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Mark led Grand Funk Railroad through 13 hit albums in the 70s and early 80s and has had around eight solo releases. We discuss “Nadean” from For the People (2006), “Not Yet” from Some Kind of Wonderful (1991), and the title track of Born to Die (1976) by Grand Funk Railroad. We then listen to his 2015 single (co-written with Paul Topete) “Take You Out.” Intro: “Closer to Home (I’m Your Captain)” from GFR’s Closer to Home (1970). For more see markfarner.com.
Mark has had a single more recently than “Take You Out,” 2018’s “Can’t Stop.” Watch a full Mark Farner’s American Band show from 2020. Here’s another long interview with Mark that you might like.
Here’s all of “Closer to Home (I’m Your Captain).” Drummer Don Brewer has sole writing credit on Grand Funk Railroad’s biggest hit, “We’re an American Band,” but according to this interview, Mark wrote the music including Don’s main drum part! If you’re unfamiliar with GFR’s story, this Behind the Music episode goes through the really interesting milestones. Here’s one of their live shows from 1972, as a power trio with nearly every song written by Mark. A GFR reunion is unlikely (Don Brewer is running a current version).
Consider contributing to Mark Farner’s Mid-Michigan Flood Relief.
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this is the absolute best interview I have ever heard with Mark! I am a major Funk and Mark fan and check them all out, and they are always the same questions, nothing deep, nothing “musical”…..really appreciated the discussion of rare-ish songs and questions about construction of them, musician to musician, questions from someone who actually knows the history and complete discography including solo work, Christian work etc. Kudos to you my brother!
Thanks, Lee! Check out my Jim Peterik ep…
Love Mark !!
He’s back from the dead??
Nah he’s always been there ! 🌺❤️
Mark Farner IS Grand Funk Railroad !!!
No Mark Farner, no Grand Funk Railroad
Know Mark Farner, know Grand Funk Railroad.
Brother Mark is the real deal. The current cover band calling themselves GFR, are bastardizing the GFR legacy