Mark Karan
- Born
- 1955
- Nationality
- United States
- Occupation
- musician · guitarist
- Fields
- rock music
In this article
Key facts
• Name — Mark Karan • Background — solo_singer • Origin — San Francisco, California, United States • Instrument — Guitar, vocals • Genre — Rock • Occupation — Musician • Years Active — 1986–present • Label — Quacktone Records • Associated Acts — The Other Ones Bob Weir & RatDog Jemimah Puddleduck • Website — www.markkaran.com/ Mark Karan (born January 13, 1955) is an American guitarist and singer. He is best known for his long-term work with former members of the Grateful Dead, in RatDog (1998–2013), the Other Ones (1998–2000), Mickey Hart's band Planet Drum (1999), and Phil Lesh and Friends (2012). Karan has also played and toured with Terrapin Flyer, Delaney Bramlett, the Rembrandts, Sophie B. Hawkins, Dave Mason, and Paul Carrack. Karan leads the bands Jemimah Puddleduck and Mark Karan's Buds. In 2009 he released a solo album, Walk Through the Fire.
Career
Karan has played guitar and sung for a number of different artists, including Dave Mason, Huey Lewis, Paul Carrack, Delaney Bramlett, Sophie B. Hawkins, and The Rembrandts. From 1986 to 1989 he was the guitarist and co-producer for the band Slings & Arrows which included Daniel Levitin on bass. In 1998 he was selected, along with Steve Kimock, to fill the lead guitar slot in The Other Ones, a band featuring former members of the Grateful Dead. He played with the Other Ones on their 1998 and 2000 tours, and appeared with the 1998 lineup on their only album, the live compilation "The Strange Remain" in 1999. He has also played with Mickey Hart's Planet Drum and Phil Lesh & Friends over the years. In October 1998 Karan was asked to join RatDog, a band led by Grateful Dead alumnus Bob Weir. Karan was part of the RatDog lineup for most of the next 13 years. He also records or composes a wide variety of music for film, television, and music libraries. His contributions to TV alone can currently be heard on over 15 networks and internationally in over 25 countries. On June 30, 2009, Karan released his debut album Walk Through the Fire to critical acclaim. It features Delaney Bramlett, Billy Payne, Mike Finnigan, Pete Sears, John Molo, Hutch Hutchinson, The Persuasions, The Rowan Brothers, and many more. His TV appearances include Austin City Limits, VH1 Classic's All Star Jams, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Late Late Night with Craig Kilborn, Today Show and Regis & Kathy Lee. Karan has also been showcased in live performances and featured interviews on SiriusXM, in addition to commercial and specialty radio nationwide. Karan also sometimes tours while leading his own band. He performed with the band Live Dead '69 as part of the Airplane Family & Friends tour in December 2016. He has also performed with Live/Dead '69 at shows they have performed on their own. This band usually features former Grateful Dead keyboardist Tom Constanten and sometimes features Karan's RatDog bandmates Robin Sylvester and Jay Lane.
Cancer battle
In July 2007, Karan announced that he was being treated for throat cancer. Steve Kimock sat in for Karan on the Ratdog summer tour. Karan returned to the lineup in March 2008 and remains in remission.
Touring credits
• Paul Carrack – USA Tour (1988) • Dave Mason – World Tours (1991, 1992) • Sophie B. Hawkins – USA & Australian Tours (1996) • The Other Ones – USA Tour (1998, 2000) • Bob Weir & RatDog – USA Tours (1998–2013) • Mickey Hart's Planet Drum – USA Summer Tour (1999, inc."Woodstock '99") • Delaney Bramlett – Mississippi Tour (2006)
Solo work
• Jemimah Puddleduck (2000) – Jemimah Puddleduck • Walk Through the Fire (2009) – Mark Karan
Bands / live
• The Strange Remain (1999) – The Other Ones • Evening Moods (2000) – Ratdog • Live at Roseland (2001) – Ratdog • On the Road: 07-02-06 Red Rocks (2006) – String Cheese Incident
Album sessions
