God Bless you Mark...God will even the score in the end,,,you will get all that's coming to you in the great gig in the sky,,, I promise See you next week in Wyandotte !!!
Knight was murdered by someone known to him. Stabbed to death at 61yo. Karma's terrible swift sword rightly rendered. A short selfish life begat an eternity in Hell. We know you made the music, Mark, and thank you for it.
The first concert I ever went to was GFRR at Madison Square Garden in Jan 1971, still one of the best concerts I ever went to, and I’ve been to hundreds. What happened to GFRR was pretty common in that era, Hendrix also got the short end of the stick. And the Creedence Clearwater Revival saga is equally disgusting and just as sad. Taking advantage of talented and gifted musicians in their twenties who are merely eager but gullible is opprobrious and downright low. But, you can’t look back, you have to look forward. We are all grateful for Mark Farner’s works as well as the other members of the band, and we fans will always be loyal to our favorite artists. Stay the course Mr. Farner. 🇺🇸👮🏻♂️🎸
Back when, when Terry Knight began appearing in the shadows, I had a bad feeling about it. I'm not at all sure I could be as peaceful and forgiving as Mark has been.
Mark Farner is a musical genius. But what he inspired in myself is his ability to forgive... my Lord Jesus commands us to forgive but sometimes it's very difficult to do... my own blood kin conspired against me and my wife and we've been homeless since October.... Jesus commands me to forgive but it's hard because of the betrayal of my own blood kin... and through all this Mark Farner inspired me to forgive.....
Mark Farner is Grand Funk without him there is no Grand Funk same with White Snake without David Coverdale there is no White Snake the list goes on without Paul Rogers there is no Bad Company, what Terry Knight Don and Mel did to Mark is pure evil and it all comes down to one word: greed! However with that said Mark took the high road and forgave what an awesome human being Mark realizes that when we die we take nothing with us it's all left behind it's just paper money that someone else will inherit. Mark Farner is a gentleman he's got a gentle spirit and one of the best songwriters in music history I rocked to Grand Funk as a teen and I still do and when I listen to Grand Funk my neighbors do also. The current lineup of Grand Funk is nothing more than a karaoke band just like Foreigner without Mick Jones karaoke. Rock on Mark heaven awaits us my brother that is our destiny!
long time Grand Funk fans like me will notice a BIG difference in their Terry Knight produced albums and the albums Knight didn't produce. The Knight produced albums were really wild and loud, the others good but quite a bit tamer.
What I remember most about the Grand Funk/Terry Knight breakup was that deep spine rattling bass left with Terry. I later read that Terry created the sound and may have patented it. But Grand Funk was not allowed to use it on stage or in the studio again. Just listen to the first live album and then listen to Caught In The Act. The sound is definitely different. The ironic thing is that Terry screwed the band then Don and Mel screwed Mark.
The first live album is one of the worst sounding records I ever heard, but one of the best live performances I've ever heard. I bought it in '70 on vinyl, then on CD, then the remastered CD, and they all sound like crap. Never bought Caught in the Act, as my interest in the band started to fade as the decade progressed. But those first three albums...WOW! And I like your last sentence. Truer words were never spoken.
**A 'sound' can be patented?** You sure 'bout dat, Willis? Look at the flanger that's on the bass to Ted Nugent's "Stranglehold." It's what makes that song (as well as Ted's solo and Derek's stratospheric vocals).
Happened to a lot of bands…..Black Sabbath, for one. They wrote a song about it…….”the Writ”. Grand Funk….. THE American Band. Mark Farner…… THE MAN !!!!!
Trying to change the subject when discussing forgiveness--I tell you, if Terry Knight wasn't a manager, he'd make either a very good politician or lawyer!
When the movie about Grand Funk Railroad is made, I hope that scene where Mark accidentally kicks the desk drawer open and sees their contract makes the cut! Talk about a dramatic scene--Hollywood couldn't script that!
