I can’t understand how people can so casually criticize Mark for turning to drugs. Have an ounce of empathy! This guy went from being the new guitarist in one of the biggest bands in the world, to coming down with a debilitating disease that prevented him from proceeding with this dream come true! He must have gone through severe and traumatic depression. I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy. I have nothing but very sorry feelings for this lost soul. A soul that was phenomenally talented, and may have grown to be the best KISS guitarist ever. His work on Animalize was truly outstanding.
I was privileged to have spent some time with Mark St. John. We were neighbors in Garden Grove California where he lived down the road from Gary Street. A great personality but at the time, we were into the nitty gritty (If you know what I mean). I remember seeing him in his garage grinding away on his guitars which led to me giving him a grinder which he needed, (Sorry Dad, Mark St. John needed it [White Lion, Kiss!]). I remember one night we got pretty wired and we climbed a gated apartment building and took a dip in the facility's jacuzzi. With excitement rushing through us as we scaled the gates, and then eased in the jacuzzi, I enquired what was it like to have played with Kiss. He responded with "how would you like to be around a bunch of New Yorkers" as we laughed intently. On another occasion, we were hanging out in his garage where guitars and shiny albums were crowded onto his garage walls. I was awe struck at this Kramer electric guitar that I couldn't keep my eyes off and asked if I could take it down from its pedestal. As a gentle giant that Mark was, he concurred and plug it into an amplifier, and I started jamming. I was crazy about this electric Kramer which played like a jewel. I played a rift I had created in the years that I had played guitar and he asked me to play it again. To my astonishment, Mark admired my rift asked me to forge on and to finish the song. Till this day, I haven't completed it. As I was chomping away on the guitar, Mark handed me a guitar magazine. He swiped through the pages and stopped on a page where Eddie Van Halen was holding the same guitar I held in my hand. He looked at me smiled and went on doing what he was doing. Apparently, all the famed rockers knew Mark and partied hard with him. From the likes of Motley Crue to Van Halen that came over to bark at the moon till dawn. I know he had regrets and I'm sure he would have done more and accomplished many feats if it wasn't for the arthritis. It was a pleasure to make you acquaintance Mark St. John. God bless and I know you are jamming on the other side. Btw.......KNAC rocks!!!
Drugs and demons took Mark. He was so unknown for what his art was worth. Even to this day when I hear his stuff, Im stunned at how good he really was. KISS was just a place inhis life, but his playing was way beyond his time with them.
Mark Norton (Anaheim, California; 7 de febrero de 1956-New York; 5 de abril de 2007) fue un guitarrista estadounidense, reconocido principalmente por haber tocado en la banda de rock Kiss, con quienes grabó el álbum de 1984 Animalize.
It might as well be a Paul solo album because in '84, Paul did all the heavy lifting while Gene went on to make bad movies that nobody went to see in the theatre. Gene left Paul to put together his songs and Gene didn't play bass on every song. Paul was the person who kept the engine running and that is why there are only 9 songs on the album
@@marywise7661 I agree . Gene's feedback here is awful . But Stanley's remarks are totally out of line . They could have saved him , Fck they are rich enough ! 500 millions combined ! But nope !
He was awesome with his own style like van halen on speed its sad only one record and his solo album cool songs there to rock on in heaven forever 🎸🎸🎸🇳🇴😎
such a humble human being a really sweet man and an awesome guitar player .if he had not have gotten the arthritis in his hand i believe he may have been with them many more years,god bless him
Unfortunately Mark had a sad life. He just couldnt get away from the drugs and all the chaos that goes along with that lifestyle. Animalize is one of my favorite metal albums to come out of the 1980's and I'm hardly a huge Kiss fan. RIP Mark.
and what would that miserable excuse for a human being know about the talent of guitar players ?,and the Liza Manil tribute act is hardly in a position to judge looks . all paul ever really wanted in a guitar player was someone who would do as there told while worshiping him and for as little money as possible, and he finally got it .shame the guys voice has gone to sound like someones drunk great grandfather ,but that doesn't stop him selling his legacy for that want of more .
The best guitar sound & playing of any Kiss album - after Ace - was on Animalize_ Definitely the best Kiss album post 1982's 'Creatures' to date_ Really sad story about this Mark St. John guitarist
God bless him but he was such an odd choice for the band who was completely lost at the time. if VV wasn't and still is a head case he would have been perfect to replace Ace for the remainder of the makeup years. Bruce Kulick is such a great guy and a great player.
