Mark St. John
Encyclopedia
Mark Leslie Norton better known as Mark St. John, was a guitarist
known for his brief work with the rock band Kiss
.
cover band Front Page. After leaving Kiss, he formed a band called White Tiger, featuring David Donato
(lead vocals), his brother Michael Norton
(bass/backing vocals), and Brian James Fox (drums). Demos that the band had recorded with producer Andy Johns
and guitarist Neil Citron
, prior to Mark joining, apparently led to Donato's equally short tenure with another legendary band, Black Sabbath
.
a short time, but he was featured on the album Animalize
, the second album of the "unmasked" period. This turned out to be one of Kiss's most successful studio albums, aside from those made by the original lineup. St. John's only video appearance with Kiss is in the video for the hit single "Heaven's on Fire
".
During the sessions for the album, which was recorded in mid-1984, St. John clashed with the other members of the band. He also developed arthritis
(Reiter's Syndrome
), which caused his hands and arms to swell. He was all but unable to perform live as a member of Kiss, and only played two full shows and one partial show during the Animalize tour, with Bruce Kulick
playing the rest. Mark St. John was officially replaced by Bruce Kulick on December 8, 1984.
He is also the only Kiss member not to appear in on any album front cover, since the Animalize cover only features a tapestry of animal prints. However, he is posing with the rest of the band on the albums back cover.
and drummer Barry Brandt of Angel
to work on developing some demo ideas. By March he was playing live again, appearing at an all-star jam session at the FM Station Club. The lineup included Rudy Sarzo
and Tommy Aldridge
(Kiss Revolution, April/May 1985). Mark also performed at a sold-out audience at a benefit jazz concert for Greenpeace
. Some of the legendary jazz musicians playing alongside Mark included the Steve Hooks Band, Stu Nevitt (Shadowfax
), Slyde Hyde (Tom Scott
/Supertramp
), Al Aarons
(Count Basie), plus other special all-star guests". (Kiss Force)
Mark and David soon formed White Tiger
, becoming the first ex-Kiss guitarist to release an album (1986, predating both Ace Frehley
and Vinnie Vincent
's efforts).
They had written most of the material for the album by mid-1985 and set out to complete a lineup with which to record. The band also included Mark's younger brother, Michael, on bass, but was completed with the addition of Brian James Fox on drums. While the independent release did well on that level selling some 50,000 copies, and the band gigged around California, Mark St John and his band White Tiger joined up with Garry Lane owner of Logic Productions who promoted many top bands in LA. Mark St. John and Garry Lane became good friends meeting for a second time at Trojan Studios in Garden Grove, California. That is where Mark and Garry came up with the idea to play the legendary club known as THE HOT SPOT located in Huntington Beach, California owned by Gennie Gromet who was the ex-wife of Dick Dale from the band Dick Dale and the Dale Tones. The band didn't manage to break and split while working on demos for a second album in 1988. St. John teamed up with Jeff Scott Soto
in 1988 to make a demo. Mark also did some session work performing lead guitar on "Livin' for My Lord" on Ken Tamplin
's 1990 album, Axe to Grind. Ken is an inspirational Christian rocker more famed for his involvement in the band Shout
. Tamplin has also co-written material with Gene Simmons
of Kiss. Mark also worked with former Knight Rider star David Hasselhoff
, even appearing in his video, "Is Everyone Happy".
St. John made a demo in 1990 with fellow former Kiss member Peter Criss
. This band, known as the Keep, became what was essentially White Tiger, with Peter Criss replacing Brian Fox on drums, and David Donato using the alias Michael McDonald. This lineup performed live just once, on May 2, 1990 at a drum clinic at the Guitar Center
music store in Lawndale
, California
.
When the band started shopping their demo (credited as Peter Criss) around the response was universally negative. One cassette demo to circulate simply featured "Love for Sale", "Long Time", and "All Night Long", though they had also covered Lee Michaels
' 1971 hit "Do You Know What I Mean", and had other original material such as "Between the Lines". By early 1991, the difficulty shopping the demo, and Mark's need to get on with making a living, led to friction between Peter and him, and he left the band (which eventually became Criss).
He was in a short lived band with Phil Naro
called the Mark St. John Project that released a limited edition EP in 1999, and he also made an appearance on a KISS expo in New Jersey. He later released an all instrumental CD in 2003 called Magic Bullet Theory.