Terry Knight died horribly in 2004 when he was stabbed to death by his daughter's boyfriend who was high on meth at the time. It seems karma finally did to Knight what he did to the band.
I found out about the existence of such people in recent years (not that I was rolled like what what happened with GF). I think a big part of why they are able to get away with what they get away with is that lost humans can’t even imagine doing what they do so they aren’t checking to see if it’s happening.
Managers have been ripping-off artists from the beginning of time. Not all managers are evil, obviously, but all should be watched and listened to with the upmost scrutiny and a moderate dose of cynicism. Whenever it comes to contracts, invest in a good lawyer. But young, naive artists don't normally think of this let alone do something to protect themselves. They just wanna do their art.
Don Brewer will never agree to a reunion with Mark Farner because it will amount to an admission that he did something wrong to Mark Farner. Mark is a much better man to forgive Brewer and move on. Brewer will always have his demons of pride and greed because of a lack of conscience. Brewer's true colors came out while he plotted to remove Mark Farner from the Grand Funk company of owners. Shame on you Don Brewer. You are now reaping the consequences of your actions.
Most stable market farner is the bottom of a suitcase like Peter Grant did...Zep brought in alot of cash from the books say in speaker cabs, the works....the good days.
My sister is eight years older than me. When she was in high school, I gave her boyfriend a GFR album - I wasn’t actually involved and certainly didn’t pay for it since I was in elementary school - it was a “token” gift from me. That said, it did lodge the band in my mind. My recollection was that it was a band that became extremely popular without radio airplay - at least initially. Does that sound right?
Message to the Don and Mel, you two should team up again with Mark and play concerts like before. It’s a shame that your not in the RRHOF😢 but together you could rock the house like at Shea Stadium. But if you put it off, Don you’ll be in a wheelchair playing drums, Mel will be playing with numbers on his bass guitar and Mark will be on a hover board rolling around cause he can’t move like he used to. We’re fans so put it all away and be Grand Funk Railroad
That's horrible how someone can be so manipulative to other people. It's sad really, sounds like he had darkness in his soul. I'm with Mark I hope he got right with God.
To this day, the "industry" is full of opportunists and leeches who can't wait to make every possible dime they can off of other people's talents and skills.
let's be honest they were young and dumb. knight was older and took advantage of them. at the time the 3 band members just wanted to play music. it wasn't until they had success that they started to question things. in 1970-71 don brewer lived across the street from me. he was driving a mercedes benz. so he had some money. but the band members were kids and not business smart. i went to school with mark's sister (sue). i saw her in a flint laundrymat 40 years ago. she told me mark was living up north by petoskey and was well and doing fine. mark signed away his rights to the band members and i'm sure he has regrets about that also. mark has always been a decent and up front guy.
I’m thinking the short eyed man would have made more money if he was fair and honest. The band may have stayed together and more music would be created.
I saw Grand Funk live in England in the early '70s, on a bill with Humble Pie in Hyde Park, London. They were very good but I always felt that in that era of trio bands like Cream, Hendrix, Zeppelin etc, their individual musical talents weren't at that virtuoso level. Their sound was too limited and restricted as a threesome, and I felt they would have had been a better band with rhythm guitar, keyboards, harmony vocals and even horns, etc.
My question is why I was Terry killed by his daughters lover, and he was live in an apartment.. so what happened to all of the million dollars he stole 🤔🤫
a lot of blame thrown around on the band members but frankly I don't think any band or friendsship could have survived Terry What happened to Detroit Rock Gods? Did Bob Segar go full MAGA R-Tard to?
The reason they don't have a concept for forgiveness is because they literally don't think they did anything wrong, it's called not having a conscience. If you set out to deliberatley hurt & harm me, there's no way I can turn the other cheek & forgive that.. You know if you can you're better off managing yourself. It's so much cheaper, no grief & you know exactly where you stand & what you have.