Gene needs to control absolutely every aspect of this interview! John RIP was a hired gun. They obviously didn't want him talking. Gene's behavior is down-right rude, right here! Mark seemed like a nice humble dude. Glad he got to have some fame and fun in his life! Recorded an album with KISS! Beyond Impressive😌
And Mark also got to play three shows live with the band. So at least he got to experience a little taste of Arena level rock and got to rock out in front of thousands of KISS fans!! KISS released one of Mark's shows last year as an Off the Soundboard live album (Poughkeepsie NY 11/28/1984). It's so so cool to hear Mark tear it up live with the band!! Wish there was video of Mark live with KISS. Oh well RIP Mark (and Eric Carr)
They didn't pick on him because of drugs. Just like they toured with ACDC Motely Crue and every other band who partied their ass off. They bad mouthed Mark because they thought he was weak.
@@JustK009 Ace said in his biography he eventually left after Paul wanted to put his arm up there as well, it was bad enough Gene getting to do it backstage on tour.
Boy the way Gene shovels it we all need hip high boots. They made Marks life hell in kiss that’s where the arthritis came from.He was great in White Tiger and the Marl St John Project was awesome . To bad he hooked up with Peter Criss and his Drug life style which MIGHT have cause his his life to spiral out of control.And all the BS Peter was saying about him in his book you will notice Peter waited til Mark was dead to say about him. R.I.P Mark you were great and to good for Kiss.
If it wasn't true, there was ZERO reason for Pete to make that up. It wasn't a selling point of the book and Pete gave it minimal attention. And blaming Kiss for arthritis is ridiculous.
@@spaceknight793 if it was true then it would have come out sooner. If Peter didn’t say it someone else would have. No one has said Anything about since, if it was true there would be talk about today when they talk about Mark.
@@colby7609 I’m not blaming Peter I’m stating a fact , read the book , the things he said about mark. No he did not sleep with kids , no one said he did Peter said he was looking up kid porn sites . No where did I say Peter said he was with kids or blaming anyone. It’s in the book what I said READ IT!!
Never liked Mark St John or Vinnie Vincent in the band. They did not fit the style and sound of the band. Bruce, was tremendous, on lead guitar for his 11 tenure!!!
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Gene looks like he's working a ventriloquist doll and poor Mark looks like he's been taken hostage.
One of the most amazing guitarists of the 1980's. It's a damned shame what happened to him. R.I.P. Mark St. John.
😂😂😂
He was such a tremendously talented guitar player. If there is a heaven, I hope Mark St. John is there now.
Too bad he couldn't play the same thing twice.
@@68corvette08 Thats what paul says, but how true really was it?
@@ausman05 Yeah, I just think Paul had an excuse for everything. Playing the same thing twice on the guitar should be a no brainer.
@@68corvette08 I think that anyone who does drugs and alcohol is automatically a asshole to paul and gene and they just put shit on them for it.
He was ugly too that’s for sure and that’s coming from PAUL and Gene ha
I can’t understand how people can so casually criticize Mark for turning to drugs. Have an ounce of empathy! This guy went from being the new guitarist in one of the biggest bands in the world, to coming down with a debilitating disease that prevented him from proceeding with this dream come true! He must have gone through severe and traumatic depression. I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy. I have nothing but very sorry feelings for this lost soul. A soul that was phenomenally talented, and may have grown to be the best KISS guitarist ever. His work on Animalize was truly outstanding.
Mark St. John said the arthritis was a cover story when in truth he was replaced by Bruce kulick.
No one can hurt him now. I hope he's making music in that forever dimension.
I don't understand. Who hurt him?
I was privileged to have spent some time with Mark St. John. We were neighbors in Garden Grove California where he lived down the road from Gary Street. A great personality but at the time, we were into the nitty gritty (If you know what I mean). I remember seeing him in his garage grinding away on his guitars which led to me giving him a grinder which he needed, (Sorry Dad, Mark St. John needed it [White Lion, Kiss!]).
I remember one night we got pretty wired and we climbed a gated apartment building and took a dip in the facility's jacuzzi. With excitement rushing through us as we scaled the gates, and then eased in the jacuzzi, I enquired what was it like to have played with Kiss. He responded with "how would you like to be around a bunch of New Yorkers" as we laughed intently.
On another occasion, we were hanging out in his garage where guitars and shiny albums were crowded onto his garage walls. I was awe struck at this Kramer electric guitar that I couldn't keep my eyes off and asked if I could take it down from its pedestal. As a gentle giant that Mark was, he concurred and plug it into an amplifier, and I started jamming. I was crazy about this electric Kramer which played like a jewel. I played a rift I had created in the years that I had played guitar and he asked me to play it again. To my astonishment, Mark admired my rift asked me to forge on and to finish the song. Till this day, I haven't completed it. As I was chomping away on the guitar, Mark handed me a guitar magazine. He swiped through the pages and stopped on a page where Eddie Van Halen was holding the same guitar I held in my hand. He looked at me smiled and went on doing what he was doing. Apparently, all the famed rockers knew Mark and partied hard with him. From the likes of Motley Crue to Van Halen that came over to bark at the moon till dawn.
