In July 1971, the trio sold out Shea Stadium in New York 55,000 tickets were sold in a record 72 hours - besting THE BEATLES' previous record. Farner also received the Vietnam Veterans of American Presidents Award for Excellence in the Arts.
Farner would later perform the iconic song at the Vietnam Memorial Wall, on the 25th Anniversary of the Vietnam Memorial Wall. The epic composition "I'm Your Captain (Closer to Home)" became an anthem for Vietnam War veterans and audiences alike.
"I had nothing but time for songs."īy 1970, Farner's songs were pivotal to the band's success. "It wasn't much pressure because the songs were coming fast," Farner said. He said they wanted to take advantage of the meteoric rise that was building in terms of the band's popularity. Farner wrote all but two songs from "On Time" and the platinum-selling "Grand Funk". The same year they formed - 1969 - the band further defied expectations by releasing two albums (via Capitol Records) in a four-month period. At the 1969 Atlanta International Pop Festival, they shared the stage with rock luminaries such as LED ZEPPELIN, Janis Joplin and CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL. What began as rehearsals at Flint's Federation of Musicians Union Hall led to some of rock music's watershed moments. Like a Spartan, Farner was intent on bringing rock destined for arenas. When GRAND FUNK RAILROAD formed in 1969, they named the group after the Grand Trunk & Western Railroad that runs through Flint. Having reportedly written more than 90 percent of the GRAND FUNK music catalog, Farner has sold more than 30 million records worldwide and has earned 16 gold and platinum albums.įarner's first years in music were with the bands TERRY KNIGHT AND THE PACK and THE BOSSMEN. Why not tell people the truth and go out with the chest held high instead of hiding behind your dark glasses and trying to present a fraud?" And I think the fans have been screwed enough, man. But the audience, the fans don't get the truth. There's not even an original member in that band, and they go out as FOREIGNER, without telling the prospective audience that there's no original members. As legal as it may be, it is completely dishonest to the fans, and the fans are taking a slap in the face, just like they are with that fake FOREIGNER that's out there. Joining Brewer and Schacher on tour are newer additions to the band, singer Max Carl, guitarist Bruce Kulick and keyboardist Tim Cashion.Īsked in a new interview with John Beaudin of how he feels about GRAND FUNK RAILROAD celebrating the 50th anniversary of "We're An American Band" on tour this year, Farner said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "You mean the GRAND FRAUD tour? Yeah, the GRAND F-A-U-X RAILROAD. Led by original members, drummer Don Brewer and bassist Mel Schacher, GRAND FUNK RAILROAD is slated to play several headlining shows this spring as well as serve as the "special guests" of Kid Rock for two hometown shows in Michigan at Little Caesars Arena on Friday, July 14 and Saturday, July 15. This past March, it was announced that GRAND FUNK RAILROAD would celebrate the 50th anniversary of its 1973 "We're An American Band" platinum single and album with 2023's "The American Band" tour. Mark Farner, a founding member of GRAND FUNK RAILROAD, has blasted his former bandmates for continuing to tour under the GRAND FUNK RAILROAD name, saying they are being "completely dishonest to the fans".
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