I saw Don at a drum clinic and he signed my GFR CD. I told him you HAVE to get the original Mark, Don & Mel lineup together. He seemed to be agreeable to the possibility. It never happened. WTF, Don?
I know Mark personally, and he is the most generous, thoughtful, and kindest human being I've met in a long time. An incredibly talented artist who only wishes to bring together the original band so he can give the love back to the fans who've been waiting for a reconciliation and reunion. Keep the faith, my brother - you are the rock, the roll and the soul of GFR!
It is sad that Brewer and Schacher screwed Mark the way they did. You would think they would have remembered what Terry Knight had done to all three of them back in the 70's.You have a lot of people behind you Mark. God bless. You are an honest man.
really shocked at mels behaviour brewer doesnt surprise me....dont get mel! makes me feel really angry! they dont give a shit about the fans like mark!
I took my father to see GFR a few years back as a surprise, because I knew it was his favorite band as a young man. Needless to say, it didn't quite turn out how I had hoped. He pretty much stood there staring daggers at Don Brewer the whole time, and when they played "We're an American Band" he just said "This ain't Grand Funk... let's get the fuck out of here." and left.
Mark Farner is Grand Funk no doubt. He's an accomplished musician in his own right and doing great and he still has millions of fans. Brewer and Schacher, not so much.
Farner should be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Screw Brewer and Schacher. Farner was 80% of the success of GFR and wrote most, if not all of the top hits of that band. Put him in the Hall.
The Freemasons aren't gonna let Grand Funk into their 'secret' institution (Hall of Flame), built and promoted by the devil, for the devil. And he didn't need the Hall or Freemasons to get his point across many times. Most everyone in the Hall of Flame are Freemasons, follow the money. Wherever there is mass $$$, there is at least one Freemason involved. Thank You for your TRUE character, Mark Farner. You are a bigger winner than anybody that's in the 'Hall of Flame'... youe creator knows what you've done and so does the devil. Well done, my friend...
Hey brother what comes around goes around! I'm a musician and you influenced me more than anyone back in the early 70s. I love you brother! Just remember the Lord has your back.
If not for Mark Farner, Grand Funk would not even be famous. Listen to all the albums. Mark was the most prominent talent on all of them. Mostly his vocals and ALL his guitar work. Are you serious?? Don and Mel are despicable. They in no way, shape or form are Grand Funk!!!
Thomas Mostly Mark’s lyrics and composition too, he made the band the other two went along for the ride and got paid well for their contributions. How did they ever think that they could come close to as successful w/o Mark on stage with them.
Grand Faux Railroad. I know folks have to eat, and they're not going to put butts in seats by calling themselves something else -- cf. "The Guess Who" or "Styx" -- but I don't want to see "some other guys" on stage with the other two core members. It's not like Mark Farner has passed on and the other two guys want the music to live on.
I saw Grand Funk in the mid-90's, with Mark, and they sounded like a force of nature on stage. I wouldn't pay to go see them without Mark, possibly not even if it was a free show.
Excellent point. And there is really no other way to look at it. Who do these other guys think they are fooling? And how long will the paying public want to listen to a wanna be band?
When I think of GFR I remember my old friend Glenn seeing them at the Cincinnati zoo in 1970-72 and how impressed he was. He told me all about Mark Farner and how he played and sang and danced his ass off. He never really mentioned the others. Mark Farner is GFR.
I grew up to listening to GFR and there is no doubt in my mind that without Mark Farner in the line up its not the real deal...Mark Farner is GFR.period
Watch Farner on any of these live GFR videos and you'll see the real performer. I am so happy to see EVERYONE here thinks as I do. GFR are just words without him.
I didn't want my last post to be too long, but I will admit Mark was the face of GFR. I love the quote from Homer Simpson questioning kids: "You've never seen the shirtless antics of Mark Farner??? The bong-rattling bass of Mel Schacher??? The competent drum work of Don Brewer???" And it was priceless when The Who guested on The Simpsons for a benefit concert. Roger Daltry was given a play list for the concert, and he calmly says, "But, Homer," (in his typically British accent) "these are all Grand Funk Railroad songs!" For the benefit of others, classic GFR tunes were played a LOT in the background while The Sopranos ran on HBO. Particularly "I'm Your Captain" during the opening of an episode in season 3.
superkunk2 Perhaps You misunderstood, I mean the current incarnation of GFR does not deserve the distinction of being called a garage band, they are a garbage band.
@@ricklewis5804 Your right. The singer trying to imitate Mark Farner really sucks. Garage band is to good for them. Go see Mark He does a lot of the 3 piece stuff.
It's like Creedence Clearwater Revival without John Fogerty. Go see John Fogerty and you'll see Creedence. Check out Mark Farner in concert and you'll get Grand Funked.
Mark is still rocking !!! The other guy, drummer, is pretending but without the voice, the legendary energy of GRAND FUNK RAILROAD, all you have is a cover band. Mark Farner is GRAND FUNK and all you have to do is close your eyes and listen to the sound and you know, you got it!!
It's not bullshit - Mark Farner really is Grand Funk. This whole thing reminds me of that movie "Spinal Tap" which highlights, humorously, the enlarged egos and eccentricities of musicians (especially rockers). As someone else has said, Grand Funk without Mark Farner is a fucking cover band - and a joke. Mark Farner comes across as a good guy.....maybe he was an asshole as a bandmate. A previous post, from someone who says they lived by the guy, says Farner thinks his "shit doesn't stink". Hell - who knows? That's true of about 90% of well-known musicians. But he WAS the band - that's simply the reality. All I can suspect is that Mel and Don really do not like the guy.... But Don and Mel promoting themselves as Grand Funk is complete BS - it's false advertising.
S. Schennum No Farner=No Funk! I can't believe Don has the balls to carry on & sing Mark's songs. Put the BS aside & do one more tour why everyone is still able to perform. Mark could sure use it for his disabled son & the fans would go nuts.
tonlo72 Exactly... I'm from Flint, Michigan...where these guys started. They were one "fat ass" trio and Mark was the centerpiece. Don and Mel are fine musicians, but with Mark absent they ain't Grand Funk. I really loved the band. To throw it all away over a bunch of bullshit - that is undoubtedly petty - is really sad. Personally, the people who I know who have met Mark say he's a good guy. As I've said, it's just sad.
