As previously reported, former CRIMSON GLORY frontman 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 memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 11th at 6:30pm at Siesta Key (FL) public beach (just south of main pavillion). This celebration of Midnight's life will be open to all who wish to attend.

The band has issued the following statement:

"Midnight was a very special soul with a beautiful heart...

To try to describe his many gifts through the limiting restraints of text and typeset is like trying to describe a thousand rainbows to a blind man who never learned to count. His mind was both extraordinarily beautiful and enticingly frightening, an indescribably mysterious place from which came some of the most brilliantly creative and soulfully poignant lyrics in the history of heavy metal. He was not always understood, but his talents were undeniable and transcended far beyond the bounds of our weaker imaginations.

As is the case with all truly great artists, Midnight was hounded by his demons...but he put them to work, using them to pull back the curtains of his cosmic wonderland and reveal the pieces and parts that made him who he was: the soft vulnerable child, the eccentric and maniacal genius, the soaring passionate believer, the charming and mischievous imp, the wistful dream weaver...discovering Midnight was like discovering a new reality for us; we knew from the moment we first heard him sing that he was something special, and we all feel honored that he shared himself not just with us, but with the rest of the world.

Midnight's voice was truly unique; he had such an emotional, magical, mystical quality that most singers never have or come close to achieving. That voice took all who heard it through highs and lows, through triumph and suffering; every word, every note touching, reaching deep inside and commanding response and feeling. He was a great influence for metal singers and will continue to be for many years to come.

Despite his personal demons we always loved him and hoped that one day he would get well. We will miss him dearly. He was one of us...our friend, our brother. Midnight was and will always be the singer for Crimson Glory. He is at peace now; he will always live in our hearts...he is forever."

Midnight is featured on Crimson Glory's first three albums: Crimson Glory (1986), Transcendence (1988) and Strange And Beautiful (1991). Shortly after the release of Strange And Beautiful, Midnight parted ways with the band.

On June 5th, 2004, the BW&BK; 6-Pack Weekend II in Cleveland held a rare acoustic performance with Midnight and Crimson Glory guitarist Ben Jackson who performed the classics 'Dragon Lady', 'Burning Bridges', 'In Dark Places', 'Painted Skies', 'Lost Reflection'.

In 2005, there were reports that Crimson Glory would unite and the band performed one show at the Rockwave festival in Greece on July 12, 2006.

In 2007 it was officially announced that Midnight had left the band again.

Last September, Midnight was gearing up for the release a new album entitled All Souls Midnight. It was set to feature the four tracks from his Acoustic Crimson EP and the lost Midnight Mass recordings from the late '80s/early '90s.