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.

Definition of Group…any number of entities (members) considered a unit
Definition of Grope…(slang) Grab or squeeze

Entering this thing called the blogosphere has been very interesting for this nature loving, rock and roll soul, hanging at the creek during lunch hours gal. It was Pink Floyd’s - Another Brick in the Wall that got me through high school, chasing my brother-in-law’s brother (thank god I didn’t catch him).

There are to many famous groups that come to mind, Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble, Grand Funk, Led Zeppelin, Humble Pie, Emerson Lake & Palmer, The Beatles and even The Highway Men who have shaped what we know as famous groups.

What made these groups? Their loyalty and their dedication to one another and their passions.

As a beginning Blogger and Internet Marketer, there are several people who have assisted me in driving my passion for blogging and posting.

This is my group grope to them…..

Rob over at The Bloggeries Forum, my first experience with bloggers, and quite a wealth of information to be had.

Frank over at Technology Blog & More, took his time, his knowledge to teach me and help me out of a terrible header and blog layout.

Stan at Razzball, who no matter what he posts on the forums makes me laugh and I find a tip or two from.

Acadia over at Superficial Gallery and the Bat Cave Forum where humor takes a twisted turn.

Small Business Brief Forum, where I met several nice people and gained some great contacts.

Entrecard - gave me a jump start with my new blog and quite a great resource to find fellow bloggers and gain some loyal readers.

Becky who was my mentor and taught me what a keyword was… she is supposed to be working on Reality TV Burnout but has been slacking big time!

SueZ a real Mark Farner Fan who sent my site onto Mark Bowsher and gave me some really great kudo’s

Mark Bowsher over at Mark Farner’s Website, who posted one of my sketches and gave me quite a bit of exposure, thank you.

Brian who runs Blogengage, what a great venue for us to post our blogs and our interests. This site has really done well, and is a great resource for anything blogs.

Sam and his Controversial Marketing Blog for giving me an honest critique that made me seek out Frank for a much needed makeover.

Danny over at Guitar Players Center for being a fan, being loyal and being honest, and from what I hear a kick ass guitarist!

Tony over at Hawkhost, who no matter what stupid question I instant message him with, he is kind, supportive and quick to respond.

I group grope all of you! Sending you some link love! Go grope some others, it may be fun.

To all those who have commented, there are to many to list, thanks !

“No Doubt” Delve into your desires and your dreams, and come out holding your destiny. sdk1988

Written By:

Buck Kleiner

“I am being asked to write a “blog” post.. what the….. ^$%#@ is that?”….about my favorite band, Grand Funk Railroad, the band that wrote songs that struck a common chord in the hearts of the common man. (Move over Aaron Copland).

The band that scared the shit out of Led Zeppelin and had fun doing it. (Boy’s… kiss and make up) America is “in need”.

(This is my first band, and us attempting Zeppelin)

To further complicate my life, my “Blog” wife has asked me to remember the years 1971 and 1972, and what I was doing when the band released “Closer to Home.” I am lucky that I can remember yesterday, let along ‘71 and ‘72. Well, I shall give it a try.. I need to get my “big gulp full of rum”

I had just graduated from High School, had a girlfriend that could suck a golf ball thru 50 feet of garden hose..or so it seemed. I worked at a local car wash, 10 miles from ground zero (home)… (Blog wife says..yeah..and you walked bare foot, in the snow.. ) and I wore out 2 copies of the “Closer to Home” album.. ahhh vinyl!

I stood in my room at night, wondering and fantasizing about being able to play like Mark and the Boys, those headphone nights, with the lights out, and Grand Funk blasting through my head. ” I was on top of the world”

Sorry Eric, Grand Funk was My Guitar Band, I know at the time “Clapton was God” but not in my eyes. The first 3 albums were my sonic relief, after a hard day in my teenage world, Mark, Mel & Don made it all right.

I am still looking for Mark to pick up that Messenger again..

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…”