I know he had regrets and I'm sure he would have done more and accomplished many feats if it wasn't for the arthritis. It was a pleasure to make you acquaintance Mark St. John. God bless and I know you are jamming on the other side. Btw.......KNAC rocks!!!
Cocaine ?
Is it true he's a pedo?
Mark was in white tiger not lion..I also heard he liked children...also you dont know that its called riff not rift and i think your a liar
No such thing as a rift ..they are call riffs ..guitar riffs..your no player
Drugs and demons took Mark. He was so unknown for what his art was worth. Even to this day when I hear his stuff, Im stunned at how good he really was. KISS was just a place inhis life, but his playing was way beyond his time with them.
Long live the memory of the late, great Mark St. John.
xoxo The Clarences
Mark's White Tiger album is complete Rock and Roll gold.
he seemed shy.....RIP
Mark Norton (Anaheim, California; 7 de febrero de 1956-New York; 5 de abril de 2007) fue un guitarrista estadounidense, reconocido principalmente por haber tocado en la banda de rock Kiss, con quienes grabó el álbum de 1984 Animalize.
Guitar-wise, Animalize was my favorite of the non-makeup Kiss. Strong, solid songs with top-notch guitarwork all through the album.
Agreed, ROM. Very solid '80's "glam-metal" album. A strong, solid album. Good to work out to ...
Real headbanger, that album is
It might as well be a Paul solo album because in '84, Paul did all the heavy lifting while Gene went on to make bad movies that nobody went to see in the theatre. Gene left Paul to put together his songs and Gene didn't play bass on every song.
Paul was the person who kept the engine running and that is why there are only 9 songs on the album
Revenge is easily the best of those albums.
Gene and Paul look terrified whenever another member speaks
After a decade with Ace, they probably had good reason to be. 😊
Addiction to control was & still is common with those 2
Rest In Peace Mark
escuché el Animalize cuando tenia 13 años y me voló los sesos, le agradezco mucho a esta persona ese album es una gran parte de mi vida.
May he rest in peace. He wasn't lucky. I felt pretty bad the way Gene remembers Mark. He doesn't deserve any of these remarks. Thoughts and Prayers.
all the bad remarks come from stanley and in the interviews with him i have seen.
@@marywise7661 I agree . Gene's feedback here is awful . But Stanley's remarks are totally out of line . They could have saved him , Fck they are rich enough ! 500 millions combined ! But nope !
@@romainlavoie1526 i wish they could have .such a talented musician .i have lost all respect for stanley takin shots at a dead man so awful
He was awesome with his own style like van halen on speed its sad only one record and his solo album cool songs there to rock on in heaven forever 🎸🎸🎸🇳🇴😎
such a humble human being a really sweet man and an awesome guitar player .if he had not have gotten the arthritis in his hand i believe he may have been with them many more years,god bless him
If he could have only acted normal and stayed drug free. But if Vinnie had acted normal, there would have been no Mark.
And if there was no Mark, there would have been no Bruce...
@@jondunmore4268 And if there were no Bruce, there would've been no Ace.....
And if there'd been no Ace, there'd been no Thayer....
Unfortunately Mark had a sad life.
He just couldnt get away from the drugs and all the chaos that goes along with that lifestyle.
Animalize is one of my favorite metal albums to come out of the 1980's and I'm hardly a huge Kiss fan.
RIP Mark.
Wow, nice words ...
Gene and his RIDICULOUS WIGS!!!
Wigs?
seemed like a nice dude
I wish Mark would have been able to enjoy more of being with KISS. Seemed like such a decent guy. RIP.
Have you read Peter Criss's book? According to Pete, Mark had a very dark problem.
@@spaceknight793 yeah but how true is that really? He's a known storyteller.
Mark sucha sweet guy he seemed😮 and brill guitar player...what a loss for Kiss
Mark had frankfurter fingers and was a real schlub- Paul Stanley
and what would that miserable excuse for a human being know about the talent of guitar players ?,and the Liza Manil tribute act is hardly in a position to judge looks .
all paul ever really wanted in a guitar player was someone who would do as there told while worshiping him and for as little money as possible, and he finally got it .shame the guys voice has gone to sound like someones drunk great grandfather ,but that doesn't stop him selling his legacy for that want of more .
@@fig1115 -- It's a good thing you can't write, so that Paul never has to read what you tried to write in English.
His album "Magic Bullet Theory" is amazing...as is the EP "Mark St. John Project." Check them out.
I have them. Check out his other band White Tiger.
@@ACEDIAMOND666 I have the CD. Honestly, I like Magic Bullet Theory a lot more, but White Tiger is pretty cool.