In later years, St. John did not make many public appearances. However, he was rumored to have returned to his pre-Kiss gig as a guitar instructor in the Southern California area.
, who died of heart cancer in 1991 (although Eric was a current member of Kiss at the time of his passing). Mark is survived by his siblings Michael and Kathleen as well as his parents Les and Terry Norton who reside in Orange County, California.
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
known for his brief work with the rock band Kiss
KISS (band)
Kiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in January 1973. Well-known for its members' face paint and flamboyant stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid to late 1970s on the basis of their elaborate live performances, which featured fire breathing, blood spitting,...
.
Prior to Kiss
Before joining Kiss, St. John was a well known and respected teacher and guitarist for the Southern CaliforniaSouthern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
cover band Front Page. After leaving Kiss, he formed a band called White Tiger, featuring David Donato
David Donato
David Tom Donato is an American singer known for his involvement in Black Sabbath. He recorded several demos with the band and rehearsed throughout 1984 and 1985....
(lead vocals), his brother Michael Norton
Michael Norton
Michael Norton is a Paralympic alpine skier from Australia. He won a pair of gold medals at the 1994 Lillehammer Games in the Men's Slalom LWXI event and the Men's Super-G LWXI event.-References:...
(bass/backing vocals), and Brian James Fox (drums). Demos that the band had recorded with producer Andy Johns
Andy Johns
Andy Johns is an engineer and producer who worked on well-known rock albums such as Led Zeppelin's IV and The Rolling Stones' Exile on Main Street. His sound is exemplified by Free's album Highway, which he engineered and produced....
and guitarist Neil Citron
Neil Citron
Neil Citron is a guitarist who played briefly with heavy metal band Quiet Riot in 2006. Although he contributes guitar to the album Rehab, he left shortly after the release and was replaced by Alex Grossi.He is also a sound engineer and mixer...
, prior to Mark joining, apparently led to Donato's equally short tenure with another legendary band, Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath are an English heavy metal band, formed in Aston, Birmingham in 1969 by Ozzy Osbourne , Tony Iommi , Geezer Butler , and Bill Ward . The band has since experienced multiple line-up changes, with Tony Iommi the only constant presence in the band through the years. A total of 22...
.
Kiss
St. John was only with KissKISS (band)
Kiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in January 1973. Well-known for its members' face paint and flamboyant stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid to late 1970s on the basis of their elaborate live performances, which featured fire breathing, blood spitting,...
a short time, but he was featured on the album Animalize
Animalize
Animalize is the 12th studio album by the American band Kiss. In a continuation of the commercial resurgence begun with Lick It Up, Animalize was certified platinum by the RIAA on December 12, 1984. It was the biggest-selling Kiss album since 1977's Alive II.The album marked the only appearance by...
, the second album of the "unmasked" period. This turned out to be one of Kiss's most successful studio albums, aside from those made by the original lineup. St. John's only video appearance with Kiss is in the video for the hit single "Heaven's on Fire
Heaven's on Fire
"Heaven's on Fire" is a song by American hard rock band Kiss, first released on their 1984 album Animalize. Written by vocalist/guitarist Paul Stanley and songwriter Desmond Child, it was the first single released off of the album....
".
During the sessions for the album, which was recorded in mid-1984, St. John clashed with the other members of the band. He also developed arthritis
Arthritis
Arthritis is a form of joint disorder that involves inflammation of one or more joints....
(Reiter's Syndrome
Reactive arthritis
Reactive arthritis , is classified as an autoimmune condition that develops in response to an infection in another part of the body. Coming into contact with bacteria and developing an infection can trigger the disease. Reiter's syndrome has symptoms similar to various other conditions collectively...
), which caused his hands and arms to swell. He was all but unable to perform live as a member of Kiss, and only played two full shows and one partial show during the Animalize tour, with Bruce Kulick
Bruce Kulick
Bruce Howard Kulick is an American guitarist, musician and a member of the band Grand Funk Railroad. Previously, Kulick had been a longtime member of the band Kiss....
playing the rest. Mark St. John was officially replaced by Bruce Kulick on December 8, 1984.
He is also the only Kiss member not to appear in on any album front cover, since the Animalize cover only features a tapestry of animal prints. However, he is posing with the rest of the band on the albums back cover.
