Who is Grand Funk Railroad? I could be mistaken but I think it was in January 1973 when I had experienced my first Grand Funk Railroad concert when they appeared on the ABC In Concert television series with special guest Freddy King even though the actual concert was in December 1972.It aired twice and we watched both times.I do remember that it was an historic occassion for me.My sisters watched it too.I had watched various artists on this show whenever it aired and always looked forward to In Concert anxiously each week.However,this time was extra special for it was the band that my sister had idolized at the time.My oldest sister liked GFR as well but was much more conservative when it came to stuff like rock musicians and concerts.Today I am a guitarist for 31 years.Well,the time had come.My sister and myself sat eagerly in front of the set.Her long haired concert going boyfriend had came over to watch.He hated Grand Funk but we didnt care.It was a fun rockin occassion for us to watch this show together.As I watched Mark Farner move across that stage I found myself yearning for a guitar to play.By the time the show was over,this kids determination was now at an all time high.
The following night during the repeat performance, I watched it with my other sister and my dad.I can remember during a break telling my sis that someday I would play like Mark.They began laughing at me.I got mad and said why not?Jokingly I exclaimed,Who knows, I may just someday play with these guys!I may even someday actually know them! After the chuckles and laughter died down,dad sternly and loudly proclaimed, You will never become one of those long haired freaks if I can help it.We watched the rest of the show in amazement.I now truly wanted to learn to play if only I had a guitar.Thus ended was my first authentic Grand Funk Railroad concert at the age of 11 and nothing was the same.
Grand Funk Railroad was one of the biggest power trio super groups of the 70s.From out of Flint Michigan emerged Mark Farner,Don Brewer and Mel Schacher.They were just three young guys from outta Flint Michigan who had put together a little garage band and in the summer of 69,found themselves on stage in front of 186,000 people at the Atlanta International Pop Festival that same year.They played for free and the rest was history.They then returned the following year as the headlining act.From 1969 to 1976 they would release more than 15 albums.A whopping 12 platinum and 16 gold albums,or was that seventeen?There are countless testaments attesting to Grand Funks success.As the critics cried foul,the people yelled for more.As they say,if the critics really hate you and your work,then youre probably on the right track,because of youre refusing to be the typical cookie cutter version of any particular art.
Long ago one critic had this to say.Many people judge art,any kind of art,based upon if they feel it is bad or good,however,art is not always based upon if it is good or bad,but when it very simply,cannot be ignored.Interesting huh?The Grand Funk albums On Time,Grand Funk,Closer to home,Live Album,Survival,Mark Don & Mel,and Epluribus Funk were released from 1969 to 1972 bringing about such hits as Heartbreaker,Inside Looking out,Time machine,Closer to Home,Mean Mistreater,Feelin Alright and Footstompin Music.They had toured all over the world many times over and the first to sell out Shea Stadium faster than even the Beatles did in the mid 60s.In 1972,their producer Terry Knight had sued them for breach of contract for millions of dollars and won.All they got to keep was their name.This was when Grand Funk had omitted the word railroad from their name,at least on the LP covers.Adding long time keyboardist and friend Craig Frost,they embarked on getting this railroad back on track with the self produced album Phoenix which brought the hit
single,RocknRoll Soul which managed to hit into the top 40s list.The album cover featured the mythical pheonix bird rising from the ashes.A very descriptive cover conveying what they had been going through.
They had survived.In 1973,singer and producer Todd Rundgren and new manager Andy Cavalier would produce this Grand Funk quartets 1973 album,Were an American Band.As a single,the title song went to number one.Thing is,it had went to number one before the album itself had even yet been released.Were an American band went straight up to number one with hits Were an American Band and Walk Like A Man.In 1974,the album Shinon On was released with hits shinon On and a new version of Little Evas,The Locomotion.In 1975,producer Jimmy Ienner produced their album,All the girls in the world Beware! This yeilded hits,Bad Time and Some Kind Of Wonderful.Also in 75 a new live album from their world tour was released as well.It was titled,Caught in the act.This album included the word railroad in its description.They had been touring close to all the time when not in the studio.They had a couple close calls with planes almost falling out of the sky too.
After having finished the 1975 world tour,Grand Funk Railroad would go back into the studio.This would not be their last album,however there was an air of a bad omen to what the album was.Mark and the guys were to appear at a promo shoot for this upcoming album.The shoot was done at a place that sells caskets.They were to get into these caskets and the picture is taken of all four of them by a cameraman situated above.Thus this album was called,Born to die.It did release the singles Sally and Take me.The album didnt do so well.There was a Greatest hits album that followed in 1975 right after the Born to Die album.In 1976 Grand Funks final album,which was produced by Frank Zappa, was released entitled Good Singin,Good Playin.In the next couple years Mark would release two solo albums entitled Mark Farner and No Frills that were produced by Dick Wagner.Members Don,Mel and Craig would be doing their own things and recorded their own album.They called themselves-Flint.
In 1981 Mark,Don and new bassist and old friend Denny Bellinger would go back on the road for what would be called the Grand Funk Lives tour after completing the Grand Funk Lives album which yeilded the hit Queen Bee which appeared in the 1981 movie Heavy Metal.In 1983,these same members released the album,Whats Funk?.On this LP Mark does a remake of the old hit single,Its a mans world.Mark later would form a new band of his own called The Mark Farner Band and would continue touring.In the mid 80s to early 90s Mark and his wife found a new connection with each other and Jesus Christ.Mark in the later 80s and would release the three christian rock albums,Just another Injustice,with the hit,Isnt it amazing,along with albums Wake Up and Some Kinda Wonderful.In the early 90s the 3 original amigos got hit hard by the IRS over a business venture they were told was long closed back in the 70s.The IRS were relentless.Don and Mel settled outta court while Mark chose to keep fighting but eventually lost.In the mid 90s Mark was touring as part of Ringo Stars All Star Band as the other GFR members were doing their own projects.
In 1996,the three got together at a hidden locale to have a meeting.It was decided that Mark,Don and Mel would once again tour as Grand Funk Railroad.The 3 original amigos were back.From this time through 98 they toured and were the most successful reunion band to hit the stage,filling and outselling venues faster than most of the newer mainstream supergroups.Truly a mark of genuine funkness.In 1999 Mark went back to being solo with his own band and would soon after form Mark Farners NRG band which still performs today.A few more Grand Funk albums would be released as well such as Live Bosnia,Anthologys 30 years of Funk and a series of greatest hits cds released by capitol records.In 2001 Don and Mel formed a new Grand Funk Railroad,without Mark.They brought in Bruce Kullick formerly of Kiss,Max Carl from 38 special and Tim Cashion from Bob Segars Band.Mark chose to remain solo.This new Grand Funk is still touring and they are pretty good,but its not the genuine deal.Its Markless!And theyre using the GFR name which I personally feel is wrong but I suppose to each his own.
Mark had put together during this time,Hubert H-Bomb Crawford on drums,Paul Ojibway on keyboard and Lawerence Buckner on bass.This was and is Mark Farners NRG band.Still touring and playing the Grand Funk hits and their own stuff too.In 2004 the cd NRG Live was released.On July 4th 2006,Mark and NRG have released the cd,For The People which I feel is one of Marks best of all time.Its really that good.As of 2007,Paul had left NRG and new keyboardist,Karl Propst would be taking his place.My first Grand Funk show was on ABCs In concert back in January 1973.My first live concert was the Lives tour in late 1981.I can still remember back in December 84 when I met Mark backstage for the first time.Since that time in the past,I have 21 Grand Funk,Mark Farner shows under my belt.The guitar playing ability that I now possess is directly due to the influence that Mark and his music has had on my life,and I am proud today to still be his fan and to call him my friend,and I am thankful for all the great memories.He has been a true inspiration.He is a very kind and giving man.
In 2005,myself and fellow brothers and sisters on Marks Railroad forum were trying through various online campaigns,to get back into Marks possession the recognition he so rightfully deserves,as both a solo musician and a founding member of Grand Funk Railroad.As for Grand Funk Railroad?Well,theyre still touring and they are very good,but I feel Marks band is genuinely better.Of course,everybody has their own feelings on such things.Mark wrote 85 percent of all of the Grand Funk material.Yet,he is not allowed to use the name Grand Funk in any of his advertising,unless it states,Mark Farner formerly of Grand Funk.And Grand Funk must be in all capital letters.Marks gone through much but he has stood on his own as a solo performer and is still considered by most as the driving force behind Grand Funk Railroad.Even to this day he is recognized this way.
Today in 2009,Mark and his NRG band still perform throughout the country,bringing forth a still very powerful arsenal of heavy duty industrial strength rock and roll to the masses.Each show I have attended has had its own very unique story and magic around it.Each of which I would like to share on here,as time permits.There is a very real message in Marks music.A message so profound that if heeded by everyone,it would bring us all closer,closer to home.
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-from the LIVES tour
My grand funk concert stories lives tour 1981
It was late 1981.A girlfriend of mine and myself had both barely just left home and had gotten our own place together.Both of us on our own for the first time.It was at that time that I heard that Grand Funk Railroad had actually came out with another album called lives.First album theyd had in five years.Grand Funk was the supergroup powerhouse from 1969 to 1976 with something like 16 gold and 12 platinum records.After the mid 70s,I was certain that Id never see them live.And here it was five years later and theyre gonna be stoppin here along the Lives tour.I can remember the feeling I got when I had heard that they were coming through our area of Ohio.I had seen Grand Funk once.But that was way back in January 1973 on the abc network show,in concert.And that was on television.This one was gonna be live and this would be my first live grand funk show.I count the televised show in 73 as my first concert.I know it wasnt live but it was still my first real taste of Grand Funk in concert.This show in 81 was at hara arena in Dayton Ohio.So technically this would be my second concert of the twenty one I have attended as of mid 2009.This show would be November 6th 1981.We had obtained our concert tickets and we were all ready to roll.On the night of the show,we headed south for Dayton with our good friends Johney Cakes,Stella,Rick,David R and two other people whom Val and I had just met.There were eight of us altogether.
John drove us all down in his dads truck with camper and itd be about an hour and a half ride.John and a couple others were in the truck up front.The rest of us would remain in the back in the camper and we all ended up very extremely stoned out of our gourds by the time we would finally arrive at Dayton Hara arena.Then the most dreaded thing happened.We mustve been perhaps halfway to our destination when I suddenly discovered that I had forgotten the dang freakin tickets.I started yelling at John up front but he couldnt hear me.Because there were two sets of glass between the camper and the front of the pickup truck,he couldnt hear us no matter how loud wed get.Rick looked back and saw us though.We were frantically trying tell them that we didnt have the tickets,and I could see John actually laugh a little when he finally understood what we were trying to tell him.Eventually he pulled over.He about freaked when he realized that we werent kidding him.So we turned and went back.Feeling like a complete idiot,I ran into the house and grabbed everybodys tickets and we were off once again in search of true grand funkdom.But then again were we?After a brief discussion we decided to take a shortcut by way of various county roads.Indeed it wouldve been quicker.But luck didnt seem to be on our side as we made our way to the outer edge of our county because just up ahead the bridge was out.We had to take a detour.However,there werent any detours and we all eventually ended up out in the middle of nowhere,all drunk and stoned and lost.John was still determined to get us all there on time as he began looking and finding familiar looking possible routes to take and speeding up quite a bit as well.We eventually arrived there and on time.
The first band was just finishing up but we were all just thankful that we had made it in time for Grand Funks show.It being general admission,we stood out about ten feet from just left of center stage and had a very good view of the concert.This was almost the original band.The original grand funk from 1969-71 was Mark Farner,Don Brewer and Mel Schacher and from 1972-76 keyboardist Craig Frost had joined them.This tour was Mark,Don and new bassist friend Denny Bellinger.As Mark,Don and Denny took the stage,you could feel the electricity in the air.The place went crazy.Marks hair was now short which I found rather unusual since I had always known him to have the longest hair in rock and roll which he indeed did at one time did.Don was sporting a mustache and beard which seemed another oddity.I especially liked the stage presence of bassist Denny Bellinger.Mel Schacher the original bassist,for whatever reason,had decided not to go on this particular tour this time.Denny did a great job though.Mark would scoot and shuffle across that stage like nobodys business and he still to this day has that true and unforgettable singing voice.Don Brewer was awesome too.The drum solo he did during tnuc was absolutely phenomenaI.They rocked our socks off. I found it amazing that even after Grand Funk Railroads six year absence,the overwhelming response for their return from their fans was an absolutely amazing thing.They certainly didnt hold back as a wide array of grand funk tunes blasted forth with encores of a long version of inside looking out,and gimme shelter.After the show we all walked back to the truck.Since we were parked near the back of the building I seen a large motorhome back there.Nobody really paid it no mind though.It would be in late 1984 when I would see one like it again.It would be then that Id meet Mark Farner for the first time.Thats a story unto itself.The show was over and we were done partying at some friends house in Xenia Ohio.By 3am and it was time to leave and we were all tired and exhausted as we headed north back up the nightime highway and closer to home.
Grand Funk Hits-1.heartbreaker 1969. 2.time machine 1969 3.closer to home(Im your captain)1970 4.mean mistreater 1970 5.feelin alright 1971 6.gimme shelter1971 7.footstompin music1972 8.rocknroll soul 1972 9.were an american band 1973 10.walk like a man 1973 11.shinon on 1974 12.the locomotion-1974 13.bad time-1975 14.some kind of wonderful 1975 15.take me 1975 16.sally 1975 17.queen bee 1981 18.Its a mans world 1983
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Mark Farners concert songlist for a show in downtown Dayton Ohio September 1984
mark farner rocks dayton town square
Marks in the squareIn September of 1984 I had heard that the Mark Farner band were going to be playing a free concert in town square in Dayton Ohio.Not having a car at that time I searched for a ride.My friend Dave B and his girlfriend would just happen to be going to Dayton that very day to visit relatives and coming back home in the later evening.This would be ideal.They had no interest in going to the concert but had no problems with dropping me off.When we had arrived I was a little awestruck.Even though Dayton wasnt the size of Cleveland or some other bigger city but downtown was huge as compared to my little hometown an hour and a half away.The stage was set.Even though it was a big stage it seemed so tiny while amidst all of these tall skyscraper buildings around it.The album entitled Grand Funk- Whats Funk?had been released in 1983.Grand Funk had called it quits in 1975-76 and Mark Farner had released two solo albums in the following two years.Grand Funk had reunited in 1981 through 1983.It was during this time that they had released the two albums,Lives and Whats Funk and Denny Bellinger would be filling in for Mel Schacher on bass.
Now here it was 1984 and my third Grand Funk concert.However this concert was not advertised as a Grand Funk show because Mark was the only original member and it was his band.Mark was now a solo performer.This would be a very wide song mix in that theyd be playing Grand Funk material as well as Marks solo stuff.The concert was in the afternoon.Mark and some new unfamiliar faces soon made their way out onto the stage as they opened up with footstompin music.The crowd went crazy.This concert being an outdoor show was also a new experience for me.I went to this concert alone.But man there were alotta really cool people all around me and those Dayton folks sure can party.It was a blast.The concert continued with songs paranoid,save the land,he sent me you,and then into the longer song called loneliness,at which time the electric went out.The crowd and band just had to wait it out.Finally the problem was resolved and they resumed the song where they had last left off at.Then came songs queen bee,rock and roll american style,second chance to dance and mean mistreater.The band then went into a medley.These were shortened segments of various songs all linked together.They fit alot of them in this way.The song medley went as-are you ready,rock and roll soul,responsibility,mr.limosine driver,bad time,closer to home,heartbreaker,in need,and some kind of wonderful would end the show.The crowd cheered.As the crowd noise echoed off of the tall buildings and throughout the square,they returned to the stage to finish up with songs-we gotta get outta this place and the locomotion.
I had brought with me an 8 by 10 photo which had came from the survival album in 1971 and had written Mark some kind of message as well.Why I chose this pic I do not remember.Security and crew had pretty much ignored me earlier when I had tried to relay it to them to give to Mark.The concert was now officially over.People began filing out as the crowd began to thin and I was awaiting my ride to pick me up.Soon the crowd would be entirely gone as I was still waitin.Stage crew were still there.Most of the stage was already broken down and I imagined that they too would soon be gone.I began talking with this guy on the stage and he offered to relay my message to Mark for me.We both sat along the ledge of the stage and talked for a good while.He was very kind.We talked all about Mark and Grand Funk Railroad among other things.I think he could sense my worry as Dave still hadnt arrived.Finally they pulled in.I breathed a big sigh of relief and before leaving ,he had given me a concert list that Mark had written that was duct taped to one of the microphones.I thanked him for this and still have it to this day.I then said my goodbye to he and the stage crew.It wasnt easy for a small town guy like me to be in the very center of a big city all by myself while still waitin for my ride to get me home,while listening to the song closer to home.
Closer to home-Grand Funk Railroad/Lp Closer to home 1970
note:The youtube videos were not made by me and belong to their respected owners.
Grand Funk/Mark Farner bands from 1969 to 2009
Grand Funk Railroad 1969-71-Mark Farner.Don Brewer and Mel Schacher
Grand Funk 1972-76 Mark Farner.Don Brewer.Mel Schacher and Craig Frost
Flint (the band)1977 Don Brewer.Mel Schacher.Craig Frost and John Escosa II.
Mark Farner solo 1977-78 Mark Farner.Dick Wagner,Phil Aaberg,Bob Babbit,Jimmy Maelan,Bob Kulick,Ricky Farner,Dennis Bellinger,Andy Newmark,Karen Lawrence and John Tropea.These are the musicians on Marks first two solo LPs.
Grand Funk 1981-83 Mark Farner.Don Brewer.Denny Bellinger
The Mark Farner band-1984- Mark Farner,Bob Grunder,Dennis Bellinger,Howard Eddy
The Mark Farner band-1985-Mark Farner,Dennis Bellinger and Bob Grunder.John Badanjek,Mark Gougeon,Dave Kiswiney,Some of these artists alternated with each other through 1985 at various times of that year).
Mark Farner with the group Vision 1985-Mark Farner,Rocco Marshall,Lawrence Buckner,Billy Powell and Mike Maple.
Mark Farner band 1986-Mark Farner,Dennis Bellinger,Howard Eddy and Bob Grunder.
Mark Farners Common Ground band 1987-89-Mark Farner,Lawrence Buckner,Michael Blair,Note:Guitarist Arnie Vilches joined in mid 1988.
Note-During the late 80s Don Brewer and Craig Frost toured with the Bob Segar band
Mark Farners common ground band 1990-Mark Farner,Michael Eddy joined in mid year,Lawrence Buckner,Mike Maple and Arnie Vilches
Mark Farner and The God Rockers 1991-94-Mark Farner,Paul Finaczo,Howard Eddy,Mike Maple,Lance Abair and Arnie Vilches.Note-Arnie Vilches wasnt with them in 1994.
Mark Farner in Ringo Stars all star band-1995.
Mark Farner with Northwest airlines all star band 1995-96
Grand Funk Railroad-1996-98 Mark Farner,Don Brewer,Mel Schacher and Howard Eddy.
Mark Farner band 1999-2001 Mark Farner,Rick Farner,Lawrence Buckner,Paul Ojibway and Hubert Crawford.
Mark Farners NRG band 2002-2009-Mark Farner,Rick Farner,Lawrence Buckner,Paul Ojibway and Hubert Crawford.Note-As of 2007 keyboardist Paul Ojibway was replaced by keyboardist Karl Propst.
Grand Funk Railroad 2001-present Don Brewer.Mel Schacher.Max Carl (formerly of 38 special)Bruce Kulick (formerly of kiss) and Tim Cashion-(former Bob Segar band)
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Mark rocks The Lost C
One late afternoon in December of 1984,friends Johney Cakes,Victor and Kevin and myself headed for a club in Versailles Ohio called the Lost C to once again see the Mark Farner band in what would be my fourth Grand Funk show.It wasnt a very big club.Mark had always been the frontman of Grand Funk but he was a solo artist now even though he still exclusively played Grand Funk material.Afterall,he did write most of the songs.Word has it that this Lost C venue had burned to the ground in later years but to this day I dont know if it really did or not.We reached our destination on time.With tickets in hand we waited in line as we gradually made our way into the lost c.The place was so packed.We sat through a really great band that really knew Led Zeppelin stuff and even had a singer with a Robert Plant voice to boot.Marks show was high energy all the way.This was a new experience for me for the club wasnt huge and the crowd was permitted very close to the stage with vitually no barriers and the best view one could ever expect.It couldnt have been any closer.There was more comraderie with the band and crowd because the stage was much closer,and it wasnt like dealing with thousands of people.It was a much smaller stage and all really awesome.Mark would do a song like footstompin music and be dancin all over that stage one minute,then go into a soulful mean mistreater next.The songlist they did was a vast one.I found it ironic that about a month prior to this show,I had a dream one night that I was standing there talking with Mark inside some building and he was wearing an army type t-shirt and a white hat.Man would I later be in for a surprize.During the concert Mark would be grabbing hands and high fiven fans who were right on the edge of the stage.Altogether a great concert and atmosphere.
When we had arrived we had to park closer to the side part of the building going towards the back of the place because the parking lot was packed.We would be the very last to leave though.When the show was over and everyone was filing out,my friends all seemed rather anxious to leave.I said wait a minute guys.Lets walk on around to the back of this place just to see whats there.At first they all protested.Finally they all went along with it and we all walked to the back of the building where a large motorhome was parked.Thats them,I said.Lets go over and knock on the door.Aint no way were doing that Chris,they all exclaimed.We aint goin over there.So,I slowly approahed the large parked vehicle as I could hear my friends laughing and chuckling about how I was about to get into a bunch of trouble.A part of me believed them but I kept walking closer to it.As I approached I could feel my stomach knot up and my nerves were shaking as well.My friends were still laughing at a distance.At first I hesitated but when I finally did knock on the door,it opened and one of Marks colleauges answered.Is ah um,is ah Mark around?I slowly blurted out.He replied,he sure is.Hes cleaning up but hell be out shortly.Ok thank you,I replied.My friends who had been standing at least twenty to thirty yards away began moving closer as they watched me conversing with this man.A few minutes later Mark came to the door.Oddly enough,he was now wearing a white USA ballcap and wearing an army t-shirt.Yep,just like in the dream.On impulse I guess,I then pulled out a small leather backed keyring from my pocket that had a large gold colored C attached to it.The C represented my name when I had bought it.The C stood for my name but it seemed more appropriate since this show was at the lost C.I want you to have this Mark.I then handed him the keyring and he thanked me.He then grabbed a piece of notebook paper and signed an autograph and handed it to me.By this time my friends had moved much closer and were now at the door as I had to step inside in order to give them all some room.Mark did up some more autographs and took some time out to talk with us for a short while.I couldnt believe it.I was now standing in this motorhome and conversing with all of them.Kevin says,Hey how bout a picture Mark?Mark said sure and so he and I posed for a couple pics and it was now time for them and us to leave.What an experience that was.It was very awesome and one that I wouldnt soon forget.As they drove away I had to ask myself,could another encounter such as this ever happen again?I guess it was anybodys answer.
anybodys answer-Grand Funk Railroad from the LP-On Time 1969
Note-The youtube videos and their contents were not made by me and do belong to their respective owners.
Grand Funk Railroad and Mark Farner album releases.Of course this list does not include all of the various foreign imports that are out there.All Mark Farner releases in the list will say mark farner All others are Grand Funk.
1.on time 1969
2.Grand Funk-(the red album) 1969
3.closer to home 1970
4.live album 1970
5.survival 1971
6.epluribus funk 1972
7.mark don and mel 1972
8.phoenix 1972
9.were an american band 1973
10.shinon on 1974
11.monumental funk 1974-believed to be a bootleg by lucky eleven/ quadico records
12.all the girls in the world beware! 1975
13.caught in the act 1975
14.born to die 1975
15.Grand Funk hits
16.good singin good playin 1976
17.flynt-(the band)1977-All original members except Mark Farner
18.mark farner solo album 1977
19.mark farner-no frills 1978
20..grand funk lives 1981
21.whats funk 1983
22.Live in concert 1987
23...mark farner-just another injustice 1988
24.mark farner-wake up 1989
25.some kind of wonderful 1991 (christian version)
26.grand funk railroad the collectors series 1991
27.closer to home 1992 (christian version)
28.Bosnia 1997
29.Thirty years of funk 1969-99 1999
30.grand funk classic masters 2002
31.mark faner-red white and blue 2002
32.Mark Farners NRG live 2004
33.Mark Farner-for the people 2006.
