Official Statement from Crimson Glory on Vocalist Midnight’s Death

Sent by guitarist Jon Drenning to Powerline A.D.:

On July 8th, 2009 the world lost one of its greatest singer/songwriters.
Founding member and original Crimson Glory frontman Midnight (John Patrick McDonald, Jr.) passed away peacefully, (in true Midnight form on an eerily cloudy, full moon-lit night) at 3:30am with his family by his side. He was 47 years old.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 11th at 6:30pm at Siesta Key public beach (just south of main pavillion).
This celebration of Midnight’s life will be open to all who wish to attend.

The band has released the following statements:

“Midnight was a very special soul with a beautiful heart…

To try to describe his many gifts through the limiting restraints of text and typeset is like trying to describe a thousand rainbows to a blind man who never learned to count.
His mind was both extraordinarily beautiful and enticingly frightening, an indescribably mysterious place from which came some of the most brilliantly creative and soulfully poignant lyrics in the history of heavy metal. He was not always understood, but his talents were undeniable and transcended far beyond the bounds of our weaker imaginations.

As is the case with all truly great artists, Midnight was hounded by his demons…but he put them to work, using them to pull back the curtains of his cosmic wonderland and reveal the pieces and parts that made him who he was: the soft vulnerable child, the eccentric and maniacal genius, the soaring passionate believer, the charming and mischievous imp, the wistful dream weaver…discovering Midnight was like discovering a new reality for us; we knew from the moment we first heard him sing that he was something special, and we all feel honored that he shared himself not just with us, but with the rest of the world.

Midnight’s voice was truly unique; he had such an emotional, magical, mystical quality that most singers never have or come close to achieving. That voice took all who heard it through highs and lows, through triumph and suffering; every word, every note touching, reaching deep inside and commanding response and feeling. He was a great influence for metal singers and will continue to be for many years to come.

Despite his personal demons we always loved him and hoped that one day he would get well. We will miss him dearly. He was one of us…our friend, our brother. Midnight was and will always be the singer for Crimson Glory. He is at peace now; he will always live in our hearts…he is forever.”

JON DRENNING:
“Midnight and I shared so much together over the years; dreams, goals, visions, creativity… We  would often daydream for hours upon hours about how we would make the most amazing music together that would “Transcend” the world. We were determined to make an impact like no other and wanted create a legacy that would be everlasting… Despite our disagreements, I loved him deeply and will miss him profoundly. We had a contentious, yin-yang type of relationship, but we respected each other’s ideas, talents and creativity, and loved each other dearly; we were brothers ’til the end. Midnight was a kind, generous, spiritual, beautiful, passionate, eccentric, mysterious, stubborn old soul with the voice of both an angel and a lion. Truly, he was a rare individual with an enigmatic, angelic vioice who had a great influence on many of today’s well-known and yet-to-be-known metal singers. There have been many great singers throughout the years in the metal genre, including several who have tried to copy Midnight’s uniquely moving, intensely emotional style, but there can be – and will only ever be – one Midnight. He was a once-in-a-lifetime singer, one-in-a-billion, a star among stars… Indeed, the world has lost a great singer, songwriter, painter, poet and friend… but his spirit lives on in each of us who knew and heard him, as well as for those yet to discover his creative genius. In death you live again, my Brother, my friend. It does not mean the end; it never really ends…”

BEN JACKSON:
“Words cannot express the sadness I feel today over the loss of my dear friend Midnight. Having been friends with Mid for the last thirty years has provided me with memories I will surely treasure for the rest of my life until we hopefully will meet again. Together we made music, shared laughs and good times, traveled the world to faraway places and lived life with passion.
He touched many with his unique gift and was universally loved by his many friends and fans. A gentle genius and a sweet, sweet soul. I will miss you so much buddy! I love you!”

DANA BURNELL:
“Today the world lost an incredible singer and songwriter. I lost my band mate, my friend… my brother. I’ve known Midnight for over 30 years; he was the gentlest, kindest and most caring person I’ve known, and I loved him very much. Midnight only wanted good for everyone, he was a good soul. Knowing he is at peace now brings me great peace. I love him and will forever miss him.”

