Farner ready to rock

Mark Farner smiles during an interview Friday.

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Story Published: Aug 21, 2009 at 7:15 PM PDT

Story Updated: Aug 21, 2009 at 7:15 PM PDT

By Greg Meyer

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LEWISTON - Mark Farner isn't any closer to his home as he prepares to rock out in Pioneer Park Saturday night. After all, his home is in Michigan.

But the former lead singer, guitar player and songwriter for the legendary band Grand Funk Railroad, who now calls himself the "Rock Patriot", is feeling at home as he visits the Valley for the first time.

"Grand Funk fans are going to be happy fans because we polled our Internet audience and asked what songs they wanted to hear on the set this year," said Farner. "So we have that advantage."

The top song? You guessed it - "I'm Your Captain."

It's been a long road for Farner. He formed Grand Funk with bassist Mel Schacher and drummer Don Brewer in 1969 when Farner was just 20-years-old. Their first album was released the same year and went gold.

But in 1976, the band broke up, and eventually Farner said he was misled into signing away his part ownership of the Grand Funk trademark. Now the other two original members tour as Grand Funk.

"They control that trademark, even though I wrote and sang some 90 percent of the music," said Farner. "And God bless them, they go out and try to do Grand Funk stuff, but all they can ever do is be a tribute band."

But Farner is the real thing. His soaring guitar solos and distinctive voice have always meant Grand Funk to his fans.

And while he was born again in 1982, the rocker who has been married for 31 years with kids and grandkids, said he has no regrets about his time with a band that drew the largest crowd in history to Shea Stadium.

"A lot of people say 'what would you change about it?', and I wouldn't change a thing," said Farner. "I mean having that much success, when you're starting at 20-years-old in the first place. My mother had to sign the contract because I wasn't legal in the state of Michigan. Europe and Japan...we played all over and people loved the Grand Funk music."

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