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Autograph from Mark-Island Park show in Dayton Ohio 1985
Mark Farner Rocks Island Park
It was August 31st of 1985 that I would experience my wildest Grand Funk show of all time.And so far it still is.It was advertised on the radio that the mark farner band along with special guest eddie salem and the wildcats,among others would be playing a free show at rockin island park in Dayton Ohio.There was an amphitheatre type stage there.This was a huge park that was completely surrounded by a river of water and gotten onto by means of an entrance bridge that crossed over into the park.I werent very far from the place.I was staying for the week in Dayton with a friend who had been living there a short while.We really didnt expect it to turn out this wild.I can remember a radio announcer who sounded rather crude in his comments to Mark when Mark had visited the station earlier.We arrived at the park for the opening bands.It was becoming very hot out and there were already a whole lot of people there.The area was massive.The stage was seperated from the crowd by two barriers of verticle pickett fences that had been set up along with cops that stood all along near the stage.Undoubtedly,the security here was gonna be pretty high.This certainly wasnt gonna be like the last concert in December 84 where we could just walk up to Marks door and knock on it after the show.Or was it?Later in the day as Eddie Salem and the Wildcats took to the stage,more and more people were gathering against the fence that surrounded the stage.Soon we were both firmly pinned against the fence as more gathered.I believe this band was a combination of the groups The Godz and The Outlaws put together and they put on one heck of a show and had gotten this big crowd into a type of rebellious rock rage and the crowd noise never let up.When there set was done,the crowd had gathered upfront even more so.Apparently I wasnt the only one that had felt that Marks earlier radio appearance was handled both poorly,unprofessionally and disrespectfully toward Mark.Now this same disc jockey is going to introduce Mark?Crowds of people hissed and boo-ed as this guy took to the stage microphone but was drowned out by the large chant of a F#####..Louder and louder it got.He was trying to introduce Mark and the band but the crowd wouldnt let up as they/we all kept shouting this obscenity to him in full force.Noticeably upset,he stormed off the stage.As I could see while being pinned against this fence,it was swaying back and forth as this huge sea of people were pressing into it.
Mark and the band then took the stage.By the second song,it indeed looked like this fence would soon collapse as the whole place was going crazy as Mark was hoppin all over the stage as if his feet were on fire as he went into footstompin music.Seemed like they were playin them all.Everything from early Heartbreaker and Inside Looking Out to The Locomotion and some kind of wonderful and everything in between.A big burly guy beside us starts yelling lets tear down this fence!Several others were now shouting this too as Mark and the guys were gettin set to start into the second song.It would collapse during the second song of the set.It was really swaying back and forth and before the number would be finished it would collapse completely down.But there was still the second fence barrier and it was up.One guy ran to the second fence and jumped it only to be greeted by a half dozen policemen.In a panic he screamed at the crowd to cmon!The crowd went forth as the second fence came down and the cops all had to jump out of the way of this huge oncoming stampede.We both made a dash for it too.We both ended up pinned directly against the stage with both our arms resting comfortably upon the floor of it.Mark was going off on his guitar.While he was struttin across the stage and as the band was in the middle of the next song,these two guys climbed onto the stage and started dancing around Mark and the other band members.Cops then took to the stage.They grabbed both the guys while the music blasted forth and placed them back into the crowd.Then another guy jumps onto the stage.No sooner had the cops removed them guys and this other guy is now dancing around the bass player.He was met by a rather large roadie.This man picked that guy up almost over his head and literally threw him back into the masses of people.
My friend and I were still pinned against the stage.We were so close that we couldve grabbed their feet.Not that we wouldve done that though.I do remember as Marks foot was on his wah pedal going into the song paranoid,this girl wedged in beside me decides to climb onto the stage.Mark was right in front of her.Since the stage height was only about four foot or so,it was easy for anyone to climb right onto it.Thats what this girl did like the others.She literally crawled on all fours once she hopped onto the stage. She crawled straight to Mark.Once there she wrapped both her arms around his legs and wasnt about to let go either.Mark still had one foot on his wah pedal.As she was firmly latched onto him and his silver parachute pants while hes playing,the cops are now onstage attempting to pry her locked arms off of Marks legs without making Mark fall down.He just kept on playing though.Eventually they got her off and gently deposited her right back to where she had been beside me.Or should I say squeezed her back in?From where we were at it was an extremely tight fit and I can remember being unable to turn my body right of left because of so many people.Then another guy jumps onto the stage.Mark then stopped the concert right in the middle of the song and asked the crowd to not jump onto the stage anymore.The concert eventually continued.An entire arsenal of songs were performed in true funk fashion but the song Closer to home which was played toward the end was just absolutely awesome.There were even a few encores as well.This may not have been the three amigos of Mark Farner,Don Brewer and Mel Schacher which comprised the original Grand Funk Railroad but honestly this Mark Farner concert was just as good if not better.The entire show rocked to the point of wild abandon and though one couldnt have asked for a more rockingly exciting concert,
I had the question of how do we get past this much security to see Mark?We didnt even have a stage pass.It had been just six or seven months ago when I had met Mark for the first time.I simply walked up to his motorhome and knocked.But this was different in that these were thousands of people along with cops everywhere and blocked entrances.This would not be easy.Or would it?After the concert was over it was much darker out now and many people were still hanging around.Cops were everywhere including all entrances.A different and much longer pickett fence surrounded the back area of the stage.The backstage area was huge.The large fenced in circle backstage held buses,motorhomes,cars and trucks,equipment and just about anything else you could imagine.Even if we got in,wed still have to find him.As we were looking around this huge fenced in area from outside of it,I was trying to locate Marks motorhome.After all,there was perhaps dozens of them to choose from.Eventually all the cops had momentarily disbursed from one of the entrances and so we entered in very quickly.It was dark and we walked around awhile.Soon I spotted a motorhome that looked familiar to me and told my friend what I was intending to do.He laughed and didnt believe that Id do it.As I slowly approached the door and knocked I suddenly felt a strong flash of dejavu as I remembered the last time I had knocked on this very same door.A guy answered it and I asked if Mark was around.He told me Mark was cleaning up and that itd be a few minutes.We went ahead and waited.We didnt really know one way or the other if Mark would actually be coming out to see us.We had waited a good awhile on him.My friend didnt really feel he was coming out and suggested that we go ahead and leave.Sorta bummed I partly agreed with him.As my back was turned away from the RV my friend blurted out,turn around Chris!As I did,there stood Mark looking directly at me.I introduced him to my friend and we stood outside in the warm summer breeze and talked for a good while.I got to ask Mark some various questions.One of which was his thoughts on the rock music of that day in the mid 80s.When I asked him where they were headed next I believe he had said Corpus Christi.I can also remember when I asked Mark if I could ever be his friend.He responded that I was already his friend and talked to me about how we are all brothers and sisters.We were there a good while.My friend went walking around some after awhile and I remained to talk with Mark some more.He came right back though.We both talked with Mark a little more and he signed an autograph for each of us.They were now ready to roll out now. We were exhausted and ready to go too,so we said our goodbyes to Mark and we left as well.Personally the whole encounter had left a deep positive impression upon me.This would become a wonderful memory.This wonderful memory would mean quite alot to me in the following months to come.Things had been bad for me in the mid 80s.However they would soon become much worse than I couldve ever imagined.I would write Mark from time to time.There wasnt any internet yet and I had an address of a studio that Mark had given me should I wish write to him.And write him I did.It wouldnt be until October 1988 that I would see Mark again.
It was October 1988 when I would attend my sixth Grand Funk show at Bogarts arena in Cincinnati Ohio.Alot had changed in a few years.In 1986 Mark had started a ministry.He was now in the christian rock industry and would perform both Grand Funk stuff and his new christian rock stuff.I hadnt seen Mark since the Island park concert back in summer 85.In 1987 or 88 he had released a new album under his own name entitled-Just another injustice on Frontline Records.A few of these songs he played at this show.One in particular was called-isnt it amazing which I believe to be Marks most soulful song he has ever recorded.A very beautiful song.It had been a few years since attending Marks last concert and the following few years had become extremely difficult for me in many ways.Man talk about bein down on ones luck.I was still writing Mark from time to time and Mark began sending me his flyers from his common ground ministry which I still have to this day.I was far from being any kind of christian.Receiving those flyers from time to time from him was one of the main things that had kept me going.I wanted to believe things could be better than they were.I had lived through an unusual amount of personal hell that many people could have trouble even believing.It was that bad.I felt very honored to have met Mark and to know him.And he knew me.It was indeed one of the few things that I did have to be thankful for back in those days.And today I am still thankful.Most of my letters to him back then were always telling him about how bad things have been and were often quite depressing I hate to admit.Have you ever been there?Where something has gone so wrong and things had gotten so bad that you almost become in disbelief that this much turmoil was even possible?If you have,then perhaps you may understand.
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I want to thank you for taking time out to read my blogs and stories as well as my online programs.I wish you the very best success with all of your online ventures.Peace,cwstar
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I had missed one of Marks previous Ohio shows in 86 (or was it 87?),so I was really lookin forward to this concert in Cincinnati.I was far from being a christian.In fact my life was one big wild party at times and couldve been considered as anything but good and wholessome.Thats for sure.But I also knew that there had to be a better way,and back then I was still open to it even though my lifestyle certainly did not reflect it.In October of 88,we heard about Marks upcoming show.It was Mark Farner with a new band lineup of Arnie Vilchez on guitar,Mike Maple on drums and Lawrence Buckner on bass and they would perform grand funk hits as well as songs from his stuff from Just Another Injustice.This would be Marks band lineup for the next few years.This show would be quite a bit different from the previous ones Id seen and the group Rare Earth were the special guests.Friends Robert and Dave had stopped by.We sat around and discussed it awhile and all three of us decided to head it for Cincinnati.It was a long drive.Having entered Cincy on the wrong side of town just made our arriving on time that much more difficult.We finally did arrive there a few hours later.Rare Earth was just finishing up the last part of their set when we had arrived and there would be a fair interval of time before Mark and the band would be coming out.
First we went to Marks concession stand.There were large Mark posters for sale and I was trying to decide whether to get one or not.The guy working there was quite rude.I had just been talking casually with him and he had told me that he only had one poster left.Could you hold it for me?I asked.I needed to go get more money so I would have enough for the poster and any other things while at this concert.He remarks something like,No,no I cant and I dont really care if your name is Chris so and so.I then thought to myself,now heres a real and true smartellic idiot possessing the brain function of an ape.I did get the poster though.After visiting this stand and purchasing the poster we all three went down these steps to where the restroom was.What is that smell?As we entered we were surprized to see several people all hacking and coughing and so much smoke in the air that even cheech and chong wouldve had second thoughts about entering this place.A large swarm of us all gathered.Everyone began flicking lighters and some gasping for air as the entire restroom couldve been mistaken for being on fire.The show was just about to restart.By this time we were having trouble walking out of there,let alone being capable enough to visit Mark after the concert.Everybody was so freakin messed up.
As we made it out to the front of the stage,Mark and the guys had came out and the show had begun.This was a very cool looking place.Bogarts was a theatre like looking place with quite a large stage and alot of open area between the stage and the seating.We chose to all stand front of stage.The show being a blend of Grand Funk and Marks solo christian stuff such as songs Isnt it amazing, Airborne Ranger,Judgement Day Blues,and Come to Jesus are the solo ones that I can remember them playing.Of course,most of the song line up was Grand Funk material.This new christian rock thing they were doing was alright but most of the crowd are waiting to hear the hard and heavy industrialized rock of Grand Funk Railroad.The first half of the show I was feelin alright.However it was all soon to come to an abrupt end.At first my head was hurting slightly.Before long I was standing in front of that stage with a full blown migraine that was now taking me over with a ferocity not felt in a very long time.I also used to have a seizure condition back then.Both of my friends were enjoying the concert but at the same time had become concerned me as well.I really feared having a seizure right there.I stayed firm and did watch the rest of the concert and when it was all over,my pain started to diminish once we were outside in the fresher air.We soon noticed other people walking around back.We all then walked to the back of the building to find a rather large tour bus in the alley both parked and running,as well as perhaps a dozen people who were waiting in line at the buildings back entrance.We then got in line and were pretty close to the front.Soon there would be many more people as the line seemed to soon stretch a very long ways all the way down this long back alley road.Oh my God look at them all,exclaimed Robert.The cool evening air and darkness felt really good to me and my head pain was clearing up some.All that remained was a dull ache.Two girls behind us had asked if they could cut in front of us and when Robert said no way,one of them began a barrage of braggings and insults about how she was so special and that we little young boys whom lacked any true Grand Funksmanship should step aside to make room for miss queen bee of the funk.She was rather mean about it all.I personally cannot stand a braggert but at that moment I wasnt really in any condition to argue with her.We were finally next in line to enter but the wait would end up being excruciatingly long.
As the last people in front of us were ushered in Robert had noticed something.Hey Chris look at that!The back door was left open.Peeking inside we noticed there was a downstairs and an upstairs.Lets go in,he said.So we peeked in again and looked around and actually stepped inside while many outside were warning us not to do it.And for good reason too.As we all three walked about halfway up these stairs,the door up there flew up as we were angrily greeted by a long haired man whom was extremely large as well as extremely angry.We all three said,oh my freakin God.So this guy the size of a freakin gorilla comes runnin down the steps after us and yelling get the (blank) outta here now.We ran for our lives back out the door.He about scared us to death.He came outside and yelled at us some more as he very sternly warned us once again.It was really scary.Then a minute or two later while standing there monitoring the door,he walks up to me smiling.He then leans over and whispers to me.,Dont worry about it Chris,youre gonna get inside to see Mark soon enough.Are you alright?he asked.I knodded yes and we both kinda chuckled about the whole thing as I told him it was all my friend Roberts idea,but I think this guy already knew this.I didnt know this man,but it appeared that he knew me.Way back then I would never have dreamed that 17 years later this man and I would once again cross paths in a little club I was playing at near Cincinnati in 2004 and he would still know who I was.We soon were escorted inside the building.Once again we were waiting a long time or so it seemed.My head was now throbbing again as I went into a restroom and vomited for several minutes and once again was feeling seizurish.It was now our turn to go in.Both my friends helped me into this back room and there stood Mark looking at me.He walked up to me and first made a comment about how long my hair had grown since hed last seen me.He then says,How ya doin Chris?Not feeling too well Mark,I replied.I was stoned and sick and pain ridden and really feared that I might pass out right in front of him.Then something surprizing happened.Mark placed both his hands across the top of my head and began praying aloud for me.I did not expect this.There were people in there taking pictures and everything.He then signed my poster and our autographs and posed for a picture with us.I was still in alot of pain.He asked us to all be careful going home as we said goodbye to him.
Robert and Dave then helped me to the car.I laid in the backseat and passed out as we drove away.This migraine was a really bad one.An hour later I awoke and my migraine and all the pain were completely gone.I soon realized they had messed up.They had taken the wrong route home and it would take about three times longer to finally get where we were going because of this.My poster was put into a large frame.A subtle reminder of the night that Mark had prayed over me.A night I wouldnt soon forget.About two months later in December of 88 I would meet up with a new girlfriend who would attend my seventh Mark Farner Grand Funk show with me in June of 1989.This next concert would be out in the country.The place was called the carousel and was located out in the boonies just outside of Celina Ohio.It would be a two day event.It would also be my most treasured funk concert that would be filled with great memories.
memories-Grand Funk from the Lp-All of the girls in the world,Beware! 1975
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My Grand Funk concert stories Part5-2007-present Wed 4 Aug 2010
In June of 2007 it was now becoming much hotter out with lots of sunshine and high summer temperatures along with the announcement of three Mark Farner nrg band shows in Ohio for July.So I searched for fellow rockers.People who could appreciate a great footstompin rock show,however I just kept getting other things.Things like I cant go Chris.No I cant go because Id be going a full two hours without a beer on the way there.I cant do that man.I cant go Chris because I have to wash the dog.Or,I cant go Chris because my wife will only allow me to attend country music events.On and on and on it went.A friend from mark farners railroad forum had two tickets for the Portsmouth Ohio show just for me.Ironically,I was having trouble finding someone whod go.Heck I was even paying for the whole extravaganza but yet it was as though it just wasnt meant to be.After so many peoples lame excuses I said to heck with it.I knew there were other shows coming.I personally had wanted to attend the Portsmouth show July 3rd so I could re-visit my fellow railroad forum friends.Just like the 2006 show in Mansfield Ohio.Mark would be doing a show ay Bechtal Park in Sycamore township Cincinnati July 14th.This one I would go to.on june 27th Mark was to be doing a show in Streetsboro Ohio which is up near Cleveland.I had made plans to meet quite a few friends up there.As the 27th rolled around my friend Mike and myself were all ready and set to go but then,viola,there were massive thunder storms in that area along with alot of lightening and we were told that weather could get even worse still.No way were goin to this one.Now I am not opposed to a wet outdoor concert but I wasnt too thrilled with the prospect of driving clear across the state in hard pouring thunder storms.It was a shame because I really wanted to go to that one.When asked if we were still going I replied no because I gotta find a better day.After having missed the Streetsboro show and then the Portsmouth show as well,I began making plans for the Sycamore township Cincinnati show.This was fairly close to where I used to live over a year and a half ago.As plans for this show were beginning to be made I once again found myself with the dilemma of finding someone who would want to go.I said no freakin way not this again.Hey Ill just go by myself then.It wouldnt be a first.It happened once back at my third Grand Funk concert..I later then remembered my old friend Mike and paid him a visit.Hey Mike I got a question for ya.Are you still young enough to rock and roll or are you just waiting to go to the nursing home like all these other lame idiots?I then gave him the scoop on the show.He says,yea man lets rock and roll,and it was on.Saturday afternoon we embarked on what would be Mikes first and my 18th Mark Farner Grand Funk show.Mike would end up very glad he went.When we arrived near that area I had to go revisit the city I had lived in for two years prior to my coming back to my hometown.It sure drummed up some great old memories.The places I jammed and the good times that I had with some very special people ran through my mind as we passed through this city.We then went a little further south and went to visit my friend and brother Justin and his friends whom I hadnt seen in over a year.It had been too long.He used to drum for me when I had lived there.He showed us his new huge drumset and gave us a little mini concert of his own.We soon had to leave and said our goodbyes.NOTE-In May of 2009 I would find out that my beloved friend Justin had died and I will always remember how much of a true friend and brother he was to me.Well after we left his place we would be arriving well on time even though once we had gotten lost and declared now where do we go from here?An event that occurred just prior to going to this concert that made me say-
What the funk is goin on here?
There was a little bar/restuarant along a lake near home that I sometimes frequented.I had gone there just prior to these upcoming shows.There was a guy there whom one night I had shown to him all of my Grand Funk memorabilia.He was enthralled in all of this.On this one particular night he approached me and asked me if Id like to meet a friend of his.His buddy walks up and says-hey you know of Mark?I replied,yea sorta.Ive gone to alot of his shows.We then began talking.Later I would find out that this guy was only visiting Ohio for awhile.Also,that he just happened to live down the road from Mark Farner.He was indeed from Michigan.He later asked if Id like to come up and visit them all sometime.I replied that I would,however I would never have a desire to impinge on Marks privacy.He said,nonsense youd be visiting me.A few weeks prior to this I had taken the stage at a club down the road and I do remember him being there and watching me perform so this was an extended Ohio visit on his part.A friend at that club had pulled me up on stage for about a 10 minute jam.When I had finished a pretty girl walked up to me with her husband.Mmmay I touch you?,she blurted out.Her husband smiles at me and knods as in agreement.All the while this Michigan guy is watching me.I told this story to some friends the next day,one exclaims-I wish youd quit believing in your stupid dreams.Nobody ever reaches them so why even have them Chris?Its nonsense so lets party.I remarked-Yep,I can see Im back home again.lol.This neighbor of Marks though did tell me quite a few things in relation to Mark that certainly no stranger would ever know.Two days later I was sitting at the lakes beach which is just up the road.I was playing my guitar on the beach when another man approaches me and asks,-What all do you play?I replied,Grand Funk,Mark Farner and Joe Satriani.The guy says,yea we gotta love Mark huh?I replied,yep sure do.So I asked,I take it that youre familiar with Mark?He says,oh yes,my brother works for him.Hey can I play your guitar Chris?Hes playin my guitar and I just had to ask,-Alright what the funks goin on here?He replies,-what do you mean?I then told him about the other guy from two days previously.He then replies,-I imagine that is pretty odd huh?Man that sure is coincidental aint it?He told me we outta get together and jam sometime.And this ended this particular encounter.Really nice fellow.Later at the Sycamore township show while conversing with one of Marks crew I brought up the story about the first encounter with the first guy at the lake.When I mentioned the things he had told me in reference to Mark,he says that is true Chris.That is all very true
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I want to thank you for taking time out to read my blogs and stories as well as my online programs.I wish you the very best success with all of your online ventures.Peace,cwstar
I am so happy because this program works.Its easy.An online program that actually works!Man what a concept! Everyone gets paid daily.No selling, no recruiting.(unless you wish to).
No other ad membership is easier than this.Everyone wins.I have finally found my winner.