God, no way would his quietly humble personality ever lasted in that band.
The best guitar sound & playing of any Kiss album - after Ace - was on Animalize_ Definitely the best Kiss album post 1982's 'Creatures' to date_ Really sad story about this Mark St. John guitarist
Wow, Gene just can't keep his mouth shut.
Nothing has changed there
R.I.P…. The specter…!
God bless him but he was such an odd choice for the band who was completely lost at the time. if VV wasn't and still is a head case he would have been perfect to replace Ace for the remainder of the makeup years. Bruce Kulick is such a great guy and a great player.
Gene needs to control absolutely every aspect of this interview! John RIP was a hired gun. They obviously didn't want him talking. Gene's behavior is down-right rude, right here!
Mark seemed like a nice humble dude. Glad he got to have some fame and fun in his life! Recorded an album with KISS!
Beyond Impressive😌
And Mark also got to play three shows live with the band. So at least he got to experience a little taste of Arena level rock and got to rock out in front of thousands of KISS fans!! KISS released one of Mark's shows last year as an Off the Soundboard live album (Poughkeepsie NY 11/28/1984). It's so so cool to hear Mark tear it up live with the band!! Wish there was video of Mark live with KISS. Oh well
RIP Mark (and Eric Carr)
Shit Tommy thayer is more a member than him
@@Bls-of1ld
I know Tommy personally.
He's actually a great human being!
Gene's wig is slipping back. 😂😂😂
It sounds like Mr. Slave from South Park
I wonder if the damning accusations Peter Criss made about him in his book have any Merrit. FAR, FAR worse than drug addiction
Look at how creepy Gene is. Just a full-on super creepy and always in marketing mode.
He sounds a bit light on his feet 🤣
Such a shame that we were robbed of seeing mark's full potential... RIP Mark
Huh. Thanx, Gene
RIP Mark
Molly An Aussie Legend
More of a Gene Simmons interview with his hand in Mark's back working him like a ventriloquist puppet and speaking for Mark.
They didn't pick on him because of drugs. Just like they toured with ACDC Motely Crue and every other band who partied their ass off. They bad mouthed Mark because they thought he was weak.
Mark's interview with Gene.
I never listen to Animalize? maybe I should now.
its a horrible generic pop fluff-hard rock album. hey, some people are into it. i consider it one of Kiss's worst, along with Crazy Nights.
Gene setting there controlling Mark like a puppet, wouldn't be surprised if he had his hand up his ass making movement for him.
Almost up to his throat by the looks of things
Well Gene did mention a initiation ceremony
@@JustK009 Ace said in his biography he eventually left after Paul wanted to put his arm up there as well, it was bad enough Gene getting to do it backstage on tour.
cool
What was his initiation???
He had to sit in the backseat of a car in between Paul and Gene and go on a 12 hour road trip. Oh the horror
What a goofball. What were they thinking?
Dude OD’d on crank
NO HE DIDN'T! IF YOU DONT KNOW WHAT YOU TALKING ABOUT STFU
Seriously? Any news reports from the time??
Drug kill was a mess that guy
Drug kill was a mess that guy............. keep working on that English. You'll figure it out some day.
More like a gene interview
So awkward and wrong for KISS...I mean I loved Animalize, but here it's painful to watch!
Is it gêne or Mark interwiew ?!?!
Boy the way Gene shovels it we all need hip high boots. They made Marks life hell in kiss that’s where the arthritis came from.He was great in White Tiger and the Marl St John Project was awesome . To bad he hooked up with Peter Criss and his Drug life style which MIGHT have cause his his life to spiral out of control.And all the BS Peter was saying about him in his book you will notice Peter waited til Mark was dead to say about him. R.I.P Mark you were great and to good for Kiss.
If it wasn't true, there was ZERO reason for Pete to make that up. It wasn't a selling point of the book and Pete gave it minimal attention. And blaming Kiss for arthritis is ridiculous.
@@spaceknight793 if it was true then it would have come out sooner. If Peter didn’t say it someone else would have. No one has said Anything about since, if it was true there would be talk about today when they talk about Mark.
@@spaceknight793 and also Mark himself said that it was because of the way kiss made him play cause his arthritis in his hand.
Didn't Peter say that Mark was a Pedo and caught him with some not-so-nice things? Stop blaming Peter for everything.
@@colby7609 I’m not blaming Peter I’m stating a fact , read the book , the things he said about mark. No he did not sleep with kids , no one said he did Peter said he was looking up kid porn sites . No where did I say Peter said he was with kids or blaming anyone. It’s in the book what I said READ IT!!
Con trib bu ta tion.
Females
Never liked Mark St John or Vinnie Vincent in the band. They did not fit the style and sound of the band. Bruce, was tremendous, on lead guitar for his 11 tenure!!!