MARK FARNER

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Just as The Buffalo Chip is a legend in the world of motorcycling, Mark Farner is a real rock ‘n roll legend.  At only 20, he found success as the leader of one of America’s biggest bands ever, Grand Funk Railroad.

They recorded 17 albums with sales of more than 25 million records.  They toured the world and set records everywhere, including an attendence record that still stands at Shea Stadium, where their crowd eclipsed even The Beatles.

Like most high school musicians Farner had numerous bands that played VFWs, weddings and proms. He turned pro after leaving high school and worked with Terry Knight and the Pack, later The Pack, with drummer Don Brewer.  The two formed Grand Funk Railroad with bassist Mel Schacher.

The band played the Atlanta International Pop Festival in 1969. (That was before the Legendary Buffalo Chip responded to a request by Sturgis city officials to take the party elsewhere.) The band played before an estimated 180,000 people and was signed to Capitol Records after that performance.

The albums included titles nearly every Sturgis Rally music fan will recognize, like Grand Funk Railroad, Survival, Live Album, Closer To Home, E Pluribus Funk, Phoenix, Good Singin’ Good Playin’, Caught In The Act and All The Girls In The World Beware, among others.

The hit singles included “Foot-Stompin’ Music,” “I’m Your Captain (Closer To Home),”  “Loco-motion,” “Mean Mistreater,” “Bad Time” “We’re An American Band,” and “Some Kind Of Wonderful,” and many more.

In 1977 Farner signed a solo deal with Atlantic Records and issued two critically acclaimed albums: Mark Farner and No Frills.

Grand Funk reunited in 1981 and recorded a new album, Grand Funk Lives for Full Moon/Warner Bros. Records, What’s Funk in 1982.

Mark has also toured with Ringo Starr’s All-Star Band with Ringo introducing him night after night as “Mr. Grand Funk, Mark Farner!”

The band toured in 1996, 1997 and 1998 and was named to Pollstar’s Top 100 Tours of 1998. VH-1’s “Behind The Music” episode about Grand Funk Railroad aired all through 1999. And Capital Records released the Grand Funk Railroad Anthology in May of 1999.

Farner was one of the legitimate creators of the American rock and roll power trio. And he’s brought those influences back in the release of his latest solo album For The People. The album represents a return to his melodic roots that are accented by his signature power chords.

Mark Farner’s solo tours continue to roar with high-powered energy as rock’s premier guitarist, vocalist and frontman entertains sold-out audiences around the world.

The Legendary Buffalo Chip and its thousands of Sturgis Rally music fans are ready for him!
 

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