• Temptation (1981) – Holly Stanton • Beyond Passion (1990) – Sky • Chopped & Channeled (1991) – Dynatones • Makin' It Real (1993) – Jesse Colin Young • Exception to the Rule (1994) – Arnold McCuller • Crazy Boy (1995) – Jesse Colin Young • Moment of Truth (1996) – Jack James • Chicago Songs (1996) – Skip Haynes • Well (1996) – David Grow • Coast of Paradise (1996) – Suzy K • Open the Door (1998) – Janet Robin • Hindsight (1998) – John Purdell • Spin This! (1998) – Danny Wilde & The Rembrants • Still Searching for Soul (1999) – Corey Feldman's Truth Movement • Mister Blue (1999) – Mr. Blue • Pieces (1999) – P.J. Levy • Sounds from Home (2000) – Delaney Bramlett • Former Child Actor (2002) – Corey Feldman • Blue Sky (2003) – David Ralston • The Whole Enchilada (2003) – Teresa James • Emptiness and Ecstasy (2004) – Wynne Paris • Still Dancin (2006) – G 13 • Khemmenu: Land of the Moon (2006) – Sky • Crossing the Line (2008) – Bill Cutler • Live/Studio Closet Tapes (2008) – The Moonlighters (Bill Kirchen, Richard Casanova, Tony Johnson, Steve MacKay) • A New Kind Of Blues (2008) – Delaney Bramlett • Persuasions of the Dead: The Grateful Dead Sessions (2011) – The Persuasions & Friends • Family Business (2019) – Ronnie Penque
Compilation albums
• Bad Sci-Fi Soundtrack Series: Attack Of The Killer B Movies (1995) – various artists – performed with Scarecrow Adams) • Further Most (2000) – "Ramble On Rose" and "Easy Answers", performed by the Other Ones • KBCO Studio C, Volume 12 (2000) – "Odessa", performed by Bob Weir & Ratdog • KPRI Live Tracks 3 (2002) – "KC Moan", performed by Bob Weir & Mark Karan • Weir Here - The Best of Bob Weir (2004) – Bob Weir • KBCO Studio C, Volume 16 (2005) – "Ripple", performed by Bob Weir & Ratdog • KPFA Live From Berkeley (2005) – "Memphis Radio", performed by Jemimah Puddleduck • Jam on Guitars (2009) – various artists • KPFA Live From Berkeley, Vol 2 (2012) – "Leave a Light On", performed by A Mark Karan Experience
Singles sessions
• "Run to Her" (1983) – Julie Stafford
Licensing
Text attribution
Part of the biographical narrative on this page reuses licensed material. Its origin, revision and licence are recorded here.
The biographical narrative on this page is based on the Wikipedia article Mark Karan, revision 1364206610 (EN edition), by its contributors. VALÉORINE has edited that text and built its own documentary record around it. The reused material is available under CC BY-SA 4.0, and this page's reuse of it is offered under the same licence. Everything else on this page — the chronology, the holdings, the evidence, the plates and the connections — is VALÉORINE's own record. Sources and licences.
Film and TV soundtracks
• Chantilly Lace (1993) – Showtime (Patrick Seymour, composer) – guitar • Parallel Lives (1994) – Showtime (Patrick Seymour, composer) – guitar • Stonewall (1995) – (Michael Kamen, composer) – guitar • Orleans (1997) – CBS dramatic series (David Hamilton, composer) – guitar • Tricks (1997) – Showtime (Patrick Seymour, composer, also includes original song by MK & Patrick Seymour) – guitar • Waco: The Rules of Engagement (1996, Academy Award Nominated) – (David Hamilton, composer) – guitar • Scrubs (2001) – NBC (Jan Stevens/MK co-composers) – guitar • Fall of Night (2005) – MK original song "No Escape" – closing credit roll • Asylum (2009) (David Hamilton, composer) – guitar • Guitar Man (2015) – guitar on two songs on the soundtrack: "All Along the Watchtower" and "Love in Vain"
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.Bonniebramlett.co.uk. Delaney Bramlett – solo albums.
- 2.discogs. Danny Wilde + Rembrandts, The – Spin This (CD, Album) at Discogs. April 28, 1998.
- 3.OtherOnes.Net. The Dead / The Other Ones Band Members | Furthur / The Dead / The Other Ones Fan Site.
- 4.RatDog.Org. Band Info | Bob Weir & RatDog Fan Site.
- 5.Small, Barry. Mark Karan. Thebestofwebsite.com.
- 6.Greenmanreview.com. Mark Karan, Walk Through The Fire.
- 7.Kindweb.com. Review of Mark Karan – Walk Through the Fire (CD): KindWeb Reviews.
- 8.RatDog.Org. 5/1/2002 Setlist, Photos, and Reviews | Bob Weir & RatDog Fan Site. January 5, 2002.
- 9.RatDog.Org. News: RatDog Set to Appear on VH1 Classic on Sunday | Bob Weir & RatDog Fan Site. May 31, 2005.
- 10.TV.com. Late Night with Conan O'Brien – Season 14, Episode 2407: Randy Jackson, Patton Oswalt, David Feldberg, Bob Weir & Ratdog. July 5, 2007.
- 11.OtherOnes.Net. Furthur Show Breakdown | Furthur / The Dead / The Other Ones Fan Site. August 21, 2000.
- 12.Bernstein, Scott. Guitarist Mark Karan to Debut New Band at Upcoming Sweetwater Music Hall Show. JamBase. June 20, 2016.
- 13.Jefferson Starship Members Form 'The Airplane Family & Friends' with Associated Musicians. Live for Live Music. July 31, 2016.
