White Tiger Mark St. John "Guitar Solo"

[@heatherremlin8607]

Mark Norton (aka Mark St John) was notorious for smokn a guitar like nobody else! He thrived on doing these types of runs. If the audio on this would have been of quality, you'd know how truly amazing he was! Extremely talented and I'm so sorry & sad he left this earth so soon. RIP ¦(

[@RawDaDa]

He had no melodics like Vai, Van Halen or Santriani has. Gene was right, sounds like an angry bee.

[@michaelgraham9774]

The audio quality sucks but it's still clear that this solo is terrible. Speed was the big thing back then but today this just seems like little more than an endurance test for himself and the listener.

[@giraffesareselfish9563]

​@@RawDaDa Well Gene and Paul hired him so what's that say about them?

[@Bricklinsv1970]

Simply mind blowing a freak of nature and very great person. RIP brother Mark.

[@THECLARENCES]

Long live the memory of the late, great Mark St. John. xoxo The Clarences

[@MarceloRomero360]

Who are The Clarennces?

[@THECLARENCES]

@@MarceloRomero360 We are a Northern Californian band that has been around for 16 years!!! Thanks for asking!!! xoxo The Clarences

[@1970eabf]

Un talento que no tuvo la suerte que merecía. Dios lo ampare en su gloria. Gracias por esta joya. Saludos desde Ensenada, Argentina.

[@Kissfan96dr]

I can see why he got the job for KISS. 30 seconds of that in 1984, and anyone would say "ok, you're hired!"

[@morrisleming6635]

Think that was little pub JEZEBELS... LIVED DOWN THE STREET . HE HELPED YOUNG ARTIST . BUILT. GUITARS... KNEW HIM . ALWAYS NICE TO MY MOM N ME ... HIM N EDDY VAN HALEN.... 1980??... WHO KNOWS WHAT YEAR .. BUT.... KNEW BACK THEN ... HE WAS GREAT.. HIS HANDS . FINGERS . GOT . SORE ... HURT.... YES .. TODAY .. WHO KNOWS .. ALWAYS IN THE GARAGE.. WITH HIS DOG... HOT SUMMER ... SHORTS .. N T SHIRT ... JUST NICE .. ATTITUDE.. ABOUT LIFE .... GENE SIMMONS HARDLY MENTIONS HIM. ON . HISTORY CHANNEL... BUT .. LIFE IN . THE FAR LEFT LANE ... JUST YOUNG. TURKS ... AS ROD HAS SAID ... KISS .. NO MAKE UP .??.. SAW KISS FOR . $18... ANAHEIM.... GREAT SHOW .. PAUL STANLEY.. WAS A GENTLEMAN..... JUST A ROCK N ROLL .. NAME DROPPING... GROUPIE ...??!!... RIGHT JOB . RIGHT TIME N PLACE .... CAPITAL RECORDS .... JABBERWOCKY... BALL. ROAD ... KINGS ENGLISH.... READ .. RECKLESS . BOOK BY . CHRISSIE . HINE ... BOWIE IN THE BACK SEAT ...... OK TIME TO RELEASE MY BOOK....??..... HA .. HA .. YEPP

[@DomainObject]

Mark was insanely fast. So sad that he wasn't able to fulfill his potential because of medical issues. Thanks for posting.

[@jeffrojacobs8094]

What medical issues? That sht was debunked years ago. Gene and Paul have since said he had major drug problems and couldn't play the same solo twice to save his life. He play'd one full Kiss show and a third of another, and was then promptly fired.

[@davewhite3193]

Lmao Dude said “Gene and Paul…”

[@RockJim72]

​@@jeffrojacobs8094 - Truth is, Mark got "Reiter's syndrome" which swells up the hand and arm, and that can actually appear rather quickly. And it can be quite painful too. Bruce Kulick has confirmed that Marks hand was double size. Was Mark fired from KISS solely because of his condition? No.. I'm pretty sure Mark was fired because Paul didn't like him at all, Paul didn't like his "big head" as he said, and he didn't like his personality that much either. And everyone knows what happens when "Bitch" Stanley don't like someone. Everyone has said that Mark was much more into classical guitar, Jazz etc. His reputation was that he could play "Bach, forward and backward". Mark got into some drug problems later on.

[@williambain2646]

Truthfully he wasn’t able to fulfill his potential because he didn’t realize that every now and then you have to gear down. It’s the contrast and taste, not the speed that makes it. There’s not one interesting tuneful lick in this whole solo. What he played on Thrills in the Night is way better, assuming that isn’t Bob or Bruce ghosting for him.

[@psykonauttija2012]

Oh how I wish that there would be a better quality audio of this somewhere in existence.

[@thefonzkiss]

Why, so you can hear how bad it is in 5.1 audio?

[@siberiaenfhesm]

​@@thefonzkissMark St John (The Angry Bee)

[@kingwinter2024]

That solo is insane!

[@PISStopherNolan]

It sounds like he's literally just mindless shredding hitting whatever note he can with no regard to what order they should be in. He's a fake good guitar player, not a good one.

