Original Grand Funk Railroad frontman and guitarist Mark Farner recalled an impromptu phone conversation with Eddie Van Halen during a recent podcast appearance.
Farner’s riffs were familiar to those who had the chance to catch Van Halen back in their club days as they covered more than a few Grand Funk Railroad songs. Years later, Eddie would have the chance to offer his appreciation thanks to his bandmate Michael Anthony.
“I was at the Greek Theater and the bass player Michael Anthony shows up,” Farner told Darren Paltrowitz on his podcast the Paltrocast. “He says, ‘Eddie’s wife is sick and he couldn’t make it but, man, he really wanted to talk to you. Is it okay if I call him and just hand you the phone?’ I said hell yeah man! So I’m talking with Eddie and he’s thanking me for all of the lessons that he got from me over the years and especially from [Grand Funk Railroad] doing the Forum in LA where [he] would come. It was just nothing but great conversation. Compliments and love going back and forth.”
Farner has some more Van Halen to talk about including what his favorite VH song is in the video below:
Listen to Van Halen Perform “Some Kind Of Wonderful” At Pasadena High School – April 1975