- 14."News: Steve Kimock to Keep MK's Seat Warm", Ratdog.org, June 28, 2007
- 15.Madison, Tjames. "Bob Weir's Ratdog Plots Spring Tour Dates", Live Daily, February 8, 2008
- 16.Rat-dog.com. Bob Weir & RatDog :: news.
- 17.BootlegCoverArt. Dave Mason – Tokyo, Japan (1991.06.15) – DVD Cover Artwork Requests.
- 18.Gdforum.com. Interview with Other Ones guitarist Mark Karan.
- 19.Dead.net. RatDog Guitarist Mark Karan: The Long Road Home | Grateful Dead.
- 20.Concertarchiv.net. Woodstock 1999. July 24, 1999.
- 21.Walk Through The Fire. Blog Archive " RIP Pinetop Perkins. March 21, 2011.
- 22.Walk Through The Fire. MUSIC. January 24, 2013.
- 23.Smith, Michael B. The Strange Remain – The Other Ones : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards. AllMusic. February 9, 1999.
- 24.discogs. Other Ones, The (3) – The Strange Remain (CD, Album) at Discogs.
- 25.Johnson, Zac. Evening Moods – Bob Weir : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards. AllMusic. September 26, 2000.
- 26.AllMusic. Live at Roseland – RatDog : Credits.
- 27.AllMusic. On the Road: 07-02-06 Red Rocks – The String Cheese Incident : Credits. September 19, 2006.
- 28.AllMusic. Beyond Passion – Sky : Credits.
- 29.AllMusic. Makin' It Real – Jesse Colin Young : Credits. October 19, 1993.
- 30.AllMusic. Exception to the Rule – Arnold McCuller : Credits. August 26, 1994.
- 31.AllMusic. Crazy Boy – Jesse Colin Young : Credits.
- 32.AllMusic. Moment of Truth – Jack James : Credits. July 30, 1996.
- 33.AllMusic. Chicago Songs – Skip Haynes : Credits. September 17, 1996.
- 34.AllMusic. Well – David Grow : Credits. September 16, 1996.
- 35.AllMusic. Coast of Paradise – Suzy K. : Credits. September 17, 1996.
- 36.Berry, Jon. Mark Karan of Jemimah Puddleduck (part 2). NorthJerseyMusic.com. September 9, 2009.
- 37.AllMusic. Hindsight – John Purdell : Credits. September 22, 1998.
- 38.AllMusic. Spin This! – The Rembrandts, Danny Wilde, Danny Wilde & the Rembrandts : Credits. March 3, 1998.
- 39.AllMusic. Still Searching for Soul – Corey Feldman's Truth Movement : Credits. January 19, 1999.
- 40.AllMusic. Mister Blue – Mr. Blue : Credits. February 11, 1999.
- 41.AllMusic. Pieces – P.J. : Credits. February 11, 1999.
- 42.AllMusic. Sounds from Home – Delaney Bramlett : Credits.
- 43.AllMusic. Former Child Actor – Corey Feldman : Credits.
- 44.AllMusic. Blue Sky – David Ralston : Credits. April 29, 2003.
- 45.AllMusic. The Whole Enchilada – Teresa James : Credits. October 14, 2003.
- 46.AllMusic. Emptiness and Ecstasy – Wynne Paris : Credits. November 16, 2004.
- 47.AllMusic. Still Dancin' – G 13 : Credits. March 7, 2006.
- 48.AllMusic. Khemennu: Land of the Moon – Sky : Credits. August 15, 2006.
- 49.AllMusic. Crossing the Line – Bill Cutler : Credits. March 4, 2008.
- 50.AllMusic. The Missing Moonlighters: Live/Studio Closet Tapes – The Moonlighters : Credits.
- 51.AllMusic. Persuasions of the Dead: The Grateful Dead Sessions – The Persuasions : Credits.
- 52.Ronnie Penque to Release Family Business on 8/30. Grateful Web. August 25, 2019.
- 53.discogs. Various – Bad Sci-Fi Soundtrack Series: Attack Of The Killer B Movies (CD) at Discogs.
- 54.AllMusic. Furthur Most – Various Artists : Credits. August 22, 2000.
- 55.Kbco.com.
- 56.Walk Through The Fire. Bio/Epk. January 24, 2013.
- 57.Deaddisc.com. Grateful Dead Family Discography: Weir Here: The Best Of Bob Weir.
- 58.Kbco.com.
- 59.Deaddisc.com. Grateful Dead Family Discography: Live From Berkeley.
- 60.Horowitz, Hal. Jam on Guitars – Various Artists : Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards. AllMusic. October 13, 2009.
- 61.Kpfa.org. Dead to the World – February 1, 2012 at 8:00 pm | KPFA 94.1 FM Berkeley: Listener Sponsored Free Speech Radio. February 1, 2012.
- 62.discogs. Julie Stafford – I'm No Angel (Vinyl) at Discogs.
- 63.Guitar Man Soundtrack. IMDb.
Citations
References
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The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 25 August 2026.
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