Mark Farner is the reason. As one of the founding members, lead singer, lead guitarist, andw rote 90% of the Grand Funk music catalog, Farner has always been known as the energetic driving force on stage, the engine that pulled the original Grand Funk Railroad to the top of the charts. From his soulful voice and power rock riffs, to fueling the Funk with his atomic stage presence. His story and his imprint on music starts with Flint and since 1969 from his humble beginnings and a blue-collar outlook, Farner has captained a global crusade for love and freedom and became a rock ‘n’ rollicon.50 years later–he commands the stage with the same intensity performing epic hits that defined a generation–“I’m Your Captain (Closer to Home)”, “Bad Time”, “Some Kind of Wonderful”,“Foo tStompin’ Music”, “Heartbreaker”, “Locomotion”, “Mean Mistreater” and “We’re An American Band”. Today, Farner’ samplifying his remarkable career another full decibel selling more than 30 million records worldwide, including 16 gold and platinum albums. Mark Farner’s American Band will honor Farner’s golden anniversary in music, as well as shine a spotlight on his legendary contributions to society, in his 2019-2020 50th Anniversary Tour. Farner, 70,is also about as real as they get: he’s a husband, a father and grandfather and in his fourth decade of marriage to wife Lesia. He’s a family man.“ I am who my songs say I am,” Farner said. Farner’s first years in music were with the band Terry Knight and the Pack and The Bossmen.When GFR formed in 1969 they named the group after the Grand Trunk&Western Railroad that runs through Flint. Like a Spartan, Farner was intent on bringing rock destined for arenas. What began as rehearsals at Flint’s Federation of Musicians Union Hall ledto some of rock music’s watershed moments. At the1969 Atlanta International Pop Festival ,they shared the stage with rock luminaries such as LedZeppelin,Janis Joplin, and Creedence ClearwaterRevival. GFR thrilled the audience and further cemented its place as a live band full o floud, ferocious rock, soul, and funk!“ I think our fans connected to our songs because we were sincere,” Farner said. “My lyrics were about MotherEarth, stopping the war, and all about love. They still have a point of reference with me in their heart. ”The same year they formed–1969–the band further defied expectations by releasing two albums (viaCapitolRecords) in a four-month period. Farner wrote all but two songs from On Time and theplatinum-selling Grand Funk.He said they wanted to take advantage of th emeteoric riset hat wa sbuilding in terms of the band’s popularity.“It wasn’t much pressure because the songs were coming fast,” Farner said. “I had nothing but time for songs.”By 1970, Farner’s songs were pivotal to the band’s success. The epic composition, “I’m Your Captain(Closer to Home)” became an anthem for Vietnam War Veterans and audience salike. Farner would later perform the iconic song at the Vietnam Memorial Wall, on the 25thAnniversaryof the Vietnam Memorial Wall.Farner also received the Vietnam Veterans of American Presidents Award for Excellence in the Arts.“That was a cold day temperature wise,” Farner said, of performing at the Vietnam War Memorial Wall.“But the warmth of the hearts of the people that actually showed up, not just the US GIs, we had Canadian Nam vets there, as well…I’m thinking…how am I gonna sing with a softball in my throat?’