Guy Merritt I read the book "From Grand Funk to Grace" the authorized biography on Mark. He didn't hide his flaws & seemed like a stand up guy. They've all made mistakes, fame & money can do that. But they are older now & should be able to move on & put the past to rest & give the fans what they want.
I saw the GFunkR many moons ago, at Cain's Ballroom in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The perfect venue for them, instead of some huge stadium. It was just the three originals, rocking their azzes off, in an historic structural venue. A place where the older and popular country music performers would play. With GFR there, dust was actually falling off of the ceiling rafters. Front row baby! Loud and in your face... It was perfection. A night to remember.
Terry Simmons- I live in Tulsa and I have never heard of the original GFR playing Cain's ballroom I did see Mark Farner there the one that kellymo45 is referring to Yes Derek St. Holmes from Ted Nugent was with Mark that night. Great show!
There is no Grand Funk Railroad without Mark Farner. Mark Farner wrote the vast majority of Grand Funk Railroad's songs and Mark was the heart and soul of that band. Without Mark Farner, the only thing that Don and Mel have is basically a GFR tribute band doing covers of Mark Farner's songs.
Regardless of what happened between Farner and the other two, Mark should never have signed that 'deal'. He had been in the business long enough to know better. Having been burned by Terry Knight earlier, his radar should have been on high alert. Never ever sign a business deal without a lawyer's pre-advise.
@buzz6016- Brewer and Schacher 'are' still close friends. However, Farner was in the biz long enough to know better than to sign something without first having a lawyer read it over. Had he done that he would never have been screwed by the other two....
+Johnny Botts That line of thinking means contract wise you consider Mel and Don to be worth less than one third of Funk decision making. Any 3 piece suffers from 1 guy being the odd man out, which may be the same guy every time. All Mel and Don did was secure an equal right to Mark's third. Of course the fans want the real deal. Who could blame them. I don't see anyone at fault and it's a shame as a fan to see the bros not mend fence.
I am and always have been a fan of Don Brewer and Mel Shacher but I think what they did was in real "poor form" to Mark Farner. I don't know how they have kept up a big following because Grand Funk without Mark F. is not Grand Funk. I go see Mark perform when I can but I don't go see Grand Funk with Brewer and Shacher.
I was fully in support of Mel and Don's new version of GFR. BUT I always said as soon as Mark wants to come back, HE gets back in. This keeping him out is just wrong. Its time to reunite Original Grand Funk Railroad, MARK, DON and MEL.
Rick Cappetto Fans like myself that are musical and knowledgeable are not going to get excited about the new Grand Funk band. It is ridiculous. It's like Credence Clearwater Revival without John Fogerty. I have no desire to go see Grand Funk without Mark Farner because it is just not Grand Funk. Mark Farner wrote most of all the music and his vocals cannot be replaced. This is truly sad that Don Brewer thinks he rocks without Mark Farner.
GFR with Mark Don and Mel have a special chemistry that cant be duplicated. it has to do with the timing of each of them (as well as equipment etc.,). It made that special sound especially; early that was GFRs sound. It cant be duplicated it can be copied well but not duplicated/ Mel leads the note Don follows and Mark goes all over. You see I could write a book about GFR, If I were a good writer LOL There are GFR and FARNER fans as big as me but not any bigger; Now remember in 98 Mark left GFR and said his solo career was his main concern, he said he promised two years and did three. So I and otheres subjected to Don and Mel replace Mark until he wants to come back. Lots of us fans as part of Roadkill were already trying to help promote GFR during the reunion. Including the campaign to get them in the Rock N Roll Hall of fame. It fizzled though (Rolling Stone -Jan Warner hates GFR they are the blocking agent), it would of helped if they did the 30th anniversary tour,they had a 30 city bigger venue tour backed by Budweiser and an appearance lined up for that 70s show for that year 1999. But Mark left so it was a no go. Anyway I don't want t write to much hear, I love all three of them, they have always been great to me. I HOPE one day they get together again. For themselves and the fans. God Bless.
Rick Cappetto I don't think Grand Funk with Farner, will ever happen. It is highly unlikely that they will ever come back. I saw them 5 times with all the original members so I can be happy about that. These guys are now in their mid-sixties so there is not much time remaining.
People probably go to see GFR thinking that all 3 of them are there and come away disappointed that Farner is gone. They should call themselves GNR minus the "1"
$100 Million was offered to all three original members of GFR to reunite & go on tour, yet Don & Mel turned down such a HUGE pile of cash??? That's a head-scratcher!!! Mark Farner cares about the fans - obviously Don Brewer & Mel Schacher don't...Hmm... I sincerely hope these three talented individuals can get back together & do one more reunion tour, before it's indeed too late. We love you, Mark Farner!
without Mark they would never been as big or good ,he was the heart and soul and had the songwriting skills but most of he was a hell of a singer besides being an amazing guitar player ,a truly gifted musician
Got to meet ALL of the original guys back in the eighties... Sat in the front row and experienced Grand Funk in it's finest!!! Mark, you make and truly complete Grand Funk just as it was meant to be!!!
Poor ole Mark,, You can tell by the interivew that he's not taking it too well and he would rather back at home with Don and Mel then be on the road alone! I say "THEY"RE LOSS' HIS GAIN! It's obvious Mark doesn't need them and everyone that knows GFR knows Marks the King!
MY FRIEND PETE he doesn't need them. He's got a great band. He is Grand Funk. And the interviewer is a moron for saying it's not GF without his voice. Without his voice and his guitar playing.