Amazing that another Michigander Musician, Tommy James of the Shondells fame, Niles, Michigan boy--in his book, "Me, the Mob and the Music", actually praises Terry Knight--never mentioning, he ripped GFR off, just like the Mob guy from Roulette Reocrds ripped Tommy James off to the tune of 40million. Call him out Tommy--Terry Knight was scum, a Michigander but scum anyway.
Mark Farner screwed himself because of his lack of personal restraint. GFR had only six more months in their contract with Terry Knight. All Farner had to do was hang in there for six months and the bad contract would have expired. Instead, he starts a series of lawsuits that he should have avoided and cost the band a fortune.
As frustrating as it is to agree, Terry is the one who made the initial noise to get the world to listen...which opened the door. Great songs, great music. But yes, Terry's mouth, attitude and connections got the train rolling.
Mark, people like Terry Knight are like Trump, they smile while lying and cheating others that Brewer and Schacher have sadly become, they're both another version of Terry Knight?
Even though you got ripped off by your own bandmates and manager, for most of your fans it was never about the money. We were counter-culture because of your spirit. E Pluribus Funk. Some of us paid close attention to what your songs were saying. You alone apparently are the only one that emerged from that reality owning that legacy and the history and nobody can ever take that away from you even though they robbed you of the legal and financial rights to it.. That type of value has no dollar $ign$ attached to it...Grand Funk Railroad will ALWAYS be nothing without MARK FARNER...for that....we thank you...if that is at all worth anything to you? You are bigger than them for that!
No amount of money can buy - or destroy, for that matter - the peace that Mark Farner apparently has. 👍🏻
@justdynee Amen.
And after Terry Knight died his soul went straight into DON BREWER 🫢
The MOST ACCURATE thing said here!!!
Mark is the reason I started playing guitar in ´71... good to see him still kickin´and so good to see that he is a great guy! Thanks for this!
Same here, i was 15 yrs, gotta love Mark's wisdom and simplicity
I would love to see farner show up with the motor City Madman at his farewell Michigan concerts this summer
Mark is such a great interview ! Down to earth and honest as the day is long❤
The world is a better place because of Mark Farner.
God Bless you Mark...God will even the score in the end,,,you will get all that's coming to you in the great gig in the sky,,, I promise See you next week in Wyandotte !!!
Farner, yet again, the wisest soul in the room. The BIG room.
Knight was murdered by someone known to him. Stabbed to death at 61yo. Karma's terrible swift sword rightly rendered. A short selfish life begat an eternity in Hell. We know you made the music, Mark, and thank you for it.
Terry Knight was a crook and karma got to him.
The first concert I ever went to was GFRR at Madison Square Garden in Jan 1971, still one of the best concerts I ever went to, and I’ve been to hundreds. What happened to GFRR was pretty common in that era, Hendrix also got the short end of the stick. And the Creedence Clearwater Revival saga is equally disgusting and just as sad. Taking advantage of talented and gifted musicians in their twenties who are merely eager but gullible is opprobrious and downright low. But, you can’t look back, you have to look forward. We are all grateful for Mark Farner’s works as well as the other members of the band, and we fans will always be loyal to our favorite artists. Stay the course Mr. Farner. 🇺🇸👮🏻♂️🎸
Beatles Got it royally..even if at top of food chain..Bad finger was the worst..
There's a special place in Hell for Knight.
Back when, when Terry Knight began appearing in the shadows, I had a bad feeling about it. I'm not at all sure I could be as peaceful and forgiving as Mark has been.
Mark Farner is a musical genius. But what he inspired in myself is his ability to forgive... my Lord Jesus commands us to forgive but sometimes it's very difficult to do... my own blood kin conspired against me and my wife and we've been homeless since October.... Jesus commands me to forgive but it's hard because of the betrayal of my own blood kin... and through all this Mark Farner inspired me to forgive.....
Yes,it is very hard but we must show we are better and above those who do us wrong.