JEFF LORDS:
Jeff’s comments will be forthcoming.  At this time we respect his request to gather his thoughts.

“In death I’ve found the answer
In death I live again
Fear not the reaper’s blade
It does not mean the end
It never really ends” – Midnight “Transcendence”

VINTAGE PHOTO: Judas Priest

When someone thinks of Judas Priest, they probably think of the Metal God, Rob Halford. But the early years of Judas Priest were more hippy-dippy than heavy metal. And, of course, without any Halford.

The photo is from the 1972-73 years. It’s line-up: well, you can probably recognize bassist Ian Hill and guitarist K.K. Downing on the left. But the others are drummer (complete with afro) Chris “Congo” Campbell and vocalist Al Atkins.

I wonder what “Congo” is doing now, and if he still sporting that fantastic afro.

And, poor Al Atkins looks like he would rather be somewhere else, like the pub for a pint… and judging by his departure soon after this “photo session” that sort of thing was probably on his mind.

Related links: powerlinead.wordpress.com/2009/02/25/vocalist-al-atkins-to-take-credit-for-the-founding-of-judas-priest/

Steven Adler Brags that Fans Liked His Band Better Than Axl’s

Axl’s band meaning Guns N’ Roses, of course.

Adler:

I couldn’t believe it, but all I can say is so many people really loved our show and said it was better than when they saw what Axl was doin’. It’s crazy, but that’s the main thing I heard!

Zing! Man, Adler loves to take shots at his old pal, Axl Rose. Personally, I love it. It’s not like Axl doesn’t deserve some of it. But someone out there must be thinking: Steven, shut the hell up already. There’s no way people think Adler’s Appetite is better than Guns N’ Roses (even without all the original members). Not a chance. Don’t believe it. If fans said it, they were just being nice to him.

Jack White and Alison Mosshart’s Dead Weather Cover Doom Metal Forefathers Pentagram

The super-project The Dead Weather recorded a cover of Pentagram’s “Forever My Queen” on their new 7″, out now through The Vault, White’s new online subscription social network (7 bucks a month) from his Third Man Records.

A helluva cover, this is a good indication of how good (in a heavy sense) this Dead Weather project can be.

go to www.thirdmanrecords.com/vault.html

check out Pentagram: www.myspace.com/livefreeandburn

Sabbath Drummer Bill Ward Comments on Michael Jackson’s Death

Not to sound like an uncaring SOB but, to be completely honest, I’m tired of hearing about Michael Jackson’s death, as the media is making it Michael Jackson 24/7. Even Black Sabbath’s drummer, Bill Ward, has released a statement regarding Michael Jackson’s death:

“In contemplation over these past few days since the tragic news of Michael Jackson’s death, I have reflected on other occasions when some of my heroes have died. I know how I felt at the time. I can’t help wondering how those who loved Michael Jackson are going to heal and overcome the loss. My heart feels passionate to all who are feeling loss for Michael Jackson today.

“I can’t help regurgitating the emotions and absolute numbness I felt when John Lennon was shot. I felt completely devastated. It’s taken me years to come to terms with John’s death. I felt robbed. I think we all did. Sincerely, my life has never been the same since his passing. There’s an emptiness in the world and in my soul. My first trauma of those I idolized was when Buddy (Holly), Ritchie (Valens) and The Big Bopper died. Again, I felt numb, heartbroken, and didn’t understand why.

“For those in heartache today, I wish you all wellness in healing. A great entertainer has died. I think those who experienced and heard his heart are more enlightened people for it than before. I believe you’re all most fortunate to have connected to Michael Jackson.”

Very heartfelt statement. You won’t hear that on CNN.

www.billward.com

Noel Gallagher Tells Italian Newspaper That He Enjoyed Doing Drugs

Despite the fact that the best work of Oasis is over a decade behind them, Noel Gallagher continues to make headlines. Noel’s latest foray into the pages of the world’s newspapers was comments that he made to the Italian newspaper Corriere Della Sera. Gallagher expounded on his drug use during the 1990s, a habit that cost him in excess of 1 million UK pounds (approximately $1.6 million US in today’s currency). And Gallagher spoke about artists like Coldplay’s Chris Martin, who have gone on record that they’ve never used drugs. Gallagher said:

“I look at Chris Martin, who says he has never taken drugs in his life, and I think he is an idiot. Doing drugs is the most beautiful thing about being in a rock band.