I remember watching their Behind the Music special in March/April 1999. You would think that after all the b.s. they'd gone through with Terry Knight AND the IRS, it would've made em all tighter. This is the 1st time I've watched anything on Grand Funk Railroad since that Behind the Music special in '99 and I'm STILL trying to wonder what the hell happened! Are they even in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? If NOT, it's gonna be difficult to get them together for that. It should always be about the music. Without unity, you're robbing the fans. If the fans can unite to come see you play, they should be able to unite to give the people WHAT REALLY matters: A REAL American band!
@@NateTheGr8ness if i were Mark, i would have nothing to do with those sleazy bums. Why deal with conniving backstabbers after what they've done? I would rather go see Mark and his band than those two ex bastards playing Grand Funk songs any day. Mark was the genius of the band and is a rock n roll legend in my book. He doesn't need those two greedy, ego driven losers to prove how great he truly is.
GRAND FUNK IS ZERO......NOTHING WITHOUT MARK FARNER. I WOULD NEVER PAY TO SEE THEM WITHOUT MARK.......NEVER. MARK WAS THE MICRO - CHIP OF GRAND FUNK......
What a big shame what Don & Mel did 2 Mark 😥😐. GFR is not what it was w/out Mark's amazing voice & presence..hands dn. Luv hearing his accent. We all love you, Mark!! God Bless you. 😊😊💕💕
Don Mel and a total of Five Musicians makeup the Grand Funk doing shows these days. Don & Mel hired 3 side men to "Try" to fill Marks shoes and they fall short by a fantastic margin. Mark only needs 2 good side men and nothing changes. But it's the "Name" that is important in the "Business" of music so it's like Don & Mel are pimpin Marks achievments by proxy. Makes me sick to see the Rhythm section taking over and doing all they can to make it appear to the world that "They" had something to do the worldwide fame that Marks Talent Earned him and subsiquently the hangers-on too. KNOW THIS DON & MEL... We The Fans of Grand Funk "Know" who's who and it's not You Two Sets of Clown Shoes...!!
What exactly is the story with the copyrights of all the songs Mark wrote? He should become the sole performer of all his songs and be compensated for every time it is played, or prevent ANYONE else other than his band to play any of his material! Simply do not support the other two with anything they do or produce until Mark is placed back in the corporation.
I just saw Mark in concert for free last week. He is great and has still got it. You could close your eyes and feel you were back at a GFR concert. He doesn't need Mel or Don. He is still awesome and thanks Mark for the wonderful concert. God bless.
Tom Langley - I agree with you. When I was growing up, Black Sabbath meant the world to me. I was a Sabbath freak. But I gotta tell you... by 1980 they were an entirely different band, and the stuff they put out with Dio was amazing in its own right. But it wasn't Black Sabbath.
sad so much complication with these guys,they were so great together,mark pls. rock us for another 20 years,at least we all need you,and hows that for a selfish request, mark ? but really thanks for years of amazing performances, love from ottawa.
Grand Funk Railroad will always be Mark, Don, and Mel!! Anything other than those three are a tribute band. Being born and raised in Flint, Mi they nay be the best thing to come out of that land that God gave up on!! Ill always hold out hope that they can get passes from the past and reform and teach these young kids what Rock n Roll is all about!! GFR IS THE AMERICAN BAND
First album I ever bought was Grand Funk Live in 1974 when I was 9 years old in grade 4 because my friends older hippie brother was playing it and I thought that guy was cool and I bought it ,hiding it in my parents house there was swearing on it lol,been a fan since and without FARNER ,THERE IS NO FUNK,screw Brewer and Schacher,those two sound like another Hetfield and Ulrich,yeah you two carry on with the Grand Funk name but it will never really be Funk unless Mark is there,hey Mark love ya man ,,take care
Every good band has their own unique sound that separates them from everyone else and Mark was that sound. Mark is GFR and without him they will never be the same. Keep stepping Mark you are the greatest and thank you for all the great music.
Marc Farner singlehandedly wrote and sang "Bad Time", one of my all time favorites. how can there be a Grand Funk without him. He is the group. They had a terrible time with their manager Terry Knight and now more rancor. it's a shame.
Terry Knight was a thief and a con-man. And obviously his own son-in-law felt the same way by stabbing the bastard to death. Good riddance. And, yeah, "Bad Time" is among my favorites, but you can't call Mark "the group." GFR wouldn't have EVER been GFR with Don and Mel.
I didn't go to see Don and Mel, I went to see Grand Funk, Mark Farner is Grand Funk!!! I saw Don when Mark stopped to let the drum solo go on, after that I only saw what I came to see, Grand Funk - Mark Farner, " ROCK ROYALTY!"
Mark Farner is Grand Funk Mel and Don Suck without him !!! I've seen them all together and Mark with a backup band but no I wouldn't pay to see Them without Mark !!!!
Mark was always the face of Grand Funk. That shit band Brewer is touring with, is nothing more than a GF tribute band, that you can see in any club, or bar room.
who knows why, but it's too bad ---- I love the sound of them all together --- Mark Farner should be back in........think about it, Don and Mel --- we want the old Grand Funk ----- the true "American Band"
What a shame these guys cant put their egos aside to work together again. They would sell out everywhere they went. I started drumming when I was 9 because of this band. I have been playing professionally for 40 years now and I still love their music. You guys are the best.
+Quido I think the gripe has been about the setlist and the overall direction since 1975. I don't think it's much about the money.. obviously the original 3 are the trump hand.. so, it can't be about the money.. and it's like a 5 or 6 piece now.. again less money for Mel and Don.
The irony is you can do anything you want legally with lawyers, but the fans ultimately know that Mark Farner is an essential part of what Grand Funk is, or was.
Just want you to know Mark Farner you are an honorable man I've been listening to you since the early 70s I heard what happened peace be with you my brother
Love you Mark! You are the soul of GFR. I saw you a couple summers back at the "Arts, Beats and Eats" in Royal Oak, MI. You still have it brother! Keep rockin'!
I saw Mark Farner in Nashville around 1969. He had white pants, no shirt, a band on his arm,and that long blonde hair....! Great performance!! And I must say, I do NOT remember those OTHER 2 guys at all... But I can remember Mark as if it was yesterday. THAT is a PERFORMER!! Mark keeps it REAL!!!
