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Former CRIMSON GLORY Singer MIDNIGHT Dead At 47
- July 8, 2009
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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." 
CRIMSON GLORY's classic "Lonely" video (off "Transcendence"): Midnight playing acoustic guitar and singing (October 2007): Midnight laying down tracks in 2008: "Red Sharks" audio only (off "Transcendence"):
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COMMENT | Damn...
posted by : Break Open
7/8/2009 4:53:13 AM
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Rest in peace. :(
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COMMENT | that´s sad
posted by :
7/8/2009 4:55:28 AM
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his voice in the middle part of "Red Sharks" was amazing...
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COMMENT | RIP
posted by :
7/8/2009 5:02:02 AM
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He definitely had his demons but was an extremely talented singer.
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COMMENT |
posted by :
7/8/2009 5:16:33 AM
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May he rest on the Eternal Skies... He will surely be missed. Thanks for all the music,my friend.
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COMMENT | hm....
posted by : megal0maniac
7/8/2009 5:28:32 AM
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well, yup, one of the greatest singers, is dead. Unfortunately ! But 25 margaritas a sit, are guaranteed to do your liver some damage !
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COMMENT |
posted by : Fani Dilth
7/8/2009 5:30:21 AM
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Wow... Total liver and kidney failure.
RIP
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COMMENT | oh lord!!
posted by : My Godless Endeavor
7/8/2009 5:38:30 AM
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When will the dying stop?!!
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COMMENT | OMG.......
posted by :
7/8/2009 5:48:23 AM
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One of my favorite singers EVER.
This is very,very,sad.
Rest in peace brother.
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COMMENT | ...
posted by :
7/8/2009 6:00:44 AM
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Midnight had an unreal voice! It will be greatly miss by underground metal fans! RIP
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COMMENT | RIP
posted by : schopenhauer
7/8/2009 6:11:00 AM
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A sad loss. One of the most individual and emotive voices, and 'Lost Reflection' remains an all time favourite vocal.
Condolences to his family and friends.
\m/
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COMMENT | :(
posted by : suela
7/8/2009 6:44:56 AM
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R.I.P.
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COMMENT | R.I.P. Midnight
posted by :
7/8/2009 6:59:30 AM
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"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"
CG - "Transcendence"
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COMMENT |
posted by :
7/8/2009 7:02:54 AM
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What the fuck?!
R.I.P.!
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COMMENT |
posted by : Nespithe
7/8/2009 7:18:50 AM
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Many of his lyrics seemed almost autobiographical: The dove is never free in panted skies, the silver clouds are only there
to hide the distant storm that's coming soon... It is a shame that he could only paint his picture a deeper shade of blue or grey.
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COMMENT |
posted by :
7/8/2009 7:52:15 AM
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I'm totally gutted at this.
RIP
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COMMENT |
posted by : dreadclown
7/8/2009 7:54:42 AM
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An amazing talent. RIP
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COMMENT | very sad
posted by : josh1982fla
7/8/2009 8:08:03 AM
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he was a great vocalist and CG was an awesome and underrated band
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COMMENT |
posted by : Acacia70
7/8/2009 8:16:14 AM
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Damn. Demon alcohol.
RIP Midnight. Thanks for the 2 great albums and a lifetime of listening to them.
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COMMENT | A Tragic Loss
posted by :
7/8/2009 8:16:14 AM
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Midnight was a vocalist that redefined lead vocals for metal in general, a great talent and more importantly a good soul for those closest to him, a legacy never truly realized and a talent lost to all of us the true metal faithful, Rest in peace John, you are free of the demon alcohol and now you can see past the darkened sky, Your spirit is with the others that left before you, Chuck Schuldiner, David Wayne, Cliff Burton, Rhett Forrester, and all the others sadly too numerous to mention here, We who are still here will still hear your voice in the wind.... R.I.P. \m/
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COMMENT |
posted by :
7/8/2009 8:22:52 AM
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A statement from CRIMSON GLORY will be forthcoming.
Obviously everyone in the band is deeply saddened by Midnight's passing.
In the meantime, fans and friends alike are encouraged to post their sentiments at the following pages:
http://www.crimson-glory.com
http://www.savintage.com/cgforum
http://www.myspace.com/crimsonglory
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COMMENT |
posted by : rds
7/8/2009 8:54:13 AM
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RIP
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COMMENT |
posted by :
7/8/2009 9:05:25 AM
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Ride on Metal Brother R.I.P
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COMMENT | Thanks for the music.
posted by :
7/8/2009 9:17:42 AM
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If those once-rumored Astronomica tracks with Midnight actually exist, this would be the time to release them. I can't even listen to that album, as is, but it would be phenomenal with him.
