KEEP IT TRUE Festival Organizer Comments On MIDNIGHT's Passing

July 8, 2009

Oliver Weinsheimer, organizer of Germany's Keep It True festival, has issued the following statement regarding the passing of former CRIMSON GLORY frontman Midnight:

"I was deeply shocked this morning when I read the news, that former CRIMSON GLORY singer Midnight has died at the age of 47. He was one of the best metal vocalists ever and the first two CRIMSON GLORY records are unique U.S. metal classics, mainly because of Midnight's extraordinary voice, which was often copied but never reached.

"I had the luck of having a real good contact to him through all the years and also the pleasure to meet him in person in Cologne. I was deeply impressed by this meeting and will never forget it my whole live since he was a real idol. He was a man who had given himself to art in the most perfect way.

"I had a dream that CRIMSON GLORY would headline Keep It True one day in their original lineup. This dream is now buried.

"Midnight, I wish you that you are now in a better place and can finally find peace. I think I can speak for all Keep It True fans that you and your music will always stay in our minds and we will never forget you."

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.

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.

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