What's probably happening is that Brewer gets the lion's share of the concert tickets sales, Schacher gets a smaller portion, and the dude impersonating Farner gets to play rock star for beer and gas money.
No Farner/no Funk. He was the heart/soul/driving force behind those first albums, taking nothing away from the wonderful rhythm section of Don & Mel..but GFR never would have had the success they did without Mark. I got into a discussion with a guy on Tik Tok who is basically calling Mark a liar & says it didn't go down (the signing away of his rights & place in the band) the way he said. I believe Mark.
You can clearly tell from this interview Mark Farner's clearly distraught by the thought of the original three members of GFR (Mark, Don & Mel) not getting back together. A promoter offered all three huge cash up front to do a reunion tour, yet Don & Mel still won't reunite with Mark??? What's wrong with you, Don Brewer & Mel Schacher?! Mark & Don will be 67 years old this year & Mel will turn 64. Will all three of you please get back together already, & do one more tour for we your fans who love you to death? In GFRs current state, Don & Mel are just a cover band, & it takes a total of THREE guys to replace Mark Farner. What does that tell you, Don & Mel? You two are also deceiving the fans carrying on as "Grand Funk Railroad" - yet when the fans get to your shows & see that Mark's not onstage, they're tempted to ask for their money back. All three guys are a stone's throw away from turning 70, so they should make things right & do one last tour together for the fans before either Mark, Don or Mel are feigned by illness or death. Think of all the money you'll rake in! Mark could sure use his share of it to help his son Jesse. So, do the right thing & reunite with Mark already, while the three of you are still breathing!
I have been a fan of GFR since 1970 mark is the heart of GFR have went to see Mark a few times solo and a few with GFR would not waste my time with GFR without him its a joke
I’ll never see a fake post-Farner GF show. I’m not interested. But I’d LOVE to see a Mark Farner show! Farner is a CONSUMMATE musician, a WORLDCLASS guitarist, a TREMENDOUSLY ENTERTAINING frontman, a GREAT songwriter, and one of the best vocalists on planet Earth. But more importantly Mark’s a caring, forgiving human being and friend and brother to all. That’s Mark Farner.
![АЛАУДИНОВ у Скабеевой: эти их ВСУ нас НЕ ДОГОНЯТ 😁 [Пародия]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/an0anqU4WGQ/mqdefault.jpg)
There is NO Grand Funk without Mark Farner. Period.
They will soon realize this if they haven't ALREADY with out mark they are nothing 😎
Once upon a time If you didn't have Grand Funk Live or Black Sabbath Paranoid in your collection you simply weren't cool
He wrote 90% of the songs that they play, and Don/Mel had the nerve to sucker punch him? Cold blooded!
greedy as hell they will get there dues
@@pur4567 Kicking out Farner effectively DESTROYED Grand Funk's future.
That’s greed and the music industry…..
Farner IS Grand Funk Railroad...
You got that right!
All 3 were period
Absolutely without question
Yes.Beyond voice..great frontman.
Yes he is ❤️
there is no grand funk without mark farner.....mark farner is grand funk
What the fuck were they they thinking
He wrote all those fucking songs
I saw Don at a drum clinic and he signed my GFR CD. I told him you HAVE to get the original Mark, Don & Mel lineup together. He seemed to be agreeable to the possibility. It never happened. WTF, Don?
That was screwed up what they did to mark farner
lol. wrong. they kicked ass a few years back. he ain't all that!
I know Mark personally, and he is the most generous, thoughtful, and kindest human being I've met in a long time. An incredibly talented artist who only wishes to bring together the original band so he can give the love back to the fans who've been waiting for a reconciliation and reunion. Keep the faith, my brother - you are the rock, the roll and the soul of GFR!
That is what I have heard about him. It is not Grand Funk without him. ❤😊
It is sad that Brewer and Schacher screwed Mark the way they did. You would think they would have remembered what Terry Knight had done to all three of them back in the 70's.You have a lot of people behind you Mark. God bless. You are an honest man.
And look how Knight ended up........
My thoughts also!!
really shocked at mels behaviour brewer doesnt surprise me....dont get mel! makes me feel really angry! they dont give a shit about the fans like mark!
@@GenasysMech
Yep. Karma...??
One of the most real, down to earth people on the planet.
I idolized this man as a youth.His rock and roll talent, energy,sound and persona were untouchable!
Wow! The awesome and talented Mark Farner says, "for me, the fans are number one". No wonder he has so many fans.
Grand Funk played at a Harley dealer in Milwaukee this past summer. A freaking Harley dealer! Nobody wants to see this band without Mark.
I took my father to see GFR a few years back as a surprise, because I knew it was his favorite band as a young man. Needless to say, it didn't quite turn out how I had hoped. He pretty much stood there staring daggers at Don Brewer the whole time, and when they played "We're an American Band" he just said "This ain't Grand Funk... let's get the fuck out of here." and left.
Smart man, your Dad.
ur old man has my respect
Your dad no doubt remembers the early albums like the real fans & sees them now as a joke. Thumbs up to your dad!
rightfully so, You Dad saw thru garbage, Don, and Mel are the biggest Benedict Arnolds.
Sorry your father didn't have a good time what a crime
Mark Farner is Grand Funk no doubt. He's an accomplished musician in his own right and doing great and he still has millions of fans. Brewer and Schacher, not so much.
Farner should be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Screw Brewer and Schacher. Farner was 80% of the success of GFR and wrote most, if not all of the top hits of that band. Put him in the Hall.
Yes!! I agree!
The Freemasons aren't gonna let Grand Funk into their 'secret' institution (Hall of Flame), built and promoted by the devil, for the devil. And he didn't need the Hall or Freemasons to get his point across many times. Most everyone in the Hall of Flame are Freemasons, follow the money. Wherever there is mass $$$, there is at least one Freemason involved. Thank You for your TRUE character, Mark Farner. You are a bigger winner than anybody that's in the 'Hall of Flame'... youe creator knows what you've done and so does the devil. Well done, my friend...