After Kiss
In January 1985 St. John teamed up with vocalist David DonatoDavid Donato
David Tom Donato is an American singer known for his involvement in Black Sabbath. He recorded several demos with the band and rehearsed throughout 1984 and 1985....
and drummer Barry Brandt of Angel
Angel (band)
Angel is a glam rock and heavy metal band from Washington, D.C., formed in the mid-70s by Punky Meadows and Mickie Jones. They were signed to Casablanca Records, and had the image of dressing in white.-History:...
to work on developing some demo ideas. By March he was playing live again, appearing at an all-star jam session at the FM Station Club. The lineup included Rudy Sarzo
Rudy Sarzo
Rudy Sarzo is a Cuban American hard rock/heavy metal bassist. Sarzo has played with many well known heavy metal acts including Quiet Riot, Ozzy Osbourne, Whitesnake, Manic Eden, Dio and Blue Öyster Cult.-Early life:...
and Tommy Aldridge
Tommy Aldridge
Tommy Aldridge is a veteran heavy metal and hard rock drummer. Aldridge is noted for his work with numerous bands and vocalists, most notable being Black Oak Arkansas, Pat Travers Band, Ozzy Osbourne, Gary Moore, Whitesnake, Ted Nugent and Thin Lizzy.Self taught, Aldridge was inspired by Cream,...
(Kiss Revolution, April/May 1985). Mark also performed at a sold-out audience at a benefit jazz concert for Greenpeace
Greenpeace
Greenpeace is a non-governmental environmental organization with offices in over forty countries and with an international coordinating body in Amsterdam, The Netherlands...
. Some of the legendary jazz musicians playing alongside Mark included the Steve Hooks Band, Stu Nevitt (Shadowfax
Shadowfax (band)
Shadowfax was a new age/electronic musical group, best known for their albums Shadowfax and Folksongs for a Nuclear Village. In 1988 they won the Grammy for Best New Age Performance for Folksongs for a Nuclear Village...
), Slyde Hyde (Tom Scott
Tom Scott (musician)
Tom Scott is an American saxophonist, composer, arranger, conductor and bandleader of the west coast jazz/jazz fusion ensemble The L.A. Express.-Biography:Scott was born in Los Angeles, California...
/Supertramp
Supertramp
Supertramp are a British rock band formed in 1969 under the name Daddy before renaming to Supertramp in early 1970. Though their music was initially categorised as progressive rock, they have since incorporated a combination of traditional rock and art rock into their music...
), Al Aarons
Al Aarons
Albert "Al" Aarons is a jazz trumpeter.Aarons was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and graduated from Wayne State University in Detroit. He began to gain attention as a trumpet player in 1956, and started working with jazz artist Yusef Lateef and pianist Barry Harris in the later part of that...
(Count Basie), plus other special all-star guests". (Kiss Force)
Mark and David soon formed White Tiger
White Tiger (Band)
White Tiger was an American glam metal band.-Biography:The band was formed by former Kiss guitarist Mark St. John. St. John wanted to start a project with musicians who were previously unheard of in the music business and along with St...
, becoming the first ex-Kiss guitarist to release an album (1986, predating both Ace Frehley
Ace Frehley
Paul Daniel "Ace" Frehley is an American musician best known as the lead guitarist of the rock band Kiss. He took on the persona of the "Spaceman" or "Space Ace" when the band adopted costumes and theatrics...
and Vinnie Vincent
Vinnie Vincent
Vincent John Cusano, better known as Vinnie Vincent, is an American guitarist from Bridgeport, Connecticut and songwriter known for his brief membership in the band Kiss.-Replacing Ace Frehley in Kiss:...
's efforts).
They had written most of the material for the album by mid-1985 and set out to complete a lineup with which to record. The band also included Mark's younger brother, Michael, on bass, but was completed with the addition of Brian James Fox on drums. While the independent release did well on that level selling some 50,000 copies, and the band gigged around California, Mark St John and his band White Tiger joined up with Garry Lane owner of Logic Productions who promoted many top bands in LA. Mark St. John and Garry Lane became good friends meeting for a second time at Trojan Studios in Garden Grove, California. That is where Mark and Garry came up with the idea to play the legendary club known as THE HOT SPOT located in Huntington Beach, California owned by Gennie Gromet who was the ex-wife of Dick Dale from the band Dick Dale and the Dale Tones. The band didn't manage to break and split while working on demos for a second album in 1988. St. John teamed up with Jeff Scott Soto
Jeff Scott Soto
Jeff Scott Soto is an American rock singer of Puerto Rican descent. He is best known for being the lead singer for the group Talisman from 1990 till the end of Talisman in 2007, the vocalist on Yngwie Malmsteen's first two albums, and for stepping up to the job of lead vocalist for Journey on...