He's a rock. In cricksand so cool, not even bitter
So many marriages and relationships could be saved with just simple Accountability. So many people never take responsibility for their wrong doings!
Reminds me of another band that I admired Badfinger. Totally controled by a crooked manager and left with nothing at the end. Loved both groups
Thanks , Mark. If you are at peace then so am I. This pisses a lot of us off and you have put it to rest. Just like you to do that.
Mark Farner is Grand Funk without him there is no Grand Funk same with White Snake without David Coverdale there is no White Snake the list goes on without Paul Rogers there is no Bad Company, what Terry Knight Don and Mel did to Mark is pure evil and it all comes down to one word: greed! However with that said Mark took the high road and forgave what an awesome human being Mark realizes that when we die we take nothing with us it's all left behind it's just paper money that someone else will inherit. Mark Farner is a gentleman he's got a gentle spirit and one of the best songwriters in music history I rocked to Grand Funk as a teen and I still do and when I listen to Grand Funk my neighbors do also. The current lineup of Grand Funk is nothing more than a karaoke band just like Foreigner without Mick Jones karaoke. Rock on Mark heaven awaits us my brother that is our destiny!
Not every Knight is a good Knight! 😂
Mark is definitely an upstanding gentleman.
long time Grand Funk fans like me will notice a BIG difference in their Terry Knight produced albums and the albums Knight didn't produce. The Knight produced albums were really wild and loud, the others good but quite a bit tamer.
Terry Knight (Knapp) was originally, a mediocre jock, on WTAC, before managing the band. He was a consummate, BSer.
That's just a tragic story God bless you Mr. Farnier
Look up Bad Finger and their Shady Monster Manager!!
I have, and the story there might be even worse than this!! And this is awful!!!
Class Act!
What I remember most about the Grand Funk/Terry Knight breakup was that deep spine rattling bass left with Terry. I later read that Terry created the sound and may have patented it. But Grand Funk was not allowed to use it on stage or in the studio again. Just listen to the first live album and then listen to Caught In The Act. The sound is definitely different. The ironic thing is that Terry screwed the band then Don and Mel screwed Mark.
The first live album is one of the worst sounding records I ever heard, but one of the best live performances I've ever heard. I bought it in '70 on vinyl, then on CD, then the remastered CD, and they all sound like crap. Never bought Caught in the Act, as my interest in the band started to fade as the decade progressed. But those first three albums...WOW! And I like your last sentence. Truer words were never spoken.
**A 'sound' can be patented?**
You sure 'bout dat, Willis?
Look at the flanger that's on the bass to Ted Nugent's "Stranglehold."
It's what makes that song (as well as Ted's solo and Derek's stratospheric vocals).
To Terry, forgiveness is just another grift.
i love mark farner ,,,class act
Mark boy are we glad your still around
Happened to a lot of bands…..Black Sabbath, for one. They wrote a song about it…….”the Writ”. Grand Funk…..
THE American Band. Mark Farner……
THE MAN !!!!!
Badfinger too. Two of the band members committed suicide over it.
mark is a good guy.
Another great interview, John. Just a friendly heads up: the caption says Farver Cords, instead of Farner. ✌🏼
Oh my ...guys bless u
Trying to change the subject when discussing forgiveness--I tell you, if Terry Knight wasn't a manager, he'd make either a very good politician or lawyer!
This reminds me of your LRB video! The legal issues make me sick! 🤯
When the movie about Grand Funk Railroad is made, I hope that scene where Mark accidentally kicks the desk drawer open and sees their contract makes the cut! Talk about a dramatic scene--Hollywood couldn't script that!
Interesting. Their manager reminds me of Michael Avenatti. The ethics software was never deployed in that guy.
Terry Knight died horribly in 2004 when he was stabbed to death by his daughter's boyfriend who was high on meth at the time. It seems karma finally did to Knight what he did to the band.
Have Mark Farner and Phil Keaggy ever done anything together?
