Mark Farner

The Grand Funk frontman on the virtues of freshly ground spices, and other necessities for any rocker on the road

Mark Farner, Grand Funk Railroad, For the People Mark Farner, Dick Wagner Memorial Concert, Take You Out Mark Farner
Photo by Robert Alford

As the lead vocalist, lead guitarist and principle songwriter for the original incarnation of Grand Funk Railroad, Mark Farner’s been turning in show-stealing performances since the mid-’60s, from selling out Shea Stadium, to Ringo Starr’s All-Starr Band, to stints with the Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy Camp. Today, Farner enjoys a solo career, including touring with his band, N′rG, which plays a mixture of Grand Funk songs and Farner’s solo offerings. All told, the man’s sold 30 million records.

In contrast to his explosive rock ‘n’ roll stage presence, Farner is a very down-to-earth, traditional-values kinda guy. He would probably have hung up his boogie shoes if he could no longer deliver, but his vocals, guitar work and onstage prancing are as on-target, charismatic and athletic as they were 40 years ago. In the middle of a three-month tour, one look at his very practical bag tells a lot about how this icon keeps it simple: “I’m so occupied by what I do out here, the bag contains the things that make it easier for me to do what I need to.”

Next up for Farner and his road bag: The Dick Wagner “Remember the Child” Memorial Concert, in honor of the late guitarist, and also featuring Marshall Crenshaw and Aerosmith’s Brad Whitford, among others (more info and tickets here).

 

Peek inside Farner’s road bag below…

 

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