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July 14th 2007 Sycamore Township Dayton Ohio
When we had gotten to Sycamore twp,some very strange things were occurring at this show.It was a free outdoor festival.Its true I have online friends down in that area and previosly lived about 45 minutes from there but I had never visited there before.This was my first.The day couldnt have been more perfect.Not too hot but warm with a slight breeze.Just perfect.As we walked in and walked about,there was a man doing caracatures.He looks at me and says-Well hi there.When ya goin on?When am I what?I replied.I said,When ya goin on?Oh,lol,no sir,Im not goin on.Why not?,he replied.You play a little?he says. Yea,I replied,I play some.Mike was gettin a kick outta this.I joked around-They dont wanna put me on a stage do they?They know what will happen huh?Mike goes-Yea youll blow everyones minds.He gloated on me with this guy about NRG concerts,my guitar playing,etc.The man says-sit down and have a freebie on me.I said,well yea...sure.He then
did Mikes caracature as well.We thanked him and left.During the first band (midnite express-who were awesome),I get approached by this guy in glasses wearing like a long coat.He comes up and shakes my hand.Man dude,how ya been?I was cordial but I couldnt place him at all.Still jammin?I replied,I am so sorry,but I still cant place you.Im in Cincy and play in a jazz emsemble.Or something like that.Damn ya dont remember do ya Chris?I replied,Oh my gosh,Im not sure but..Dont worry bout it Chris.I aint tellin ya,but youll remember on your own.He wished me well and left to go sit down.Mike and I went up by stage to watch this band awhile.I left temperarily to go see what was on sale.Posters,cds,shirts,etc..The gal at the booth remembered and knew who I was.How could she forget?lol.After I talked with her and left there,a guy approaches me-Youz the man.What?I said,Youz the man.He looks at his friends..heres the man yall.You still doin it?You
playin here today? Im goin,what the @#@#?There were perhaps a half dozen people Ive never known coming up to me wishing me well,hows it goin?etc..It was so odd.I made my way back to the stage where Mike still was.Besides runnin to the car to eat or the restroom,we kept this spot on the right end of the stage.It was soon showtime.Mark came out in true form to kick things off with footstompin music and then into rock n roll soul. were an american band was played as the third song of this long series of 18 songs.This was a dynamite show as paranoid and heartbreaker would come next.I had noticed that Mark had a new keyboardist and was wondering wheres Paul EO?I was told he was taken time off for personal reasons.I truly hope he is doin well.I always get a kick outta talkin or jokin around with him after a show.They then went into nadene.(For those reading this and not yet familiar with Mark Farner-Nadene is a song from Marks new cd-For the People.Marks energy and show really blew Mike away.He didnt expect this.Hed been to all kinds of concerts but this one,..it really blew his mind.In a good way of course.They then did a new musical jam of I come tumblin that was utterly incredible and this really got the people movin.I loved it.They then did crybaby from off the For the People cd and people lets stop the war came next and then-In Need.I had only seen In Need performed twice.Once of course,on the In Concert series on ABC back in Jan.73 and the other in town square of Dayton Ohio in September 84,which was a part of a medley of songs thrown together,so it wasnt the full version.This one at the Sycamore show was the full version and man it rocked.Nothing is the same,mean mistreater and bad time followed next.The locomotion and some kind of wonderful then after these.I become dazzled at times by Marks fancy footwork.How the heck does he get his feet to
do that?Amazing! After some kind of wonderful,they left the stage and man this festive crowd went crazy.Of course they came back out.Hubert Crawford(The H-Bomb),went into a drum solo that blasted out into the audience.Ive seen quite a few of his solos before and they were great and all,but this one just really had it all.They all then came out,each playing a different percussion instrument at once and man the whole place was a poundin and a rockin like nobodys business.A very kind lady and her husband were seated right beside where we were standing.A drumstick was tossed out and headed straight for her.She caught it.Well,so did the guy sittin next to her.They both caught it and a short tugga war ensued.He wasnt lettin go either.They tugged as the stick moved to and fro.In one mighty adrenalistic shout,the little lady yells-ITS MINE damnit! as she pulled it out of his grasp.She smiled toward me and goes-how bout that?Inside Lookin Out brought everything to
its fever pitch,then the show was ended with closer to home.Thats one helleva lineup in my book.Afterwards,we waited around til Mark was cleaned up and ready to do a meet everyone.While the line to see Mark was building up,we walked over to the stage to talk with Hubert and get a pic with him.He autographed my poster and Mikes shirt.This mans got such a great personality along with his awesome talent.Saying goodbye to him,we went on over to see Mark.The guy ahead of us was gettin ready to take a picture with Mark when one of the crew stopped him.Sorry sir no pictures.It was too late though.The guy had already clicked it.Hey Chris how ya doin?Hey Mark,as I shook his hand.This is my friend Mike. Hi there Mike,as he shook Mikes hand.I asked Mark about Mr.C and the family and found out they had moved outta state,but I had already figured they had.I then quickly explained to him about the coincidence I had recently around the lake-(my home area)in meeting a supposed
neighbor of his.Mark exclaims-Chris do you know how many people go by that name?I replied-Yea I know,probably a zillion.lol.I think that guys pullin your leg Chris,replies Mark.Yea,I guess so Mark.I never told Mark what all the guy had said,or about the other guy 2 days later.He signed my poster and Mikes shirt and we said goodbye to him.We then walked over to the other end of the stage.I asked a security,hey is Lawrence around?Lawrence Buckner is Marks bassist.One of the best for sure.Why yes,hes over in there doin his birthday thing.It was his birthday.He was kind enough to come out to sign my new poster,even though we had no sharpie and he had to use a regular pen.We thanked him for his time and wished him a happy birthday.This was a very memorable concert from many points for me.As we were settin to leave,we walked past Mark.God Bless ya Mark,I said.He replied,see ya Chris.We then got situated and headed on our long
journey back home...and I knew that another show was just on the near horizon.In 2 weeks in fact..and that cant be too long.
cant be too long-from Lp-On Time/Grand Funk Railroad 1969
where do we go from here?-from cd-for the people/Mark Farner 2006
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grand funk concert stories mark farner rocks the slippery noodle inn-Indinapolis Indiana2007
My first out of state concert
Time was drawing nearer.Yes it was once again time for another Grand Funk Mark Farner concert.There were actually two shows to choose from.One on July 27th 2007 and the other on July 28th.My friend Mike had recently attended the Sycamore Township show near Dayton Ohio with me just two weeks earlier.We were all set to go to the Streetsboro Ohio show on the 27th.As the concert would grow nearer the weather would become worse.We would have to cancel.By the day of the show that area of Ohio was under severe thunder storms and I wasnt about to drive across the entire state in that.I dont mind a rainy concert.I mean once youre all wet,..well..youre all wet.But it would have been dangerous to be driving in such weather,and especially at night.Then a noodle of light shined through.I received some information from an online friend that lives in Indiana about mark farners nrg band performing in Indianapolis.Theyd be playing at the slippery noodle inn the 28th.I called the number that my friend sent me and had a conversation with this friendly and informative noodlette.She filled me in on all the particulars.Yes this is the Slippery Noodle Inn and yes,the tickets are on sale at 6pm for ten bucks and..etc..I suddenly felt an elation of slippery noodlness rush through my noodle.I mean rushed through my mind.Mike agreed with me that we cancel Streetsboro Friday for a slippery noodle Saturday.Even the weather forecast looked fair.That Friday I became busy with researching the best way to find The Slippery Noodle Inn in Indianapolis Indiana.I had no intention of missing this concert so this time I used my noodle.
Friday afternoon it was all planneed that I would pick up my friend at 11:30 am Saturday morning.When Saturday came,he decided not to go.Two of the three vehicles were still there and the door was unlocked and just barely open.I knocked but no answer.I knocked very loudly but still no answer.I beeped my horn but still no answer.I contemplated that perhaps he had to run to the bank,perhaps something bad happened,all kinds of stuff ran through my mind.I knocked and knocked.Why wont he answer?I then left for awhile to get gas and other needed items and soon it was past noon.When I came back someone was there outside.It was then explained to me that he had a heavy night of partyin,came home early morning then left again and never came back.When I left I was gonna go home and brood awhile,but in anger I yelled-No F&%#ing way.This is not being taken away from me simply because of a night of drunkeness.I stopped at a couple friends but I somehow knew Id hear the same old usual crap and I was right.Yea yea,let me guess,Ya gotta wash the stupid damned dog or,ya cant go a whole hour without a beer,or youre not aloud cuz the wife will get mad and slap ya around.Ive heard them all.Its now 1pm and the race for the noodle was on.Ill run into my hometown.Its 15 miles away but I felt it was the answer,plus I wasnt yet sure if Mike wasnt just at the bank and hadnt returned yet.I sped into town and made a call to a friend.No I cant go Chris,but ask Dale.Dale?I replied.Yea Dale Chris.Remember Dale?Of course,thats it I yelled.I got into town and sure enough he was home.He had no money.Dont worry bout it Dale..Ill take care of ya.You goin? He replies-,to see some Grand Funk live,youre damned straight Im goin Chris.Lets go man.Unfortunately,even though he is a great guy he is also very slow and dawdles alot.He can also talk non stop without even a break for hours at a time.But I guess ya just gotta take the bad with the good and be thankful that we were goin at all.Hes a real good guy though.I was very pleased that he had wished to go even though we would not ne heading out till well past 2pm.He seemed to yap non stop for three and a half hours straight.It about nearly drove me nuts.I was glad that he was so excited about going to this concert though.We got really lost a couple times on the way there and Dales incessant talking and griping about bad politics was not helping matters any.Finally I spoke up quite loudly,Dale I just dont give a damn about that right now.He would go quiet for perhaps one minute and started it back up again.When we finally reached the Indiana border we became inundated with all kinds of roadwork and detour signs.He began yapping again about Bush politics.Finally I let loose.Look Dale,if we dont get our shit together NOW then we wont get there on time when the tickets go on sale.Its first come first serve.That means no concert,no noodles,no freakin nuthin.Do you understand?He finally understood and began helping find our way out of this nightmarish highway maze.After alot of backtracking,we finally found the Slippery Noodle Inn and parked in the parking lot right across the street from it.I was so relieved that we had finally arrived.When we heard Mark doin a soundcheck we knew we had arrived at the right place.The place they call The Slippery Noodle.
This place was first built in 1850 and is the oldest bar in the entire state of Indiana with much history behind it.From cowboys to gangsters to modern America,the Slippery Noodle in Indianapolis is a great place to visit.I will say this here though.I have been to quite a few rock concerts in my day.And not just Grand Funk or Mark Farner.Each concert place,be it a venue,a club,an auditorium,festival,etc..each place has its own special feel to it.Do you know what I mean?And just because a place gets the best entertainment or is well established doesnt necessarily mean the the owners or staff are going to be gracious to their customers.This place is very gracious to its customers.I would drive all the way here to be at this place whether Mark was doing a show here or not.The employees were awesome.One can feel the rich history of this great place too.The atmosphere just plain ole felt good.On a scale of 1 to 10,I give the Slippery Noodle a 12.
It had been one long and hellish drive to get here.After we had arrived and were now parked we just sat in the car awhile while listening to the soundcheck going on from across the street.I was dressed lightly in shorts and sandals because of the heat.In the evening when it was cooler,I would change into jeans and my red tennis shoes.Mark used to be known back in the Grand Funk days for sometimes wearing very red tennis shoes when he performed.I figured hed get a kick out of my pair.The place was so huge and the employees showed us around and told us various stories about the buildings history.The building was three stories high.It had like eight different bars within it.Bands played inside both upstairs and downstairs as well.A very large tent had been constructed just outside of the building and yet was somehow connected to the side entrances of it.Inside this massive tent was the big stage,various seating and yet another bar.It was race weekend in Indy.Dale Earnhardt Jrs nascar was parked right out front of the place as many people were taking pictures with it.When we first walked to the front of the place I was surprized about running into a couple whom I had just seen two weeks prviously at Mark Farners show in Sycamore township near Dayton.They had came up from Cincinnati for this show.A very talented rhythem and blues band was now performing inside the huge tent area.They played quite a long set too.The Slippery Noodle is very well known for its blues bands.We watched them for awhile.We would go out front when it got too hot in there and sit at one of the many tables and chairs out in front of the place to cool down awhile.Then wed go back in.
It was alot of fun talking with various people and being shown around by a few of the workers.We delighted with all the pretty women as well.When we were inside and ordered our food,the employee began telling the history of the room we were in.Dales a history buff.He was eating this all up and was practically ecstatic.He had never been to a place like this.For that matter,he hadnt even been out of his home town in years.Out of pure enthusiasm he blurts,-Oh my God Chris,this place is fantastic and the people so nice and the girls so pretty and the place has so much history and the food is so good and man I am so overwhelmed and in a good way.Thanks for bringing me to this Chris.I replied,No problem Dale,its my pleasure but you have yet to experience some of that rocknroll soul.Youll soon be attending the hard rockin power of NRG.
Just a noodle-istic thought-Because the Slippery Noodle Inn has a past history of gangsters such as the Dillinger gang that frequented the place long ago,I asked myself,if Mark Farner were jammin here back in the old days of the gangsters,would we see and hear this scenario?Yea were goin to da slippery noodle see?Weze gonna seez dis Markie Farners NRGeezie thingy see?Ya got dat Noodles?
Yea right,thats right boss..yea,yea,the NRGeezie thingy.
I tells ya a widdle secret Noodles but cha musnt go blabbering ta anybodys or you jus might gets rocked out.Rocked way out if ya get da picture?
Ok,ok boss,what is it? Well..Ize was listenin to dis radio and woid has it,dat dis Farner character and his cronies are gonna step on our turf an rock our asses off.Woid even has it dat hes gonna be a Footstompian us right off da bat.So Ize decided dat weez joinin em.Ok guys,ares ya wit me on dis one?Does everybody want to?Besides,da misses iz gettin on me noyves.She tinks Markies a real Mr.Pretty Boy.
Mr.Pretty Boy Grand Funk/Lp Shinon On 1974
A brief visit with Mark Farners new keyboardist Karl Propst
Earlier that night before Marks show we happened to see Karl as he was passing by us.He stopped to talk with us a short while.He noodled his autograph onto our concert flyers and took a picture with both of us.A very kind man.We do miss Marks old keyboardist Paul Ojibway but we were very delighted to meet Karl as well.I happened to have a cd cover from Grand Funks second album on me.When I handed it to Karl he was reluctant to sign it.I told him it was alright if he wasnt an original member because I intended to get all four nrg band members to sign it,and that includes Mark.Well in that case its alright,he replied as he signed it.Would I get all four autographs that night?Well,that was anybodys answer.
anybodys answer grand funk railroad-On Time 1969
Banners,banners everywhere.Id love to have one I do declare
Early in the evening while talking with our friends from Cincinnati,I turned around and there were a few of my friends from mark farners railroad forum.It was Nancy,Rich and Suez.I was very delighted that they had all gotten down here from Michigan.We chit chatted for a while and then took some pictures.It was just about time for Mark Farners nrg band to take the stage as call the partyin noodles,(and noodlettes) made their way towards the front of the stage.We hurried to get some more water.It was still pretty hot in there.This may have been my 19th Grand Funk/Mark Farner concert,but it was also my first attended concert in another state besides Ohio.I was ready.Prior to the start of the show I had noticed these various and huge Mark Farner banners that were hung up all throughout this place.A worker pointed out Marty to me.There he is Chris.Thats one of the head noodles?I asked.Yep it sure is.I asked him for one of these banners and he told me check with him after the concert and hed have one for me.After the show he gave me a huge banner that was all folded up.This guy had the kindness of that of an upright man.
upright man mark farner from Lp wake up 1990-91
Its showtime.Does every noodle want to?
When Marty came up onto that stage and announced Mark Farners Nrg Band,it was on.We all were standing in the best spots in the place.Right smack square in front of the stage.I was taking mega pictures.They opened up with a very energetic rendition of footstompin music and then went into the song rock and roll soul along with were an american band.Dale was really blown away by it all.They then would go into the song paranoid which jammed the whole place to shreds.Mark then did a little short ditty of Nadene (why cantcha be true?).What would then follow was songs heartbreaker,nadine-(marks version),and then a very rocking version of I come tumblin and by this time of the concert the entire crowd of noodles were really rockin out hard.The place was goin crazy.Next came the song crybaby from Marks for the people cd was played and follwed by people lets stop the war.For a guy who prides himself on listening to Anne Murray records all the time,Dale was completely astounded and astonished at what he was witnessing and loved every second of it.When Mark made some personal comments about his views on war and politics,Dale was entirely sold and says,-Chris,now that man knows what hes talkin about man.Next came the song in need,my personal favorite.By this time in the concert everyone was visibly very hot.Mark toned things down as he performed the ballad mean mistreater.This was Dales favorite of the set.Bad time and the locomotion would follow next.I really like the pre jam they do before going into the locomotion.It was a very cool twist to it.The concert would end with the song some kind of wonderful and we were amazed by Marks fancy footwork on stage.However does he do that?Dale says,man Chris this is the best concert I have ever seen in my life.It just all blows me away man.When they came out for the encores Marks drummer Hubert Crawford went into his patented ass kickin drum solo along with a percussion arrangement they had all put together.Then came songs inside looking out and closer to home.In my opinion no Grand Funk show would be complete without inside looking out or closer to home.We were lucky this concert and got both.Closer to home would be the final song of the concert.It was obvious that everyone had been nrgized by what they had just experienced in this pleasant place of slippery noodledom as this concert approached the end.
the end by grand funk railroad/Lp thirty years of funk 1999
Cant be too long
The vast majority of people were leaving when the concert had ended.Many were outside cooling off.A line soon formed that was awaiting Mark to come out but he hadnt came out yet.I then suddenly remembered my cd cover of grand funk the red album I had brought with me.I then seen Karl again.I asked him,hey Karl could you take this and get Lawrence and Hubert to sign it for me?He replies,Yea I suppose I can Chris but I wont be right back with it though.I will be back though.It just wont be right away.I agreed and went ahead and handed it to him.Hopefully hed return before Id see Mark.The line was fairly long in size but was quickly dwindling down.Nancy,Rich and Suez were already in line.I had gotten another poster that was identical to the one I had bought at the Sycamore township show just two weeks earlier.I also had a flyer and playlist that Nancy had given me.We were talkin with them after their visit with Mark.Right before we were to see Mark an employee walked up to me and hands me a huge banner that was neatly folded up for me.Marty came then came in and wished us farewell.I thanked him for the banner and the hospitality.Karl wasnt back yet.There was no longer any line so Dale and I walked on up to say hi to Mark.How ya doin Chris?I shook his hand and introduced him to Dale.How ya doin Dale?Now what are we signing here Chris?Well Mark I got a poster and a flyer and a banner and a playlist and a noodle menu and a racing shirt,etc..I had alot of stuff on me.I didnt wanna say,well Mark sign this and this and this and this and this etc.So I chose my poster and a concert flyer.The moment Mark was done with us and went backstage I realized that poor Dale never got an autograph.I grabbed his shirt and pled my case to one of Marks people.After some persuasion between Nancy and myself,we finally got his shirt backstage to Mark and signed.Karl then walked up to me.He had my cd cover for me and it now had everybodys signiture on it except for Marks.Mark was gone now.Karl told me,bring it to the next show Chris and Ill personally see to it that Mark gets it signed for you.(Indeed Mark would later sign it at my 20th Grand Funk show which would occur in October 2008 at the Destin seafood festival in Destin Florida.)
Though the place was nearly empty now,we hung around just a little while longer.We talked with Rich,Nancy,Suez,Karl and a couple cool noodle employees that I had taken a picture with.They were really cool.We said our goodbyes to everyone and we all knew it was time to go.My 19th Grand Funk Mark Faner concert was now officially finished and it was now time for the drive home.It would be a long drive too,with lots of detours and alot of fog once we were back in Ohio.We wouldnt be arriving home until 6:30 am.When we left to find our way closer to home,I found myself longing to reach my home states borderline.
closer to home grand funk railroad 1970
borderline grand funk from Lp Whats Funk 1983
cant be too long grand funk railroad on time 1969
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grand funk concert stories destin seafood festival rocks to mark farner
My 20th Mark Farner Grand Funk concertMy last GFR/Mark Farner show had been during the summer of 2007.That concert was at The Slippery Noodle Inn in Indianapolis.Alot had occurred since that time and in 2008 I left Ohio for Florida.I was everywhere travelling alone for a few months. After having driven through major snowstorms to arrive in Florida then my journey really began.I eventually ended up along the Gulf coast.I had previously been in about five other areas around the state.In the spring I ended up in Clearwater. One day I went footstompin onto Marks site and lo and behold, its the Destin Seafood Festival. I guess it was my Destiny to be there Oct 3rd, 2008. And why not? Actually,I was here to retrieve 2 guitars of mine.I never retrieved the guitars but I did meet a very beautiful girl named Tina and fell in love with her.The rest is pretty much history.And so began Tinas travels into the Farnerish realms of Grand Funkdom.
Yea I prepped her all about Grand Funk Railroads music before Marks show.I told her about this new Grand Funk Railroad.I explained how Mark was no longer touring with them and that they had added new members.Yet they advertised themselves as the original band.So Mark had to form his own band which is called NRG.There would be a Markless Grand Funk show the following week after the Destin show with Mark.The Markless Grand Funk show was October 11th,2008 in coachman park in Clearwater.Initially,we werent sure that we could handle going to Marks October 3rd show since it was so far away.Clearwater to Destin. It was a seven and a half hour drive just one way. We almost cancelled for financial reasons too. Hey, thats alotta gas and then theres the motel as well, but there was one factor that over rided our decision.And it was this.The Markless Grand Funk Railroad was doin this free show in Clearwater October 11th,a week later along with other bands.We wanted to attend this.On the flip side,I wouldve felt awful seeing this band but not seeing Marks band.So why not go to both?Grand Funk would be opening up for The Village People.I very much doubt that wed ever see the day when Mark Farner would be opening up for the village people..
This Mark show would be my 20th Grand Funk concert and the Don Brewer Grand Funk Railroad show at coachman park show would be my 21st. We went to both shows.This was the first time that I would be attending both of these bands within a one week interval of each other.I have seen this other Grand Funk a couple of times. Back in 2001 and 2003. And I do feel they have a very good show.I may tend to favor Mark but this doesnt mean that I cant recognize them for this.Marks show had more oomph to it though.I hate to say it but the Coachman Park show was not as good as the previous ones Id attended.Marks show was pure nrg.When Mark did footstompin music there was no time to yawn and their energy was always present throughout the show.Mark and the boys give it their all.Both bands did the same number of songs and I do feel that each couldve done at least a couple more.But again,theyre only allowed just so much time.The big difference was in the performances themselves and how animated the performers were..Plus Grand Funks sound was really off.Mels bass,as great as it was,was just too darned loud and it literally drowned out both guitars to the point where you could barely hear them.An injustice to Bruce who is an awesome performer.
Dont get me wrong though because I do see this new Grand Funk Railroad as super performers and they are great.They wouldnt be where theyre at if they werent.But it could have been much better.Now prior to Marks Destin Florida show,I had introduced Tina to Marks and Grand Funks stuff from online and off so she did have somewhat of a background in Grand Funkinism.But it was Marks live show that put her over the top.My baby had finally been converted into a full fledged fan of grand funk proportions.Shes now into Farnology which could be termed as,the study,rocking out and listening to of Mark Farners NRG band,so as to attain the true state of Grand Funkdom.Nothing IsThe Same with her now.What she also found
appealing was Marks cherokee heritage and the spiritualness that he possesses both onstage and off.We really respect that.She fully understands now why I have followed Marks career for all those years,and why so many others do as well.It was a heckuva drive to Destin.We knew it was a long ways and seven and a half hours does tend to drain you.We it on time just barely.By the time we got to the motel and checked in and had ourselves in order and got to the festival,Mark would be coming on within the hour.So much for seeing very much of the festival.Lucky for us though that we had gotten motel accomodations directly across the street from this place.Else we may not have made it.We did catch the last part of the Atlanta Rhythem Section and they were really awesome. Even better than the Village People.(Grin:-)
Tina and I got very lucky in that our spot for the show was directly front and center stage.Our location couldnt have been any better.From the moment Mark and the guys came out we knew they were on a mission and that mission was to rock our butts off.Tina was rather awestruck by it all. I,personally was really hoping to hear an H Bomb drum solo,In Need or Inside Looking out but they werent played.Oh well,theres only so much time theyre allowed to play. Nevertheless,the concert was awesome as usual and would be thirteen 13 songs in the line up altogether.It was all good.Suppose Forest Gump might say,A Marky Farner concert is like a box of chocolates.Ya never quite know whatcher gonna get.Mark and the guys always put their all into every show and this show was certainly no different. Theyre like NRGizer rock bunnies.Just plug em in and they just keep on rockin and rollin.The song Are You Ready would start the show. From there on out the nrg would
only intensify that much more as then came Rock n Roll Soul,Footstompin Music and Were an American band.I believe Shinon On was then next. Not sure of the particular order but the remainder of the set would be Nothing Is The Same,Heartbreaker,People lets stop the war,The Locomotion,Bad Time,Same Old feeling and Some kind of wonderful.The last number would be Im your Captain.With every concert Ive found that Marks fancy footwork is always a vision to behold and their energy is always at a peak level of performance.
People were certainly not yawning. Of course there was GFRs show in Clearwater a week later. Don Brewers drum solo was pretty awesome. They are all great musicians in their own right and minus the screwed up and unbalaced sound they were all pretty good too.Both bands did one encore.During Marks concert we noticed they were filming parts of the show.I waived to her camera once.When it was all over and people started leaving the area we waited so we could see Mark.Soon a rather long line formed.We were content to be one of those last people to go through for we werent in any hurry because motel was right there.Tina was gonna get to meet Mark.I had the cd cover from the second album on me for Mark to sign since everybody but him had signed it last year at the Slippery Noodle
show in Indy.We each had a festival flyer as well.Tina had bought one of Marks shirts and for myself a recent large photo of Mark with his messenger guitar.While waiting we met up with drummer Hubert Crawford.Hubert talked with us a short while and signed both of our flyers and then posed a picture with us as well.I was elated that Karl had remembered me.We talked with keyboardist Karl Propst and his friend Kelly for awhile,and he signed our flyers and took some pics with us.Karl is a super people person.He even took our flyers backstage to bassist Lawrence Buckner to get them signed for us.When we finally got up to the table to see Mark,he had to have been somewhat surprized to see me.After all this wasnt Ohio.How ya doin Chris?he said.I then introduced Tina to him and he then did appear rather surprized. We got to talk with him a little while.He signed all of our stuff and even posed a
picture with us when we asked him to,and we were both quite pleased with the whole night.I think the whole thing kinda blew Tina away. I told Mark how I had left Ohio for Florida and ended up meeting up with her,and also how I liked the new video he'd just made called If I was the president!Check it out sometime on youtube.
