JON OLIVA'S PAIN Guitarist Pays Tribute To CRIMSON GLORY Frontman And Writing Partner MIDNIGHT - "Mourning The Loss Of My Beloved Brother"
July 11, 2009, 15 years ago
JON OLIVA'S PAIN guitarist Matt LaPorte, who wrote and recorded several songs with CRIMSON GLORY frontman Midnight over the last couple years, has posted the following message:
"Distraught and in mourning about the loss of my beloved brother MidnightMidnight spent his final hours surrounded by his mother, brother, daughter and friends. I will miss my partner — 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."
As previously reported, Midnight's official MySpace page is currently streaming several songs recorded with LaPorte and MONSTROSITY drummer Lee Harrison. They include a cover of Sara McLachlan's 'Arms Of An Angel', an acoustic rendition of Crimson Glory's 'Painted Skies' with JOP / SAVATAGE frontman Jon Oliva sharing lead vocals and playing piano, and a cover of STONE SOUR's 'Through Glass'.
Midnight (real name John Patrick McDonald Jr.) passed away on Wednesday, July 8th at 3:30am EST due to kidney and liver failure. He was 47 years old. A public memorial service will be held at 6:30 p.m. today (Saturday, July 11th) at Siesta Public Beach in Sarasota, Florida
Midnight is survived by his mother, Patricia A. Gentry of Sarasota; his brothers, Andrew and Matthew McDonald of Sarasota; his sister, Terry April of Sarasota; his daughters, Ariel and Heaven of Dallas; and his grandson, Benjamin.
