Jay Brennan remembers

One of my favorite moments with Mark/Farquar: at Blossom's one night, I played Jonathan Richman's "Pablo Picasso", a song with only one chord (e-minor). Halfway through it, I figured, one chord? I could do a short guitar solo in e-minor, so I did. It was okay, but after the song, I turned to Farquar and said "I can't solo for shit!" (which I can't!). So the next tiime I was called to the stage, Farquar introduced me as "New Testament John - the most self-effacing man in rock and roll." The man had a way with words and a great sense of humor. I miss him.

'It Takes A Little Work" purple gang photo shoot inspirations

What is rock n' roll?  To me, rock n roll means freedom. Freedom to wear what you like, say what you like and live in a way that is parallel to your beliefs. In history, icons of rock have been known to be rebellious or disturbed. My view of rock n roll today is being comfortable in your own skin. Please study these images. Some images are of Farquar, himself and others are images I've found that feel like what I'm trying to communicate. In general Mark "Farquar" Vaccacio wore many "hats". His style ranges from country western, to rock, to safari hunter. He collected all kinds of things like toys, tin boxes, knives, german beer steins and the list goes on and on. As the creative director for this project "It Takes a Little Work", I am compelled to include these details into the images my team and I are photographing. Your job as a model is to bring props, clothing, accessories that fit your personality but may also exaggerate your style. It doesn't mean you have to do the cliche "rock/punk" look with pink hair and a Ramones tee. It simply means, dress how you would like to see yourself. It means, dress in a way that makes you feel good, sexy and confident. Farquar was criticized for the way he dressed and the things he did and said, but his love for music and his raw talent could never be denied. And people loved that about him. 

Noel Kiko Gonzalez remembers...

I grew up next to Andrew Caturano in the Bronx, where your father would come and rehearse when he was about 19. I know your aunt Francine. I went on a date with her once to see your father play John Lennon in Beatlemania and he took me backstage and introduced me as Johnny Mathias's son. I was there in 1976 when shaved his head bald and dressed in farmers pants with shoulder straps. He was years ahead of Lady Gaga. I played bass with him a few times. But I always remember the time he lost his phone with all his numbers. He sent me an email congratulating me and telling me how proud he was that the kid who use to sit and watch him practice was now going on tour with J-Lo. That was a great moment in my musical career for him to acknowledge me. Yes, I knew your dad.

John De Silva recalls...

Mark used to stop by my shop frequently in the past few years to check out my new inventory of guitars. I had recently acquired a Gibson Les Paul Classic with an added center pickup that had standard wiring with one of the tone controls rewired to blend in the center pickup to create a very versatile guitar. When Mark saw the guitar he went crazy. "What is this?, How does it work? Can I do this? Let me try it. Oooh. Oh, Wow......." After about 20 minutes of flipping the switch, turning the knob, this way, that way, lower, higher, running the guitar through its paces he stopped, tilted the guitar up to stare at it and said............"You can Rule the World with this Guitar".   He then proceeded to buy it.

Harry recalls...

About 22 years ago, a bunch of us spent a few days in Montauk. On the second day, Farquar, guitar in hand, broke into song, with lyrics that contained off color remarks about one of us, someone near and dear to my heart, but not in the room. As my anger grew throughout the day, I came upon a mature solution. That night I challenged the offender to a game of punch for punch, in the arm of course, as our careers were based primarily on our good looks. With one mighty blow, he yelped "I give up!" and all was forgiven.

Allen Morrison recalls...

Since my bandmates in high school nicknamed me "Moe Membrane," my musician friends have always called me by that name. Farquar, however dubbed me "THE Moe Membrane." He says I am the only person in HUMAN HISTORY whose first name is "The."

Grandpa Al aka "The Genius" recalls...

Working with Farquar in East Hampton. He was the best clean up guy ever! Like things with like things !