MARK WAS THE HEART AND SOUL OF GFR.
Hey brother what comes around goes around! I'm a musician and you influenced me more than anyone back in the early 70s. I love you brother! Just remember the Lord has your back.
If not for Mark Farner, Grand Funk would not even be famous. Listen to all the albums. Mark was the most prominent talent on all of them. Mostly his vocals and ALL his guitar work. Are you serious?? Don and Mel are despicable. They in no way, shape or form are Grand Funk!!!
Thomas
Mostly Mark’s lyrics and composition too, he made the band the other two went along for the ride and got paid well for their contributions. How did they ever think that they could come close to as successful w/o Mark on stage with them.
Saw Mark Farner acoustic in September 2016. He was FANTASTIC !!!!!! Current Grand Funk Railroad without him is terrible...............
Grand Funk sucks without Farner. They are just a cover band now.
+rip2shred For sure. It's kind of like the two from Stevie Ray Vaughn carrying on without Stevie!
+rip2shred They'll be in my town Friday night-will not go to see 'em. No Farner; no Funk.
+Paul Salazar he is comin to Palm Springs with a member of 3 dog night?
+rip2shred
...and a shitty one at that
Grand Faux Railroad. I know folks have to eat, and they're not going to put butts in seats by calling themselves something else -- cf. "The Guess Who" or "Styx" -- but I don't want to see "some other guys" on stage with the other two core members. It's not like Mark Farner has passed on and the other two guys want the music to live on.
I've seen Mark Farner and his band couple years ago, one of the best concerts in my life.
I saw Grand Funk in the mid-90's, with Mark, and they sounded like a force of nature on stage. I wouldn't pay to go see them without Mark, possibly not even if it was a free show.
Not Grand Funk without the GREAT Mark Farner!!! What a shame....
Mark Farner is not only a great musician and entertaining, he is one of the nicest people I’ve ever met.
There is no Grand Funk without Mark Farner. Who do Mel and Don think they're fooling? Not me.
Excellent point. And there is really no other way to look at it. Who do these other guys think they are fooling? And how long will the paying public want to listen to a wanna be band?
Foolish thing to do - Without Mark there is no Grand Funk Railroad. There is only some worn out caboose. Sad day.
Mark was definitely the soul of the band.
now it's Grand Fink Railroad
Mind boggling! The drummer and the bass player could easily be replaced but not Mark. No Mark no FUNK! He's my captain.
When I think of GFR I remember my old friend Glenn seeing them at the Cincinnati zoo in 1970-72 and how impressed he was. He told me all about Mark Farner and how he played and sang and danced his ass off. He never really mentioned the others. Mark Farner is GFR.
Mark still comes around Cincinnati sometimes, MARK COME BACK WE NEED YOU, AMERICA NEEDS YOU!
I grew up to listening to GFR and there is no doubt in my mind that without Mark Farner in the line up its not the real deal...Mark Farner is GFR.period
No Mark Farner, no Grand Funk. The lool alike guy they have fronting the band now is a complete hack.
Watch Farner on any of these live GFR videos and you'll see the real performer. I am so happy to see EVERYONE here thinks as I do. GFR are just words without him.
I didn't want my last post to be too long, but I will admit Mark was the face of GFR. I love the quote from Homer Simpson questioning kids: "You've never seen the shirtless antics of Mark Farner??? The bong-rattling bass of Mel Schacher??? The competent drum work of Don Brewer???" And it was priceless when The Who guested on The Simpsons for a benefit concert. Roger Daltry was given a play list for the concert, and he calmly says, "But, Homer," (in his typically British accent) "these are all Grand Funk Railroad songs!" For the benefit of others, classic GFR tunes were played a LOT in the background while The Sopranos ran on HBO. Particularly "I'm Your Captain" during the opening of an episode in season 3.
Grand funk sounds like a garage band now. Wish the real grand funk could get it back together before it's to late, we're all getting older.
superkunk2
There’s a typo in your message. Didn’t you mean garbage band?
@@ricklewis5804 Mark Farner is Grand Funk
superkunk2
Perhaps You misunderstood, I mean the current incarnation of GFR does not deserve the distinction of being called a garage band, they are a garbage band.
@@ricklewis5804 Your right. The singer trying to imitate Mark Farner really sucks. Garage band is to good for them. Go see Mark He does a lot of the 3 piece stuff.
i agree with you 100%...
i agree no farner no funk
No FARNER no FUNK. I like it Rick!
It's like Creedence Clearwater Revival without John Fogerty. Go see John Fogerty and you'll see Creedence. Check out Mark Farner in concert and you'll get Grand Funked.
Mark is still rocking !!! The other guy, drummer, is pretending but without the voice, the legendary energy of GRAND FUNK RAILROAD, all you have is a cover band. Mark Farner is GRAND FUNK and all you have to do is close your eyes and listen to the sound and you know, you got it!!
It's not bullshit - Mark Farner really is Grand Funk. This whole thing reminds me of that movie "Spinal Tap" which highlights, humorously, the enlarged egos and eccentricities of musicians (especially rockers). As someone else has said, Grand Funk without Mark Farner is a fucking cover band - and a joke. Mark Farner comes across as a good guy.....maybe he was an asshole as a bandmate. A previous post, from someone who says they lived by the guy, says Farner thinks his "shit doesn't stink". Hell - who knows? That's true of about 90% of well-known musicians. But he WAS the band - that's simply the reality. All I can suspect is that Mel and Don really do not like the guy.... But Don and Mel promoting themselves as Grand Funk is complete BS - it's false advertising.
It sure is BS. I just saw GFR live w/o Mark and they were pretty lame.