Phil keaggy and Mark Farner together on his first Christian album 1988 another injustice the song give me the works
Keaggy plays lead guitar on a song on one of Farner's solo albums. I believe it's Airborne Ranger from the album Just Another Injustice.
@@johneasler9967 Thank you
@@jangunner Thank you
@@brianmccarthy8595 Thank you
I found out about the existence of such people in recent years (not that I was rolled like what what happened with GF). I think a big part of why they are able to get away with what they get away with is that lost humans can’t even imagine doing what they do so they aren’t checking to see if it’s happening.
True..that. evil is hidden
great guy
Good people always get screwed. Always.
Mark Farner in his young days man, a dude you just would want to have as your brother.
Mark seems like a pretty decent guy.
That is very strange because I was listening to G funk tonight and then this came up
I wonder if Mark knows John Fogerty...They seem to have had a lot in common, in their careers.
Well sounds like Knight got what was coming to him.
going too see him in frankfort 6/9/23 illinois
❤
I love Mark Farner he gets it morally and GFR are stupid not to get him involved again. I said too much my 2 cents.
What about Mark Farner and Michael Schenker?
I hope terry is paying for what He did, with I think He is. Karma is universal. Love and peace.
Managers have been ripping-off artists from the beginning of time. Not all managers are evil, obviously, but all should be watched and listened to with the upmost scrutiny and a moderate dose of cynicism. Whenever it comes to contracts, invest in a good lawyer. But young, naive artists don't normally think of this let alone do something to protect themselves. They just wanna do their art.
Don Brewer will never agree to a reunion with Mark Farner because it will amount to an admission that he did something wrong to Mark Farner. Mark is a much better man to forgive Brewer and move on. Brewer will always have his demons of pride and greed because of a lack of conscience. Brewer's true colors came out while he plotted to remove Mark Farner from the Grand Funk company of owners. Shame on you Don Brewer. You are now reaping the consequences of your actions.
Most stable market farner is the bottom of a suitcase like Peter Grant did...Zep brought in alot of cash from the books say in speaker cabs, the works....the good days.
Photographer Lynn Goldsmith was a co-manager of the group for a short time. Was she above board.
SO MANY BANDS GOT ROBBED BY THOSE SNAKES ..LOOK WHAT HAPPENED TO BADFINGER...WORST THING EVER...SMH..MARK U DA MAN..😁👍👍
My sister is eight years older than me. When she was in high school, I gave her boyfriend a GFR album - I wasn’t actually involved and certainly didn’t pay for it since I was in elementary school - it was a “token” gift from me. That said, it did lodge the band in my mind. My recollection was that it was a band that became extremely popular without radio airplay - at least initially. Does that sound right?
Message to the Don and Mel, you two should team up again with Mark and play concerts like before. It’s a shame that your not in the RRHOF😢 but together you could rock the house like at Shea Stadium. But if you put it off, Don you’ll be in a wheelchair playing drums, Mel will be playing with numbers on his bass guitar and Mark will be on a hover board rolling around cause he can’t move like he used to. We’re fans so put it all away and be Grand Funk Railroad
What do they call a confidence man?
Terry Knight: Classic Sociopath. Great to see Farner going strong - what a patriot.
That's horrible how someone can be so manipulative to other people. It's sad really, sounds like he had darkness in his soul.
I'm with Mark I hope he got right with God.
To this day, the "industry" is full of opportunists and leeches who can't wait to make every possible dime they can off of other people's talents and skills.
Irving Azoff comes to mind
let's be honest they were young and dumb. knight was older and took advantage of them. at the time the 3 band members just wanted to play music. it wasn't until they had success that they started to question things. in 1970-71 don brewer lived across the street from me. he was driving a mercedes benz. so he had some money. but the band members were kids and not business smart. i went to school with mark's sister (sue). i saw her in a flint laundrymat 40 years ago. she told me mark was living up north by petoskey and was well and doing fine. mark signed away his rights to the band members and i'm sure he has regrets about that also. mark has always been a decent and up front guy.
