Kiss Guitarist Mark St. John Passes
By
Newsferatu,
Writer
Thursday, April 5, 2007 @ 1:30 PM
- advertiseclment -
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"
From KISSFAQ.com:
Mark St. John was born Mark Norton, in Hollywood, California, on February 7, 1956 and serves with noteriety as KISS' shortest lived guitarist. During a hectic and disruptive period of two years KISS would change from Ace Frehley to Vinnie Vincent to Mark St. John and then finally to Bruce Kulick, on guitar, with St. John lasting less than eight months. His parents moved to Garden Grove, CA in the early 1960's where Mark was initially more interested in sports than music. In an interview with KISS Strike, Mark recalled, "I played all sports, in fact I played sports before I got into music. Especially basketball, I mean I tried all sports but basketball is what I excelled in. And when I got into High School we started playing CIF with other teams from L.A. and they were all black and I felt that I wasn't a very good basketball player. I mean they just slip and slide all over you, they jump higher and they run faster and you felt belittled after the first five minutes and I gave it up after that" (KISS Strike 46). Growing up in Southern California Mark didn't start playing guitar until he was a sophomore in highschool in 1972 when he also started to grow his hair longer, undoubtedly part of that age-group's rebellion from their parents and society. Initially guitar playing started as a hobby but within a year Mark had become quite serious about it. The techniques and the styles. As to why he started plaing guitar, Mark recalled, "I guess because the guitar was the new thing happening - it was the sound. I'm from a generation that went through a whole different thing in music, like a culture-type thing. It was the voice of the people. It was a source of rebellion and the guitar was one of the biggest things. I remember watching television and seeing the Beatles and the Rolling Stones on the Ed Sullivan show. They didn't have tubas, they had guitars and everyone was going crazy and that put a spark in my mind... The guitar is rock 'n roll. That's what it's all about. From the 50's on, the emphasis was on the guitar sound. Everyone was trying to make the guitar sound like other instruments, but it's not so easy to make other instruments sound like the guitar. The guitar is what's happening" (KISS Force via Otaku). Mark has a brother, Michael (born 1964), who plays bass. The two would be in bands together following Mark's tenure in KISS. They also have one sister (born 1960).
MegadethRulez - 4/28/2009 10:39:43 AM yes, I was the brunette who always showed up in the Whitetiger spandex outfit....with the 6 inch stillettos.......drinkin Jack......What has happened to David Danatto?????
MegadethRulez - 4/28/2009 10:37:10 AM White Tiger rocked......hung out with the album cover designer.....I will never forget Joshua Parlour when he kicked ass on the guitar against Vinnie Vincent!!! you will be dearly missed...
Jamiepal - 3/14/2009 2:42:12 AM I read the news today oh boy. Mark, you probably don't remember me, but my name is Jamie Palumbo. I lived in West Anaheim in the late 70's and I used to go and watch Jaberwocky play at back yard parties. You were like a big rock star to me, you were a few years older and just an amazing lead guitar player. I also though it was cool that you played a Les Paul recording! My favorite thing to watch you play was Hoe Down by Emersom Lake and Palmer. I was amazed that anyone could play that on guitar. I also remember hearing stories about how you did not have a drivers license or a car in your teens and early 20's because you were so focused on your music. For some reason, I was wondering where you were these days and I went on line to see if you had a website and I read the news today oh boy. God bless you my friend, I wish I would have talked to you more often. Jamie Palumbo, fellow lead guitarist jamiepalumbo.com, people used to tell me that I looked like you! I was always flattered.
Peace
Jamie
kita - 4/17/2008 8:41:38 AM I've been in Antarctica for over a year and traveling-I just heard about my old friend Mark.
I remember him fondly and with all good thoughts..
you can find his memorial on FindAGrave.com. Just search for Mark St. John (not Norton).
dat_nice - 6/19/2007 7:26:00 AM e
dat_nice - 6/19/2007 7:25:59 AM e
dat_nice - 6/19/2007 7:25:59 AM e
dat_nice - 6/19/2007 7:25:57 AM e
dat_nice - 6/19/2007 7:25:57 AM e
dat_nice - 6/19/2007 7:25:34 AM tami, bend over whore
dat_nice - 6/19/2007 7:18:23 AM mark is sucking cock in hell!!!!!!!