We told Mark that wed like to see him in Tampa one of these days.When we left the festival and went back to the motel,we knew we had one helleva long drive back tomorrow.The following day we visited the area a short while and walked Destin beach.We then headed south on our long journey back to Clearwater.Tina agreed with me that it had all been worth it.And so ended my 20th Mark Farner Grand Funk show.Marks NRG in his performance once again was an American concert of Grand dimensions.Call it Rock and roll american style.
rock and roll american style Grand Funk Lp-whats funk 1983
*************************************************************Grand Funk concert stories Don Brewer and Grand Funk Railroad rock coachman park in Clearwater Florida 2007
Another Grand Funk concert?Does everybody want to?Yea sure why not!It had been about a week since attending Mark Farners NRG concert at the destin seafood festival in Florida.It was a seven and a half hour drive just one way.It was special because it would be my 20th mark faner/grand funk concert I have attended and the Destin area with the beach was like a paradise all its own.But we were now back in Clearwater.Soon it would be time again for another Grand Funk concert but this one would be without Mark.It would be Don Brewers band.Don Brewer and Mel Schacher being the other two founders of Grand funk,had decided in 2000 to form their own Grand Funk Railroad without Mark.Some fans call them GFRX.The new lineup besides Don and Mel would be Tim Cashion from the Bob Segar band,Max Carl formerly of 38 special and Bruce Kulick formerly of Kiss.That is an all star lineup.In 2001 I became momentarily disenchanted when I discovered that I was attending a Grand Funk Railroad concert expecting mark farner to be there when he wasnt.I think that it was wrong to not let us fans know.But thats me.However,this new Grand Funk Railroad could really rock up a storm like nobodys business.They werent just good,they were grand.In 2001 when I seen them I was disappointed when we discovered that Mark wasnt there.I knew I wasnt alone though.As we sat and stood through the show I realized that this was one helleva concert goin on here.They rocked our socks off.We seen them in Lima Ohio in 2003 and again they had put on an excellent show.My third time seeing them was Oct.11th 2008.Even though I have always primarily been an original Grand Funk or Mark Farner concert goer I was still looking forward to this concert again.I enjoyed those shows back then.Tina and I had already seen Marks show earlier that week and it was a concert of pure energy.Their stage presence was as energetic as the music itself.Now we were going to go to see Don Brewers Grand Funk Railroad in what would be my 21st Grand Funk/Mark Farner show and Tinas second.It was a free concert in the park.There would be other bands there too that day but we were primarily just going to see Grand Funk Railroad and then go back home or out to eat or something.The Village People would be the final band.I really had hoped that GFR wouldve added some new material to their playlist.Something besides what theyve always done.My original story and review of this concert was rather unfair and biased toward Mark Farners band so I have rewritten it here.Perhaps Marks show had spoiled us too much.It was a very high energy concert and you couldnt help but get into it as Mark and the guys would hop around like NRGizer rock bunnies.Tina found it all incredible.When we arrived at coachman park that evening the crowd was already quite large and Grand Funk Railroad would be taking the stage within the hour.It had been five years since Id last seen them in concert.When they came out theyd start things off with rock and roll soul and would end up playing the same number of songs that mark farners nrg band had played the week before.Some of the songs were the same.Songs like shinon on,footstompin music,closer to home and some kind of wonderful to name a few.This wasnt one of the better shows I had attended.The guys played good and all but the sound seemed kinda unbalanced.The bass kinda drowned out the guitars.Mel Schacher is great and can play bass like nobodys business,but the volume was still too high.Or was the guitars volumes too low?It was kinda hard to hear Bruce Kulicks guitar playing and that was an injustice.It was a pretty big crowd there.But overall,the crowd wasnt the same as the crowd we were in the week before at Marks show.The people werent as excited and riled up.It kinda reminded me of Jimi Hendrix and what he went through.Back in the 60s The Jimi Hendrix Experience toured with and were the opening act for The Monkees.This was a sort of comparison.In this instance it was Grand Funk Railroad opening up for The Village People.That in itself we found unusual.When Grand Funk was done and the village people came out,one could tell by the crowds response that many of these folks were village people fans.We didnt stay long after Grand Funks set.I did like that they played the song walk like a man and theyve always done a great version of were an american band.Don Brewer is a super showman.His stage presence and drum solos have always been in top form and this show was no exception.But something was missing from it all.I mean besides Mark.They didnt really seem like they were getting into their performance and the crowd seemed somewhat the same.Max Carl says,Cmon people put your hands together.Then he walks over by the drum set and sits down to rest.Perhaps he wasnt feeling well.Bruce appeared to be the one that was moving around the stage some.Thumbs up for Bruce Kulick.He always does a superb rocking rendition of inside looking out too.We wish his guitar was louder in this particular show though.Don Brewer did a drum solo that was absolutely phenomenal and rocked the whole place to its core.The tnuc drum solo made this show complete.This particular concert wasnt as enjoyable as the other two I had attended but it was still a pretty good show.All of these guys are still great at what they do.When the concert was over and the village people were now on stage is when we decided to make our departure.So ended my 21st Grand Funk/Mark Farner show.When would the next concert be?That would be anybodys answer.
anybodys answer grand funk railroad from Lp on time 1969
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My Grand Funk concert stories-(part 4) 2004-2007 Tue 3 Aug 2010
cover to NRG bands first recorded live
performance on cd 2003
My Grand Funk concert stories-Mark rocks Colrain township
A night of pure rockin NRGIn the summer of 2004 I had found out that Mark Farner and his NRG band would be doing a show on the 4th of July near Cincinnati at the Colerain townships annual festival and I ended up going to this concert alone.Well...sort of!I had been staying down near Dayton and Cincinnati with a girlfriend of mine at the time and she knew how much I was wanting to attend this.Unfortunately she had to work that day.It was to be held outdoors just a few miles from outside of that town and could only be gotten to by shuttle buses that would transport people from a designated bus stop in Colerain and then transport them out to the festival,unless of course if one had a very special reserved parking pass to park on the premises.It would be an extremely hot and sunny day.I hadnt seen Mark in concert since 1998 and hadnt spoken with him since 1991.I wasnt really expecting to.For all I knew he may not even remember who I was anyways.He had played a show in Tampa Florida earlier this year.I was in Florida close to that timeframe and I really wanted to see that show then,however cicumstances had sent me back to Ohio before the concert had occurred and of course both Grand Funk shows I had attended in 2001 and 2003 turned out to be Grand Funk Railroad without Mark Farner so this concert for me was certainly long overdo. Things were discussed as we came up with a plan.Prior to her work she would drive me to Colerain and drop me off at the shuttle bus stop and the shuttle bus would then transfer me to the festival.Shed then have to take off for work and wouldnt get to attend.I had a cellphone and throughout the day she would stay in touch with me occassionally and later come to pick me up after the concert and festival were over.It was still a long two hour round trip drive but we had the plan.She had to take me there early in the day so as she could still be at work on time so I would be arriving about four hours before showtime.There were only about a dozen people in the whole place when I got there.When I had arrived I had walked around back behind a big building where there was a stage set up near it.Actually Mark was doing a soundcheck when I had arrived.There was alot of open space out in front and around the stage and back from this opened up area were two large tents for reserved people only,and various concession stands as well even further back.News of this concert had sent me searching into the past.The evening before the show I had expressed to my girlfriend how I wanted to show Mark my appreciation for his caring from so long ago.I had so much to share.I had became an accomplished musician in my own right and wanted to show him just how much better I had become.Obviously this had still meant alot to me.I asked myself,even if by chance I would see him should I even mention all of this stuff from the past at all?After all,he may not even remember me nor even care for that matter.I happened to have had a large box of cassettes that were with me during my stay at her house,so I sifted through them and found some very cheaply made recordings.I had made these years ago.I took them and recorded them onto a new blank cassette that evening prior to the show.I then added an inner sleeve to the case which depicted an animated picture of me that had been used for my own self promotion a few years earlier just to try to make it look kinda good.The recordings quality was pretty shoddy though.The following day I took this cassette with me to the festival just in case the opportunity would arise that I would actually be able to give the tape to him.I didnt want nor expect anything from him.I simply wanted him to have it .Afterall,he and Grand Funk were my early inspirations to my learning to play in the first place,as I am sure they are with many others as well.It wouldve been my honor for him to receive this.This would be my 13th Grand Funk/Mark Farner show and I was looking very forward to it even though I would be going alone.Plus not knowing what to expect and being there so early as well.What was going to happen to me at this concert would not have been expected by me to happen at all,and when it did I was in total amazement.I had never seen this new band of Marks in concert yet.At least I knew one thing for certain and that was that I was actually going to be there this time and was going to be on time.Even alone I just knew that I was gonna really enjoy this.I was thankful that Joy was so understanding about taking time out and going out of her way in order to take me to this show.July 4th in the early afternoon we headed for Colerain.It was a good drive there and she had to promptly leave after dropping me off so as not to be late for her work shift.We finally arrived and found the shuttle bus stop.I wore one of those belt satchel thingys that would easily hold my camera,cellphone,money and any other belongings I may need for the day.I said goodbye to her then jumped onto the shuttlebus.I found it odd that only one other person was aboard this bus besides myself and the bus driver.It was only about 2:30 in the afternoon.As mentioned earlier,there was hardly anyone even there but perhaps a dozen or so people.I watched them do soundcheck for awhile.Afterwards I thought,now what am I gonna do to pass the time away?And it was very hot out and in the 90s.The show wasnt to start until early evening and Mark wouldnt be playing until later after that.The first band was Double Trouble.I guessed them to be a local band that played mainly a country kind of music and they were good,but it just didnt really fit the right format of opening up for Mark Farners Nrg nor Grand Funk.If ya know what I mean?Country music and Grand Funk do not go hand in hand.Even if the country is good it just doesnt mix well.Well it appeared that I was going to have alot of extra time on my hands and it would be a very good while before very many people would be arriving.I seen that Mark was now onstage doing his soundchecks.I wasnt about to bother him at this time because it just wouldnt have been the right thing to do.It was so hot and sticky out with very little shade.The building was open and I guess I couldve went in there but decided to just hang around outside in the heat for awhile.I was just kind of checking things out.While hanging out in front of the stage area I seen a tall and partially bearded man wearing sunglasses.At first I assumed that he was security. We then began talking with one another about various things including about that nights concert and about Mark for quite awhile.He seemed to be very Grand Funk knowledgeable.I thought,yea he must be security or a manager or promoter or something.He was a very kind man.He later excused himself and walked back to the side area of the stage for a few moments and then returned to where I had been standing.Waiving an arm he says,follow me Chris!I didnt question anything and followed him away from the front of the stage and towards the back of the opened up concert area where these two rather large open faced tents were situated that contained many tables and chairs within them.Come on in and have a seat Chris,he says.I entered the tent and sat down at a table with him but I felt uneasy because this was a restricted area reserved for Marks guests only.He then reassurred me that everything was alright.We sat down and had some very pleasant conversations and I began telling him about all of my past concert experiences I had attended as well as about my past meetings with Mark from so long ago.Hardly anybody had arrived here yet.I wont give out my friends name in this concert story but I will call him Mr.C.Earlier upon meeting him I had given him my cassette and he told me he would give it to Mark for me.It turned out he was not security.It turned out to be that he and his family were very good friends of Marks.Man I was floored.Soon the whole place was suddenly filling up with lots and lots of people but we just kept on conversing and I was awestruck by all of it.We talked about all sorts of things.He told me about his visits to Marks home as well as about all the fun things they would all do together.I was absolutely enthralled with all of this.Mr.Cs family soon entered the tent as well as a whole host of other people and friends.He introduced me to his wife and the kids.Although I was a little excited about all of this,I still managed to keep my calm composure.There was also a young couple who were their friends and who seemed to recognize who I was and I was sure that I had seen them with Marks group long ago from a couple concerts in the past.These were really nice people.A couple of them were kidding around with me about my wanting Marks autograph and seemed to be getting a big kick out of me being fanlike.It was all in good fun.During all of this I had a profoundly grand realization while sitting with all of these fine people that I had always been more of a fan but never really a friend,at least not in the sense of what a friend is.These people didnt view Mark in the same way that I had always viewed him.Dont get me wrong for fans are the foundation that has kept Mark Farner and Grand Funks music alive for all of these years and I am proud to be one and I dont mind getting autographs just list like anybody else.But I could see that these people I was with were ordinary folks.Just ordinary folks with ordinary lives whom all viewed Mark as just another ordinary guy with alot of talent.It was now getting ever closer to showtime as the first band had just finished their set and the now huge crowd was awaiting mark farners nrg band.Joy had called me from work a couple of times earlier in the day.She was worried about me being in the hot sun all day.I told her I was in a tent with Marks friends waiting for the concert later on but she didnt believe me at first.Soon she realized I wasnt kidding her.Oh my God you really are?You suck Chris,you suck she blurted out and she was in a good mood about this but I could hear the envy in her voice.During this pre concert time,I had made a comment to them that I was hoping that Mark would be signing autographs after the show.One of them says,why dontcha just stick around with us Chris?Well probably all be goin out to eat with Mark later on if ya wanna go with us.Now I became the disbeliever.My new friend then looks at me and says,yes Chris we are going out to eat with Mark after the show.Are you going?I told him yes and then excused myself.I then walked over to a concession stand some distance away and called her back on the phone.She was still at work.The original plan had been that she would come and pick me up at the shuttle bus stop after the show was over and she would have about a one hour drive to get here.We obviously had to change our plan.When I called her to explain that wed have to change our plans because I was going out to eat with Mark and my new friends,I think she just about fell out of her chair.I mean this quite literally.I then told her that this was possible but that I wasnt gonna count on anything until I really knew for sure.I would have to call her back later.She would need to know exactly where and when to pick me up.I then walked back to the tent.The concert was just about to start so I made my way down very close to the stage as did many others as Mark and the band kicked things off with-are you ready.This was by far my longest concert Id attended.The regular concert songs like the locomotion,footstompin music,some kind of wonderful,heartbreaker and bad time were included in the mix as they ussually are with each concert.It was pure rockin nrg.I could certainly tell why they called themselves nrg as they played a whole slew of over 18 Grand Funk songs and some of them I had never heard live before.The concert was phenomenal.Mark would include his own personal commentary as to the state of our country before going into-people lets stop the war.A very suitable song for that time.There wasnt all the glamerous trappings,stage props,and big star members like the new grand funk railroad had,but there didnt have to be.NRG didnt need all of that.Their performance in itself stood on its own as these guys delivered a very high energy show that never seemed to slow down.It was honestly one of the best ones I had yet attended.Im your captain/closer to home,nothing is the same and inside looking out were my three favorites for this particular concert that featured a whole lot of songs and encores.I felt genuinely worn out by the shows end both mentally and physically.After the concert was over I walked back to the tents.They had all returned there as well and Mark would be up by the stage soon to meet all the people whom were already lined up.I went up to his concession and bought the NRG live cd.I then returned back to the tent area to watch the big fireworks display with Mr.C and the rest of them and he and his wife took a picture with me.I then wondered if I should get in Marks meet and greet line or not.I mentioned something about getting an autograph from Mark and one of the guys asked,-Why do that when youre gonna be seeing him in a little while anyways?I guess he was right.I called Joy and she was now home from work.She needed to know what she was to do and I told her that I would call her back from wherever it was that we were all going to.We all then took off walking.Figuring that it would only take a second,I had seen Marks drummer Hubert H-bomb Crawford talking with someone up by the stage so I went up and got an autograph from him.But when I had turned back around Mr.C and all of them were now gone.Swarms of people were now either heading for the front gate or lined up to board the buses that had arrived.Finding them among these thousands of people would be like finding a needle in a haystack as I franticly searched all around,including in the restricted parking areas of the place.I had lost them.Sadly I muttered to myself,-They didnt really know me.They were all probably just joking with me about all of this.Im nobody to them so who am I really kidding anyways?I then called Joy again.I gloomily lamented,- I lost them and I really dont want to talk about it,so you can come and get me at the bus stop now,I said quietly and sadly.She said alright and we hung up.It was dark out as hundreds upon hundreds of cars were now pulling out of the front gate onto the road and the bus I was to board was directly across the street.Police with flashlights were gradually directing all of the traffic out.I stood there with others awaiting my chance to cross the road in order to board my shuttle bus when out of nowhere I heard voices yelling,-hey Chris!Hey Chris!I was quickly looking all around.Just ahead of me in the 10 mile per hour traffic was a big bright red hummer pickup truck with a whole bunch of people in the back of it and they were all yelling at me.I then quickly ran up to the truck.It was practically stopped but still moving as the cops were waving at it to get moving with the rest of the traffic.Then the drivers window came down and it was Mr.C.He yelled at me,where in the hell have you been?I responded with,well..um..uh..duh..I was at the stage and..He then says,well never mind all that.Well are ya goin with us or arent you?Where you goin?I asked.Were goin to meet Mark at the best western and then were all goin out to eat.Now are you goin or not?I responded with an enthusiastic,hell ya Im goin!Well get in then,he replied.As the big hummer truck was very slowly moving,I grabbed the tailgate of it and climbed into the back along with all the rest of these people and down the interstate we flew.I called Joy again as the wind was hitting all of us.I caught her just in time in that she hadnt left the house yet to come get me.She asked me if I was at the bus stop yet and I replied,well not exactly.I then explained to her that I was in the back end of a huge red hummer truck with about a half dozen other people and was now flying down the interstate.This call definitely did flip her out.I told her that I would be calling her right back just as soon as I knew more about what was going on.Everybody was so cool.Mr.C then drove into town and dropped everyone off at two different locations where I said goodbye to them and then rode up front with him to the motel and his wife was right behind us in a different car.Mr.C and his whole family were so awesome and made my concert experience complete.When we finally pulled into the motel parking lot I could see Marks bus parked there.He pointed to the top of the tall building.There on the top floor at that room right over there,he says.He then called Mark from his cellphone.They talked for a little while and Mark didnt really feel like leaving and so was calling it a night.I then asked if I could speak with him.Mr.C says,-hey Mark I have someone here who wants to speak with you a moment.He then handed me the cellphone.I said,um ..uh..duh..hi Mark.I began telling him how much I had enjoyed the show and quickly told him as to how I had improved musically and otherwise and for once I actually had good stuff to tell him about.He had actually still remembered me.We talked for a little while longer and he was very kind and thanked me for my comments about the show.It was gettin late now.After talking with Mark awhile,I then had to call Joy to come and get me.Mr C and his wife and myself then walked over to a Hooters across the street but it turned out that they were closed.We then talked for a little while in the parking lot.I agreed that I would occassionally stay in touch with them and perhaps wed come and visit them sometime since they werent really too far away from us.They were all so nice to me and it was such a blessing.They soon afterwards had to leave for home after we said goodbye,and I waited at an all night gas station across the street for my ride to come get me.She soon arrived to pick me up.Her smiling ear to ear she says,I cannot wait to hear all about your day today.Both of us were worn out and tired from our long day as I proceeded to fill her in on the whole story as she drove us down the late night highway,taking us both closer to home.
