Tragedies in Grand Funk Railroad, Reunion Chat & Near Death, Mark Farner Interview 

Farner is spot on here. Without him in the band is pretty much pointless.

Steve Miller says same thing about R & R Hall Of Fame. And I agree. Not big on the hall of fame(lower case intended).

Mark Farner is amazing. I love the way he speaks the truth!

Mark was the major Creative Force behind Grand Funk Railroad. Yes the other band members did contribute. But Mark is by far the most talented person in the group. His creativeness, his singing style, his writing and musicianship are what made Grand Funks hits so sustainable and so playable even today by younger musicians. I mean listen to American Band! Or I'm Your Captain, which is one of the greatest Rock Ballards created. Inside Looking Out, is an amazing high octane song! Or The Loco-motion which became more popular than the original people that conceived it Goffin and King. And Walk Like a Man which was produced by Todd Rundgren. I mean what an amazing group. They were my favorite and still are. And they were the record-breaking group for selling out Shea stadium at the time. Even faster than the Beatles did. No small feat. The composition of I'm Your Captain, starting out slow and melodic building up telling the tale of coming back home. Then the interlude being subtle and sober building up to the ending in outro. Just an amazing composition and great to play for any Rock Musician. The definition of a Rock Classic. I invite any of the young musicians out there who are wondering what classic rock bands to study. Play Grand Funk Railroad songs. You'll see how wonderful and fantastic they were. Not just to listen to but to play. The vibe you get from the music is just Amazing.

There is no GFR without Mark Farner.

Excellent interview, John! Farner nails it!!! Thanks for the great content!!!

I laughed out loud during the brown ring around our lips part. 🤣🤣🤣🤣Great conversation as always.

I really connect with his perspective about sharing uncomfortable truths with others, not only for them, "but for you to be able to hang on to that truth so you don't lose hold of it". "You've got to hold on to it because other forces are wanting to rob you". Words of wisdom. Thanks to you both for sharing!

You guys really make me yearn for days gone by! Being a musician you keenly know what it’s like to get lost in the song, get taken to another place. We are so missing this today. It’s easy to just say to me you just can’t relate. I say hog wash. There is something about the mid-60’s through mid-70’s that was special. The diversity, the meaningfulness, the freedom rock stars of those days had, truly made a difference in all of our lives. I consider myself blessed to have lived in the era. Long songs, double albums live on! 😎

Truly the BEST band ever. Too bad two of them are above themselves. But the fans know MARK FARNER was truly GRAND FUNK. But to give credit where credit is due. All three then four, were, and still are the PEOPLE'S BAND. ROCK ON MARK!!!

Rock HOM has no cred with bands like GFR not in. Simple.

GOD BLESS!! G.F.R!!!!!

Mark Farner was and is one bad MOFO. he had one hell of a stage presence

From UK...still play Grand Funk Railroad ...musician my self. influenced by 70.s music ...wow forget 80's, 70's was the best for music. inspiring.

Rolling Stone will never allow GFR into the hall. They hated Terry Knight because he wouldn't kiss their butts and pay the money R.S. wanted to promote the band.

Got to see GFR twice in the early 70's. I had the pleasure of meeting Mark at one of his gigs in the mid 90's. Took me and my wife on his bus with the band and we got to talk about old times, music and just anything that we wanted. He is the real deal - no ego, loves everyone and has his spirituality guide him through everything. He's kind, generous with his time and extremely talented. A once in a lifetime day for me that I'll never forget. Bless Mark Farner for the human being that he is. BTW - I'd never see the current version of GFR because it's not them, it's only 2/3...BUT, I'd see Mark anytime because he IS the songs.

This guy knows how to do an interview. Great questions and no interruptions at all. I love Mark Farner.

Great person. I've been listening to GFR since 1974. After they entered the charts in Holland wirh Some kind of Wonderful. I was 13 or 14 and got the Live album with a poster inside the album. My favourite song was 'Into the Sun'. After that i listened every album and bought Phoenix. Now i'm 62 and last week after decennia i listened on Spotify in my car riding on the Highway at Closer to home. And i started crying 6 minutes long with my wife next to me. It was as if i was closer to heaven. Closer to heaven as home. I felt small and vulnerable but i felt at peace and imagined that Mark Farner actually meant with this lyrics that he was coming home with the Lord in heaven as a homecoming. Where we come from and go back after we die.