S. Schennum No Farner=No Funk! I can't believe Don has the balls to carry on & sing Mark's songs. Put the BS aside & do one more tour why everyone is still able to perform. Mark could sure use it for his disabled son & the fans would go nuts.
tonlo72 Exactly... I'm from Flint, Michigan...where these guys started. They were one "fat ass" trio and Mark was the centerpiece. Don and Mel are fine musicians, but with Mark absent they ain't Grand Funk. I really loved the band. To throw it all away over a bunch of bullshit - that is undoubtedly petty - is really sad. Personally, the people who I know who have met Mark say he's a good guy. As I've said, it's just sad.
Guy Merritt I read the book "From Grand Funk to Grace" the authorized biography on Mark. He didn't hide his flaws & seemed like a stand up guy. They've all made mistakes, fame & money can do that. But they are older now & should be able to move on & put the past to rest & give the fans what they want.
GFR will never be the same without Mark Farner...I mean really.
I saw the GFunkR many moons ago, at Cain's Ballroom in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The perfect venue for them, instead of some huge stadium. It was just the three originals, rocking their azzes off, in an historic structural venue. A place where the older and popular country music performers would play. With GFR there, dust was actually falling off of the ceiling rafters. Front row baby! Loud and in your face... It was perfection. A night to remember.
Terry Simmons Was that the night he had Derek St Holmes from Nugent set in for a couple of songs? If so, I was there too.
Terry Simmons- I live in Tulsa and I have never heard of the original GFR playing Cain's ballroom I did see Mark Farner there the one that kellymo45 is referring to Yes Derek St. Holmes from Ted Nugent was with Mark that night. Great show!
@@kellymo45 cool
I'd love to c GFR at cains
There is no Grand Funk Railroad without Mark Farner.
Mark Farner wrote the vast majority of Grand Funk Railroad's songs and Mark was the heart and soul of that band.
Without Mark Farner, the only thing that Don and Mel have is basically a GFR tribute band doing covers of Mark Farner's songs.
God bless you Mark. You’re the best.
Regardless of what happened between Farner and the other two, Mark should never have signed that 'deal'. He had been in the business long enough to know better. Having been burned by Terry Knight earlier, his radar should have been on high alert. Never ever sign a business deal without a lawyer's pre-advise.
+Johnny Botts you do know, Brewer and Schacher were close friends of Farner.
Mark Farner trusted his friends.....Yes it was dumb to trust his friends.
@buzz6016- Brewer and Schacher 'are' still close friends. However, Farner was in the biz long enough to know better than to sign something without first having a lawyer read it over. Had he done that he would never have been screwed by the other two....
+Johnny Botts ...Exactly right!
+Johnny Botts That line of thinking means contract wise you consider Mel and Don to be worth less than one third of Funk decision making. Any 3 piece suffers from 1 guy being the odd man out, which may be the same guy every time. All Mel and Don did was secure an equal right to Mark's third. Of course the fans want the real deal. Who could blame them. I don't see anyone at fault and it's a shame as a fan to see the bros not mend fence.
Mark IS Grand Funk. PERIOD
Don and Mel are Grand Funk's cover band,I just think their a bit old to be impersonating the greatest rock band in history
I love Mark!! Great musician!! Without Mark Grand Funk doesn't exist!!!❤❤❤❤
I would say: What are the other 2 other GFR-members hiding from Mark that cannot face daylight?
Mark Farner is the best!
FARNER RULES
Mark was incredably cool when he was kid tearing it up. Today as an older man, he's even cooler.
he was Sooooo gorgeous and time has been good to him ! he still looks fab!
I am and always have been a fan of Don Brewer and Mel Shacher but I think what they did was in real "poor form" to Mark Farner. I don't know how they have kept up a big following because Grand Funk without Mark F. is not Grand Funk. I go see Mark perform when I can but I don't go see Grand Funk with Brewer and Shacher.
I was fully in support of Mel and Don's new version of GFR. BUT I always said as soon as Mark wants to come back, HE gets back in. This keeping him out is just wrong. Its time to reunite Original Grand Funk Railroad, MARK, DON and MEL.
Rick Cappetto Fans like myself that are musical and knowledgeable are not going to get excited about the new Grand Funk band. It is ridiculous. It's like Credence Clearwater Revival without John Fogerty. I have no desire to go see Grand Funk without Mark Farner because it is just not Grand Funk. Mark Farner wrote most of all the music and his vocals cannot be replaced. This is truly sad that Don Brewer thinks he rocks without Mark Farner.
GFR with Mark Don and Mel have a special chemistry that cant be duplicated. it has to do with the timing of each of them (as well as equipment etc.,). It made that special sound especially; early that was GFRs sound. It cant be duplicated it can be copied well but not duplicated/ Mel leads the note Don follows and Mark goes all over. You see I could write a book about GFR, If I were a good writer LOL There are GFR and FARNER fans as big as me but not any bigger; Now remember in 98 Mark left GFR and said his solo career was his main concern, he said he promised two years and did three. So I and otheres subjected to Don and Mel replace Mark until he wants to come back. Lots of us fans as part of Roadkill were already trying to help promote GFR during the reunion. Including the campaign to get them in the Rock N Roll Hall of fame. It fizzled though (Rolling Stone -Jan Warner hates GFR they are the blocking agent), it would of helped if they did the 30th anniversary tour,they had a 30 city bigger venue tour backed by Budweiser and an appearance lined up for that 70s show for that year 1999. But Mark left so it was a no go. Anyway I don't want t write to much hear, I love all three of them, they have always been great to me. I HOPE one day they get together again. For themselves and the fans. God Bless.
Rick Cappetto I don't think Grand Funk with Farner, will ever happen. It is highly unlikely that they will ever come back. I saw them 5 times with all the original members so I can be happy about that. These guys are now in their mid-sixties so there is not much time remaining.
People probably go to see GFR thinking that all 3 of them are there and come away disappointed that Farner is gone. They should call themselves GNR minus the "1"
$100 Million was offered to all three original members of GFR to reunite & go on tour, yet Don & Mel turned down such a HUGE pile of cash??? That's a head-scratcher!!! Mark Farner cares about the fans - obviously Don Brewer & Mel Schacher don't...Hmm... I sincerely hope these three talented individuals can get back together & do one more reunion tour, before it's indeed too late.