TamiLolipop - 6/17/2007 12:26:37 AM Mark Dear, Yesterday, I heard that a friend and a long time lover, once upon a time, of mine died. Yeah, the Lolipop Kid told me. It's been a long time Mark and I am sorry that I did not come back to the studio where you waited for me. I remember how hurt you were over that. Today, in reflection, I can only say that it was meant to be. In hearing of your passing, I spent most of the night thinking of our times together and how you once layed down, in the middle of the public parking lot, to look at the stars, and I joined you. You loved that about me and I loved that about you. I still have the Crestapod that you bought me when we first met. I just wanted to say thanks for being in my life and thanks for the good times, the concerts, the long weekends and all the love you showered upon me. I still remember how mad you got at me when I died your hair ... it looked great! Well, anyone who truly knows you, knows that Heaven's NOT on Fire. Those of us who really knew you, understand your humanity Vs. Gene and Paul. Enough said. Yes, you were my friend, my lover and now you are a legend. Rock-On Mark! I will be listening for those instumentals that are now played on the Spheres of Heaven. I'll look for your star. When I visit Rose Hill, I will leave you lots of your favorite lolipops. You'll be in my memory always. I see that you found a replacement for #6. It's okay. I understand. Rest in peace, Mark.
In Memory,
Tami, Poet
Palmdale/Palm Springs California
puresilver - 6/4/2007 1:56:32 AM I was 6 years older than Mark Norton as a lead guitarist,I was offered to play in 1968 for columbia records on music for "The Monkeys" but I turned down the lead guitar spot due to having to finish high school.I played guitar in 1969 in the band "Puresilver" at the Garden Grove Strawberry festival and El Toro Marine base and "Jammed" with Jose feleciano, I met Mark Norton and taught Mark Lead guitar at my parents home in Garden Grove on Nelson St. Our house was popular for rehersals due to my twin frother Dan who played Bass for a group in from Las Vegas when he was 14 years old in 1964! In 1971 I taught lead guitar to Mark Norton,I spent much time teaching my own original pantented string slide under other strings on a solo lead run trick at my parents home in garden grove. soon after mark started his own Garage type band "Jaberwakie" and played at a garden grove gym with his new,then Gibson recording guitar.One day I asked him to play anything he knew, he played and I asked about a lead run he did and he answered: If I show you then you will be beter than me!!! I repiled: With all the free lessons I've taught you, I think it is time you get out of my house! good luck, you will do better if you treat others better in the long run!
(I thought you were a jerk then)
I have to say I am sorry now,I really do wish you the best where ever you are, rest in peace,friend.
By the way I am rehearsing with a drummer from Steppenwolf, (I use Risson Amps!) and my brother Dan has played with Deep purple and is now with Mickey Johnson,Lead guitar player from "Angel", who just recorded in New York lead guitar parts on a new album for Don Henely,vocalist of the Eagles... Rock-On!
Ryche_ - 5/23/2007 12:00:07 PM RIP Mark, you will be missed
Garion81 - 5/18/2007 1:03:35 PM Not sure if anyone will see this but I grew up with Mark in the early 70's went to high school with him and very saddend to hear of this. I hope his brother Mike is OK as I did not see his name mentioned in Pat's note. If you see him tell him Brian Pate says hello and hoes he is doing good.
Mark St. John was born Mark Norton, in Hollywood, California, on February 7, 1956 and serves with noteriety as KISS' shortest lived guitarist. During a hectic and disruptive period of two years KISS would change from Ace Frehley to Vinnie Vincent to Mark St. John and then finally to Bruce Kulick, on guitar, with St. John lasting less than eight months. His parents moved to Garden Grove, CA in the early 1960's where Mark was initially more interested in sports than music. In an interview with KISS Strike, Mark recalled, "I played all sports, in fact I played sports before I got into music. Especially basketball, I mean I tried all sports but basketball is what I excelled in. And when I got into High School we started playing CIF with other teams from L.A. and they were all black and I felt that I wasn't a very good basketball player. I mean they just slip and slide all over you, they jump higher and they run faster and you felt belittled after the first five minutes and I gave it up after that" (KISS Strike 46). Growing up in Southern California Mark didn't start playing guitar until he was a sophomore in highschool in 1972 when he also started to grow his hair longer, undoubtedly part of that age-group's rebellion from their parents and society. Initially guitar playing started as a hobby but within a year Mark had become quite serious about it. The techniques and the styles. As to why he started plaing guitar, Mark recalled, "I guess because the guitar was the new thing happening - it was the sound. I'm from a generation that went through a whole different thing in music, like a culture-type thing. It was the voice of the people. It was a source of rebellion and the guitar was one of the biggest things. I remember watching television and seeing the Beatles and the Rolling Stones on the Ed Sullivan show. They didn't have tubas, they had guitars and everyone was going crazy and that put a spark in my mind... The guitar is rock 'n roll. That's what it's all about. From the 50's on, the emphasis was on the guitar sound. Everyone was trying to make the guitar sound like other instruments, but it's not so easy to make other instruments sound like the guitar. The guitar is what's happening" (KISS Force via Otaku). Mark has a brother, Michael (born 1964), who plays bass. The two would be in bands together following Mark's tenure in KISS. They also have one sister (born 1960).
