Touring keyboardist John "Spock" Zahner, whose credits include CRIMSON GLORY ('86-'89), SAVATAGE ('91-'92), CIRCLE II CIRCLE ('03) and JON OLIVA'S PAIN ('04-present) has issued the following thoughts on the passing of former Crimson Glory singer 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.

"My friend Midnight has passed and I will miss him! Midnight and I shared many years both on the road with Crimson Glory and in the last two years with Lee Harrison and my great friend Matt LaPorte. I am very fortunate to have written and performed music with him that will live; Because Midnight is timeless. Midnight was a creator of many forms of art which cannot be replaced for he was one of a kind.

I close my eyes, and I see Midnight sitting on the carpet, weaving like a snake and playing his acoustic guitar while he sang. Not knowing why but creating beautiful music effortlessly! The happy and the scary faces he made as his voice was soaring above the strident chords. Midnight wasn't done yet! He was trying to re-establish his place in the pantheon of rock and metal singers. Up to the end, recording CD's full of new and amazing music. Here was a musical talent that won't be seen again! When I see the influence Midnight has had on other musicians in various genres of music, I'm glad that he had Crimson Glory.

His other band mates can tell the early stories. Jon, Ben, Jeff, Midnight, Dana, myself and the Morris Brothers forged Transcendence; a unique combination of majestic metal and mystic madness. That and other Crimson Glory music have influenced many metal bands since! When we were in the studio recording Transcendence, Midnight would easily sing repeated takes outdoing himself each time. His view on the afterlife was there

as well. Listen to the words, it's very obvious Midnight understood about the next plane of existence.

"In death I've found the answer

In death I live again

Fear not the reapers blade

It does not mean the End

It never really ends"

On Saturday, July the 11th , we had a celebration of Midnight and his music. Hundreds of friends and family came out to remember him at the pavilion on Siesta Key Beach. Dana gave his eulogy surrounded by his other band mates. It was a very emotional moment. Matt LaPorte gave a very moving speech about his connection to Midnight. There was something quite poignant in his words that I wish to bring up. Matt asked the gathering to look at each other because this particular group would never be together again. This special assembly was reserved for Midnight alone.

After the balloons were released (all silver stars), we played some Crimson Glory, Savatage and BEATLES songs. The band consisted of Jon and Ben on acoustic guitar joined by Wade Black, Danae Drenning, Phil Anderson on hammer dulcimer, Matt LaPorte on mandolin, and myself on keys. The final song was 'Imagine' it just felt right.

Midnight made mundane magical. Miss you forever my friend."

Crimson Glory have been asked by ProgPower USA founder/promoter Glenn Harveston to headline the ProgPower USA tenth anniversary festival on Friday, September 11th, 2009 in Atlanta, GA. According to a Crimson Glory press release, "Wade Black will be the main vocalist for the show, but we are making plans to have several guest singers performing the classic Crimson Glory songs and honoring Midnight's legendary legacy in their own personal and unique ways. John Zahner will also be joining the band for this performance and we feel very fortunate to have him sharing his talent with us again. We plan to film the performance in its entirety for a DVD release later next year as part of the 25th anniversary of Crimson Glory."