When Mark Farner takes the stage to perform these days it’s not to a stadium full of screaming kids, It is more like a large room full of loyal, middle-aged fanatics. Such was the case last Friday night at the Bear’s Den at Casino Niagara in Niagara Falls, NY. The Bear’s Den holds about 400 people. The place was nearly full. Farner and his band, N’rG, brought out the boatload of Grand Funk Railroad and solo hits that Farner has compiled over a 50 year career.
Jumping right into “Footstompin’ Music” the sedate, over 40-ish crowd came alive with clapping and singing along. Considering he is 68 years old, Farner’s voice was in top form as he belted out the lyrics on hit after hit. In between songs, he spoke to the audience about whatever came to mind; the state of modern radio programming, politician’s ineptitude, his long career in the business, Grand Funk Railroad stadium concerts, his songwriting technique, his part-Cherokee heritage, and his beloved fans. It was interesting to hear a career musician, who still sweats out the stage performance like a young man, spout opinions on various topics. Many fans shouted out in agreement during his short, sermon-like, diatribes. Even though the audience was 1/100 the size of a Grand Funk stadium concert, they were no less enthusiastic.
Classic hits like “We’re An American Band”, “Heartbreaker”, “Bad Time” and “Locomotion” brought the old crowd to their feet to stomp and sing along. The reaction seemed to drive Farner to let it all hang out and found him often jumping and dancing about the stage. During a between-song break, Farner grabbed a towel and mopped his sweat-soaked brow and announced, “I’ve done this all my life!” The crowd reaction was priceless as one fan shouted, “So have we!”
The double encore of “Inside Lookin’ Out” and “I’m Your Captain” was the perfect ending to the show. The fans knew every word and sang right along with him. The post-show autograph signing session saw nearly every fan take advantage of a rare opportunity to meet one of their heroes. Farner humbly took all the praises as he posed for hundreds of photos with fans who have followed him in his long career. The opportunity for this kind of fan experience doesn’t come along often and he graciously accepted the role. Even though Farner’s last hit was almost 40 years ago, it made no difference to this crowd. Tonight they all got to be young again.
Setlist:
Footstompin’ Music (Grand Funk Railroad song)
Rock n Roll Soul (Grand Funk Railroad song)
Aimless lady (Grand Funk Railroad song)
We’re an American Band (Grand Funk Railroad song)
Heartbreaker (Grand Funk Railroad song)
Paranoid (Grand Funk Railroad song)
Shinin’ On (Grand Funk Railroad song)
I Don’t Have to Sing the Blues (Grand Funk Railroad song)
Time Machine (Grand Funk Railroad song)
Creepin'(Grand Funk Railroad song)
Sin’s a Good Man’s Brother (Grand Funk Railroad song)
Bad Time (To Be In Love)(Grand Funk Railroad song)
Locomotion (Carole King cover)
Some Kinda Wonderful (Soul Brothers Six cover)
Encore:
(Drum Solo)
Inside Lookin’ Out (Grand Funk Railroad song)
I’m Your Captain (Closer To Home) (Grand Funk Railroad song)
We would like to thank Phil Pantano of Pantano & Associates for the credentials to review the show.
