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Top » Bands and Artists » F » Farner, Mark » Timeline

Timeline:

1943: Terry Knight

Producer Terry Knight (Richard Terrance Knapp) is born on April 9, 1943 in Flint, MI.

1948: Grand Funk Arrivals

Keyboardist Craig Frost is born on April 20, 1948 in Flint, MI.

Drummer Don Brewer is born on September 3, 1948 in Swartz Creek, MI.

Guitarist and Vocalist Mark Farner is born at 11:55pm on 29 September, 1948 in Flint, MI.

1949: Dennis Bellinger

Bassist Dennis Bellinger is born on October 8, 1949.

1951: Mel Schacher

Bassist Mel Schacher is born on April 8, 1951 in Owasso, MI.

1964: The Genesseians

Mark's first band is the Genesseians.

Band member's include Rod Lester: Guitar, Lead vocals; Chuck Hit: Guitar; Diane Farner: Drums [later replaced by Jim Keener]

1965: Robin's Hoods

Mark's next band is Robin's Hoods, aka The Derelicts.

Band members include Les Merril: Drums; Monk McFadden: Lead Guitar, vocals; Dave Peedy: Guitar; Mike West: Harmonica, Vocals; Craig Frost: Keyboards

1966: The Bossmen

Mark leaves the Pack and joins the Bossmen:

Bandmembers include Dick Wagner - Lead guitar, Lead Vocals; Lanny Roenicke - Bass, Vocals; Warren Keith - Keyboards, Vocals; Pete Woodman - Drums

1966: Terry Knight & The Pack

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Mark joins with Terry Knight in the first part of a long relationship. He plays bass and guitar. Terry Knight & The Pack make the national charts with "I (Who Have Nothing)" which peaks at #46 on November 12, 1966.

Band members include Richard Knapp (Terry Knight) - Lead vocals, Harmonica, Maracas, Tambourine; Herman Jackson - Bass; Bob Caldwell - Keyboards, Vocals; Curt Johnson - Lead Guitar, Vocals; Don Brewer - Drums, Vocals

1967: Terry Knight & The Pack - pt. II

Mark returns to the Pack, this time as lead guitarist. He'll work with the Pack from January 1967 to April 1967.

Band members include Richard Knapp (Terry Knight) - Vocals, Harmonica, Maracas, Tambourine; Herman Jackson - Bass; Bob Caldwell - Keyboards, Vocals; Don Brewer - Drums, Vocals

1967: From The Pack to the Fabulous Pack

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From April 1967 to August 1967 Mark continues to work with the Pack after Terry leaves the group. Mark moves back to guitar and then back to lead.

Bandmembers include Mark Farner: Guitar, Lead Vocals; Don Brewer: Drums, Vocals; Herman Jackson: Bass; Bob Caldwell: Keyboards, Vocals; Curt Johnson: Lead Guitar, Vocals

In September, Al Shane replaces Bob Caldwell on Keyboards and Vocals

In October, Kenny Rich replaces Curt Johnson on Lead Guitar and Vocals

1968: The Coolie Group

While Mark is playing with The Pack, he does double duty with the Coolie Group as lead vocalist.

Band Members include Dennis Bellinger: Bass, Vocals; Bob Katrinic: Drums; Bob Siebert: Guitar; Craig Marsden: Lead Guitar

1969: Grand Funk Railroad

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Mark and Don leave the Pack and team up with Mel Schacher from ? and the Mysterians to form Grand Funk Railroad and turn the world of arena rock on it's ear.

July, 1969: Atlanta International Pop Festival

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Just prior to the success of Woodstock, other music festivals had started to appear across the country the summer and fall of 1969.

After hearing Grand Funk Railroad, Terry Knight became their manager and started drumming up gigs for the band, most of which they performed for free. Knight persuaded the promoters of the Atlanta International Pop Festival to let Grand Funk play, even though they did so free.

The only unsigned act on the show, Grand Funk Railroad played before 180,000 people in 110-degree heat and the acclaim was instantaneous. Following their Atlanta appearance, the band was signed by Capitol Records.

August, 1969: Grand Funk Rocks The World

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Over the next seven years, Grand Funk Railroad would tour the world. The band's concerts would set attendance records while at the same time, music critics would rip apart their recordings. Rolling Stone Magazine once called them the world's worst rock band, all the time that the working class rock fan embraced them as "The American Band".