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grand funk stories Youngstown welcomes
Mark Farner and Peter Frampton B&Bs BackstageJust over two months after the Mark Farner show I had attended in July 2004 at the Colerain township festival I had discovered two more shows that were coming in September.I called my friend Mr.C whom Id met at the Colerain show.I told him about the two upcoming concerts in the northeast section of Ohio that Mark Farners NRG band would be doing.He and his family would not be going.My girlfriend and myself both decided that we were going and would attend both the shows.These concerts were fast approaching.We already had our tickets,motel reservations and our plans made for the upcoming shows.Itd be a long drive.We would be driving literally from one end of the state to the other going from the southwest corner to the northeast corner of the state.Indeed a very long drive.On September 11th 2004 we would be seeing Peter Frampton with special guest Mark Farners nrg band at B&B Backstage in Youngstown Ohio.We then went to the city of Wooster the follwing day September 12th.Mark and the guys would be playing at the Wayne county fairgrounds during the fair that evening along with special guest Gary Puckett from gary puckett and the union gap who were famous for the 60s song young girl.Going to both concerts?Heck why not!We were already far away from home and Wooster was fairly close to Youngstown.The concert in Youngstown would be on a Saturday night.A nice luxury suite at a hotel that was only a three minute walk of the concert area was perfect.We would stay there on both Friday and Saturday nights.Sunday night we would be in Wooster and stay the night there and be on our way back home Monday morning.After a very long drive Friday afternoon we had finally arrived at our destination in Youngstown.Earlier in the week we had heard from B&Bs backstage that Mark would be at a tavern next door to the concert place as well as right next door to our hotel.They would all be there at around 11pm.We decided to go there a little bit early because of the likelihood that the place could become rather crowded later on.We both wanted to have a booth or table to sit at.We walked over there and went in and easily found us a booth when we arrived and I then had an odd feeling.I just couldnt quite put my finger on it though.Over an hour later we had noticed that we were still just about the only ones in there besides the workers and perhaps a couple of people at the bar.I was growing a wee bit antsy but didnt know why.Prior to leaving for these concerts I had been on the phone with Mr.C and he asked us to tell Mark he said hi if we seen him.We told him we would if we seen him.Around 11pm or so,Mark and his company came in and were going to eat dinner.He was greeted and shook hands with a few people including us but he didnt seem to know me as he met us for a second and immediately turned and walked to the back of the place into a private dining room as Joy and myself were somewhat dumbfounded for he seemed closed off and uneasy.Later a girl approached us and says,whats that mans problem?When I spoke with him he acted all pissy like he was king sh*t or something,she remarked.It then suddenly occurred to me.We were just about the only people in there when the place should be packed and the place reopened the kitchen so Mark and all of them could eat in private.It wasnt publicized,I muttered to her.Places like this ussually fill up fast when its announced that a special guest will be there.I told Joy,it obviously wasnt announced.We may have been told about Marks arrival here but obviously nobody else had been told.She agreed but was a little more recalcitrant about it.She then laid it down to me.Well Chris there is still no excuse for being and acting like that and I dont care who the hell they are,nor how famous and uppidity Mark is because its still no excuse for rudeness and bad manners.I tried downplaying it all with her.Theyre getting our money Chris and they wouldnt have anything at all if people like you and I hadnt given it to them.Think about that a minute!This is my vacation time Chris.I have chosen to spend my only vacation this year to see their shows instead of spending it elsewhere,she boldly stated.I liked this aspect of Joy.Coming from a good home and wonderful christian parents and family,her upbringing taught her to quickly point it out when she felt something to be wrong,and she cared not as to who they were or whether they were famous or not.She says whats on her mind and just doesnt care what someone may think.She was on her vacation at the moment and intended on enjoying every second of it.I sat and thought for a moment.I said,well were probably not really supposed to be here and there could be any number of things he may be contending with at the moment like jet lag.She agreed with me but was still very vocal about her thoughts concerning it.We both then decided to walk back to this private dining area when we saw another person walking back there.I was a little nervous.I didnt really wish to interrupt them and had no intentions of pestering them for autographs and what not.We just simply got up and walked in.Mark and the band and a few others were all seated around a large table as we walked up to them.One guy asked Mark if our sudden presence was alright and he knodded that it was ok.Somewhat tongue tied I said,Um ah hey Mark,we didnt mean to disturb you guys but we just wanted to let you know that Mr.C says hi and all.He acknowledged this but appeared visibly bothered.Well thats all we needed to tell you and were sorry if weve imposed.You may not remember me,I calmly added..Yea I do youre Chris,Mark replied.Well we gotta go now,I replied.We both wished them all a good evening and then promptly left to go back to our booth up front at this place.I now felt pretty bad.We then were talking with another guy that had came over and sat down with us.He explained that really nobody knew of their arrival there except for the workers and that it wasnt publicized,just like I had already figured out.A short time later Marks keyboardist Paul Ojibway came out.He walked to the front of the place and first began talking with the guy that had been sitting in the booth with us.Joy then asked,Hey whats up with Mark?Whats up his a#s anyways?Paul took a seat at our booth and talked with us as we listened intently and trying to figure out what he was saying.He then filled us in on some things.He was very kind and cordial as he went into topics such as why they prefer not to be viewed as rock stars and seen moreso as ordinary people instead,as well as how he had discovered many musicians who were better than him musically,including his own mailman.I knew exactly where he was coming from there.He talked for a little while with us and his visit with us was both informative and fun.While we were still chatting with Paul in this tavern,I noticed that he really seemed to wanna know that we understood what all he was trying to convey to us.We understood where he was coming from.What I was failing to understand was why he was telling us about his mailman and these other better musicians and all this other stuff.He visited a short time longer then said goodbye and left.He was really cool and it was a real pleasure for us to get to chat with him awhile.And it sure made me think alot.I thought about the old demo tape I had given Mr.C to give to Mark just two months earlier.I then said aloud,For Gods sakes Joy,he surely wasnt referring to that silly tape of mine was he?He might of been,she replied.I went on with,but why?I dont understand.That doesnt make any sense because that tape was recorded on a two dollar tape recorder and the recording really sucked.Well at least my heart was in the right place I guess.She then replied,I know it was hon but you seem to always underestimate yourself Chris,and I wouldnt sweat it if I were you and consider it a compliment.My mind pondered for a few moments.As motivation guru Tony Robbins once told me at a seminar long ago,ya gotta be for real and examine yours and others actions in a positive light by asking yourself the right questions,and dont always blame yourself or others if another is unable or chooses not to see things in the same light as you.Dont give up your personal power.A story about Tony would be a story in and of itself that I would like to write about sometime in the future.Yes how right Tony is and how true it is as well.I began to try to think realistically about what all Mark is probably having to deal with alot of the time. Its probably quite a bit.Lord knows how many people send him tapes and this and that and open hands coming at him from all directions and only God knows what else coming at him in a continual stream,yea its no wonder.I have been there myself at times.One doesnt have to be a rock star to know how some people can be towards others,and especially when youre really trying to succeed at something worthwhile and meaningful for you.Im just a little known musician and just another person.Id guess that there are perhaps thousands out there who are all unique to me and yet still similar in certain ways.And many of them are devout Grand Funk fans.I am just happy for all of the concerts I have gotten to see and for all the experiences that went with them.Even the not so good ones.Over this weekend an idea came to me.When we would get back home I intended to make all of my Grand Funk pics and memorabilia available online to whomever wished to see them.This was a fun project for me.I had uploaded the whole lot onto a picture site and later a man named Jimmy K invited me to have these pictures displayed on his very fine website.Jimmy is owner of grandfunkrock.com.Its the unofficial website of both Mark Farner and Grand Funk Railroad and is based out of Sweden.This had all occurred after our concert weekend.Anyways,we both had decided to just hang around this tavern for awhile and talked with some people and enjoyed ourselves before walking back to the hotel suite which was right across the street from the one Mark and them were staying at.Friday night in Youngstown was done.It was late but we eventually finally got us some sleep.The next evening was Saturday as we walked over to the outdoor concert area and had reserved seats that were fairly close up.Perhaps nine or ten rows back.The concert was just as grand as it could be but for the higher price of these tickets we still seemed to be a good distance from the stage or so it seemed.We were still satisfied with it though.Mark opened up with are you ready,then others such as time machine,nothing is the same,footstompin music,some kind of wonderful,shinon on,the locomotion,heartbreaker,people lets stop the war,into the sun,he sent me you and a whole list of other songs.The encore would be closer to home.Peter Frampton was a great show too and was a first for both of us which we really enjoyed.We liked how he kidded around with his audience too.This was supposed to be the better of the two places that Mark would be playing this weekend but we later both had to agree that the show in Wooster the following night was better all the way around.A better show,better price and better all around.Mark came out later for a meet and greet as many people began getting into the line.Peter Frampton didnt come out.When we finally got up there to see Mark,he signed my monumental funk album cover as well as the book by Kristofer from grand funk to grace,which I had bought,as well as Joys shirt and one autograph to give to her son Justin.We were later talking to Paul again and for a good while too.We took some pictures and chatted with Paul and soon it was time for Mark and all of them to leave.Paul kept belly aching Mark into taking a picture with Joy and myself.Mark wasnt taking pictures this evening but however he made an exception and did take one with us which was kind of him to do.We thanked him and then left.Calling it a night,we walked back to the hotel after what would be my 14th Mark Farner Grand Funk concert.The following morning we would sign out of the hotel and drive a short distance west to Wooster Ohio and checked into an Econo Lodge.The concert here would be in the evening and would be my 15th one.After this Youngstown show I had continued reading Marks book in our room and was very surprized by all of the hell he had been through.I now understood what Paul had tried to convey to us.We both were rock and rolled out and got to bed because we knew that the following day we were gonna do it all over again and we just couldnt wait.
Just couldnt wait-Grand Funk Railroad/Lp-Good singin good playin 1975
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grand funk stories Mark Farner rocks Wooster Ohio
Were they too funked up? The night the crowd of old farts leftIt was just the previous night of September 11th 2004 that I had experienced my 14th Mark Farner Grand Funk concert in Youngstown Ohio.I was with my girlfriend Joy.We had travelled clear across state to attend two of Marks concerts in Youngstown and Wooster Ohio.Both places were fairly close to each other.After the Youngstown show we headed for the town of Wooster the following day to see Marks NRG band once again at the Wayne county fairgrounds during the fair that evening with special guest Gary Puckett from Gary Puckett and the Union gap.Gary Puckett had the 60s hit single Young Girl.When we arrived in Wooster we went ahead and got checked into an Econo Lodge.The concert wasnt until the evening.After some swimming and relaxing throughout the day we later made our way to the county fair where tonights concerts would be.The previous night had been Mark Farner and Peter Frampton.It was a rather large county fair as compared to ours back home and it costs less than ours too.Basically tonights concert was costing us two bucks each.When we walked over to the grandstands we could see the big stage set up in front of it and with lots of chairs that were situated between the grandstands and the stage.These were the reserved seatings.They were only sixteen bucks for the two of us but we decided to save our money on this one.We had already had reserved seats the previous night.We were now getting pretty close to broke and still had to drive across state the following morning to get back home.Even the center grandstand seats were reserved only.The only seats that were not reserved were the ones on the outer edges of the grandstand.This would be our crappy seats.We would later have much better seats though because something would happen that I have never seen at any of these previous concerts.Everybody would get up from their seats and leave.When Marks band came out and started the concert off with the song-Are you ready,indeed many of them were ready alright.They were ready to leave.We had gone ahead and took a walk around the fair for awhile to check some of the attractions out and we then later returned for some rock and roll.It was obvious everyone else had as well.The entire grandstands and surrounding areas were all jammed packed with people and it looked like a pretty huge crowd.Gary Puckett had taken the stage.A group of local band students would be on stage along with him and his regular band.They all played various brass instruments.He and they were really great for that particular kind of music and we really enjoyed it but it was a far cry from any kind of heavy rock music.A very far cry from Mark Farners nrg.Gary Puckett would soon be finished with his show and his encores and the place was still pretty much jam packed.Mark and the guys soon came out.An introduction was made and as soon as the first song began,away they all left.They indeed vamoosed and scrammed.As the song was playing we could see vast hordes of elderly folks trying to vacate the grandstands and surrounding areas rather quickly.We watched all this from our seats.It looked like a huge herd stampede that were all heading straight for the exit gate.Even into the second song they were still filing out.Rock and roll soul was the second song and as it played we began noticing all of the suddenly empty seats all around us.So we then moved to a better spot.As all of these people were still trying to get out to the exit I observed an elderly lady who was standing up right beside us and was dancing her butt off and boogyin down with the rest of us.She then tapped me on the arm.I lean over to hear her because the music was quite loud.She yells to me,hey sonny lookit this!Look at all the old farts leavin.It must be a gettin way past their bedtimes and they all gotta get outta here so they can take their naps but not me sonny.I may be an old woman sonny but Im here to rock down.She was up and dancin and jumpin all around just like the rest of us.There was a Grand Funk song called,Look at granny run run.It was from off of the 1975 album all of the girls in the world beware.This sweet elderly lady was having alot of fun.As this Wooster concert continued,the cool and funky older lady was still dancin throughout the show as are you ready and rock and roll soul had already played.Next on their set list was footstompin music,into the sun and,heartbreaker.By this time we had found our third new spot to sit in the middle and to the front of the grandstand.We were back a ways but still at center stage.There was another couple that were there too.They were really cool and we all were having a good time.After Mark did People lets stop the war,they followed into nothing is the same,were an american band,creepin and shinon on.They then would do a new one called -same ole feeling.I was taking alot of pictures but they were taken from far away but I took them anyways.They then finshed with songs bad time and the locomotion.Some kind of wonderful and then- inside looking out would be the two encores for the evening and we both seemed to like this show much better than the one in Youngstown the previous evening.Again Mark had came out to meet and greet everybody.As people began getting in line,Joy and I took some time out to chat once again with Marks keyboardist Paul for awhile.He also plays a mean sax too.It was different seeing Mark this time after this particular show.And for good reason too.I had been reading a book entitled-from grand funk to grace by Kristofer Engelhardt practically non stop from the night before and clear into this day just before the concert and had read more than half of it already.Reading it the night before caused me to ponder my grand funk past.I then thought about Mr.C whom was a mutual friend of mine and Marks,as well as what Paul had said to us just a couple nights before,and now I was reading this book and I just had to kinda sit back and laugh at myself.I felt so sorry for Mark too.He had gone through alot more than many folks may have ever believed.This book is mind blowing and great.If you havent ever read this book I would invite you to read it sometime and youll see exactly what I mean.My hats off to Kristofer Engelhardt for this book.After chatting with Paul we finally got in line and got some autographs and Mark was kind enough to take another picture.I couldnt believe what all he had gone through.Quite somberly I had told Mark that I had read part of the book and a particular hellish experience he had gone through really got to me.Mark lit up with a smile as he signed our stuff and posed a pic with us.One of the guys gave me a paper that had been attached to a mic with black tape and had the concerts song list written in black marker.We talked with Paul somemore before leaving.This was my 15th Grand Funk/Mark Farner concert.Some may say that their is only one true American band but I believe there are actually two.Maybe you agree or you dont.In 2001 Mark was still performing solo with his nrg band.Grand Funk were back to together in 2001.However,this was a Markless Grand Funk as original members Don Brewer and Mel Schacher enlisted three new members to the band.Max Carl from 38 special,Bruce Kulick who was once with kiss,and Tim Cashion from Bob Segars band.Now that is an all star line up.They were touring as grand funk railroad but Mark was no longer with them.As For Grand Funk and NRG,I wont go into whos better or whos right and whose wrong for everybody has their own opinions on such things anyways.This new Grand Funk and Don Brewer were really great.Both shows from 2001 and 2003 were absolutely incredible and both were concerts that I would highly recommend even though I am more for Marks group.I will say this though.These bandmates of Marks were just like ordinary common folks who possess alot of talent and they just seemed like someone who could very well be living right next door to you.Paul was especially this way.Not saying that the new Markless Grand Funk arent like common everyday people,but they are all huge well known rock veterens in the media or have been,and perhaps their public often views them as such.This would include Mark as well.Of course the book-from grand funk to grace has likely clarified alot of things to those who have read it including myself.It may well be that both sides are all just ordinary people.They were very friendly and talked with us back in 2001 and seemed like ordinary talented folks just like Mark.Of course this is just my opinion.But despite all of this,they are probably moreso viewed as rock stars than just your average guy in the street.The guys in Marks NRG band may be extremely talented but still represent to me the ordinary guy in the society just trying and often struggling just to make a living for that is what these guys are.They are not yet labled by society as super mega rock celebrities.Perhaps they prefer it this way.And I kind of have a feeling that they really dont wish to be either.Of course I could be wrong.Monday morning we awoke and headed for home and knowing that we had experienced a genuine two concert weekend that was filled with lots of rockin nrg.The next show would be next summer in 2005.We would be going to the Miami Twp festival just outside of Dayton Ohio and would once again get to visit with Mr.C and his family as Mark Farner and his nrg band would once again rock our socks off.But that would be next time.As we headed on our long journey home from Wooster I became absorbed into my book because it was so good.If I had more of them I would probably give them away and pass it around.
pass it around-from the Lp Good singin Good playin 1976
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Mark Farner-The Rock Patriotgrand funk concert stories miami township
Mark Farner rocks the Miami valley 2005In July of 2005 I was living down near Dayton and Cincinnati.When I got word that Mark Farner and his NRG band would be playing at the Miami township festival which was near Dayton,Ohio,I immediately endeavored to find out more about it.My girlfriend Joy was having knee troubles at the time.She would be getting total knee replacements later in the year but despite the pain she dealed with daily,she really wanted to go to this concert too.I decided to call Mr.C who was a mutual friend of ours and Mark Farners.Over the past year since my meeting Mr.C in 2004,I would give him a call once in a blue moon just to see how everyones been doing and to fill them in on how we have been.He told me that theyd all be at the concert and we would see them there.When we had arrived there that afternoon it was sunny and horribly hot outside and there was a half mile to a mile walk from where we had parked to where the stage was located at.She did not like that very well.Later on I had realized that I had forgotten the freakin camera and some other things,thus I had to walk a double trip to the car and back.By this time it was unbearably hot in the mid 90 degree weather.After cooling off under the roof of a shelter house we made our way to the stage for the opening act.Mark and the guys would be on very soon.Joy then looked to her right towards the front corner of the stage where several people were both sitting and standing.Hey Chris isnt that Mr.C right over there?,she says while pointing.At about that same moment the man got up and began walking towards us and sure enough it was him with his wife and all the kids.It was really good to see them all again.We talked for a little while and it was soon time for Mark and nrg to take the stage as people were now out of their lawn chairs and the front of the stage became very saturated with massive numbers of people.I had scribbled the song lineup onto paper as the concert progressed.This way I now have the song lineup for this particular show.They took the stage and started off with -are you ready as the crowd was really goin crazier than most shows Ive attended.Rock and Roll Soul,footstompin music,nothing is the same then followed afterwards in this order.They then played hooked on love.I had never seen them perform this song live at any previous concerts and it really rocked.The big crowd was packed against the stage pretty tight.Songs shinon on,feelin alright,people lets stop the war and the railroad were the next ones played.Then came a superb rendition of were an american band.The songs creepin,same ole feeling with Pauls great saxaphone playing was followed by bad time,the locomotion and the show ended with-some kind of wonderful.The crowd was ecstatic as the applause for an encore became louder and louder.They then came out once more and finished up with-into the sun.It was a really awesome concert.Mr.C and his family were all into the concert just as much as we were but by mid show Joys knees were really taking their toll on her.After the show I talked with Mr.C some more.He pointed to a small bus that was sitting backstage right beside Marks and says,thats whatn they came here in.I knew we could get a ride to our vehicle from him if I asked.I asked him to take a couple pictures with us and he obliged and afterwards we waited for Mark and the guys to come back out.This would be the first time I had met Marks bassist Lawrence Buckner.In the past years Lawrence had played bass for Mark clear back in the Mark Farner common ground band days in the mid to late 80s.but somehow I had always missed out on meeting him.We met him and them and talked with them for awhile.As we waited for our turn to see Mark I asked for a picture with both Lawrence and Marks drummer Hubert Crawford as Joy snapped off the shot for me.Finally it was our turn to see Mark.This all would be a quick visit and seemed to last only moments but it was a good feeling seeing Mark.He shook my hand and calmy says,How are you doin Chris?He signed our autographs and I then handed him a slip of paper with my then website address on it which featured Mark and Grand Funk.After our visit with Mark I was gonna ask for a ride from Mr.C.As we were setting to leave,Joy and I got into a heated argument about having to walk all that distance back to the car.She didnt want to ride with Mr.C.It was pretty obvious that everyone had partyed it up just a tad too much but I didnt feel there would be any danger in him taking us that half mile up the parks road.I was gonna ask him but it was too late.They had already taken off and they were now long gone.It was one long walk for sure.By early 2006 I was no longer with Joy anymore and was living back near my hometown in a place situated along a large lake.Marks next concert would be in July 2006.They would be playing a concert in Mansfield Ohio where I would be meeting some new and special friends from Marks online railroad forum in which would be my 17th concert.My 16th concert was now over and by the time we had finally gotten back home we were dead tired.Our footstompin was done stomped out and our nrg was now un-nrgized but overall we were still feelin alright.
Feelin Alright-Grand Funk Railroad from LP Survival 1971
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Mark Farner cd-For the people-2006
grand funk concert stories Mansfield Mark 2006
mark farner rocks mansfield ohioThroughout 2005 I was spending alot of time online in Mark Farners railroad forum where I had met a good number of grand funk people like me.We were trying to help Mark out at this time.The Grand Funk Railroad without Mark had been touring alot and were allowed to use the grand funk name in their promotions,where as Mark wasnt legally permitted to.We were trying to get Mark a spot on the pbs network show soundstage.People were contacting the show and requesting him to be on it but it just seemed as though it just wasnt meant to happen I guess.My 16th concert was that year in Miami townships park near Dayton Ohio.It wouldnt be until July of 2006 that I would attend my 17th Grand Funk Mark Farner show in Mansfield Ohio.In early 2006 I had moved back near my hometown.Things wouldnt end up working out between my girlfriend and myself and I would eventually end up moving to a place right along a big lake a few miles from my hometown.I had known for quite a while about this upcoming Mansfield concert.Quite a few friends from Marks online railroad forum would be attending and some of them were from out of state.I didnt know which one I was more excited about.Was it seeing Mark or meeting them?I did know one thing for sure.Despite my personal dilemmas and situations at the time,I was not gonna miss this show and did not care what it would take to make it.No was not even an option.In previous years I had gone to some of Marks and Grand Funks shows with friends who sometimes made things pretty difficult.Wed get to the concert late.Or someone would end up too drunk to even walk,let alone actually visit with Mark.Or theyd say,I wanna go now so we can beat the traffic.Or I dont wanna meet Mark because I will have to stand up for ten minutes in a line so why dont we skip all of that?It always seemed to be undependabilty from them in the extreme.I told myself,no not this time and no lazy and idiotic people either.After having weighed all my options I could see that everything was lookin rather bleak.I then remembered my friend Dave L.He had gone with me to two other shows in previous years and he was ussually reliable and none whining.I thought,Oh God I hope he doesnt have to work that day or something.I called him up and said,Hey Dave this is Chris.Ya wanna go see Mark Farners show again?He replied,I doubt if I can Chris because I have to be in Mansfield that day to see my girlfriend.Wheres Mark playin at anyways?I then instantly lit up as I said,its in Mansfield Dave!Dave laughed a little bit and says,youve got to be kidding me?Well we both left for Mansfield Ohio a full day before the concert and stayed at his girlfriends house the night before and the night after the concert.Even though we both would be practically broke this was still ideal.Dave had already borrowed what he had needed in order to get there and thanks to my friend I at least now had the means to be able to go.I was so thankful he wanted to go.Having driven through a major thunderstorm on our 90 minute drive there,we observed loud thunder and lightening and down pours all the way there and all throughout the night.It rained so much and seemed like it would never stop.Miraculously the following morning there would not be even one cloud in the sunny blue sky.We were blessed with a picture perfect day.It would be gettin up into the mid 90s today and it would soon become blistering hot at this show.And in more ways than one!Even though Dave and his girlfriend Sandy had no problems with going to sleep the night before and wouldnt awake until late morning,I had fell asleep very late and awoke early.We were all very low on finances.In fact,I had to actually make the decision of do I dehydrate today and buy Marks new cd or do I hydrate and not buy it?To hydrate or dehydrate,that was the question.lol.When we arrived at the festival just before 4pm,we were dismayed that no containers whatsoever were permitted past the gate and on the premises.Not even plastic water bottles.The woman working at the gate was kind though and permitted me to come in with a bottle of water but I only had the means of buying one more bottle if I was to get this cd that I really wanted and it would have to last me the entire day.Dave and Sandy were both facing the same dilemma.When we got to the seated area in the front of the stage I could see a couple that were seated up front.Not many people were seated yet.Turned out to be two fellow railroad forum members Deb and Greg.It was so cool meeting these folks.I had called my friend Mr.C a few weeks before this show to see if they were planning on attending it since I had attended Marks shows with them in 2004 and 2005.They were out of state and wouldnt get to make it to this one.Man it was blistering hot out.I went up to them and introduced myself and my friends as we talked with them for awhile and took some pictures.We then sat back down in the hot humid sun that was beating down on us.As the crowd was getting a little bigger at the stages seating area we had to endure a karaoke contest which I found at best to be extremely boring.At 7pm local performers The Jimmy Vincent Band took the stage as the opening act.I was very impressed.This was some of the best hard rockin blues I had ever seen performed,and thats saying alot for I have seen many and had jammed with alot of blues musicians myself.These guys were really amazing.They jammed for a whopping two hours straight and the crowd was really gettin into it.They were really that good.During their entire set they were throwing out t-shirts and other various memorabilia out into the crowd.I soon had a frisbee,various cupholders and a few shirts.The shirts actually came in very handy as I went through wearing three of them throughout the day due to the sweltering heat.During this opening act I had left for awhile to the restrooms and afterwards in search of a water fountain but there was none to be found.So I bought a bottle of water.It was all I had left and I shared it with both Dave and Sandy who were now visibly hot and thirsty.When I had returned with my water my railroad forum friends Suzie,Nancy and her husband were there along with Greg and Deb.These were all folks who had came from out of state for this show.Theyre some really awesome people.There were other forum members there too but I had trouble in deciphering who was who.Most of them were staying at the nearby hotel that Mark and them were staying at.This was so cool seeing all these folks.When the jimmy vincent band had finally finished their set,it didnt take long for the stagecrew to have everything set for Mark Farner and his NRG band.Very soon they would be taking the stage.It was now evening and it was still extremely hot out.The crowd was now much larger and we were all right up in front of it all.They started out the show with the song rocknroll soul and would play an array of various Grand Funk hits in true funk fashion.They even played TNUC in its entirety.I hadnt seen them play that in years and Hubert Crawfords drum solo was something you would need to experience to believe.Three songs from Marks new cd -for the people-were played as well.Two of which I had never heard before.We were all right up in front of the stage including Dave and Sandy.I was so very relieved.Aint no whiners,drunkards or complainers here for sure.The show wasnt as long as we all wouldve expected it to be but it was still performed in true Farnerific fashion.And there was another first for me.A first was seeing that Marks brother Ricky Farner had joined the band in their stageshow playing both electric and accoustic guitars and a backing vocal.I thought he made a nice addition to Marks band.Directly in front of the stage about five to six feet out from it were plastic road pylons all connected by yellow police tape.It was not to be crossed under any circumstances.So of course during the concert Nancy went ahead and climbed right over it and got us all to cross over it as well.Afterall,the tape was too easy to cross so we all did it.As we were all jumpin around because we were now all funked up,the police came up and ordered us all back to the other side of the barrier.But Nancy would have another plan.Since we cant cross the barrier of road pylons,lets just gradually move them closer to the stage as she picked up some pylons and moved them closer and closer.But this wouldnt last long.The police came back and placed the barrier back in its spot and warned us to not move them again.As this happened my eyes suddenly opened wide with delight.Looking down in front of my feet I beheld a large bottled water that had not even been opened yet.It was as if it was meant for me to find and have it!I quickly grabbed it up and looked to the sky and gave thanks for it for we were really dehydrated by now and this was like a lifesaver.I shared it with Dave and Sandy and we were all very thankful for it.When Mark went into the locomotion Nancy and Sue began chugging through the huge crowd as dozens of people got behind them to form what appeared to be a long chain of people and increasing larger as they all were going through the crowd.This became known as the first locomotion cobra.The band finished with encores of closer to home-and-we gotta get out of this place.After the show people were lining up to see Mark.He and they would generally go clean up first and then come out to do a meet and greet.This sometimes includes the whole band.When it was our turn to see Mark I had a copy of his new cd For The People that I had purchased earlier and my studiorocks cd which featured me and twelve other artists that had been released the previous year.However the company got into legal trouble and the cd was discontinued.Even though it was discontinued and never went anywhere,it still represented a great deal to me that I had acheived.I genuinely wanted him to have a copy.When I handed it to him and told him what it was he took it but visibly appeared like he really didnt want it.But he graciously accepted it and I was happy for that.Grand Funks music had a big influence on my guitar playing back in those days.I was proud to share with Mark what I had done.I was absolutely delighted with his kind words he imparted to me as he signed my cd and it was just a plain old great feeling.Soon we were the only remaining people.There was roughly about eight of us as we talked among ourselves and to Paul and the rest of the band until the line had dwindled down some.I personally enjoyed talkin with Marks brother Rick.When all was done and it was time to leave,I knew I had attended another super concert.When I came home the following day I was asked how the concert was and I had to reply that it was a grand concert for the people.
