Grand Funk took us by storm in the 1970’s and their music is still legendary, I know it is in my house,  “We’re an American Band” screams from the ipod on a daily basis.  This song helped Grand Funk get into the homes of a vast array of listeners giving them quite a following, still to this day.

Grand Funk or not, Mark Farner is still going strong & still playing producing some astonishing riffs. I just stopped by the official Mark Farner Website to find that there is now a “Captains Crew Fan Club”

Mark’s latest CD - For The People has a line from the that very song that says…”The Spirits of Time…” this post is for all those past spirits, that have served our country and served our needs, protected our lives, unbeknownst to us, giving us our independence!

Think back to 911, the day after, the hour after…..I recall the true genuine concern for others that happened that day. People were blind sided as we watched, and people united and came together that day, they reached out to one another, strangers who held doors open, gave up their places in line.  We need to get back to this type of genuine concern and politeness.

Keeping with his own style and still sporting the long rock & roll hair, Mark continues to be for the people.  I say lift a glass to the spirits of the great musicians, as well as the one’s who continue to lift our spirits when we are down and sometimes just give us good old foot stomping, hair flinging rock & roll to enjoy for years to come.

Happy Fourth of July All!

Remember the people before us, who gave us our independence.

Mark Farner and Grand Funk Friday’s Sketch,  as my son said, “a great guitar player, a great musician, what more can I tell you mom.” 

This is a sketch I did for my son’s 15th birthday, he was only 8 months into playing.  I’d come home from work and I would hear “I’m Your Captain” screaming out of the speakers with the old lp’s and the crackling sound,  what a throw back for us over 40 folks.

Mark Farner has a good heart, good values and fights for his country and personal freedom.  It seems he has a true love of life, with the trials and tribulations of Rock Bands from the 60’s to now, the continued success of Mark Farner has to come from within. 

This drawing of Mark is early in his career, with a Microfret Guitar, of which I never realized how few of them were produced. 

Because of a neck injury, Mark Farner now plays a Parker Fly, due to the weight.  A favorite guitar in our household is the Messenger though, it has a sound like no other.

Mark Farner was a true American Musical Innovator that never got his due.  Inspiring more bands than people know.  From Grand Funk to Grace is a must read for true Farner and Grand Funk fans, giving insight to a guitarist that lives by his passions.

“Everybody, Listen to me…”

Guitar Hero has skyrocketed to every office conversation and into so many homes.  I have no clue how to play guitar, I tried bass, but let’s just say, that fat lady sang within minutes.  I leave the guitar wizardy to my husband and my son.

This sketch is of “my guitar hero” with a Gibson ‘69 Deluxe, with soap bar pickups, these two pictures where taken when Buck was about 17 years old, on the rooftop of their apartment in Arlington Heights, Illinois.   This guitar was purchased at Olsens Music in Palatine, brand spanking new.  

The first song he attempted to play and has since perfect was by Grand Funk - Inside Looking Out.   His favorite guitar of present day is an Custom Epiphone Dot, with Seth Lover pickups and a ABR Bridge, the reason for tone.   The Acoustic of choice these days is an Epiphone PR 5 Limited Cherry Finish.   Look for his video on YouTube coming soon circa 1985 - with Future History. Gotta get my son out of bed to do that, and off of Xbox.

Playing through an Ampeg Gemini 2, vintage 1968 is what produces the sweet sound of Heartbreaker by Grand Funk that continues to be a household favorite.  It works well for his re-arrangement for My Guitar Gently Weeps and several originals.   And don’t forget your original tube screamer!