FORMER KISS GUITARIST DIES!!!! Mark St. John

[Dont disturb my Paradise]

Quite saddened. Mark St. John from Kiss died today aged 51. He played on the "Animalize" album from 1984. He, along with Eric Carr are now in Kiss heaven. RIP

[Red]

Excellent guitarist. The Animalize album was the one of KISS' best, IMO.

Mark was always spoken of in glowing terms by everyone who knew him, and was, by all accounts, a great person. Truly an unfortunate story. May he rest in peace.

[Menlow]

R.I.P. Mark. Too young. Animalize was such a good record.

[vanzefflin]

I really thought he would make an impact on the guitar community. Damn,...... arthritis at the most crucial time in his life up to that point, and now this.
He wasted Kulick or V.V..

R.I.P.

[Elwood P.]

He wasted Kulick

R.I.P.

Don't know about that. Kulick was/is pretty bad-ass. Never got much of a chance to show it with Kiss though.

RIP though.

[Filthy 150]

I saw them w/ Mark and thought he had a better fit than VV did (Kulick too).
It was too bad about his hands. I think he would have done well w/ them.

R.I.P. Mark.

[vanzefflin]

Don't know about that. Kulick was/is pretty bad-ass. Never got much of a chance to show it with Kiss though.

RIP though.

I've had the displeasure of meeting the asshole (Kulick). Don't get me wrong, Bruce can play but, St. John ran circles around him imo. Subjective at best however, I will stand by my assessment.

[Red]

Yeah, I wouldn't say he was technically better than Bruce or Vinnie, but he had a little more soul or feel or something....

[voivod]

MARK ST. JOHN {MARK NORTON}
Feb. 7, 1956, Hollywood, CA - April 5, 2007


Mark St. John was born Mark Norton, in Hollywood, California, on February 7, 1956 and attained some noteriety as KISS’ shortest serving guitarist. During a hectic and disruptive period of two years KISS changed from Ace Frehley to Vinnie Vincent to Mark St. John, and then finally to Bruce Kulick on lead guitar, a position that was considered the most temporary job in town at the time. St. John lasted less than eight months with the band only joining them on stage in public three times. Regardless, Mark played on KISS' most successful studio album of the unmasked period and any line-up apart from the originals (ST&H doesn't count). Mark was a successful guitar teacher whose modesty didn’t allow him to name who his students were.

Following his time with KISS, Mark reconnected with David Donato, a vocalist who had had an equally short tenure with another legendary band: Black Sabbath. The two, who had worked together prior to their supergroup tangents, formed White Tiger becoming the first ex-KISS guitarist to release an album. The band included Mark’s brother Michael Norton, but split while working on demos for a second album in 1988. Mark was soon working with ex-KISS drummer Peter Criss, and while the band cut several demos in 1990, he nor his brother survived as the band became "Criss." He then disappeared, before re-emerging in late-1998. He released an "EP" which featured some material that originated from the project with Peter Criss, and later a full-length instrumental CD. He also became a special guest on KISS Expo circuit.

[Filthy 150]

St. John lasted less than eight months with the band only joining them on stage in public three times.

Shit!
I saw him a for a 3rd of his tenure?

[aceface9]

RIP Mullet Man. Too young to die.

[Double Down]

How did he die?

[onefootoutthedoor]

From KNAC.com:


KNAC.COM air personality Junkman just checked in with the following sad news:

"Just got a call this afternoon stating that my friend, former Kiss guitarist Mark St. John, died this morning from a cerebral hemorrage. He was 51.

I have known him for a long time. I roadied for his band White Tiger, and just spoke with him at the recent NAMM show.

As soon as I fid out more info I will let you know. My heart goes out to his family. A very sad day.


Junkie"

[aceface9]

that's terrible. again way too young to die.

[leroy]

My father in law died of the same thing (cerebral hemorrage) - just takes you out - you dont know you've got it until it kills you.