If you're fortunate enough to have Mark Farner, you need to be a true fan or do some research. In this day of social media, podcasts, etc. It easy to get complacent and set your standards based on the rest of the podcasts we here. A better interview would have gone more in depth and included the bulk of their great music that wasn't the commercial top 40 stuff. If you ever get another chance with him, ask him about his gear, ( you can see his Gibson L5s hanging the wall behind him) his song writing process, and ask him about all the deep cuts that only the appreciate. Closer to Home has been asked about ad nauseam. Any one who cares already knows. Might as well ask him what his favorite color. Very disappointing you couldn't have gotten more than another superficial take the man and his music. Don't pass this off as snarky comment on your interview. Take heed and learn from it

Ask Farner why the movie and soundtrack of that Shea Stadium show are in a Maysels Brothers warehouse instead of in our living rooms. GFR fans aren;t getting any younger.

What a great tune, I'm Your Captain. We just started playing that one at the monthly Blues Jam.

The words of a sage. Glad you're still with us Mark. While everyone else in school was listening to hair metal, I had Grand Funk Railroad blasting my crappy Pontiac T 1000 (Chevette). Some good memories. God continue to bless you...

Farner a hip dude, this other cat just is lost man.

Ted Nugent,Styx,Blue Oyster Cult, Pantera,Dio,April Wine,Sammy Hagar (solo) and of course Grand Funk Railroad all worthy of Rock N Roll Hall of Fame induction. Hell, I would love to see Michigan artists where some need to reunite even if a key member passed all come together and tour the states. Consisting of The MC5,Grand Funk Railroad,Iggy and The Stooges, Alice Cooper,Kid Rock and headliner Ted Nugent,that would be one hell of a concert festival across the USA.

Deep and Heavy. 👍

John I love your style and enthusiasm interviewing Mark. Mark is the real deal with a good heart given to him by Jesus.. I agree with Mark on songwriting, you can't force it. My favorite songs I wrote just came to me within minutes after getting the concept of the message in my mind. I wish there was some way to get one to Mark to have a listen. Thanks for the video sir I enjoyed it very much.

This life is the blink of an eye in eternity. A stepping stone for our soul to journey on to the next one incarnation of existence. I truly feel sorry for those who think there's nothing next. Mark is awesome and looks at it the right way. Cheers John and Mark.🎸

Just listen to the Grand Funk Live album and tell me if that could every be reproduced by a cover band. The essence of those three guys is what makes the whole of Grand Funk. I've always loved Mark Farner since I was 13 years old.

Right on Mark, I couldn't agree more. When you remove a key member it ruins it for the fans because they want to see and hear the the original players. As far as I am concerned, you are the voice of Grand Funk ...

We can get rid of Mark by replacing him so we can go on to be a cover band of our former selves. I was at the Lives show in Norman Oklahoma and saw the crowd move to Mark's side of the stage because Mark is Grand Funk and Mel was nowhere to be found and Don only contributed drums on Grand Funk Lives.

Great man to listen to. He and I have had the same UFO experience also. My mother, father and two sisters all saw a UFO float above our house in the 60s. It was real. We all looked in the newspaper the next day for a story about it but there was nothing. Why were we chosen to see that? Very strange. Mark! You are like a preacher. Thank you for your positive energy. I saw Grand Funk live and nothing compares!! Love you!

Grand Funk it's a great American band who sounds better today than they ever did their new members are musically outstanding and the songs have never been played better before. I love Mark but Mark needs to stick with what he's doing and getting back together again will not make the band better that's for sure

Great interview of a very wise man!

To Mike Stefani, Fire base Ripcord in vietnam said this dude singin captain on there tape player got him as he put it thru alot of bad shit! He made it home and a hero as all that were in the field the water or the air were heroes. Not the dudes in the rear.

Yes

As a fan I totally agree. Guys get back together for us.

Mark Farner opening for Pat Benatar??

Brother John! This is the second time listening to this interview. It takes me back to the late ⏰ 60’s, early 70’s. I love the term, bone jacket. Looking forward to the next time you talk to him. Have a great Tuesday. God bless.

well the huckabee show love fest ruined the vibe...........

SORRY BUT I HATE I'M YOUR CAPTAIN...THE BEST SONGS ARE AS FOLLOWS..INSIDE LOOKIN OUT, FOOT STOMPIN MUSIC, PARANOID, HELL ANYTHING OFF THE RED ALBUM FOR THAT MATTER.