It seems like Don Brewer learned a thing or two from Terry Knight.
Lesson -trust nobody
Mark farner is GFR
D j Terry Knapp w t a c flint when I was young
Did this guy not rob Robin Trower?
I’m thinking the short eyed man would have made more money if he was fair and honest. The band may have stayed together and more music would be created.
I saw Grand Funk live in England in the early '70s, on a bill with Humble Pie in Hyde Park, London. They were very good but I always felt that in that era of trio bands like Cream, Hendrix, Zeppelin etc, their individual musical talents weren't at that virtuoso level. Their sound was too limited and restricted as a threesome, and I felt they would have had been a better band with rhythm guitar, keyboards, harmony vocals and even horns, etc.
Seems Mark cannot read contracts very well at all.
I'd like to know if that crooked manager was managing any other bands and screwing them over too.
Knight also managed a Texas band, Bloodrock, although their fame was brief.
Bottom Line: Some people suck.
I wish the original members would get together,record new music and tour before it’s too late.
My question is why I was Terry killed by his daughters lover, and he was live in an apartment.. so what happened to all of the million dollars he stole 🤔🤫
Mark you are Grand Funk Railroad.i think Don Brewer wasnt much defferent than terry knight.
Grand Fake Railroad ! Beware Of This 50th Tour ! Mark Farner Is NOT! Involved!
a lot of blame thrown around on the band members but frankly I don't think any band or friendsship could have survived Terry
What happened to Detroit Rock Gods? Did Bob Segar go full MAGA R-Tard to?
Screw forgiveness. Not a believer. Revenge is much more satisfying.
... and destructive to both sides
The reason they don't have a concept for forgiveness is because they literally don't think they did anything wrong, it's called not having a conscience. If you set out to deliberatley hurt & harm me, there's no way I can turn the other cheek & forgive that.. You know if you can you're better off managing yourself. It's so much cheaper, no grief & you know exactly where you stand & what you have.
His bandmates are worse
Amazing that another Michigander Musician, Tommy James of the Shondells fame, Niles, Michigan boy--in his book, "Me, the Mob and the Music", actually praises Terry Knight--never mentioning, he ripped GFR off, just like the Mob guy from Roulette Reocrds ripped Tommy James off to the tune of 40million. Call him out Tommy--Terry Knight was scum, a Michigander but scum anyway.
Mark Farner screwed himself because of his lack of personal restraint. GFR had only six more months in their contract with Terry Knight. All Farner had to do was hang in there for six months and the bad contract would have expired. Instead, he starts a series of lawsuits that he should have avoided and cost the band a fortune.
Evidently Mark is not familiar with the Talmud
Right on brother.
Terry Knight the Judas character.
Like him or hate him.
No Terry Knight - no Grand Funk Railroad.
Dont think so...those songs were destin for greatness
Should of got a bullit in his head
@@luckysevens.AltRock8Yup!!
As frustrating as it is to agree, Terry is the one who made the initial noise to get the world to listen...which opened the door. Great songs, great music. But yes, Terry's mouth, attitude and connections got the train rolling.
He’s a salesman. BFD. There are a thousand guys and gals, heck 100,000 who could do that job.
Mark, people like Terry Knight are like Trump, they smile while lying and cheating others that Brewer and Schacher have sadly become, they're both another version of Terry Knight?
Even though you got ripped off by your own bandmates and manager, for most of your fans it was never about the money. We were counter-culture because of your spirit. E Pluribus Funk. Some of us paid close attention to what your songs were saying. You alone apparently are the only one that emerged from that reality owning that legacy and the history and nobody can ever take that away from you even though they robbed you of the legal and financial rights to it.. That type of value has no dollar $ign$ attached to it...Grand Funk Railroad will ALWAYS be nothing without MARK FARNER...for that....we thank you...if that is at all worth anything to you? You are bigger than them for that!