Mark Farner

When Grand Funk broke up in 1976, co-founder, lead guitarist, front man and lyricist Mark Farner moved to Onaway, Michigan. He has resided in Northern Michigan ever since, moving to Petoskey in 1986. Farner has performed in the region with Grand Funk during a reunion tour in 1998, and in 1995 he came through the area as a member of Ringo Starr’s All Star Band; and, for those with a great memory, Farner played the Tanz Haus in 1966 as a member of The Bossman. In his 30 years of living here, Farner has never performed in the region as a solo act.

GOIN’ SOLO
That will change this weekend, as Mark Farner will perform at the Odawa Casino and Resort Ovation Hall, October 27. Farner will bring in a mix of the hits that he wrote for Grand Funk; those hits led to 12 platinum albums, several sold out performances including the famed 1971 Shea Stadium concert (that sold out quicker than the Beatles concert), and close to 30 million albums sold. He continues to be an avid songwriter and will perform a selection of songs from his latest solo effort For The People.
“This is not a Grand Funk concert, but a few years back I asked the fans to take a survey. It had the songs that I wrote or sang for Grand Funk and I asked which ones they wanted me to perform,” said Farner. “I selected the top 10 songs.”
Songs like “Footstompin’ Music,” “The Loco-Motion,” “I’m Your Captain (Closer To Home)” and “Some Kind Of Wonderful” became staples for Grand Funk and remain so in Farner’s solo performances.

GRAND FUNK REDUX?
Grand Funk continues to tour without Farner, and Farner’s former bandmates Don Brewer (drums) and Mel Schacher (bass -Traverse City resident) have joined with others under the moniker of Grand Funk. Critics and even Farner question that.
“For me, and I think most of the fans, Grand Funk is and always will be Don, Mel and myself,” said Farner. “A few years back I learned from a promoter that there are over 100 bands touring as The Platters. I think this is unfair to the fans. But we have a court system in this country, and they do have the right to tour and call themselves Grand Funk. I tour as Mark Farner, and some promoters, not all, but some, will tag it ‘Mark Farner, formerly of Grand Funk Railroad.’ For me, I just want to give the fans an honest show. I don’t see how a band could be called Grand Funk without me in it.”
Farner says his contact for the most part with his former bandmates is via attorneys. He wishes them well and says he has forgiven them.
“When you don’t forgive someone, they hold a certain power over you,” said Farner. “It controls you. I don’t want to give anyone power over me so it is easier to forgive and move on.”
He remains popular on the circuit, and is often asked to join a who’s who of rock and roll royalty for fantasy camps and concerts. Most recently, he was part of a concert and rock and roll fantasy camp in New York with guys from Kiss, Queen, Deep Purple, Yes and Bad Company. For Farner, these jam sessions are where it all started for him.
“I grew up in a family of musicians where we jammed in the kitchen and took turns playing instruments. I had a grandpa that really could pick that banjo,” said Farner. “I was exposed to all sorts of music growing up. My mom and aunts would harmonize, and that was a big help for me in Grand Funk, because I learned that in the kitchen as a kid.”

UP NORTH MEMORIES
His love for Northern Michigan came at a young age.
“My father passed away when I was nine and my mother remarried,” said Farner. “My stepfather would take us up north every summer, so my memories go way back to my childhood. I love living up here. The solitude and the people - this really is a great place to be.”
Farner recalls during his travels with Grand Funk that he knew that some day, when he had the money, he would buy a place up north.
“When Don announced that he wanted to leave to pursue another profession, we broke up. I wanted to work on some solo projects, so I thought Onaway we would be great,” said Farner. “Now, most Michigan small towns are cliquish, and they are cautious of strangers, but my Uncle Jack owned the bar in Onaway and he told the townsfolk there that I was ‘good people.’ So everyone was real nice to me.”
Eventually Farner, his wife Leisa and their children (they have three children; Mark has a son from a prior relationship) made their way to Petoskey.
“One of my favorite things to do is make that drive on M-119 between Harbor Springs and Cross Village,” said Farner. “I also love the outdoors.”

MICHIGAN ROCKERS
Farner is part of a long list of rock and roll greats from Michigan. He has his own theory as to why Michigan has produced so many musical legends.
“I attribute it to the automobile industry. The assembly lines brought people with all sorts of musical tastes from around the country to Michigan,” said Farner. “There was a lot of jamming taking place of these different styles, and I believe that has served as the basis for the inspiration and the talent from Michigan.”
So what about other Michigan rockers, for instance Ted Nugent - are Farner and Nugent friends?
“Yes, I was on the road and Ted called the house the other day and spoke to Leisa,” said Farner. “He told her, ‘Hey, I have two things I gotta do before I die. One is go hunting with Mark, and the other is write some songs and make an album with him.’ So I have to put that on my list as well.”
Farner continues to write songs, and has been partnering with country singer John Anderson on some new material. Anderson plans to release a country version of a song that they co-wrote, while Farner will release the rock version.
He waited about seven years between solo albums and released For The People last year.
“I am not going to wait as long to release the next one,” said Farner. “I am independent and without a label, so that works for me. I am able to make as much money as I would with a label deal without all of those headaches. So possibly in the next year I will have a new album.”
Mark Farner remains passionate about his music. Last month he turned 59, yet he maintains his high school football physique. (Farner was a star football player in Flint until a knee injury led to him pursuing music.) His hair remains long, and he laughs about balding on top.
“After all, I am a grandpa, and until just recently I was a full-time grandpa with my son leaving his two kids here five times a week while he and his wife headed off to work. But the economy drove them to Austin, where he is a chef and our daughter-in-law has a job in a prominent law firm. But we still have two kids living here in Petoskey, and my oldest son and grandchild are in Alabama. So needless to say, my life is just like any other grandfather, bouncing all over the country to keep up with the grandkids.”
But most grandkids don’t have a rock and roll legend for a grandpa.
“Hey, I put my pants on the same way everyone else does - one leg at a time,” said Farner. “It just is getting a little harder as I get older.”
Mark Farner will bring his power trio to Odawa Casino Resort Saturday, October 27 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25 and $15 are available by calling the box office: 877-442-6464. To learn more about Mark Farner and to listen to samples of his solo material, or to get reacquainted with the music of Grand Funk Railroad. check out www.markfarner.com. View On Our Website