Wednesday, July 8, 2009

News Briefs : RIP Fender Guitar Pioneer George Fullerton, Ex Crimson Glory Vocalist Midnight

More sad news to report, which is seeming to be recurring on a daily basis recently. Following on the heels of Michael Jackson, Sky Saxon and ex Beatles/Stones manager Allen Klein (whom depending on who one talks to, may or may not be mourned), comes word that George Fullerton, a co creator with Leo Fender of the Fender Stratocaster passed away at the age of 86.

Fullerton, a longtime associate of Leo Fender who played a crucial role in the electric-guitar innovator's extraordinary success through his broad-based skills as a musician, artist and technician, died Saturday of congestive heart failure.

Blabbermouth.net is also reporting that vocalist Midnight, formerly of 80's progressive power metal band Crimson Glory passed away earlier today at the age of 47 from “total kidney and liver failure”. The vocalist 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.

According to Jon Oliva’s Pain guitarist Matt LaPorte, who played on some of Midnight’s recent solo recordings, the singer (real name: John Patrick Jr. McDonald) passed away at 3:45 a.m EST on Wednesday, July 8 at St. Anthony’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida.

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/ canceled/ revoked license.

Crimson Glory "Lonely" from the 1988 album 'Transcendence':

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