We love you, Mark Farner!
LOL! All he had to do in this interview is sing "everybody listen to me and return me my ship" and we'd agree.
Like trying to be Steppenwolf without John Kay's vocals, Don and Mel are basically the owners of a cover band now. Too bad.
Or CCR without John Fogerty?
and the velvet underground without Lou reed...yes they tried it.
Off the top of my head the only band that gets away with multiple leads is the Eagles, and ONLY the Eagles. Mark Farner IS the voice of GFR.
without Mark they would never been as big or good ,he was the heart and soul and had the songwriting skills but most of he was a hell of a singer besides being an amazing guitar player ,a truly gifted musician
Got to meet ALL of the original guys back in the eighties... Sat in the front row and experienced Grand Funk in it's finest!!!
Mark, you make and truly complete Grand Funk just as it was meant to be!!!
Poor ole Mark,, You can tell by the interivew that he's not taking it too well and he would rather back at home with Don and Mel then be on the road alone! I say "THEY"RE LOSS' HIS GAIN! It's obvious Mark doesn't need them and everyone that knows GFR knows Marks the King!
He wrote all the music.
MY FRIEND PETE he doesn't need them. He's got a great band. He is Grand Funk. And the interviewer is a moron for saying it's not GF without his voice. Without his voice and his guitar playing.
He is the John Fogerty of Grand Funk
I remember watching their Behind the Music special in March/April 1999. You would think that after all the b.s. they'd gone through with Terry Knight AND the IRS, it would've made em all tighter. This is the 1st time I've watched anything on Grand Funk Railroad since that Behind the Music special in '99 and I'm STILL trying to wonder what the hell happened! Are they even in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? If NOT, it's gonna be difficult to get them together for that. It should always be about the music. Without unity, you're robbing the fans. If the fans can unite to come see you play, they should be able to unite to give the people WHAT REALLY matters: A REAL American band!
@@NateTheGr8ness if i were Mark, i would have nothing to do with those sleazy bums. Why deal with conniving backstabbers after what they've done? I would rather go see Mark and his band than those two ex bastards playing Grand Funk songs any day. Mark was the genius of the band and is a rock n roll legend in my book. He doesn't need those two greedy, ego driven losers to prove how great he truly is.
GRAND FUNK IS ZERO......NOTHING WITHOUT MARK FARNER. I WOULD NEVER PAY TO SEE THEM WITHOUT MARK.......NEVER. MARK WAS THE MICRO - CHIP OF GRAND FUNK......
What a big shame what Don & Mel did 2 Mark 😥😐. GFR is not what it was w/out Mark's amazing voice & presence..hands dn. Luv hearing his accent. We all love you, Mark!! God Bless you. 😊😊💕💕
Don Mel and a total of Five Musicians makeup the Grand Funk doing shows these days. Don & Mel hired 3 side men to "Try" to fill Marks shoes and they fall short by a fantastic margin. Mark only needs 2 good side men and nothing changes. But it's the "Name" that is important in the "Business" of music so it's like Don & Mel are pimpin Marks achievments by proxy. Makes me sick to see the Rhythm section taking over and doing all they can to make it appear to the world that "They" had something to do the worldwide fame that Marks Talent Earned him and subsiquently the hangers-on too. KNOW THIS DON & MEL... We The Fans of Grand Funk "Know" who's who and it's not You Two Sets of Clown Shoes...!!
What exactly is the story with the copyrights of all the songs Mark wrote? He should become the sole performer of all his songs and be compensated for every time it is played, or prevent ANYONE else other than his band to play any of his material!
Simply do not support the other two with anything they do or produce until Mark is placed back in the corporation.
Mark Farner Is, and always be Grand Funk Railroad Band Signature
I just saw Mark in concert for free last week. He is great and has still got it. You could close your eyes and feel you were back at a GFR concert. He doesn't need Mel or Don. He is still awesome and thanks Mark for the wonderful concert. God bless.
Without Farner there is no Grand Funk just as Without Ozzy there is no Black Sabbath.
right on
Tom Langley - I agree with you. When I was growing up, Black Sabbath meant the world to me. I was a Sabbath freak. But I gotta tell you... by 1980 they were an entirely different band, and the stuff they put out with Dio was amazing in its own right. But it wasn't Black Sabbath.
Or Supertramp without Roger Hodgson.
i prefer black sabbath with dio.
It's like the stones without Jagger and Richards. Mark Farner was the writer, singer, lead guitarist! He's an amazing talent.
sad so much complication with these guys,they were so great together,mark pls. rock us for another 20 years,at least we all need you,and hows that for a selfish request, mark ? but really thanks for years of amazing performances, love from ottawa.
Sure Do Miss Him, Out on the Road....Need a Show in Tampa, Brother!! God Bless You Mark!!
Grand Funk Railroad will always be Mark, Don, and Mel!! Anything other than those three are a tribute band. Being born and raised in Flint, Mi they nay be the best thing to come out of that land that God gave up on!! Ill always hold out hope that they can get passes from the past and reform and teach these young kids what Rock n Roll is all about!! GFR IS THE AMERICAN BAND
That sucks. Farner wrote all those great songs
First album I ever bought was Grand Funk Live in 1974 when I was 9 years old in grade 4 because my friends older hippie brother was playing it and I thought that guy was cool and I bought it ,hiding it in my parents house there was swearing on it
lol,been a fan since and without FARNER ,THERE IS NO FUNK,screw Brewer and Schacher,those two sound like another Hetfield and Ulrich,yeah you two carry on with the Grand Funk name but it will never really be Funk unless Mark is there,hey Mark love ya man ,,take care
Every good band has their own unique sound that separates them from everyone else and Mark was that sound. Mark is GFR and without him they will never be the same. Keep stepping Mark you are the greatest and thank you for all the great music.
Marc Farner singlehandedly wrote and sang "Bad Time", one of my all time favorites. how can there be a Grand Funk without him. He is the group. They had a terrible time with their manager Terry Knight and now more rancor. it's a shame.
