R.I.P. – Midnight (ex-Crimson Glory) (1962-2009)
From Blabbermouth:
BLABBERMOUTH.NET has learned that former CRIMSON GLORY frontman Midnight (real name: John Patrick Jr. McDonald) passed away earlier today (Wednesday, July 8) from “total kidney and liver failure.” He was 47 years old.
According to JON OLIVA’S PAIN guitarist Matt LaPorte, who played on some of Midnight’s recent solo recordings, the singer spent his final hours surrounded by his mother, brother, daughter as well as members of CRIMSON GLORY, SAVATAGE, and JON OLIVA’S PAIN. His death occurred at 3:45 a.m EST at St. Anthony’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida.
“I will miss my partner Midnight — the greatest voice and friend I’ve ever known,” LaPorte told BLABBERMOUTH.NET. He added, “In spite of his demons, [Midnight] was a beautiful soul who constantly changed the lives of those he met and came into contact with.”
Midnight sang on CRIMSON GLORY’s first three albums — “Crimson Glory” (1986), “Transcendence” (1988) and “Strange and Beautiful” (1991) — before going into self-imposed exile for almost a decade. He eventually rejoined CRIMSON GLORY in 2005 but was dismissed in January 2007 following the revelation that he was arrested in Sarasota, Florida and charged with “DUI [driving under the influence] with .20 [blood-alcohol level] or higher or having a passenger under 18″ years of age. Midnight, who gave his occupation as “painter” to the authorities at the time of the arrest, was also cited for driving with a suspended/ cancelled/ revoked license.
Last fall, Midnight announced plans to release a new solo CD called “All Souls Midnight” which was to feature the “Acoustic Crimson” EP (four songs) along with the lost “Midnight Mass” recordings from the late ’80s/early ’90s plus some other “cool rarities.”
July 9, 2009 at 2:46 am
Lost Reflections is still my very favorite CG song. Sleep well, Midnight.
July 9, 2009 at 4:28 am
Although it’s been 25 years or more since I met you, and almost as long since I last saw you, your voice still lives on in my memories. I am just now finding out about your passing now, and it’s strange because I was just today turning some friends who had never heard it on to “Transcendence”, which is still one of my all time top listens. RIP, my friend…
Oz
July 9, 2009 at 1:13 pm
Rock lost one of its finest warriors…I hope your demons are finally laid to rest and you are at Peace. I am honoured to have known you and forever how brief a time it was, to call you my friend. You touched more lives than you can ever imagine. My heart is with your family.
Rock on, my brother… \mm/
July 16, 2009 at 7:08 am
Nyugodjek bekeben! (RIP)
He is (will remain) one of my favorit singer!
Lost Reflection, Transendence, Lonely … my very favirit songs of all times.