Born: September 29, 1948 Flint, Michigan

Mark, his wife Lesia, and their children live in Michigan

Biography from Ringo Starr's All Star Band Program

A true rock'n'roll legend, Mark Farner found fame and success at 20 years of age as the leader of one of America's biggest bands, "Grand Funk Railroad". The band recorded 17 albums and sold more than 25 million records. Not bad for a guy who only had three formal guitar lessons. A broken finger from high school football prompted Mark's mother Betty to start him on his way with a rented Kay Flattop and lessons for his 15th birthday. He put various bands together and played the usual teenage gigs- high school dances, VFW halls and wedding receptions. His first professional work after high school was with Terry Knight and the Pack, and The Bossmen with Dick Wagner. He joined with Don Brewer and Mel Schacher in 1969 to form 'Grand Funk Railroad', one of the first American power trios. The trio's first real break came in 1969 at The Atlanta Pop Festival. As the only unsigned act on the show, Grand Funk Railroad played before 180,000 people in 110 degree heat and the acclaim was instantaneous. The band's first album, "On Time", was released within 4 months of their Atlanta triumph."