Terry Knight was a thief and a con-man. And obviously his own son-in-law felt the same way by stabbing the bastard to death. Good riddance. And, yeah, "Bad Time" is among my favorites, but you can't call Mark "the group." GFR wouldn't have EVER been GFR with Don and Mel.
I didn't go to see Don and Mel, I went to see Grand Funk, Mark Farner is Grand Funk!!! I saw Don when Mark stopped to let the drum solo go on, after that I only saw what I came to see, Grand Funk - Mark Farner, " ROCK ROYALTY!"
Mark Farner is Grand Funk
Mel and Don Suck without him !!! I've seen them all together and Mark with a backup band but no I wouldn't pay to see Them without Mark !!!!
Mark was always the face of Grand Funk. That shit band Brewer is touring with, is nothing more than a GF tribute band, that you can see in any club, or bar room.
This is like kicking Jimi Hendrix out of the Jimi Hendrix experience.
Exactly!
"It's the Faux Funk". Would've been just another anonymous Midwest band without Mark Farner.
who knows why, but it's too bad ---- I love the sound of them all together ---
Mark Farner should be back in........think about it, Don and Mel --- we want the old Grand Funk ----- the true "American Band"
What a shame these guys cant put their egos aside to work together again. They would sell out everywhere they went. I started drumming when I was 9 because of this band. I have been playing professionally for 40 years now and I still love their music. You guys are the best.
That is 90% of Grand Funk talking right there...don't care what others say.... *Asterisk*, Don & Mel don't cut it.
Grand Funk Railroad without Mark Farner will be like watching a ball game without a ball!
It was all about greed, with Don and Mel...
+Quido ~ Soon they will meet the new band member named Karma!
+Quido they would make way more money with Mark. Its about control and ego
+Quido I think the gripe has been about the setlist and the overall direction since 1975. I don't think it's much about the money.. obviously the original 3 are the trump hand.. so, it can't be about the money.. and it's like a 5 or 6 piece now.. again less money for Mel and Don.
They had a chance at 100 million according to this interview and didn't take it, Its not about the money.
The irony is you can do anything you want legally with lawyers, but the fans ultimately know that Mark Farner is an essential part of what Grand Funk is, or was.
There is NO Grand Funk without Mark Farner. He IS Grand Funk !!!!!
Just want you to know Mark Farner you are an honorable man I've been listening to you since the early 70s I heard what happened peace be with you my brother
I saw them open for ZZTOP in 1982....I had barely heard of them.....they were great! Love the early stuff.....first rock concert I ever saw!!
the FRONTMAN,the others,just a rhythm section,MARK FARNER, yeah he is the originator and the brains of the group,period
The interviewer is 100% correct. Mark Farner IS Grand Funk!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi Mark! I am a great fan of yours. I always listen to the Grand Funk Music. I never get tired of them. I wish you could do a gig in NZ.
We know the truth! Your voice and energy was Grand Funk
Love you Mark! You are the soul of GFR. I saw you a couple summers back at the "Arts, Beats and Eats" in Royal Oak, MI. You still have it brother! Keep rockin'!
Everyone knows, NO FARNER NO FUNK!!!
MARK IS GRAND FUNK!!!
Anybody who goes to see Don and Mel's Grand Funk are getting RAILROADED.
Mark is Grand Funk, the so called band with Don and Mel is a cover band.
What they did to Mark and to all the fans basically is very low.
I saw Mark Farner in Nashville around 1969. He had white pants, no shirt, a band on his arm,and that long blonde hair....! Great performance!! And I must say, I do NOT remember those OTHER 2 guys at all... But I can remember Mark as if it was yesterday. THAT is a PERFORMER!! Mark keeps it REAL!!!
....not to mention his guitar playing.
What were the 2 others guys thinking?Mark was by himself was the main attraction and most talented he made the group .the proof is in the results
I think that's the very reason why Maxx...................jealousy and pride.
What's probably happening is that Brewer gets the lion's share of the concert tickets sales, Schacher gets a smaller portion, and the dude impersonating Farner gets to play rock star for beer and gas money.
No Farner/no Funk.
He was the heart/soul/driving force behind those first albums, taking nothing away from the wonderful rhythm section of Don & Mel..but GFR never would have had the success they did without Mark. I got into a discussion with a guy on Tik Tok who is basically calling Mark a liar & says it didn't go down (the signing away of his rights & place in the band) the way he said.
I believe Mark.
You can clearly tell from this interview Mark Farner's clearly distraught by the thought of the original three members of GFR (Mark, Don & Mel) not getting back together. A promoter offered all three huge cash up front to do a reunion tour, yet Don & Mel still won't reunite with Mark??? What's wrong with you, Don Brewer & Mel Schacher?! Mark & Don will be 67 years old this year & Mel will turn 64. Will all three of you please get back together already, & do one more tour for we your fans who love you to death? In GFRs current state, Don & Mel are just a cover band, & it takes a total of THREE guys to replace Mark Farner. What does that tell you, Don & Mel? You two are also deceiving the fans carrying on as "Grand Funk Railroad" - yet when the fans get to your shows & see that Mark's not onstage, they're tempted to ask for their money back. All three guys are a stone's throw away from turning 70, so they should make things right & do one last tour together for the fans before either Mark, Don or Mel are feigned by illness or death. Think of all the money you'll rake in! Mark could sure use his share of it to help his son Jesse. So, do the right thing & reunite with Mark already, while the three of you are still breathing!
Harley Davidson and Budwieser....
I have been a fan of GFR since 1970 mark is the heart of GFR have went to see Mark a few times solo and a few with GFR would not waste my time with GFR without him its a joke
I’ll never see a fake post-Farner GF show. I’m not interested. But I’d LOVE to see a Mark Farner show! Farner is a CONSUMMATE musician, a WORLDCLASS guitarist, a TREMENDOUSLY ENTERTAINING frontman, a GREAT songwriter, and one of the best vocalists on planet Earth. But more importantly Mark’s a caring, forgiving human being and friend and brother to all. That’s Mark Farner.