[@Vasconezona]

@@PISStopherNolanhe is within a coherent scale for every single riff. You’re clearly inept musically.

[@nahuel2201]

​@@PISStopherNolanthat sounds like any Vinnie Vincent live solo 🤭

[@marcoperrone8286]

Great!!!!!Mark st.John!!!!!!!

[@ALF.Argentina]

Thanks for the video! I hope someday surface some video of his KISS shows..

[@zyx6623]

Mark St john was unlucky, wherever you are Mark be well

[@PISStopherNolan]

Unfortunately Mark passed away a while ago

[@juanbosi4156]

apenas grabo un disco con kiss y fue tremendo, lastima que hay poco material .Un grande!!!!

[@nvader88]

I think he is playing a G&L rampage. If so, cooooool!

[@patrickalloyssius9138]

Yes mark had an endorsement deal with G n L guitars

[@Semo1969]

Very smooth. Precision. Clean as possible each note heard Very melodic. Sounds great. Hair is perfect.

[@TheRustedShackleford]

Lol we must be watching different videos. Other than the hair 😆

[@vaekkriinhart4347]

"very melodic" ? Make an appointment with a otolaryngologist asap (ear doctor)

[@Semo1969]

Very classical sounding and precise. One of the best songs every written. I’ve played this before from the sheet music myself at a wedding

[@davewhite3193]

Clearly none of you know how the eighties worked or least those of you that are calling this Shit. I knew mark really well and he was bored of hard rock and specially this kind of thing. he believed that melody was king and he loved classical jazz fusion country and rock and roll but he was also aware that there were certain boxes you had to check and the wank off guitar solo was one of them. he said he never played the same thing on s given night he just tried to get through it and be done with it. he believed in songwriting and musicianship. I know it doesn't show in this particular video and he would be the 1st to say so. However you can't argue his incredible fret board knowledge agility and technique. he was a great musician with great technical understanding and a solid grip on melody harmony and phrasing honestly how much hard tock is an example of the intricacies of great music? Answer Dream Theater... that's about it. I'm not that big a fan of DT but that's where mark would have fit. if you had heard any of his originals (and he could pull them out one after another from memory during our lessons as examples of things) then you would have understood what he was really about. Also he was a cool guy. RIP Mark.

[@jeffrojacobs8094]

If everything you're saying is true, then he had absolutely no business playing with Kiss.

[@jeffrojacobs8094]

@F K Tommy Thayer having played for Kiss for some 20 yrs now is a prime example of a tight fit. While obviously Mark St John was a very talented accomplished musician (not denying that) he lasted for 1 Kiss show and part of another. Between the drugs, erratic and unpredictable behaviour, unable to copy Ace's solo's and basic unreliable personality, he was sacked. No need to be defensive, I'm not trying to dis-credit Mark St John RIP, in any way. My comments are based on what would later be revealed by the members of Kiss. If this Isn't to your approval or liking, take it up with Gene and Paul. I respectfully have nothing further. Peace.✌️

[@mightyminx6653]

@@jeffrojacobs8094 Dude i was in the scene back then .. You took whatever was given to you.. There was no internet so the ease wasnt there... It was harder to get your name out to the world...

[@jeffrojacobs8094]

@@mightyminx6653 I'm 60 I lived thru it all as well.

[@morrisleming6635]

Dave white .. yes .. tell it. Like is was ... N .. is ... Went to LOARA.. high.... Anaheim....... Stay in touch ... N. Stay true. .. what's real.... Thank you... For .. Mark . Is not here .. to further show his . talents ... If this world was .. close to . perfection... there would still be one .. who has to find .. pepper in our salt of the earth . Amen

[@tcconnection]

No hate here, appreciate you sharing

[@UnderSprayedWhiteSkies]

Forget the musically unappealing display of technical wizardry, Mark's hair (poodle on 'roids w/massive Kentucky mudflap) is insane!

[@freepressright]

Musically unappealing is accurate. I always hated his solos and looked at them as a mess of techniques vomited sonically at full bore. Did the guy have a skill set? Sure. But I feel like he and Vinnie Vincent both were the type of players that treated their jobs like it was some kind of a talent show. With Vinnie, it was capable of being amazing, if he was constrained by band mates or a producer. Left to his own devices, it was a splattery mess of notes.

[@Lerxstification]

RIP Mark. 6 years ago.....

[@huberthgonzalez4432]

Único y primer vídeo en vivo de mark st john lastima que no es con kiss

[@unyum]

cool find!

[@rockinyouallnight]

MSJ all damn day!

[@alessandrovanzan5489]

He's got dynamite in his hands. One of the most speedy guitarists of all times.

[@PISStopherNolan]

It's called mindless shredding... He's just hitting whatever note he can regardless of what order they come in. This is what people who don't play guitar think is "great guitar playing"

[@ACEDIAMOND666]

If you really want to know about Mark playing, listen to his "Magic Bullet Theory" instrumental guitar album.