Obviously, the first album was great, and Transcendence is a classic, but let me cast a minority vote by saying that Strange and Beautiful was a great album too. The main problem with it was the track order, but I just program it in my own order, and it jams. I especially enjoy it when I'm relaxing "under the influence".
I'm looking forward to blasting out all three of those cds today.
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COMMENT |
posted by :
7/8/2009 9:22:11 AM
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I will blast Lady of winter today. R.I.P.
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COMMENT | Midnight
posted by : daginman
7/8/2009 9:27:58 AM
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Rest In Pieces bro, and may you raise hell wherever you go now. Here's a chinchin from your biggest fan!
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COMMENT | RIP Midnight...
posted by :
7/8/2009 9:58:14 AM
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terrible news...
one of the best voices ever is now silenced...
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COMMENT |
posted by :
7/8/2009 10:00:52 AM
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R.I.P
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COMMENT | not sure how I feel here
posted by :
7/8/2009 10:17:40 AM
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I think of the time I was in a bidding war on eBay for an original 'Transcendence' t shit. I paid a $100.00 for that shirt. Later I find out it was Christoph (Widow) that I was in battle with. Apparently there was another big fan out there.
When I was younger and a vocalist in bands this guy was one of my vocal hereos I guess one could say. He seemed to have disappeared for sometime. Then I started to hear rumors that he was in pretty bad shape and wasn't what he once was. Still I held on to what I knew of him or rather what I had made him out to be.
Finally I would get to meet him in Atlanta a few years back. It was a very sad moment for me. I'm not sure if it was seeing this man as bad off as he was or if it was the realization of there being no need to have heroes...Still my eyes glazed over once I heard of this.
But now the hopeless dream of another "true" Crimson Glory album can be put to rest alongside of Midnight.
Fly away Dream Dancer your demon are now gone.
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COMMENT | Only one thing to do....
posted by :
7/8/2009 10:30:09 AM
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and that's crank some Transcendence in his honour! This is what I am currently doing.......
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COMMENT |
posted by : eatmetalforlife
7/8/2009 11:08:46 AM
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sad day for metal and metal fans but the saddest thing about his passing is that neither the music industry nor the mainstream media, and this is even sadder but true, but even some metalheads don't even know who midnight is and what his contributions to the art of music have been and how he and his music have impacted the lives of countless metalheads.
how many metal artists have died these recent pasts who have been working their butts off on stage to bring metal to the masses but have been totally ignored? Dimebag is one example. a big news and a shocker to the metal world but totally ignored by the mainstream media. well, i guess that's why theiy're called "mainstream" because it's such a controlled medium.
not to diss on michael jackson but he was bankrupt so he was gonna revive his career, but where was he when his fans wanted more of him? he didn't give back but the mainstream media and music industry just went exaggeratingly lapping on to evrything michael jackson. blind adulation and all.
definitely a sad day for midnight's family, friends and the metal world.
R.I.P.
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COMMENT |
posted by : JJR
7/8/2009 11:15:58 AM
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RIP
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COMMENT | RIP Midnight
posted by : The Game Is Called The End
7/8/2009 11:30:40 AM
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This is terrible news. His voice was incredible and his talent undeniable. I was just listening to him with CG on the 4th of July on a mix CD I made for the party.
May the journey just be beginning for him.
\m/
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COMMENT | Never heard of him or Crimson Glory
posted by :
7/8/2009 11:32:21 AM
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Not sure how that's even possible...
But that song in the video is pretty good... and the guy did have an amazing voice.
I'm going to have to check out the couple other albums people have mentioned.
RIP
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COMMENT | RIP
posted by : profmacdaddy
7/8/2009 11:50:26 AM
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Condolences to Midnight's family and friends. Clearly an amazing but troubled talent. Transcendence is clearly one of the top power metal albums of all time!!!
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COMMENT | eatmetal: another perspective
posted by :
7/8/2009 11:52:51 AM
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Yeah, sure, his funeral won't be broadcast around the world. But at a minimum, there are thousands of people who have been made happy countless times listening to his unique music. Most of those people still listen to those cds and will enjoy his singing even until they die. Not a bad legacy, in my opinion. I've had a good life, but outside of my friends and family, nobody will remember me when I die. And I certainly never enriched the lives of thousands, as Midnight and CG have done. He died too young, but a lot of people die in total anonymity. He didn't. We're talking about him, even though I never knew him and I got my last cd of his eighteen years ago.
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COMMENT | Sad day indeed.
posted by :
7/8/2009 11:57:17 AM
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One of the greatest metal singers and lyricists ever. Midnight was a huge influence on me and I'm sure many other aspiring metal singers. This is a great loss, especially since we now know a new Crimson Glory with his amazing voice will never become reality. R.I.P. brother.
