Here is another album cover, which was created by American artist John O’Brien. I’d featured John a few years ago discussing an April Wine cover, and again a few weeks ago, discussing the 2 Great White covers he was responsible for. Somewhere in there John mentioned a Mark Farner cover. And silly me for not even knowing Mark released an album in 2024, titled Closer To My Home. I loved Grand Funk, got the LPs, put together a little newsletter at some point in the 90s, and featured one of their album covers in a previous post a few years ago. So, upon John mentioning this latest album, I got a day later, and it is a great listen, and highly recommended to any Grand Funk fans; after all Mark wrote and sang most of the band’s greatest material in the 70s. *Check out John’s details of the Closer To My Home cover art, as well as the links below. *Thanks again to John for his time (and images) discussing his work and an excellent cover.
More recently you did the cover for Mark Farner’s Closer To My Home. How did that one come about?
Marks manager, Obi Steinman recommended me for review. The previous year I completed a project with Obi for Felix Cavaliere, “THEN AND NOW”, it went quite smoothly from concept to completion. So thankfully he had faith in my creative process and final product, since we had never met personally.
Can you tell anything about the photo chosen for the front cover? Do you where it was taken, significance?
The image was based on the heritage of Marks roots in the Midwest to be a part of the communication.
I spent a lot of time researching the perfect barn and location which I could add the American Flag which was one of my concepts. I finally found it online in a series of personal images by Ken Heins. The barn angle was perfect and the sky went from an uplifting blue to having an overhanging ominous darker presence. While not being a professional photographer, he captured the location, mood and angle that I needed to modify and portray the communication. It is great to go direct to a photographer, especially someone who shoots for personal reasons. He was great to deal with on securing the image and all usage rights.
I love the big bright lettering of Mark’s name, the layout… a very patriotic cover. Did Mark have a lot of input or suggestions?
Like many things the simplest direct communication is the best. In one sentence Obi stated the project was to reflect “Marks Heritage, Origin, Rock & Roll Legacy, Values and American Pride”. He is a true Rock & Roll Patriot. A variety of comps were proposed for discussion but, as discussed previously the Barn image with the flag summed it up visually. As far as typography chosen, I wanted to play off of Marks history and Rock & Roll energy. Some solutions related to GF to closely, but he gritty red type communicated the power and intensity he delivers. “Midwest American Rock & Roll” to be sure.
The American Eagle was used for some comps as well as for the record label direction. It was determined that it would best be utilized on the back cover as well as a label on one side of the album.
I submitted suggestions for limited release of the album in Red, White & Blue as well as classic Black.
The initial release is Red Vinyl and some were signed by Mark personally, which were available on his website listed below.
I assume this is the only Farner (Grand Funk) cover you’ve done(?)
Yes, the only one. Who would have thought I would get to work on Marks first solo studio album in 18 years, featuring the 55th Anniversary re-recording of “I’m Your Captain (Closer To Home). The project produced, engineered, mixed and mastered by Mark Slaughter, and co-produced by Mark Farner. A definite alignment in the stars for me to contribute to the visual communication.
It is also fun as I get to submit comps for merch such as T-Shirts for consideration. These are but a few versions with regard to the printing process of 3-5 Color for pricing considerations.
How familiar were you with him (and Grand Funk)?
Any teenager in the 70’s was aware, as everyone was at the time of GF. Blasting “Grand Funk Live” in my bedroom and hearing various songs played live by cover bands at Junior High School dances. It was a very loud year in 1970 when that album released. Ironically, it was released on Capitol Records, the future company I was to work for from 1983-1989 in the Art Department. Some synchronicity to be sure.
A special thank you to Obi Steinman for his support on projects.
LINKS:
John O’Brien – www.artministry.com
Mark Farner website for updates and merch. – www.markfarner.com
Outsider Rock 