“Up until 1998 I must have spent £1 million on drugs – then I stopped, because it is bad for your health, brain, life and for people around you. But while you use them – except for heroin which kills people and which I have never tried – as you lot [Italians] would say, ‘Mamma Mia’.”

Gallagher also criticized certain rock stars for using the concert stage to deliver political messages:

“We get on the stage and play. I have been to loads of concerts where bands don’t play, they just talk about politics. At a U2 or Coldplay concert there is always a message about poor people or people dying from hunger. OK, but can’t we just have a nice evening? Do we always have to feel guilty?”

Noel Gallagher is always great copy because he has no social filter at all. What you see is what you get. Still, I wish he could write songs today as great as the ones on the first two Oasis albums. Maybe he should spend less time talking to reporters and more time working on songs?

And I thought that Gallagher was friends with Chris Martin? Referring to your friend in print as “an idiot” probably isn’t going to help to keep the friendship alive.

For more on this story, see the article from NME.com.

Naughty Naughty, Bang Bang, and all that…

Holy Crap, Danger Danger is coming out with a new album. I never thought I’d ever see them again. Of course, it’s only a “European” release, later this year. Titled Revolve, I have to say I won’t be listening to it. This was 80s hair “metal” at its worst.

Midnight, Singer of 80s Metallers Crimson Glory, is Dead at 47

Remember Crimson Glory — the glitzy, some say elegantly, masked Metal band of the late 80s?

Well, Blabbermouth.net learned today that the band’s former singer, Midnight (above, unmasked), died yesterday of kidney and liver failure. There was no mention of this being due to prolonged substance abuse (even though he had a history of DUI). And he had been “dismissed” from the band for what seemed to be unexplained reasons.

Personally, I was never a huge fan of Crimson Glory. But Powerline magazine covered them a lot in the 80s.

Some of the band’s songs were hard-edged (like Red Sharks, below) — which I loved back then — while others (like “Lonely,” also below on video) were somewhat flaccid with the trend of 80s power ballads . There was no denying, however, Midnight (real name: John Patrick Jr. McDonald) was a top-notch metal singer that never got the real praise he deserved (i.e., Geoff Tate-like praise).

Matt LaPorte, guitarist of Jon Oliva’s Pain, had a good comment on the vocalist’s life:

“I will miss my partner Midnight  — the greatest voice and friend I’ve ever known. In spite of his demons, (Midnight) was a beautiful soul who constantly changed the lives of those he met and came into contact with.”

The sad thing is that Midnight had plans to release a solo album, All Souls Midnight, announced last year.

I’ll try to dig up some past Powerline interviews with Midnight and post them as a tribute.

Strangely, there is no mention of Midnight’s death on any of the Crimson Glory sites as of yet.

Click here for the official statement: powerlinead.wordpress.com/2009/07/10/official-stement-from-crimson-glory-on-midnights-death/

www.crimson-glory.com

www.myspace.com/crimsonglory

First Single for Arctic Monkeys’ New Album “Humbug” is — As Always — Great Rock and Roll, and Now Available for Download

“Crying Lightning.” It’s available on iTunes right now for a 99 cent download (the tangible version will be available in August). It’s not balls-to-the-wall style ala “The View From the Afternoon”… hey, it’s the “single.” Still a damn great rock and roll song and a good sign that “Humbug” is far from being… well, a bore.

Check out a sample on YouTube, both in studio (above) and live (below)  form.

hum⋅bug

British. a variety of hard mint candy.

Supergroup Chickenfoot Has Super Injury

Drummer Chad Smith is surely clucking right about now. He reaggravated an old injury and trying to heal his chicken wing as fast as possible. Canceled shows are inevitable.

Maybe with some downtime, Joe Satriani can concentrate on his lawsuits.