-Shadow Breed
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COMMENT | Wow!!!!!!!
posted by : Neil Young's Cocaine Booger
7/8/2009 12:19:26 PM
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What a sad way to begin the day.
RIP Midnight
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COMMENT | hmm..
posted by : megal0maniac
7/8/2009 12:35:37 PM
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the astro album - was meant to be recorded again with midnight as pat of the BLR deal that fell through.
Dunno if there are ANY early demos.
Damn it... i just begin to realize this now !
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COMMENT | R.I.P.
posted by : BlackBehemoth
7/8/2009 12:36:23 PM
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Farewell to the "KING" of the masquerade.
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COMMENT | sad
posted by : Bunghole in the Jungle
7/8/2009 12:38:09 PM
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sad, but I think people who knew of him and followed the events around CG, seen this coming eventually.
I agree that it will be awesome if the version of Astronomica with him singing was completed and is just sitting around. I doubt it though.
The original Astronomica with Wade singing, is a decent album, but the mix absolutely kills it, everything is just too damn high or something. I'd settle for a remixed/remastered version of that.
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COMMENT | Holy crap.
posted by :
7/8/2009 12:52:45 PM
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Very sad. RIP.
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COMMENT | Agree with Rando
posted by : KISSOFF 2004
7/8/2009 12:52:57 PM
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...that Strange and Beautiful is underrated.
R.I.P. Midnight
An amazing talent. Seek out those first three albums by CG if you haven't already.
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COMMENT |
posted by : Dark Lady
7/8/2009 1:01:04 PM
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One of my all time favorite singers. Amazing voice.
Possum will miss ya, Mid.
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COMMENT | eatmetalforlife
posted by :
7/8/2009 1:02:00 PM
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Hey eatmetalforlife,
1) "working their butts off on stage to bring metal to the masses but have been totally ignored? Dimebag is one example."
Dimebag was not "totally ignored". Are you on drugs? Dimebag was on the cover of every guitar mag, in Rolling Stone, Billboard, platinum and gold records, huge endorsements, selling out arenas worldwide. He was not totally ignored. Get your facts straight.
2) "not to diss on michael jackson but he was bankrupt "
Get your facts straight again. Michael Jackson was not bankrupt. In fact, totally the opposite. He was worth around 500 million before he died and had debts around 200-300 million. So he was worth ALOT of money. Now that he died, he will be worth many times that.
3) "where was he when his fans wanted more of him? he didn't give back"
He holds the record for the most money given to charity and also for giving to the most charities. Again, stop spouting off BS when you know nothing about what you are talking about.
I do agree with you that it is a sad day when anyone passes on, especialy for his family.
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COMMENT | Veritas
posted by :
7/8/2009 1:46:55 PM
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If you appreciate this man and what he stood for then take his and more importantly Metal music forward.
Not one of us will ever die if the next generation embrace what we are, what we want to be and what we listen to.
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COMMENT | This is very sad indeed..........
posted by : red shark
7/8/2009 2:08:30 PM
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Thank you, Midnight for all the memories your music has given me and to the rest of the metal brothers. You will not be forgotten. RIP.
n/p: Strange and Beautiful
You can tell I'm a big fan by my username.
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COMMENT | Looks like Axe_therapist..........
posted by : red shark
7/8/2009 2:11:46 PM
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needs to get him some therapy. You need a hug or cookie?
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COMMENT | coulda woulda shoulda
posted by : BIG KAY
7/8/2009 2:43:46 PM
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When will people grow up ?! I mean come on we are not 20 years old no more ! Livers and kidneys demand respect !
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COMMENT | damn...
posted by :
7/8/2009 2:56:06 PM
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One of the MOST amazing voices in metal, period. He did things that most can only dream of. He is a legend. thanks for the great, groundbreaking music.
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COMMENT | Screams from the grave
posted by :
7/8/2009 3:12:23 PM
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Your music will live on forever. Midnight was one of the best vocalists in the melodic metal scene. It was no secret Midnight enjoyed all drugs and alcohol he had done in his career. Too bad it had to end this way.
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COMMENT | RIP...
posted by :
7/8/2009 3:23:23 PM
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again we lose one of the greatest rock singers ever !!
he will be missed....thank god his music will stay forever !!
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COMMENT | Today we lost a true Champion of Metal! R.I.P my Friend!!!
posted by : bulldog69
7/8/2009 3:44:44 PM
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Midnight was one of the greatest singers in Metal history! His voice will live on in are hearts, minds and soul's forever! I'm very glad I had a chance to see and meet him back in 1988 and 1989 in Tampa Florida. Those shows I saw, are in my all time top 10, out of 250+ shows I have seen up to this point in my life. He will truely be missed! but never forgotten! R.I.P My Friend!!!!