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My Grand Funk concert stories-(part3) 1989-2008 Tue 3 Aug 2010
Mark Farner in Celina Ohio June 1989
Hot summer nights at the carousel1989 for me seemed like a year of big parties and wild abandon.It was indeed a crazy time.Partys and loud music and guitars being the norm.Music would blast from my place as well as the neighbors upstairs as people would stumble through the yard and even hang from the roof.We actually called home the hellhouse.Complete with faulty electric,crumbling foundation,the shower in the basement,leaky roofs and a landlord who probably partied it up more than we did.I often wondered when the house was gonna literally cave in.I give this dreaded analogy for a reason.Hopefully it gives one at least a general idea of what my lifestyle was like back at that time.I was far from any christian for sure.There was lottsa parties but it was not a happy time by any means.Alot of bad things had occurred as well.In December of 1988,just two months after attending my sixth Grand Funk/Mark Farner show in Cincinnati,I had met up with a girl who lived an hour away in Columbus Ohio.Sometimes Id visit with her there.It was good to get away from all the craziness occassionally too.In June of 1989 she and I along with my friend Dave L would venture to just outside of Celina Ohio for a full weekend of rock and roll.One weekend prior to this she and I were walking up high street in downtown Columbus in the evening amongst the thousands of people when out of nowhere this black man walks up and taps me on my shoulder.He says,hey dude what are you doin here?As I turned I seen it was my friend Lewis whom I hadnt seen since 1981 after my grandpas and his fathers death.They had both died as friends in the nursing home together.Lewis and I had became the best of friends and have been that way even to this day.He had became a preacher in later years.I thought what were the odds of my running into him down here among all these thousands of people?It was really good to see him again.While she and I were hanging around in that area,I had found a flyer in a radio store advertising a two day concert at a place called the carousel which was a big indoor outdoor club out in the country just miles outside of Celina Ohio.We made our plans to go.The place had an opened up outdoor area complete with stage,an all sand ground like a beaches,picnic tables and alot of space all contained within a large steel fence.My friend Dave L came along too.A nice campground was right down the road so we made our reservations there.Both days were very hot and sunny.Many local and regional bands would be playing on both days.These were both all day events.Steppenwolf was featured for Saturday night and Mark Farner would be the featured artist the following Sunday night.I had written Mark a week prior to this show.I had sent it to the carousel in Celina in care of them and they assured me that Mark would receive it when he arrived there.Both these Steppenwolf and Grand Funk shows were never much advertised.In fact we had guessed that perhaps only about 400 people had shown up for day one and only a few hundred for day two.Heck if even that many.The ad flyers were misprinted as they read Mark Farner of Grand Funk Railroad with hits the locomation,instead of the locomotion,and footstoppin music instead of footstompin music.Obviously very few of these flyers were made either.After spending the entire Saturday there with all these bands including Steppenwolf who were really great,we called it a night and headed back for the campground.But then the unthinkable occurred.We were less than a few hundred feet from the campgrounds entrance when a deputy sheriff pulled us over and gave her a complete dui test.She had earlier drank quite a bit too.He had her go through the entire gambit and then finally told her she was on the borderline.Where you going?he asked.She points at the entrance that is a stones throw away and says,just right there sir.He actually then let her go with a warning.Ah yes,now theres the cherry on the sundae that made our evening complete.Once there we built us a campfire.We stayed up for a little while and had campfire munchies and eventually passed out while laying beside the fire.The next day we went swimming for while.After our swim we got ourselves together and headed back to the carousel for day two of our weekend rockfest.All of the other bands were really good.When it was time for Mark and the guys to come out,we were able to walk up and occupy the entire length of the front of the stage for everyone else were still clear in the back of the place behind us.Soon more people came to the front of the stage.The show was a mixture of Grand Funk songs I had heard at the previous shows along with some of Marks christian material.The song isnt it amazing sounded so awesome live.Such a smaller crowd yet youd think them guys were playin to a large packed house by the way they performed their whole set.The whole concert was great.After the concert we could see that people were already lining up outside of the tour bus awaiting for their turn to go aboard to meet Mark and the band.We waited awhile and eventually got in line ourselves.We talked with some stage crew a short while.We had learned at that time that former grand funk members Don Brewer and Craig Frost were now touring and performing with the bob segar band and that Mel Schacher was now into selling and trading refurbished Jaguars or something like that.I also heard about Marks big upcoming show.He was going to be doing a concert at the Atlanta pop festival in tribute to the original pop festival that had helped propel them into stardom back in 1969.This would be the 20th year anniversary of that first concert.When we did get in line I began letting people cut in front of us as she and Dave were getting kind of upset and asking me what was wrong and why would I be doing such a thing and both of them fearing that they wouldnt get to meet him.But I just kept on lettin everybody cut in front of us anyways.She and I would soon get into a small argument about this and by the time our little spirited debate was ended,we were about to board and we would be the very last ones as well.The bus door opened and we three and one other guy stepped in.As Mark was walking toward the back of the bus he says,How ya doin Chris?Hey I got your letter by the way.Ill be right with you.This was a special moment for me for we were about to sit down in Marks bus and chat with him for a good while,and I wasnt the least bit stoned and neither were my friends.He soon came back and asked us to have a seat as I introduced everybody to him.We all then sat down.Mark walked back up front to speak with the driver and then turned and walked back to us.Hey Chris come here,he says.I stood up and walked over to him.Hows things been?he asked.In reality things had not been very good for me at all as he then hugged me and asked again.Hows things been?As he hugged me while asking,I could feel myself tearing up but I still maintained myself as I was barely able to blurt out,things havent been too good Mark.We both sat down as I then pulled out a spanish style cross and a button depicting him at the carousel that I wanted him to have and handed them to him.He talked with us a very good while.He told me about how if I would use my talents for God rather than for myself that my success would eventually be assured and in Gods good time a path would be made for me to be able to travel towards my goals.We all talked about other things as well and it was awesome.Mark and his bandmates and some other guys from his crew all prayed for us on the bus as we all held hands in a big circle.They were all praying for my well being and success.I must say that this was one of the most moving moments in my life and I realized that this wasnt something that just happened everyday.Soon they were all packed and ready to leave.We each got our autographs and posed for a pic with Mark before saying our final goodbyes to them all and I really felt genuinely happy.We were all high but in a much different and better way,and to this day I still cant quite exactly describe it.But I knew we liked it though.When I arrived back home I knew that things would likely be as chaotic as they always were.But I always had this memory.When life became like a social disaster I could always go back and recall that evening with Mark on the bus,and its as though nothing is the same.
Nothing is the same-Grand Funk Railroad from the Lp Closer to home 1970
On Marks bus after the show-June89
Grand Funk Railroads producers of their music
Terry Knight produced the albums on time (1969)-grand funk(the red album (1969)-closer to home (1970)-live album (1970)-survival (1971)-epluribus funk (1972) Mark Don and Mel (1972)
Grand Funk (themselves)produced the album- pheonix (1972)
Todd Rundgren produced the albums-were an american band (1973)and- shinon on (1974)
Jimmy Ienner produced the albums-all of the girls in the world beware!(1975)-caught in the act(1975)-born to die (1975) and- greatest hits (1975)
Frank Zappa produced the album-good singin good playin (1976)
Dick Wagner produced Marks first solo album-Mark Farner-(1977)
Jimmy Iovine produced Mark Farners second solo Lp-no frills (1978)
Don Brewer,Mel Schacher and Craig Frost produced their own album called -Flint(1977)
Andrew Cavaliere produced the Grand Funk Lp-lives (1981)
Cliff Davis and Gary Lyons produced the album-whats funk?(1983)
Mark Farner,Bill Baumgart,Tim Heinz produced Mark Farners album-just another injustice (1988)
Mark Farner-Mark produced his own album here called-wake up (1989)
Bill Baumgart produced Mark Farners album-some kind of wonderful (1991)
Ron Nevison produced the live Grand Funk album called -Bosnia (1997)
Steve Lisuk-produced Marks live cd-NRG Live (2004)
Mark Farner-I believe Mark produced his cd-for the people (2006)
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my grand funk concert stories 3 decades of rock
The heart of Ohio jamLike they say,if ya givem an inch theyll take a mile.That statement pretty much describes my own actions in the concert written about here and caused me to rethink some things as well.It had been just over a year since my last concert.My last Mark Farner/Grand Funk concert was at a place called the Carousel just outside of Celina Ohio in 1989 when I attended it with my girlfriend and my friend Dave L.That was a memorable night for me.We had all gotten to talk with Mark for a good while and it was all such a relaxing atmosphere.This one would be quite different.To those unfamiliar with Mark Farner,he was the lead guitarist and singer of the 70s supergroup Grand Funk Railroad.It was now August 11th of 1990.This would be my 8th concert and would be held at Marion Fairgrounds,Marion,Ohio.Actually,I had won the tickets.One day while at a friends house the local radio station announced the giveaway of two concert tickets to be given away to the right caller so I picked up his phone and tried.I called at the right time and won.The show was entitled three decades of rock and roll and featured Mitch Rider and the Detroit Wheels,the ozark mountain daredevils,the tubes,mark farner of grand funk,the romantics and finishing with blue oyster cult.Six big acts in all.All these shows in one day and all of them on a mere 15 dollar ticket.Yep,just fifteen bucks.I invited my friend John to go with me because hed seen Grand Funk and Mark with me before and had always been a reliable good friend.John is one of my best friends to this day and this particular concert would be his third.of the four he has attended with me.We were both very low on money.We would have enough for gas and perhaps twenty bucks each to go,but the more expensive special reserved seating was simply out of our financial reach.We were still happy though,seeing that our tickets were free.Later I would find out that only the special reserved seatings would get to see Mark or any of the other bands and security would be ultra tight.It was high noon and local bands were now finishing up their sets.We arrived just before mitch rider and the detoit wheels would be taking the stage,then ozark mountain daredevils,then the tubes and Mark would be going on after the tubes show.All of the shows were awesome.Security would not let anyone without that pass to get backstage,including even some of the stageworkers who were trying to do their jobs.Now thats tight to the point of stupidness in my book.At Marks concession stand I was talking with a worker there while choosing what to buy and she remarks,you outta have Mark autograph it Chris.Gloomily I told her that I didnt have reserved seating.She then made a special deal with me in that if I come back to her booth after Marks show and help her carry two large trunks across the grounds to Marks bus,that shed get me back there.It sure wouldnt be easy though.Those things were very heavy and far away from the stage and bus and I have a bad back,but I decided to give it my best shot.Mark and guys soon came out.It was a pretty good concert but it was like watching it from a distance behind the reserved seats.When Marks set was finished I headed for the concession as asked.I promptly told John that I had to leave for awhile and told him briefly as to why and then I quickly left.I knew the time Id have would be limited.Soon the romantics would begin their show as we continued loading up stuff into these huge crates and carrying them across the grounds.We finally arrived at the fence.She began talking with the security who soon began demanding to see her pass and then demanding to see mine,so she kindly argued her case to him.Hes working for me.Hey look,Im in charge of Mark Farners stuff here and I need this mans help with it and he is working under me.He finally told me to go on in.She left but soon came back to tell me that she had to leave and had me hold my coat over my left shoulder,so as to cover the area where the stage pass sticker is supposed to be.I then thanked her and minutes later I was on board the bus.Mark asked how Id been doing and at the time I was not doing so well.So without thinking,I told him how everythings been so bad.After a brief moment of silence,he looks at me and says,Chris dont you think its about time we stop the crap?Then he laid it on me.I really wasnt expecting this and it was a tough one for me to handle at the time.I listened but didnt really like what was said.However in later years I would reflect back and see that much of what Mark had said was very true.Givem an inch and theyll take a mile.Or at least I did.After our discussion I asked him for an autograph and he gave me one.Well actually he gave me a few of them.The autograph and another autographed bible from his ministry that he wanted me to have as well as a pamphlet.I then asked,can my friend John have one?So he obliged me and signed an autograph for me to take back to my friend John.Can I have one from the rest of the band?So Mark called in two of the three other members and they obliged me with autographs.Mark can I have a picture?So..he goes along with it and does the picture.Mark can I have an autograph of the third guy?Finally they booted my ass off the bus by pretending that this third guy wasnt on the bus when he actually was.Go outside Chris and hell be there.When I departed from the bus I was standing there looking around for Lawerence,Marks bass player.I believed them.Suddenly the bus pulled out and drove away.As the bus was pulling away I stupidly asked myself,now whyd they go and do that for?I then went back to where John was.He was still up near the stage and I gave him his Mark items I had gotten for him.He was very surprized.The romantics were now finishing up their set and blue oyster cult would soon be up to finish out this music festival.John was glad that Id finally returned.Blue oyster cult then took the stage to finish out the show and what a great show it was.The festival ran to nearly midnight.It was indeed getting late and John and I were both very exhausted as we set out on our long drive home.I had gotten Marks cd called Wake Up which ironically,is what I today believe that Mark was trying to get me to do that day.To finally wake up.
Wake Up-Mark Farners Common Ground band from the LP-Wake Up 1990
Some Grand Funk facts
Grand Funk appeared at the atlanta international pop festival July 4th 1969 in front of an estmated 186,000 people.They played for free.They were on the bill with Janis Joplin,Chuck Berry,Joe Cocker,Led Zeppelin,Creedence Clearwater Revival and a whole host of others during this two day concert event.The temperature that day would be in the hundreds.The band was the opening act and turned out to steal the whole show.They played for 45 minutes in the sweltering heat.It was so hot out that Mark decided to throw off his shirt during the performance and the crowd went wild about this.This became like a trademark for them.Mark was the first rock musician in history to actually perform on stage shirtless.The overall response was beyond overwhelming.Instantly promoters from all over the country were now taking notice and this included capitol records as well.Their first album called-on time-was released in August of 69.Thus began a long and adventurous journey for this garage band from out of Flint Michigan and the lives of Mark Farner,Don Brewer and Mel Schacher would forever be changed as they would become one of the biggest selling rock acts in history.
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my grand funk concert stories Mark Farner at JBs lounge in Kent Ohio April 1991
Mark Farner at JBs Lounge,Kent,Ohio 91Journey to Kent Ohio
On April 11th of 1991,my friends Curt and Robert and myself had made plans to drive practically across the entire state to the city of Kent Ohio.Mark and the guys would be playing at a lounge called J.B.s with special guest The Armstrong Bearcat band.It would be my last Mark Farner Grand Funk show until 1998.This was Roberts second concert.He was with us when we seen Marks show at Bogarts in Cincinnati back in October of 1988.This concert would be Curts first.I had written to Mark and told him how things had been going for me,and as usual it was probably the woe always me stuff.Well this letter resulted in Mark writing me back some time later.I had found this letter to be highly judgemental as well.I was living through some very real hardships at the time.I had made some comment in this letter that somehow became misunderstood by him in the wrong way.His reply came to me long after this show.When the 11th came around we all three got in Curts car and proceeded to drive towards Kent and we stopped at Roberts moms house along the way just to visit for awhile,and then wed later head on to Kent.
After this very long ride we finally had arrived.Marks bus was out in front of the place when we got there and we did manage to get there at a decent time and got good seats.J.B.s Lounge was a very nice place.It was smaller and the stage was just about at floor level itself and the sound really boomed when it was cranked up.Marks concert was great as always.It wasnt one of the better ones I had been to and it was mostly the same songs they had played the year before but we really did have a good time there.The place definitely rocked.There were so many people in such a smaller place.Mark and common ground came out and opened with are you ready and then went into songs like rock n roll soul,footstompin music,paranoid,the religious version of some kind of wonderful,sins a good mans brother,bad time,the locomotion and a whole array of other GFR songs.His religious solo stuff was played too.Isnt it amazing is such a beautiful song no matter how many times one hears it and the same goes with Im your captain/closer to home as well.
After the show we helped the crew to break down the stage equipment and then went out front and visited with Mark on the bus and Mike Maple and Arnie Vilchez outside.These were two of Marks band members and it was all pretty cool.We talked with them for awhile and it was all alotta fun.When we seen Mark he appeared to be in really good spirits and I wasnt about to disrupt that.I was really in good spirits too.I introduced Curt to him and reintroduced Robert and he took a pic with us.Soon it was time for them to leave.We had a very long drive ahead of us ourselves,so we said our goodbyes to them and we headed out.It would soon take longer than wed thought.As we were rollin down the late night highway,we had all became pretty tired from this long exhausting day.It then just had to happen.
As Curt was driving there was not even one other car in sight of us for miles and out of nowhere his headlights began flashing along to the speed of the car.He speeds up and the flashing of his headlights would speed up.He slows down and the flashing slows down.Either fast or slow felt like we were being led down the road with strobe lights and it became increasingly difficult for us to stay on the road as his headlights began to flash even faster.Before long we were driving 20 to 30 mph on this highway.This was all we could do in order to at least see where we were going.I suggested that we pull over.Since there wasnt any other cars around yet we just kept on goin like this through the night.We were almost home by 5 am.We had reached a town that was only about 27 miles from our home so we pulled over for there were other cars around us now and wed just wait til daylight came.A policeman then stopped beside us.When we told him what our lights were doing he permitted us to wait in the lot that we had found til daybreak.When daybreak came we headed on home.My next Grand Funk show wouldnt be until 1998.In 1991 Mark would also come out with his third religious rock album entitled Some kind of wonderful and the title song was similar to the original Grand Funk hit but with a religious twist to it.
As for the letter that came to me later in 91 after this Kent show?There had came a time when I found it in my heart to forgive Mark for his harsh personal judgements.A preacher I spoke with said for me to send it back to him and tell him how I felt so I did.Mark would appear on television late in the year.On the program he would perform a beautiful unplugged rendition of the song The Vision.I have to admit that in later years I had realized that much of what Mark had said was very much true.Today I have as much respect for Mark and Grand Funks music as I always have.He is still truly the american rock patriot.In 1998 myself and three friends would venture to The Fraze Pavilion in Kettering Ohio.This concert would be the original Grand Funk Railroad.Mark Farner,Don Brewer and Mel Schacher were back together again and this would be my first live concert with all of the original members on stage.I was very excited about this.But how was I to know that it would turn out to be the worst Grand Funk concert I had ever attended and anything that could have gone wrong most certainly would go wrong.A real nightmare.
Kent Ohio1991
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grand funk concert stories reunion tour 1998
Inside escorted out
It had been a long time since my last Grand Funk show which was back in April 1991 when we seen Mark Farner and the Godrockers in Kent,Ohio.It had been around seven years.The only time I had written Mark was when my oldest sister was dying of cancer in 1995. I had sent a prayer request to Marks ministry.I guess I was hoping at that time that perhaps his ministry was still there. It wasnt and my letter was returned.I didnt even know if Mark had even been touring anymore until I heard he was touring with Ringo Starrs all star band.I wouldve loved to seen one of those shows.Well here it was seven years later in June 1998 and we were all going to see the reunion concert of the original Grand Funk Railroad.This would be my 10th Grand Funk concert.But this was different in that I had never seen the original Grand Funk live yet.They were mostly Marks shows Id seen.My first concert was their abc in concert televised show and the second concert was Mark,Don and Denny Bellinger as Grand Funk.The remaining seven concerts I had attended were Marks band.We wouldnt have guessed in a million years what was going to be in store for us once we got to this concert.Needless to say we were all excited.
What should have been my best Grand Funk Railroad show would turn out very much for the worse in many ways.The concert itself was very good.It was even grand.It wasnt the band that turned this into a nightmare into unusual proportions.I sure learned alot that day though.It was soon getting to concert day and the four of us would be heading down below Dayton to Kettering Ohio to the fraze pavilion.We had reserved seating for this concert.Going on this trip to Kettering would be myself,a friend Angie whom had never been to a rock concert,my friend Dave R and his girlfriend.I would be the one driving.My old camero was gonna be a tight fit for everyone and Angie sat up front with me.Unfortunately it just had to happen.Dave had a need for a bottle and put away a fifth of 40 proof vodka prior to the show.Then there were more and more delays.We were starting to run very late and by the time we finally found the place Grand Funk was already on their second or third song as we could hear the song time machine just outside the entrance.I was really afraid Dave wouldnt make it in.He was very drunk and he and his girlfriend had been incessantly arguing all the way down here.We were finally inside in the concert area.A girl walked up and asked to see our tickets and then escorted us to our seats which were actual seats but fairly far away from the stage.There were alot of people but not in the seat section.
As far as reserved seating was concerned,there were literally hundreds of empty seats surrounding all around us.Three minutes later this guy approaches us.He looks at our tickets and says,youre in the wrong seats.He then escorts us three rows down.Like it would even make any difference because all the stupid seats were empty.Then it wasnt even fives minutes later when the first girl comes up and says,youre in the wrong seats.She then took us three rows back again.Incredibly,within minutes another guy took us from our seats and placed us on the other end of the stage.Then ten minutes later the first girl comes back.She starts yelling at us for having moved and asked us once again go to our original spot.When we got there we were moved once again.This went on for more than half the concert and when Dave got up and stumbled to a closer seat of his own,I could see he was beyond raging mad.Again a guy came up to check our seats.Dave then muttered,Im gonna freakin hit him Chris. When he stood up with his hands clenched the guy began to back up.He looks at me and says,theyll just have to throw me out of here Chris.Dave glared at him and this guy knew he meant business.As another employee approached we were now all sayin-look man,theres nobody sittin in these seats within a three hundred foot radius.Havent you any sense at all?Would you pretty please leave us the freakin hell alone so we can watch this concert?I think Dave downright scared them.When he stood back up he glared at them fiercely and they immediately left.We were now in the proper seats 40 minutes later! The concert was superb.Well at least what little we got to actually see of it and they played the song The Railroad and that was a first for me.Mark was dancing across the stage jammin footstompin music and daves girlfriend had absolutely fell in love with him.I really liked -inside lookin out.Mark was jammin all over the place and quite a crowd had assembled all along the front of the stage.The concert itself was all awesome.Don Brewer did a drum solo that was out of this world and Mel really made it all complete.It was the original three amigos.
