IIS THAT MARK FARNER?
Last year, while on vacation to go to Universal Studios, we were hanging out by the pool at our hotel. I kept looking at this guy that was talking with two business-looking dudes. I said to my wife, "Doesn't that guy look like Mark Farner?"
She said, "Maybe it is!"
I said, "It couldn't be." She told me to go ask him.
I go over to him and say, "Has anyone ever told you that you look like Mark Farner?"
He says, "No shit! And who are you?"
I said, "I'm Ken Solts."
He said, "Hi, Ken. I'm Mark Farner."
I said, "No you're not."
His manager says, "Yes, he is!"
I thought I was gonna die. I have wanted to meet Mark since I was a teenager, and there he was standing there talking to me. I was star-struck and fumbled on my words a bit. I was in shock, I think. He was so cool.
I told him that I was with Road Riders for Jesus and he introduced me to his manager and his wife and some other guy. His manager, Jim Della Croce, asked if we had a camera. DUH! What was I thinking? Here I am with Mark Farner and am not taking pictures? My wife ran to the room and got our camera.
Jim took two pictures: one with my wife and son, and one with just Mark and I, and I have attached them. Mark gave me his autograph and talked with me for about 15 minutes. I'll never forget it as long as I live. I am such a big fan, as you can see in the picture.
Thanks for the memory, Mark & Jim!
Ken "Big Bird" Solts
For my 40th birthday in 1998....
my wife gave me two tickets to see Grand Funk and War in Sioux City, Iowa, the last concert of this tour. At the time, we were living in Sioux Falls, SD. Many concerts on that tour were canceled because a dog had bitten Mark's hand. It looked hopeless as the concert before ours was canceled. I was so excited when the word came that they would be performing the last concert. We booked a hotel for the night and attended my favorite concert of all time. I have been to a lot of them: Yes, Doobie Brothers, Rush, Uriah Heap, Black Oak Arkansas, Head East, BTO, REO, Van Halen, Genesis, Sammy Hagar, etc. But this was, by far, my favorite concert. Pics aren't great, but the music sure was!
Ken "Big Bird" Solts