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COMMENT |
posted by : Neo139
7/8/2009 4:16:49 PM
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The best voice in the world singing the best compositions in the world makes the best album in th world. We will always have Transcendence.
R.I.P.
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COMMENT |
posted by :
7/8/2009 4:18:40 PM
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What a strange coincidence - I've been listening to Crimson Glory's 2 albums all day yesterday admiring his vocal talents.
And what a shock it was to read this devastating news item today!
Unreal.
Yesterday I was thinking what their next album with him would sound like...
He had a great, amazing voice.
This is really sad.
My deep condolences to his family and friends.
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COMMENT |
posted by :
7/8/2009 4:50:12 PM
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Very Very sad!! I really enjoyed his talent. I've been a fan since '86 honestly. What a "Lost Reflection". My underrated favorite artist are all dying young lately...Ean Evans now Midnight......
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COMMENT | :(
posted by :
7/8/2009 5:49:05 PM
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No words to say...
R.I.P.
Your music lives on!
I'm very for having the change to meet you some years ago...
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COMMENT |
posted by : blacky656
7/8/2009 6:09:58 PM
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Damnit I loved that band and hoped he would pull it together.. :(
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COMMENT | RIP
posted by :
7/8/2009 10:57:43 PM
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another great metal vocalist is gone :(
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COMMENT | CAGE says RIP
posted by : seanpeck
7/9/2009 12:30:28 PM
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I always list the first 2 CG albums as a major influence and Transcendence is probably my favorite album and one of the greatest vocel performances of all time. We were going to have Midnight guest vocal on HELL DESTROYER and now of course I wish we would have followed through with that damn! I saw them play on the Transcendence tour in Tijuana Mexico and it was in my top 2 shows ever. Now we go forth heavily influenced by the fanatstic contributions to power metal he made. See you in Heaven my friend.
CAGE
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COMMENT | What a sad way to end this day. :(
posted by : Midnight Glory
7/9/2009 7:48:28 PM
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He was my favourite voice in metal and always will be. Shit this is sad news. My thoughts go out to all!
R.I.P Midnight! or rather, rock the hell out of heaven and serenade the angels.
C ya later!
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COMMENT | to Sean Peck
posted by : Midnight Glory
7/9/2009 7:51:06 PM
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I can hear the influence in your voice. Love you and Cage! Lets have a toast for one of the greats.
This ones for you Mid!
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COMMENT | funeral for a freind
posted by :
7/10/2009 10:10:20 AM
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i am deeply saddened about the death of midnight.
i grew up both a fan of CG and midnight himself.
i met him 3years ago on line and we became freinds.
i got the rare privalage to record some keyboards on his final cd. i got to spend some quality time with him in his last days in the studio. it was so incredibly awesome both working with him and hanging out with him it was priceless!
u know it's weird, i just saw him in the studio a month ago.
when i told him goodbye i didnt realize that was our farewell.
im both sad and grateful for my time with him.
i can't find the proper words to truley express my emotions.
zane black
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COMMENT | True Fans
posted by :
7/18/2009 12:04:12 AM
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Reading thru these comments you all have honored his memory and his music
R.I.P Midnight Valhala awaits you
ChrisW
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COMMENT | MEMORY
posted by :
7/18/2009 5:16:39 PM
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Midnight Rest In peace We are sad,for you THE END has come too soon you could not hear our MAYDAY to LOOK DEEP INSIDE YOUR HEART and stay IN THE MOOD to LOVE & DREAM our LOST REFLECTION could not MAKE YOU LOVE ME(US).
Now FARAWAY IN DARK PLACES, cross the BURNING BRIDGES where the DRAGON LADY will remove your MASQUE OF RED DEATH enter into the PROMISE LAND of VALHALLA, AZRAEL & the ANGELS OF WAR will welcome you into it's ETERNAL WORLD of PAINTED SKIES WHERE DRAGONS RULE,and the STRANGE AND BEAUTIFUL LADY OF WINTER who swims in THE DEEP with RED SHARKS sings the SONG FOR ANGELS that will protect your HEART OF STEEL,DANCE ON FIRE with the QUEEN OF THE MASQUERADE in the STARCHAMBER where you will never be LONELY.We will forever hear THE CHANT of your TRANSCENDACE music.
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COMMENT |
posted by : black_art
9/12/2009 6:10:31 AM
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he was a great singer :)= and i only like and listen to crimson glory with his vocals!
so he shall be remembered for sure!
R.
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