August 25th, 1969: On Time

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Grand Funk Railroad's first album released. Features original band member's Mark Farner, Don Brewer and Mel Schacher.
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December 29th, 1969: "Grand Funk" Released

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Grand Funk's second album, also known as "the Red Album", is rushed to release.
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June 15th, 1970: "Closer To Home" Released

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Grand Funk Railroad's landmark third album, "Closer To Home" is released.
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November 16th, 1970: "Live Album" Released

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Grand Funk's first live album.
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1971: Shea Stadium

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Grand Funk Railroad continues as one of the top touring bands of their time, selling out concerts in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Japan and South America.

They even sell out New York City's Shea Stadium faster than the Beatles did.

April 15th, 1971: "Survival" Released

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November 15th, 1971: "E. Pluribus Funk" Released

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11/15/71
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April, 1972: "Mark, Don & Mel" Released

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September, 1972: "Phoenix" Released

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The band separates from Terry Knight, losing most everything related to the band except part of the name. They produce their next album "Phoenix" themselves and add keyboardist Craig Frost, an old friend from the Fabulous Pack days. Craig will become a permanent member of the group.
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July 15th, 1973: "We're An American Band" Released

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1974: "Monumental Funk" Released

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March, 1974: "Shinin' On" Released

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December, 1974: "All The Girls In The World Beware!!!" Released

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August, 1975: "Caught In The Act" Released

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Grand Funk's second release featuring Live concert performances.
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January, 1976: "Born To Die" Released

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August, 1976: "Good Singin' Good Playin'" Released

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September, 1976: Grand Funk Railroad disbands

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After 12 gold and 10 platinum records, 19 charted singles, 8 Top 40 hits including two at Number One both selling more than one million each, total sales in excess of 25 million copies sold worldwide, and 7 years of touring the world as America's Band, Grand Funk Railroad calls it quits. Mark engages in a solo career.

November, 1976: "Hits" Released

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1977: Mark Farner

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Mark releases his first solo album on Atlantic Records to critical aclaim.
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1977 to 1979: Mark Farner Band

1977 sees the creation of the Mark Farner band.

Band members include Dennis Bellinger: Bass, Vocals; Al Wotton: Drums; Rick Farner: Guitar; Rick Baker: Keyboards

1978: No Frills

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Mark releases his second solo album, also on Atlantic and also to great reviews.
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1980 to 1983: Grand Funk Railroad Reforms

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Mark, Don and Mel discuss reforming GFR. Mel goes into rehearsal with Mark and Don but decides not to record or tour for personal reasons.

Local Flint musician Dennis Bellinger is brought in to replace Mel on bass.

Mark, Don and Dennis tour throughout 1981-1982 and sell out shows in Japan and South America.

July, 1981: "Grand Funk Lives" Released

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Mark and Don with bassist Dennis Bellinger.
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January, 1983: "What's Funk" is released

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March, 1983: Grand Funk Railroad Disbands - Once Again

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After two years of touring, Mark, Don and Dennis say goodbye again. Mark resumes his solo career.

1984 to 1986: Mark Farner Band

After Grand Funk disbands, Mark goes back on the road with a different lineup.

Band members include Dennis Bellinger: Bass and Vocals; Howard Eddy: Keyboards and Vocals; Bob Grunyon: Drums

1987 to 1990: Common Ground

Mark's new band to support his Christian beliefs and his upcoming new CD.

Band members include Arnie Vilches: Guitar and Vocals; Michael Blair: Keyboards [later replaced by Howard Eddy]; Lawrence Buckner: Bass and Vocals; Michael Maple: Drums

1988: Just Another Injustice

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Mark releases his first album that addresses his Christian beliefs. Features guest super guitarist Phil Keaggy.
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1989: Wake Up...

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Mark's second "Christian" album. Continues in the same vein as "Just Another Injustice".
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1991: Some Kind Of Wonderful

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Mark's third album for Frontline Records, features a reworking of the Grand Funk hit "Some Kind Of Wonderful", changing the subject of the song from a girl to Jesus.
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1991 to 1994: The God Rockers

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Change in name for the band with some personel changes.

Band members include Arnie Vilches: Guitar and Vocals; Howard Eddy: Keyboards; Lance Abair: Keyboards; Paul Finaczo: Bass and Vocals; Michael Maple: Drums



(picture taken 19 August 1988, at the Bacchanal, in San Diego by John Easler)

1992: Closer To Home

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This "fourth" solo album is actually a compilation of songs from Mark's three Frontline releases.
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1992: Ichthus Festival

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Mark and the Godrockers play the Ichthus Jesus Music festival in Kentucky. Other artists featured at the festival included Wes King, Halo, Rick Cua, Out Of The Grey, Susan Ashton, The Choir, Charlie Peacock, DC Talk, Painted Orange, Jacob's Trouble, Guardian, Russ Taff, Seventy Sevens, Steven Curtis Chapman and Jesus Music pioneer Randy Matthews.

