tours with his band, Mark Farner's American Band, which plays a mixture of Grand Funk songs and Farner's solo offerings.[9]

Farner had a pacemaker installed October 22, 2012, having struggled with heart troubles for the previous eight years.[11]

Mark Farner was voted into the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame as a solo artist in 2015. He had previously been inducted as a member of both Grand Funk Railroad and Terry Knight & The Pack.[12]

Other interests

Farner was honored with the Lakota Sioux Elders Honor Mark in 1999. During the concert in Hankinson, North Dakota, a special presentation was held honoring Mark's Native ancestry and his contributions. Members of the Lakota Nation presented him with a hand-made ceremonial quilt.[13] He has also been honored with the Cherokee Medal of Honor by the Cherokee Honor Society.[13]

An authorized biography of Farner, entitled From Grand Funk to Grace, was published in 2001.[14]

Mark Farner is mentioned by Homer Simpson in The Simpsons episode, "Homerpalooza", in season 7, episode 24 of the series. As Homer drives his children and their friends to school, Grand Funk is on the car radio. The children do not like it and ask him to change the station when he responds, "you kids don't know Grand Funk? The wild, shirtless lyrics of Mark Farner. The bong-rattling bass of Mel Schacher. The competent drum work of Don Brewer?"[15]

Mark Farner was mentioned in episode 9 of season 8 of the HBO comedy series Curb Your Enthusiasm in September 2011.[16]

Discography
Farner performing in 2011

Studio albums
  • Mark Farner, 1977
  • No Frills, 1978
  • Just Another Injustice, 1988
  • Wake Up..., 1989
  • Some Kind of Wonderful, 1991
  • For the People, 2006

With Grand Funk Railroad

Other albums
  • Closer to Home, 1992 (best-of)
  • Heirlooms: The Complete Atlantic Sessions, 2000 (re-release of Farner's two first studio albums)
  • Red White and Blue Forever, 2002 (mini-album)
  • Live!! N'rG, 2003
  • Mark Farner the Rock Patriot, March 9, 2003, Live Extended Versions

References
  1. Johnson, Gary (June 4, 2015). "Mark Farner – Michigan Rock and Roll Legends". Michigan Rock and Roll Legends. Retrieved October 1, 2021.
  2. "Mark Farner: Timeline". markfarner.com. Archived from the original on February 2, 2015. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
  3. Smith, Noel Lyn. "Grand Funk's frontman to rock Jackson arena". navajotimes.com. Archived from the original on July 24, 2011. Retrieved April 11, 2010.
  4. Grand Funk Railroad. VH1 Behind the Music. March 7, 1999.
  5. Whitburn, Joel (2003). Top Pop Singles 1955–2002. Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research, Inc. p. 288. ISBN 0-89820-155-1.
  6. "Mark Farner – Mark Farner". Discogs. 1977.
  7. "Mark Farner Band – No Frills (Vinyl, LP, Album) at Discogs". Discogs. Archived from the original on March 11, 2016. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
  8. "Mark Farner – Just Another Injustice". Discogs. 1988.
  9. "Mark Farner – Mark Farner's N'rG Band Live!". Discogs. 2003.
  10. "'Funk' frontman headlines special concert". Branson Tri-Lakes News. June 14, 2013. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
  11. "Oldies Music News". Archived from the original on October 21, 2018. Retrieved November 8, 2012.
  12. Johnson, Gary. "Michigan Rock and Roll Legends – MARK FARNER". www.michiganrockandrolllegends.com. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  13. "Lakota Sioux Elders Honor Mark, Ceremonial Quilt Presented". Mark Farners Official Website. August 28, 1999. Archived from the original on October 23, 2006. Retrieved February 6, 2011.
  14. Engelhardt, Kristofer (2001). From Grand Funk to Grace: Authorized Biography of Mark Farner. Collector's Guide Publishing, Inc. ISBN 978-1-896522-74-6.
  15. "The Simpsons 3F21 Episode Script – SS". Springfield! Springfield!. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
  16. "Curb Your Enthusiasm s08e09 Episode Script – SS". Springfield! Springfield!. Retrieved November 11, 2015.
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