Since we had arrived so late we had never gotten the chance to obtain one of the passes that were given away earlier and Dave was certainly in no shape to see the band.He has always been a true Grand Funk fan though.When the show was finally over and the people were filing out,both the girls helped Dave back to the car.I guess I got stupid because I remained.Eventually the only ones left were the stage crew and the workers of the place and the gates were now closed.I then started gettin a little scared.I feared that one of the workers would recognize that I wasnt an employee.But they didnt and a few of them were especially nice to me.One of the stage crew soon approached me and after talking with him awhile I then introduced myself.He actually seemed to remember who I was.I was very elated as I told him about how our late excursion to Kettering had caused us to miss the chance of obtaining a backstage pass.He was cool and understanding.I told him I was kinda in fear now too since I wasnt supposed to be here.He assured me everything was alright.We talked while he continued his job and I asked them if they needed any help with anything.They didnt and he was just about finishing up.He says,gimme a moment and Ill take ya back to see Mark Chris.Are you sure?I replied.Yea Chris dont worry it aint no big thing man and youre alright here.I said bless your heart.I waited patiently and nobody minded that I was there.This guy had obviously toured with Mark back in the 80s and early 90s and we did remember each other.
Don Brewer then walked past the stage.The stagehand was just about done with his stuff and was asking me about my past concerts and so forth.He was almost done packing.Then out of nowhere a man storms onto the stage yelling-What in the effen hell is he doin here?I knew I was in trouble.The stagehand explained to him that he was taking me back to see Mark.The man then went nuts.The roadie went to bat for me and he really tried to convince this guy that everything was alright and that it wasnt such a big deal.But there was no convincing him.He then began screaming at the man and telling him that hed fire him if he even said one more word.No one is to be here,he yelled.But Chris isnt hurting anything and I dont mind helping him,he replied.Like an inhuman madman,the guy was goin nuts.I am so sorry Chris,the roadie said to me.I am so sorry.I know you are and I appreciate your trying,I replied.I had no desire to watch this guy sacrafice his job to this man,so I said goodbye and wished him well.I could tell he was bummed out.
Follow me,the angry man snorted.I was scared and as we walked to the gate I apologized to him and briefly told him about what had happened.I was as sincere as could be.You will get the effin hell outta here now or youll be in big trouble,he snarled.I said,Look I am very sorry.I know it was wrong of me to remain after it closed and I do indeed deserve to be tossed out.But this guy was mean.As if possessed.I then told him,look sir I havent seen Mark since 91 when he and common ground prayed on the bus with us.Oh so youre one of those huh?Now I know that I want you the hell out of here and you better go now.Some people started booing .Six years later I would find out the truth.In 2004.I was told a couple times who and what it really was all about..And I guess I can understand that seein I wasnt supposed to be there.Im told that some of Marks people had left the tour early because of the same reasons,Read what Marks brother has to say about it in the book by Kristofer Engelhardt -from Grand Funk to Grace.Dont know if this is true or not.I am bettin that it is true.Personally I feel that even though I was in the wrong doesnt excuse this other man treating me or anyone else in such a subhuman way.Especially when theyre buying his tickets and paying his bills..
Well this guy was now just staring at me from a distance.Groups of people were asking me what happened and I told them.Quite a few people were suddenly pissed.Not one liked hearing what I had to say about my(quote)being one of those.One man walked up to me and hands me his stage pass.Here take it man.I dont even want it now.Are you sure?I exclaimed.Yea, I dont even want to meet them now anyways.Here,please take my pass.A few others then said the same thing to me and walked away.Another man then offered me his pass too which I accepted.When this guy seen the disgruntled fan hand me his pass he came running over yelling No,no,no,and swiped the pass from my hand.The fan who gave me the gift then got mad,hey I gave that to him.Well thats too effen bad the man snarled back at him.People then booed him.Look we dont want your kind around here and that pass will do you no good.I was somewhat embarrassed by all this but shouldnt have been.because he was the one that was making an idiot out of himself.A few others then broke from the line.
The people smoking and drinking in and out of the bus showed that indeed this was not the common ground days.Thats for sure.It certainly put an old letter that Mark had sent me back in 91 into a new perspective.That was for sure.I stood there from a distance looking at the bus.When Mark and Don came out of the building to get into their cars to leave,neither one paid any mind to us fans who were trying to get their attention.I told these guys not to fret it because I certainly wasnt.I could just feel that something just wasnt right.I genuinely felt sorry for Mark.I said a little silent prayer for him as he was driving away.I thought of the song-like I was before.As I was then deep in thought I could hear these guys still upset.One fan even threw his unautographed records in the garbage.These few fans were really hurt and as I was hearing their remarks and looking at the lit up nightime bus in front of me.My mind wandered and thats when the odd sense came to me.There was something that just wasnt right.I just couldnt put my finger on it.I ended up brushing it aside.But I suddenly didnt feel bad anymore like the rest of these guys did.Yes I was disappointed.But I still felt for Marks situation.Thats why I sent him that prayer.I was far from being any good religiously christian myself.In fact,the idea of most organized religion today is rather disappointing to me.As for the whole concert?I was very upset that Dave had gotten so drunk,that we got a late start,couldnt get any passes and all the seat changing that went on for half the show,But the concert in and of itself was a great show.But this stage guy criticizing me in front of all those people was downright disgusting.So I didnt get to see Mark again and at the time I did want to meet Don and Mel as well.I would meet Don and Mel in 2001.It would be in 2004 that I would find out what had really been goin on during that 1997-98 tour.It sure seemed like a long drive home that night.Guess you could say that it was the first Grand Funk concert where I actually got locked inside.The first show where I was really inside looking out.
Inside Looking Out-Grand Funk Railroad from the LP Grand Funk 1969
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my grand funk concert stories-
My first Mark Farnerless concert
2001
Was a Grand Funk concert brewin or did we just miss our mark?Concert day had arrived on June 24th 2001 and we had our reserved tickets for Grand Funk Railroad.And we were ready and rarin to go.My friend Dave L and myself would be going and Dave was gonna drive.This would be his 2nd Grand Funk show.He had attended Mark Farners show with me at the carousel outside of Celina Ohio back in June of 1989.This would be my 11th Mark Farner/Grand Funk concert.The concert would be held at the Big Bear balloon festival at Beulah Park race tracks in Grove City Ohio just outside of Columbus.It was very hot and sunny that day.Huge car show displays,hot air balloon rides,concession stands and more,made this an ideal event for most anybody including rock n rollers.We had plenty to do before showtime.Since we had the reserved seating we would have a very good view of the stage and also had a place to sit prior to the show when we wanted.There were no Grand Funk merchandise stands though.We asked why and we were told that the band was running a little late due to a late flight from out of Las Vegas.Showtime today would be at 3pm.Dave and I had talked extensively on the way there about how many years it had been since wed spoken with Mark.It had been a long time as in 10 years.I was anxious to show Mark how much my playing had improved and had a demo of my own to give him that day.And here was another first.We would get to meet Don and Mel for the first time and actually get to enjoy the show.My last concert in 1998 was a catastrophe.This time I didnt have anybody with me drunk or fighting and who really wanted to see Mark probably as much as I did.The big crowd there was of every age imaginable.A huge round American Band banner was situated up on the stage just behind and above Dons drumset.Security was gonna be tight that day too.It could require some cleverness to even get to talk with Mark and the band after this concert.It was soon showtime and everyone was ready.The big crowd roared as Grand Funk Railroad was announced and the guys all took the stage,and I think they started it out with the song rock and roll soul.I then said something odd to David.Hey look,Marks got a new guitar player just like he used to back in the common ground days in the 80s!Hey wait a second.Thats not Mark is it?Dave and I debated about this for a few moments and I finally assumed that Mark was either ill or perhaps something came up like an emergency,which I suppose can and does happen and he just couldnt make it for this particular show.Guess I would be wrong on both counts.But I kept my hopes up that it could still be possible that Mark was here backstage or something.I knew one thing for sure though.It was a great kickass show from the beginning to the very end of it and we were both quite impressed.A very enjoyable concert.They did lots of Grand Funk hits and a rendition of Inside Looking Out that blew me away as well as a percussion thingy they did were all five of them played a percussion instrument in unison of each other.I think they called it days of thunder or something like that.I have been a Grand Funk enthusiast for many years.I take away nothing from Don Brewer and Mel Schacher for they both are tremendous showmen who could put on a fantastic show with these other new members they had added.They most certainly rocked the park.In all fairness though,I do believe that they shouldnt have advertised themselves as Grand Funk Railroad without Mark.Many fans had found this misleading at that time including me.Dave and I were both very impressed with how these guys sounded and performed.There was a new Grand Funk lineup.We ended up finding out the whole scoop on this at the end of the concert.Some were calling them GFRX.I guess thats supposed to mean the new Grand Funk or something.Im not for sure though.The new Grand Funk Railroad was/is original members Don Brewer,Mel Schacher and new members Bruce Kulick formerly of kiss,Max Carl formerly of 38 special,and Tim Cashion from Bob Seger and Robert Palmer.This was indeed an all star line up.One thing I noticed in particular was that Max Carl was wearing red colored tennis shoes on stage.This was something Mark used to do.All three of these guys are all great performers and indeed compliment Don and Mel very much so.Bruce Kulicks guitar playing was so awesome.Songs like were an american band,shinon on,walk like a man and some kind of wonderful have always been sung by Don Brewer.Max Carl sung the stuff Mark would sing.These would be the ones like footstompin music,heartbreaker,Im your captain-closer to home and inside looking out among others.The show was definitely loud and high energy.Don did a drum solo that was as explosive as tnt and Bruces guitar solos were loud and rocked clear through the park.They were all really great.When the concert was over Dave and I walked around the festival for awhile and then came back to the stage.Perhaps a few dozen or so people were already there.Soon all five band members came out and started conversing with everyone and signing autographs.Dave and I just watched for while.While we were standing there a brown haired woman walked out to the front of the stage and looked at me.I think it was Mels wife.I dont know if she knew me or not but she smiles and says-how are you today?I replied-Im fine thank you,and how are you?She said-fine and smiled and walked on backstage.She had a kind nature to her.I walked up to Don Brewer and asked him where Mark was.He replied,I dont know.Marks not here.With my recording in my hand I asked him if there was any way that he would be able to deliver it to him.He said,no I very much doubt it.Tim Cashion then asked me what I had and I proceeded to tell him about my recording and about my guitar playing.He was really a super guy.We stood there and chatted for awhile while the others were still busy talking and signing autographs.I ended up giving the recording to Tim.I knew that he wouldnt be able to get it to Mark but I didnt see myself getting it to Mark any time real soon either.This is you on here?he asked.I replied,it sure is and then told him all about it.Man thats so cool Chris,he replied.He then started giving me some positive encouragement like-dont ever give up on your playing man.Good luck to you and keep jammin.Even though I was disappointed that Mark was no longer with them,I will say that it was one heck of a concert and all of these guys seemed like very pleasant people to talk with.I then suddenly had an idea.Hey Dave lets get a picture with them since theyre all together here.Unfortunately the camera was now used up.When we were all posed for the pic the camera wouldnt click because all the film had been spent.Just our luck I guess.They all went ahead and gave us autographs and we thanked them and then left.Dave thought it was a great concert too.Even though this Grand Funk Railroad concert rocked,we still had the feeling that we had somehow once again missed our mark.
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my grand funk concert stories race rock II 2003
Grand Funk Railroad rocks out Limaland motorsports parkIn the summer of 2003 we had gotten word that Grand Funk Railroad would be having a concert in Lima Ohio at the Limaland motorsports park July 26th in what was called racerock II.Gates opened at 2 pm and grand funk would be playing at 9pm.Special guests were the Kentucky Head Hunters along with two local and two regional bands as well during this all day event.Friend John and Fermin would go along and wed set out for the show fairly early.This concert was a nice diversion from my then regular routine of being online with some friends I knew down in Florida even though this was Grand Funk Railroad without Mark Farner.This would be Fermins 1st,Johns 4th and my 12th Grand Funk concert.Unlike the concert I had atteneded in 2001,at least I knew this time that it was the band without Mark Farner and that he would not be there.This was alright with me though.It was hot and sunny that day when we had arrived and I was surprized that there were so few people around.Local and regional bands were playing.All reserved seating was at ground level and all general seating was towards the very back of the place in the grandstands and had a high wired fence that stood up right in front of these grandstand seats.It was more than obvious why nobody wanted these seats.Though our tickets were reserved seating,so was everybody elses and we ended up being seated in the very last row of this place.The stage and band appeared rather small and distant to us.By the time the kentucky headhunters had taken the stage at 7pm the crowd had gotten quite a bit bigger and very soon the entire place would be jam packed.However,the general seating would still have only a few people in them.Every ground level seat had appeared to be taken yet very few actually remained seated as everyone was always standing on their feet as Grand Funk Railroad rocked things up.This was an extremely rockin concert.Prior to the concert I had takin a good walk around and beheld a large red tour bus and a very large tent that was fenced off some distance from behind the stage.Stage passes were required to go back there.We had somehow overlooked all of this and all of the passes had already been given out so we would not get to see the band after the show.This wasnt really of much concern to us though.Yes it wouldve been cool and it appeared that just about everyone around had a pass except us,but fact be known,we probably wouldve felt alot differently about it if it had been Mark that we were seeing.It was soon approaching 9pm and itd be showtime.Grand Funk Railroad belted out alot of Grand Funk hits along with some new stuff I dont think I had ever heard before,and Max Carl did some of his own stuff as well.Dons TNUC drum solo was absolutely incredible.A rendition of the star spangled banner and were an american band was done and a guy dressed as uncle sam and a large American flag were brought on stage.Bringing our binoculars was a definite plus.An extra long version of inside looking out blasted forth and from our view not one soul in the place was seated.We hung around for a little while after the show.We watched as hundreds of people were making their way to the tent back behind the stage to meet the bands afterwards.But again it didnt really matter without Mark there.I carried on a rather pleasant conversation with a person who seemed to know the band rather well.Perhaps he was a stage crewman.Saying goodbye and wishing him well,we headed for the car to set for home when in the parking area I had began another conversation with a fellow concert goer who gave me an attractive concert poster advertising this event.With poster in hand we headed back for home.It would be summer of 2004 when I would see Mark again for the first time in years.Once again this new Markless Grand Funk had put on a great jammin concert and indeed it was a night of rock and roll soul.
rock and roll soul-Grand Funk from the Lp Phoenix 1972
Some Mark Farner facts-Mark Farner was the singer and guitarist frontman of Grand Funk during the years of 1969-76 and 1981-83 and 1996-1998.His solo career goes from 1977-78 and,1984 to1992 but what about after 1998 and up to today in 2009?After leaving Grand Funk Railroad in the late 90s he put together his own band called the band Mark Farners nrg band.Like Don Brewers Grand Funk,Marks band still performs to this day.His high energy show of mark farner and grand funk hits is something you just have to experience for yourself.In 2004 Mark and his band came out with a live cd called Live NRG.In 2006 Mark and the guys came out with the cd-for the people which I personally feel is Marks best stuff hes done to date.This cd was/is dedicated to Marks friend Bob Grunder whom had passed away.Bob Grunder was a member of the famous rock band Bloodrock.Marks nrg band consists of-Mark Farner on guitar and lead vocals, Lawerence Buckner on bass and vocals,Hubert Crawford on drums and vocals and Karl Propst on keyboards and vocals.Paul Ojibway was keyboardist up to 2006.They really are pure rockin NRG.
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My Grand Funk Railroad concert stories (part1) 1973-1985 Tue 3 Aug 2010
Grand Funk Railroad concert banner 1998
Who is Grand Funk Railroad? I could be mistaken but I think it was in January 1973 when I had experienced my first Grand Funk Railroad concert when they appeared on the ABC In Concert television series with special guest Freddy King even though the actual concert was in December 1972.It aired twice and we watched both times.I do remember that it was an historic occassion for me.My sisters watched it too.I had watched various artists on this show whenever it aired and always looked forward to In Concert anxiously each week.However,this time was extra special for it was the band that my sister had idolized at the time.My oldest sister liked GFR as well but was much more conservative when it came to stuff like rock musicians and concerts.Today I am a guitarist for 31 years.Well,the time had come.My sister and myself sat eagerly in front of the set.Her long haired concert going boyfriend had came over to watch.He hated Grand Funk but we didnt care.It was a fun rockin occassion for us to watch this show together.As I watched Mark Farner move across that stage I found myself yearning for a guitar to play.By the time the show was over,this kids determination was now at an all time high.
The following night during the repeat performance, I watched it with my other sister and my dad.I can remember during a break telling my sis that someday I would play like Mark.They began laughing at me.I got mad and said why not?Jokingly I exclaimed,Who knows, I may just someday play with these guys!I may even someday actually know them! After the chuckles and laughter died down,dad sternly and loudly proclaimed, You will never become one of those long haired freaks if I can help it.We watched the rest of the show in amazement.I now truly wanted to learn to play if only I had a guitar.Thus ended was my first authentic Grand Funk Railroad concert at the age of 11 and nothing was the same.
Grand Funk Railroad was one of the biggest power trio super groups of the 70s.From out of Flint Michigan emerged Mark Farner,Don Brewer and Mel Schacher.They were just three young guys from outta Flint Michigan who had put together a little garage band and in the summer of 69,found themselves on stage in front of 186,000 people at the Atlanta International Pop Festival that same year.They played for free and the rest was history.They then returned the following year as the headlining act.From 1969 to 1976 they would release more than 15 albums.A whopping 12 platinum and 16 gold albums,or was that seventeen?There are countless testaments attesting to Grand Funks success.As the critics cried foul,the people yelled for more.As they say,if the critics really hate you and your work,then youre probably on the right track,because of youre refusing to be the typical cookie cutter version of any particular art.
Long ago one critic had this to say.Many people judge art,any kind of art,based upon if they feel it is bad or good,however,art is not always based upon if it is good or bad,but when it very simply,cannot be ignored.Interesting huh?The Grand Funk albums On Time,Grand Funk,Closer to home,Live Album,Survival,Mark Don & Mel,and Epluribus Funk were released from 1969 to 1972 bringing about such hits as Heartbreaker,Inside Looking out,Time machine,Closer to Home,Mean Mistreater,Feelin Alright and Footstompin Music.They had toured all over the world many times over and the first to sell out Shea Stadium faster than even the Beatles did in the mid 60s.In 1972,their producer Terry Knight had sued them for breach of contract for millions of dollars and won.All they got to keep was their name.This was when Grand Funk had omitted the word railroad from their name,at least on the LP covers.Adding long time keyboardist and friend Craig Frost,they embarked on getting this railroad back on track with the self produced album Phoenix which brought the hit
single,RocknRoll Soul which managed to hit into the top 40s list.The album cover featured the mythical pheonix bird rising from the ashes.A very descriptive cover conveying what they had been going through.
They had survived.In 1973,singer and producer Todd Rundgren and new manager Andy Cavalier would produce this Grand Funk quartets 1973 album,Were an American Band.As a single,the title song went to number one.Thing is,it had went to number one before the album itself had even yet been released.Were an American band went straight up to number one with hits Were an American Band and Walk Like A Man.In 1974,the album Shinon On was released with hits shinon On and a new version of Little Evas,The Locomotion.In 1975,producer Jimmy Ienner produced their album,All the girls in the world Beware! This yeilded hits,Bad Time and Some Kind Of Wonderful.Also in 75 a new live album from their world tour was released as well.It was titled,Caught in the act.This album included the word railroad in its description.They had been touring close to all the time when not in the studio.They had a couple close calls with planes almost falling out of the sky too.
After having finished the 1975 world tour,Grand Funk Railroad would go back into the studio.This would not be their last album,however there was an air of a bad omen to what the album was.Mark and the guys were to appear at a promo shoot for this upcoming album.The shoot was done at a place that sells caskets.They were to get into these caskets and the picture is taken of all four of them by a cameraman situated above.Thus this album was called,Born to die.It did release the singles Sally and Take me.The album didnt do so well.There was a Greatest hits album that followed in 1975 right after the Born to Die album.In 1976 Grand Funks final album,which was produced by Frank Zappa, was released entitled Good Singin,Good Playin.In the next couple years Mark would release two solo albums entitled Mark Farner and No Frills that were produced by Dick Wagner.Members Don,Mel and Craig would be doing their own things and recorded their own album.They called themselves-Flint.
In 1981 Mark,Don and new bassist and old friend Denny Bellinger would go back on the road for what would be called the Grand Funk Lives tour after completing the Grand Funk Lives album which yeilded the hit Queen Bee which appeared in the 1981 movie Heavy Metal.In 1983,these same members released the album,Whats Funk?.On this LP Mark does a remake of the old hit single,Its a mans world.Mark later would form a new band of his own called The Mark Farner Band and would continue touring.In the mid 80s to early 90s Mark and his wife found a new connection with each other and Jesus Christ.Mark in the later 80s and would release the three christian rock albums,Just another Injustice,with the hit,Isnt it amazing,along with albums Wake Up and Some Kinda Wonderful.In the early 90s the 3 original amigos got hit hard by the IRS over a business venture they were told was long closed back in the 70s.The IRS were relentless.Don and Mel settled outta court while Mark chose to keep fighting but eventually lost.In the mid 90s Mark was touring as part of Ringo Stars All Star Band as the other GFR members were doing their own projects.
In 1996,the three got together at a hidden locale to have a meeting.It was decided that Mark,Don and Mel would once again tour as Grand Funk Railroad.The 3 original amigos were back.From this time through 98 they toured and were the most successful reunion band to hit the stage,filling and outselling venues faster than most of the newer mainstream supergroups.Truly a mark of genuine funkness.In 1999 Mark went back to being solo with his own band and would soon after form Mark Farners NRG band which still performs today.A few more Grand Funk albums would be released as well such as Live Bosnia,Anthologys 30 years of Funk and a series of greatest hits cds released by capitol records.In 2001 Don and Mel formed a new Grand Funk Railroad,without Mark.They brought in Bruce Kullick formerly of Kiss,Max Carl from 38 special and Tim Cashion from Bob Segars Band.Mark chose to remain solo.This new Grand Funk is still touring and they are pretty good,but its not the genuine deal.Its Markless!And theyre using the GFR name which I personally feel is wrong but I suppose to each his own.
Mark had put together during this time,Hubert H-Bomb Crawford on drums,Paul Ojibway on keyboard and Lawerence Buckner on bass.This was and is Mark Farners NRG band.Still touring and playing the Grand Funk hits and their own stuff too.In 2004 the cd NRG Live was released.On July 4th 2006,Mark and NRG have released the cd,For The People which I feel is one of Marks best of all time.Its really that good.As of 2007,Paul had left NRG and new keyboardist,Karl Propst would be taking his place.My first Grand Funk show was on ABCs In concert back in January 1973.My first live concert was the Lives tour in late 1981.I can still remember back in December 84 when I met Mark backstage for the first time.Since that time in the past,I have 21 Grand Funk,Mark Farner shows under my belt.The guitar playing ability that I now possess is directly due to the influence that Mark and his music has had on my life,and I am proud today to still be his fan and to call him my friend,and I am thankful for all the great memories.He has been a true inspiration.He is a very kind and giving man.
In 2005,myself and fellow brothers and sisters on Marks Railroad forum were trying through various online campaigns,to get back into Marks possession the recognition he so rightfully deserves,as both a solo musician and a founding member of Grand Funk Railroad.As for Grand Funk Railroad?Well,theyre still touring and they are very good,but I feel Marks band is genuinely better.Of course,everybody has their own feelings on such things.Mark wrote 85 percent of all of the Grand Funk material.Yet,he is not allowed to use the name Grand Funk in any of his advertising,unless it states,Mark Farner formerly of Grand Funk.And Grand Funk must be in all capital letters.Marks gone through much but he has stood on his own as a solo performer and is still considered by most as the driving force behind Grand Funk Railroad.Even to this day he is recognized this way.
Today in 2009,Mark and his NRG band still perform throughout the country,bringing forth a still very powerful arsenal of heavy duty industrial strength rock and roll to the masses.Each show I have attended has had its own very unique story and magic around it.Each of which I would like to share on here,as time permits.There is a very real message in Marks music.A message so profound that if heeded by everyone,it would bring us all closer,closer to home.