1995: Ringo Starr's All Starr Band

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Mark tours with the Beatles' Ringo Starr and his All Starr Band.

The All Starr Band includes Ringo Starr: Vocals and Drums; Randy Bachman: Guitar and Vocals; John Entwhistle: Bass and Vocals; Felix Cavalaire: Keyboards and Vocals; Billy Preston: Keyboards and Vocals; Zak Starkey: Drums

1996: Northwest Allstar Band

Mark continues his work on the road with the All Star Band.

The band members include Steve Cropper: Guitar; Felix Cavalaire: Keyboards and Vocals; Billy Preston: Keyboards and Vocals; David Santos: Bass; Wendy Moten: Vocals; Lou Gramm: Vocals; Liberty DeVito: Drums

May, 1996: GFR Reunites

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Mark, Don and Mel discuss the possiblity of a reunion. They meet at a hunting lodge for a preliminary reheasal.

From May 1996 to July 1996 GFR reunite and perform before 260,000 people at 14 sold out shows.

The band hires Ringo Starr promoter David Fishof as their manager.

1997-1999: GFR U.S. Reunion Tour

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January 1997 - The band plans 3 shows in Detroit, New York and Los Angeles to benefit and bring awareness to orphans in the war torn country of Bosnia.

April - November 1997: The band plays 30+ shows in the U.S. and Japan with added sideman Howard Eddy Jr.

April 20, 1997: The sound is recorded at the Detroit (Auburn Hills) show which will later be released as the live album Bosnia.

April 11, 1997: GFR perform on "Good Morning America".

May 2, 1997: GFR perform on "The Tonight Show" with Jay Leno.

October 1997: The double live album Bosnia is released as a box CD set. The proceeds are to go to the Bosnia Relief Effort.

January 1998: The band switches management teams and hires Bobby Roberts and Jim Della Croce as co-managers.

April 29, 1998: GFR performs at Cleveland's Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame museum and donate articles for a display to be created at a future date.

The band plays a 65+ show tour throughout 1998 and is listed as one of the top 10 grossing tours of 1998.

October 21st, 1997: "Bosnia" Released

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1999: Mark Leaves Grand Funk Railroad

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After giving the band a year more than they originally agreed on, Mark once again walks away from GFR to resume his solo career and goes on a national tour.

In March, VH-1 debuts a "Behind The Music" special on Grand Funk Railroad. It proves to be one of their most watched episodes.

1999 to 2001: Mark Farner Band returns

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This latest incarnation of the Mark Farner band includes Rick Farner: Guitar and Vocals; Lawrence Buckner: Bass and Vocals; Paul Ojibway: Keyboards, Sax and Vocals; Hubert Crawford: Drums and Vocals

2000: Heirlooms: The Complete Atlantic Sessions

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A double CD of all the songs from Mark's first two Atlantic solo albums "Mark Farner" and "No Frills".
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2001: Living Legends Of Rock & Roll - Live From Itchycoo Park

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DVD release of a 1999 concert that featured some of rock & roll's living legends, including Styx, Iron Butterfly, Christopher Cross, Firefall, John Kay & Steppenwolf, Rare Earth and Starship.

Mark performs "I'm Your Captain" and "Closer To Home".
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2002: Mark Farner's N 'r G Band

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The Mark Farner Band becomes N'rG.

Band members include Lawrence Buckner: Bass and Vocals; Paul Ojibway: Keyboards, Sax and Vocals; Hubert "H Bomb" Crawford: Drums and Vocals

2002: Red, White and Blue Forever

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CD "single" featuring "Red, White and Blue", a song dedicated to the hero's of 9-11, "Airborne Ranger" and an acoustic version of "Closer To Home/I'm Your Captain" with help from Mark's brother, Ricky Farner.
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2003: Just Another Injustice / Some Kind Of Wonderful

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Rerelease of the Frontline solo albums Just Another Injustice and Some Kind Of Wonderful.
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2003: Live!! N'rG

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Self released on his own LissMark label, Mark releases an album of live, mostly Grand Funk, songs, backed by his band N'rG.
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2003: Wake Up / Closer To Home

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Rerelease of the Frontline solo albums Wake Up and Closer To Home.
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July 4th, 2006: For The People

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The long awaited first release of new material for the band N'rG, For The People is highly anticipated and is received with rave reviews.
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July 24th, 2006: Credits:

Mark Farner Timeline created by Rob Whitehurst for MusicMoz.org. All Rights Reserved. Can not be reprinted without attribution.
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