in 1988 to make a demo. Mark also did some session work performing lead guitar on "Livin' for My Lord" on Ken Tamplin
Ken Tamplin
Ken Tamplin is an American Christian rock performer and vocal coach. Tamplin is known for his 4 octave vocal range and has composed music for television and movies.-Early years:...
's 1990 album, Axe to Grind. Ken is an inspirational Christian rocker more famed for his involvement in the band Shout
Shout (band)
Shout was a Christian glam metal band formed in 1987 by Ken Tamplin. Musically the band was similar to Stryper, but the Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music cites them as being "more competent than Stryper". Lyrically, their songs were generally more straightforward than other Christian...
. Tamplin has also co-written material with Gene Simmons
Gene Simmons
Gene Simmons is an Israeli-American entrepreneur, singer-songwriter, actor, and rock bassist. Known as "The Demon", he is the bassist/vocalist of Kiss, a hard rock band he co-founded in the early 1970s.-Early life:...
of Kiss. Mark also worked with former Knight Rider star David Hasselhoff
David Hasselhoff
David Michael Hasselhoff is an American actor, singer, producer and businessman. He is best known for his lead roles as Michael Knight in the popular 1980s US series Knight Rider and as L.A. County Lifeguard Mitch Buchannon in the series Baywatch...
, even appearing in his video, "Is Everyone Happy".
St. John made a demo in 1990 with fellow former Kiss member Peter Criss
Peter Criss
George Peter John Criscuola , better known as Peter Criss, is an American drummer and singer, best known as the original drummer for the rock band Kiss...
. This band, known as the Keep, became what was essentially White Tiger, with Peter Criss replacing Brian Fox on drums, and David Donato using the alias Michael McDonald. This lineup performed live just once, on May 2, 1990 at a drum clinic at the Guitar Center
Guitar Center
Guitar Center is the largest chain of musical instrument retailers in the world with 223 locations throughout the United States. Its headquarters is in Westlake Village, California....
music store in Lawndale
Lawndale, California
Lawndale is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. The population was 32,769 at the 2010 census, up from 31,711 according to the 2000 census...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.
When the band started shopping their demo (credited as Peter Criss) around the response was universally negative. One cassette demo to circulate simply featured "Love for Sale", "Long Time", and "All Night Long", though they had also covered Lee Michaels
Lee Michaels
Lee Michaels plays the Hammond organ, piano, and guitar , and is best known for his 1971 Top 10 pop hit single, "Do You Know What I Mean."-Career:...
' 1971 hit "Do You Know What I Mean", and had other original material such as "Between the Lines". By early 1991, the difficulty shopping the demo, and Mark's need to get on with making a living, led to friction between Peter and him, and he left the band (which eventually became Criss).
He was in a short lived band with Phil Naro
Phil Naro
Phil Naro is a singer-songwriter originally from Rochester, New York. He is best known as the frontman for Billy Sheehan’s Talas in the mid-1980s...
called the Mark St. John Project that released a limited edition EP in 1999, and he also made an appearance on a KISS expo in New Jersey. He later released an all instrumental CD in 2003 called Magic Bullet Theory.
In later years, St. John did not make many public appearances. However, he was rumored to have returned to his pre-Kiss gig as a guitar instructor in the Southern California area.
Death
St. John died on the morning of April 5, 2007, of a cerebral hemorrhage, making him the second ex-Kiss band member to die. The other member was Eric CarrEric Carr
Paul Charles Caravello , also known as Eric Carr, was an American musician, best known as drummer for the rock band Kiss. Caravello was selected as the new Kiss drummer after Peter Criss left in 1980...
, who died of heart cancer in 1991 (although Eric was a current member of Kiss at the time of his passing). Mark is survived by his siblings Michael and Kathleen as well as his parents Les and Terry Norton who reside in Orange County, California.
External links
- [ Allmusic Mark St. John biography]
- Billboard.com article about St. John's death
- Kissinuk Mark St. John 2003 interview