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Grand Funk Railroad bumper sticker circa 1981-
-from the LIVES tour
My grand funk concert stories lives tour 1981
It was late 1981.A girlfriend of mine and myself had both barely just left home and had gotten our own place together.Both of us on our own for the first time.It was at that time that I heard that Grand Funk Railroad had actually came out with another album called lives.First album theyd had in five years.Grand Funk was the supergroup powerhouse from 1969 to 1976 with something like 16 gold and 12 platinum records.After the mid 70s,I was certain that Id never see them live.And here it was five years later and theyre gonna be stoppin here along the Lives tour.I can remember the feeling I got when I had heard that they were coming through our area of Ohio.I had seen Grand Funk once.But that was way back in January 1973 on the abc network show,in concert.And that was on television.This one was gonna be live and this would be my first live grand funk show.I count the televised show in 73 as my first concert.I know it wasnt live but it was still my first real taste of Grand Funk in concert.This show in 81 was at hara arena in Dayton Ohio.So technically this would be my second concert of the twenty one I have attended as of mid 2009.This show would be November 6th 1981.We had obtained our concert tickets and we were all ready to roll.On the night of the show,we headed south for Dayton with our good friends Johney Cakes,Stella,Rick,David R and two other people whom Val and I had just met.There were eight of us altogether.
John drove us all down in his dads truck with camper and itd be about an hour and a half ride.John and a couple others were in the truck up front.The rest of us would remain in the back in the camper and we all ended up very extremely stoned out of our gourds by the time we would finally arrive at Dayton Hara arena.Then the most dreaded thing happened.We mustve been perhaps halfway to our destination when I suddenly discovered that I had forgotten the dang freakin tickets.I started yelling at John up front but he couldnt hear me.Because there were two sets of glass between the camper and the front of the pickup truck,he couldnt hear us no matter how loud wed get.Rick looked back and saw us though.We were frantically trying tell them that we didnt have the tickets,and I could see John actually laugh a little when he finally understood what we were trying to tell him.Eventually he pulled over.He about freaked when he realized that we werent kidding him.So we turned and went back.Feeling like a complete idiot,I ran into the house and grabbed everybodys tickets and we were off once again in search of true grand funkdom.But then again were we?After a brief discussion we decided to take a shortcut by way of various county roads.Indeed it wouldve been quicker.But luck didnt seem to be on our side as we made our way to the outer edge of our county because just up ahead the bridge was out.We had to take a detour.However,there werent any detours and we all eventually ended up out in the middle of nowhere,all drunk and stoned and lost.John was still determined to get us all there on time as he began looking and finding familiar looking possible routes to take and speeding up quite a bit as well.We eventually arrived there and on time.
The first band was just finishing up but we were all just thankful that we had made it in time for Grand Funks show.It being general admission,we stood out about ten feet from just left of center stage and had a very good view of the concert.This was almost the original band.The original grand funk from 1969-71 was Mark Farner,Don Brewer and Mel Schacher and from 1972-76 keyboardist Craig Frost had joined them.This tour was Mark,Don and new bassist friend Denny Bellinger.As Mark,Don and Denny took the stage,you could feel the electricity in the air.The place went crazy.Marks hair was now short which I found rather unusual since I had always known him to have the longest hair in rock and roll which he indeed did at one time did.Don was sporting a mustache and beard which seemed another oddity.I especially liked the stage presence of bassist Denny Bellinger.Mel Schacher the original bassist,for whatever reason,had decided not to go on this particular tour this time.Denny did a great job though.Mark would scoot and shuffle across that stage like nobodys business and he still to this day has that true and unforgettable singing voice.Don Brewer was awesome too.The drum solo he did during tnuc was absolutely phenomenaI.They rocked our socks off. I found it amazing that even after Grand Funk Railroads six year absence,the overwhelming response for their return from their fans was an absolutely amazing thing.They certainly didnt hold back as a wide array of grand funk tunes blasted forth with encores of a long version of inside looking out,and gimme shelter.After the show we all walked back to the truck.Since we were parked near the back of the building I seen a large motorhome back there.Nobody really paid it no mind though.It would be in late 1984 when I would see one like it again.It would be then that Id meet Mark Farner for the first time.Thats a story unto itself.The show was over and we were done partying at some friends house in Xenia Ohio.By 3am and it was time to leave and we were all tired and exhausted as we headed north back up the nightime highway and closer to home.
Grand Funk Hits-1.heartbreaker 1969. 2.time machine 1969 3.closer to home(Im your captain)1970 4.mean mistreater 1970 5.feelin alright 1971 6.gimme shelter1971 7.footstompin music1972 8.rocknroll soul 1972 9.were an american band 1973 10.walk like a man 1973 11.shinon on 1974 12.the locomotion-1974 13.bad time-1975 14.some kind of wonderful 1975 15.take me 1975 16.sally 1975 17.queen bee 1981 18.Its a mans world 1983
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Mark Farners concert songlist for a show in downtown Dayton Ohio September 1984
mark farner rocks dayton town square
Marks in the squareIn September of 1984 I had heard that the Mark Farner band were going to be playing a free concert in town square in Dayton Ohio.Not having a car at that time I searched for a ride.My friend Dave B and his girlfriend would just happen to be going to Dayton that very day to visit relatives and coming back home in the later evening.This would be ideal.They had no interest in going to the concert but had no problems with dropping me off.When we had arrived I was a little awestruck.Even though Dayton wasnt the size of Cleveland or some other bigger city but downtown was huge as compared to my little hometown an hour and a half away.The stage was set.Even though it was a big stage it seemed so tiny while amidst all of these tall skyscraper buildings around it.The album entitled Grand Funk- Whats Funk?had been released in 1983.Grand Funk had called it quits in 1975-76 and Mark Farner had released two solo albums in the following two years.Grand Funk had reunited in 1981 through 1983.It was during this time that they had released the two albums,Lives and Whats Funk and Denny Bellinger would be filling in for Mel Schacher on bass.
Now here it was 1984 and my third Grand Funk concert.However this concert was not advertised as a Grand Funk show because Mark was the only original member and it was his band.Mark was now a solo performer.This would be a very wide song mix in that theyd be playing Grand Funk material as well as Marks solo stuff.The concert was in the afternoon.Mark and some new unfamiliar faces soon made their way out onto the stage as they opened up with footstompin music.The crowd went crazy.This concert being an outdoor show was also a new experience for me.I went to this concert alone.But man there were alotta really cool people all around me and those Dayton folks sure can party.It was a blast.The concert continued with songs paranoid,save the land,he sent me you,and then into the longer song called loneliness,at which time the electric went out.The crowd and band just had to wait it out.Finally the problem was resolved and they resumed the song where they had last left off at.Then came songs queen bee,rock and roll american style,second chance to dance and mean mistreater.The band then went into a medley.These were shortened segments of various songs all linked together.They fit alot of them in this way.The song medley went as-are you ready,rock and roll soul,responsibility,mr.limosine driver,bad time,closer to home,heartbreaker,in need,and some kind of wonderful would end the show.The crowd cheered.As the crowd noise echoed off of the tall buildings and throughout the square,they returned to the stage to finish up with songs-we gotta get outta this place and the locomotion.
I had brought with me an 8 by 10 photo which had came from the survival album in 1971 and had written Mark some kind of message as well.Why I chose this pic I do not remember.Security and crew had pretty much ignored me earlier when I had tried to relay it to them to give to Mark.The concert was now officially over.People began filing out as the crowd began to thin and I was awaiting my ride to pick me up.Soon the crowd would be entirely gone as I was still waitin.Stage crew were still there.Most of the stage was already broken down and I imagined that they too would soon be gone.I began talking with this guy on the stage and he offered to relay my message to Mark for me.We both sat along the ledge of the stage and talked for a good while.He was very kind.We talked all about Mark and Grand Funk Railroad among other things.I think he could sense my worry as Dave still hadnt arrived.Finally they pulled in.I breathed a big sigh of relief and before leaving ,he had given me a concert list that Mark had written that was duct taped to one of the microphones.I thanked him for this and still have it to this day.I then said my goodbye to he and the stage crew.It wasnt easy for a small town guy like me to be in the very center of a big city all by myself while still waitin for my ride to get me home,while listening to the song closer to home.
Closer to home-Grand Funk Railroad/Lp Closer to home 1970
note:The youtube videos were not made by me and belong to their respected owners.
Grand Funk/Mark Farner bands from 1969 to 2009
Grand Funk Railroad 1969-71-Mark Farner.Don Brewer and Mel Schacher
Grand Funk 1972-76 Mark Farner.Don Brewer.Mel Schacher and Craig Frost
Flint (the band)1977 Don Brewer.Mel Schacher.Craig Frost and John Escosa II.
Mark Farner solo 1977-78 Mark Farner.Dick Wagner,Phil Aaberg,Bob Babbit,Jimmy Maelan,Bob Kulick,Ricky Farner,Dennis Bellinger,Andy Newmark,Karen Lawrence and John Tropea.These are the musicians on Marks first two solo LPs.
Grand Funk 1981-83 Mark Farner.Don Brewer.Denny Bellinger
The Mark Farner band-1984- Mark Farner,Bob Grunder,Dennis Bellinger,Howard Eddy
The Mark Farner band-1985-Mark Farner,Dennis Bellinger and Bob Grunder.John Badanjek,Mark Gougeon,Dave Kiswiney,Some of these artists alternated with each other through 1985 at various times of that year).
Mark Farner with the group Vision 1985-Mark Farner,Rocco Marshall,Lawrence Buckner,Billy Powell and Mike Maple.
Mark Farner band 1986-Mark Farner,Dennis Bellinger,Howard Eddy and Bob Grunder.
Mark Farners Common Ground band 1987-89-Mark Farner,Lawrence Buckner,Michael Blair,Note:Guitarist Arnie Vilches joined in mid 1988.
Note-During the late 80s Don Brewer and Craig Frost toured with the Bob Segar band
Mark Farners common ground band 1990-Mark Farner,Michael Eddy joined in mid year,Lawrence Buckner,Mike Maple and Arnie Vilches
Mark Farner and The God Rockers 1991-94-Mark Farner,Paul Finaczo,Howard Eddy,Mike Maple,Lance Abair and Arnie Vilches.Note-Arnie Vilches wasnt with them in 1994.
Mark Farner in Ringo Stars all star band-1995.
Mark Farner with Northwest airlines all star band 1995-96
Grand Funk Railroad-1996-98 Mark Farner,Don Brewer,Mel Schacher and Howard Eddy.
Mark Farner band 1999-2001 Mark Farner,Rick Farner,Lawrence Buckner,Paul Ojibway and Hubert Crawford.
Mark Farners NRG band 2002-2009-Mark Farner,Rick Farner,Lawrence Buckner,Paul Ojibway and Hubert Crawford.Note-As of 2007 keyboardist Paul Ojibway was replaced by keyboardist Karl Propst.
Grand Funk Railroad 2001-present Don Brewer.Mel Schacher.Max Carl (formerly of 38 special)Bruce Kulick (formerly of kiss) and Tim Cashion-(former Bob Segar band)
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An autograph Mark gave me after his show at the Lost C in Versailles Ohio Dec.1984
Meeting Mark for the first time One late afternoon in December of 1984,friends Johney Cakes,Victor and Kevin and myself headed for a club in Versailles Ohio called the Lost C to once again see the Mark Farner band in what would be my fourth Grand Funk show.It wasnt a very big club.Mark had always been the frontman of Grand Funk but he was a solo artist now even though he still exclusively played Grand Funk material.Afterall,he did write most of the songs.Word has it that this Lost C venue had burned to the ground in later years but to this day I dont know if it really did or not.We reached our destination on time.With tickets in hand we waited in line as we gradually made our way into the lost c.The place was so packed.We sat through a really great band that really knew Led Zeppelin stuff and even had a singer with a Robert Plant voice to boot.Marks show was high energy all the way.This was a new experience for me for the club wasnt huge and the crowd was permitted very close to the stage with vitually no barriers and the best view one could ever expect.It couldnt have been any closer.There was more comraderie with the band and crowd because the stage was much closer,and it wasnt like dealing with thousands of people.It was a much smaller stage and all really awesome.Mark would do a song like footstompin music and be dancin all over that stage one minute,then go into a soulful mean mistreater next.The songlist they did was a vast one.I found it ironic that about a month prior to this show,I had a dream one night that I was standing there talking with Mark inside some building and he was wearing an army type t-shirt and a white hat.Man would I later be in for a surprize.During the concert Mark would be grabbing hands and high fiven fans who were right on the edge of the stage.Altogether a great concert and atmosphere.
When we had arrived we had to park closer to the side part of the building going towards the back of the place because the parking lot was packed.We would be the very last to leave though.When the show was over and everyone was filing out,my friends all seemed rather anxious to leave.I said wait a minute guys.Lets walk on around to the back of this place just to see whats there.At first they all protested.Finally they all went along with it and we all walked to the back of the building where a large motorhome was parked.Thats them,I said.Lets go over and knock on the door.Aint no way were doing that Chris,they all exclaimed.We aint goin over there.So,I slowly approahed the large parked vehicle as I could hear my friends laughing and chuckling about how I was about to get into a bunch of trouble.A part of me believed them but I kept walking closer to it.As I approached I could feel my stomach knot up and my nerves were shaking as well.My friends were still laughing at a distance.At first I hesitated but when I finally did knock on the door,it opened and one of Marks colleauges answered.Is ah um,is ah Mark around?I slowly blurted out.He replied,he sure is.Hes cleaning up but hell be out shortly.Ok thank you,I replied.My friends who had been standing at least twenty to thirty yards away began moving closer as they watched me conversing with this man.A few minutes later Mark came to the door.Oddly enough,he was now wearing a white USA ballcap and wearing an army t-shirt.Yep,just like in the dream.On impulse I guess,I then pulled out a small leather backed keyring from my pocket that had a large gold colored C attached to it.The C represented my name when I had bought it.The C stood for my name but it seemed more appropriate since this show was at the lost C.I want you to have this Mark.I then handed him the keyring and he thanked me.He then grabbed a piece of notebook paper and signed an autograph and handed it to me.By this time my friends had moved much closer and were now at the door as I had to step inside in order to give them all some room.Mark did up some more autographs and took some time out to talk with us for a short while.I couldnt believe it.I was now standing in this motorhome and conversing with all of them.Kevin says,Hey how bout a picture Mark?Mark said sure and so he and I posed for a couple pics and it was now time for them and us to leave.What an experience that was.It was very awesome and one that I wouldnt soon forget.As they drove away I had to ask myself,could another encounter such as this ever happen again?I guess it was anybodys answer.
anybodys answer-Grand Funk Railroad from the LP-On Time 1969
Note-The youtube videos and their contents were not made by me and do belong to their respective owners.
Grand Funk Railroad and Mark Farner album releases.Of course this list does not include all of the various foreign imports that are out there.All Mark Farner releases in the list will say mark farner All others are Grand Funk.
1.on time 1969
2.Grand Funk-(the red album) 1969
3.closer to home 1970
4.live album 1970
5.survival 1971
6.epluribus funk 1972
7.mark don and mel 1972
8.phoenix 1972
9.were an american band 1973
10.shinon on 1974
11.monumental funk 1974-believed to be a bootleg by lucky eleven/ quadico records
12.all the girls in the world beware! 1975
13.caught in the act 1975
14.born to die 1975
15.Grand Funk hits
16.good singin good playin 1976
17.flynt-(the band)1977-All original members except Mark Farner
18.mark farner solo album 1977
19.mark farner-no frills 1978
20..grand funk lives 1981
21.whats funk 1983
22.Live in concert 1987
23...mark farner-just another injustice 1988
24.mark farner-wake up 1989
25.some kind of wonderful 1991 (christian version)
26.grand funk railroad the collectors series 1991
27.closer to home 1992 (christian version)
28.Bosnia 1997
29.Thirty years of funk 1969-99 1999
30.grand funk classic masters 2002
31.mark faner-red white and blue 2002
32.Mark Farners NRG live 2004
33.Mark Farner-for the people 2006.
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grand funk concert stories mark farner rocks island park with footstompin music
Mark Farner rocks Island ParkIt was August 31st of 1985 that I would experience my wildest Grand Funk show of all time.And so far it still is.It was advertised on the radio that the mark farner band along with special guest eddie salem and the wildcats,among others would be playing a free show at rockin island park in Dayton Ohio.There was an amphitheatre type stage there.This was a huge park that was completely surrounded by a river of water and gotten onto by means of an entrance bridge that crossed over into the park.I werent very far from the place.I was staying for the week in Dayton with a friend who had been living there a short while.We really didnt expect it to turn out this wild.I can remember a radio announcer who sounded rather crude in his comments to Mark when Mark had visited the station earlier.We arrived at the park for the opening bands.It was becoming very hot out and there were already a whole lot of people there.The area was massive.The stage was seperated from the crowd by two barriers of verticle pickett fences that had been set up along with cops that stood all along near the stage.Undoubtedly,the security here was gonna be pretty high.This certainly wasnt gonna be like the last concert in December 84 where we could just walk up to Marks door and knock on it after the show.Or was it?Later in the day as Eddie Salem and the Wildcats took to the stage,more and more people were gathering against the fence that surrounded the stage.Soon we were both firmly pinned against the fence as more gathered.I believe this band was a combination of the groups The Godz and The Outlaws put together and they put on one heck of a show and had gotten this big crowd into a type of rebellious rock rage and the crowd noise never let up.When there set was done,the crowd had gathered upfront even more so.Apparently I wasnt the only one that had felt that Marks earlier radio appearance was handled both poorly,unprofessionally and disrespectfully toward Mark.Now this same disc jockey is going to introduce Mark?Crowds of people hissed and boo-ed as this guy took to the stage microphone but was drowned out by the large chant of a F#####..Louder and louder it got.He was trying to introduce Mark and the band but the crowd wouldnt let up as they/we all kept shouting this obscenity to him in full force.Noticeably upset,he stormed off the stage.As I could see while being pinned against this fence,it was swaying back and forth as this huge sea of people were pressing into it.
Mark and the band then took the stage.By the second song,it indeed looked like this fence would soon collapse as the whole place was going crazy as Mark was hoppin all over the stage as if his feet were on fire as he went into footstompin music.Seemed like they were playin them all.Everything from early Heartbreaker and Inside Looking Out to The Locomotion and some kind of wonderful and everything in between.A big burly guy beside us starts yelling lets tear down this fence!Several others were now shouting this too as Mark and the guys were gettin set to start into the second song.It would collapse during the second song of the set.It was really swaying back and forth and before the number would be finished it would collapse completely down.But there was still the second fence barrier and it was up.One guy ran to the second fence and jumped it only to be greeted by a half dozen policemen.In a panic he screamed at the crowd to cmon!The crowd went forth as the second fence came down and the cops all had to jump out of the way of this huge oncoming stampede.We both made a dash for it too.We both ended up pinned directly against the stage with both our arms resting comfortably upon the floor of it.Mark was going off on his guitar.While he was struttin across the stage and as the band was in the middle of the next song,these two guys climbed onto the stage and started dancing around Mark and the other band members.Cops then took to the stage.They grabbed both the guys while the music blasted forth and placed them back into the crowd.Then another guy jumps onto the stage.No sooner had the cops removed them guys and this other guy is now dancing around the bass player.He was met by a rather large roadie.This man picked that guy up almost over his head and literally threw him back into the masses of people.
My friend and I were still pinned against the stage.We were so close that we couldve grabbed their feet.Not that we wouldve done that though.I do remember as Marks foot was on his wah pedal going into the song paranoid,this girl wedged in beside me decides to climb onto the stage.Mark was right in front of her.Since the stage height was only about four foot or so,it was easy for anyone to climb right onto it.Thats what this girl did like the others.She literally crawled on all fours once she hopped onto the stage. She crawled straight to Mark.Once there she wrapped both her arms around his legs and wasnt about to let go either.Mark still had one foot on his wah pedal.As she was firmly latched onto him and his silver parachute pants while hes playing,the cops are now onstage attempting to pry her locked arms off of Marks legs without making Mark fall down.He just kept on playing though.Eventually they got her off and gently deposited her right back to where she had been beside me.Or should I say squeezed her back in?From where we were at it was an extremely tight fit and I can remember being unable to turn my body right of left because of so many people.Then another guy jumps onto the stage.Mark then stopped the concert right in the middle of the song and asked the crowd to not jump onto the stage anymore.The concert eventually continued.An entire arsenal of songs were performed in true funk fashion but the song Closer to home which was played toward the end was just absolutely awesome.There were even a few encores as well.This may not have been the three amigos of Mark Farner,Don Brewer and Mel Schacher which comprised the original Grand Funk Railroad but honestly this Mark Farner concert was just as good if not better.The entire show rocked to the point of wild abandon and though one couldnt have asked for a more rockingly exciting concert,
I had the question of how do we get past this much security to see Mark?We didnt even have a stage pass.It had been just six or seven months ago when I had met Mark for the first time.I simply walked up to his motorhome and knocked.But this was different in that these were thousands of people along with cops everywhere and blocked entrances.This would not be easy.Or would it?After the concert was over it was much darker out now and many people were still hanging around.Cops were everywhere including all entrances.A different and much longer pickett fence surrounded the back area of the stage.The backstage area was huge.The large fenced in circle backstage held buses,motorhomes,cars and trucks,equipment and just about anything else you could imagine.Even if we got in,wed still have to find him.As we were looking around this huge fenced in area from outside of it,I was trying to locate Marks motorhome.After all,there was perhaps dozens of them to choose from.Eventually all the cops had momentarily disbursed from one of the entrances and so we entered in very quickly.It was dark and we walked around awhile.Soon I spotted a motorhome that looked familiar to me and told my friend what I was intending to do.He laughed and didnt believe that Id do it.As I slowly approached the door and knocked I suddenly felt a strong flash of dejavu as I remembered the last time I had knocked on this very same door.A guy answered it and I asked if Mark was around.He told me Mark was cleaning up and that itd be a few minutes.We went ahead and waited.We didnt really know one way or the other if Mark would actually be coming out to see us.We had waited a good awhile on him.My friend didnt really feel he was coming out and suggested that we go ahead and leave.Sorta bummed I partly agreed with him.As my back was turned away from the RV my friend blurted out,turn around Chris!As I did,there stood Mark looking directly at me.I introduced him to my friend and we stood outside in the warm summer breeze and talked for a good while.I got to ask Mark some various questions.One of which was his thoughts on the rock music of that day in the mid 80s.When I asked him where they were headed next I believe he had said Corpus Christi.I can also remember when I asked Mark if I could ever be his friend.He responded that I was already his friend and talked to me about how we are all brothers and sisters.We were there a good while.My friend went walking around some after awhile and I remained to talk with Mark some more.He came right back though.We both talked with Mark a little more and he signed an autograph for each of us.They were now ready to roll out now. We were exhausted and ready to go too,so we said our goodbyes to Mark and we left as well.Personally the whole encounter had left a deep positive impression upon me.This would become a wonderful memory.This wonderful memory would mean quite alot to me in the following months to come.Things had been bad for me in the mid 80s.However they would soon become much worse than I couldve ever imagined.I would write Mark from time to time.There wasnt any internet yet and I had an address of a studio that Mark had given me should I wish write to him.And write him I did.It wouldnt be until October 1988 that I would see Mark again.
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The American Groove by chrisstar7 aka-cwstar Tue 3 Aug 2010
Just a rock guitar jam we threw together years ago in a little studio in Ohio called GroundUp Records.I play both guitars,my producer played bass and Rob played drums.Its recorded back in my kinda less talented days but it was still alot of fun:-)I went by the stagename of chrisstar7.My favorite artists/guitarists are Mark Farner formerly of Grand Funk Railroad.After 21 Grand Funk concerts under my belt I must say that Mark is rocking awesome even today.And Mr.Joe Satriani.I think Joe Satriani is mind blowing awesome stuff:-)My generic video is a collection of pics of myself,my soulmate,some great florida sunsets,mr.turtle whom once belonged to our friend the late anna nicole smith,disney world,and other various pics set to this song.The American Groove appeared with 12 other various artists in 2005 on a cd entitled-Studio Rocks Original Artists volume 1. The American Groove/chrisstar7 copyright 2005.
Click here to listen to my song-The American Groove
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