[@martywhite1084]

Daniel Boone on the guitar.

[@venomagent76]

Funny ass reply!

[@j.reveille6815]

But that is a live raccoon on his head not a hat.

[@davidrivera1105]

Marty White 😂😂😂

[@listillolordoc7604]

He is fast! It's not my thing so much. I'd rather here Ace's live solo. I prefer being being grabbed by one note than have to chase down 3000. That being said, this was the mid 80's, it was the popular thing to play guitar solos 1000mph, and a lot of people still like that. He was good at the speed thing.

[@catfatherb]

Listillo Lordoc so sad women don't think so

[@saddad6601]

Does he have a giant hat on, or is he sporting two completely different types of hair? he's got Bob Ross in the front, Farrah Fawcett in the back.

[@williambain2646]

If you haven’t seen the cover to this record then go look. They are all bad !!!!!

[@jeancoverdesign]

I never thought I would see this. I would really love to see the whole show. any chance of that?

[@Games-n-ganja]

You'd sit through a whole show with that quality of sound?? Are you mental?

[@kenvorland]

Sounds like van halen on acid and vinne vincent rock on forever in heaven

[@FclefRules]

sounds like every guitar player I've ever known playing in his basement, alone

[@zackvanhalen]

Honestly, I really can't hear what he's playing because of the poor quality of the recording. It looks like he's playing his ass off though.

[@henrygvidonas9573]

I have no idea how anybody in the comments can judge this, positively or negatively. The recording is so distorted, it would still sound like a jackhammer rabbit-boinking a half-broken washing machine during the spin cycle if he played the best solo in the history of music. How the hell do you critically assess music you literally cannot hear? All I hear is the diaphragm of a video camera microphone almost getting ripped in half by a level of sound pressure it's not in any way sufficient for. Some people here claim the playing is brilliant, others say it's the worst thing ever. Both statements are ridiculous - because how on Earth could you tell? You cannot hear what he's actually playing for most of this.

[@GomerSexual]

very very very fast, he could play anything. very technically gifted guitarist. I think even Malmsteen couldn't play all of this... and it was mid eighties...

[@Zackhard]

+Mikhail M. Yngwie can play all this in his sleep...

[@catfatherb]

Mikhail M. malmsteen wouldn't want to play that shit

[@morrisleming6635]

Mark was just show casing his thing . Eddy liked it .. envy n jealousy.. are different.. find help it's out there. .complain n blame game in thy head.. be positive.. in LIFE.. N move to the next level of your . thoughts .. tough boy

[@thelordofdarkness141]

Was just listening to a video of eric carr saying he may have been ove qualified for kiss just hearing this and seeing his fret hand move he may have beem onto something there

[@rexrose7489]

I dig the fur hat.

[@whitecloud_94]

Lol muskrat fur or beaver ? Looks like muskrat.

[@Martijn666]

Apart from the very bad sound quality, i was always interested in Mark's style, how did he play what he played? Looks like some cross between Chris Impellitteri's picking and Reb Beach's tapping, but much faster. A shame he did not have the opportunity to blossom after KISS. That said; bad judgment on Paul Stanley, because Marks playing does not fit with KISS songs at all.

[@markherring3513]

They were looking for a fast player because thats all the rage from 82 to around 87. Guitar shredding was the trend of the day back then. Its ALL that mattered: "Play fast as possible and finger tap"

[@Sk8Vader]

He was phenomenal. He would have even gave M.A.B. a run for his money today. Yeah I know, bold statement . But from what im seeing, i believe it is accurate.

[@orielterminator]

O guitarrista mais veloz do Kiss. Mark e Vinnie Vincent sao os melhores!!!

[@warrenlewis9711]

The ASYLUM album & CRAZY NIGHTS albums from KISS Would been better with him too bad he wasn't with KISS longer

[@markherring3513]

Asylum is the last good KISS album. All down hill after that. Same with the Stones..last great album was Undercover. Everything since totally forgettable.

[@FrendZeee]

Mark used G&L guitars.

[@catfatherb]

Brian James Fox no he abused that poor guitar

[@davewhite3193]

I took lessons from him and jammed with him and some other guys. he had a bunch of westone guitars. he was actually a cool guy and a very talented dude.

[@darrinconnor7]

Is he auditioning for Slayer? That's what it sounds like.

[@elliotjohnson2159]

The emperor has no clothes.

[@BasedGuitarist07]

Be great if the audio was good enough we could actually make out what he's playing

[@booshting3520]

Oh dear

[@jamesarmstrong88]

Insane talent,different time I guess.Must have practiced a million hours.sounds like noise though gimme Randy rhoads guitar solo on tribute any day.I need some soul

[@archdukebigdogkoopa3821]

I can only hear the audio at one ear, can someone reupload this and make sure you balance the sound more, please?

[@thefonzkiss]

BigDog123456vr Productions you want it to be TWICE as bad?

[@juancorchado7235]

buen guitarrista perro mucho ruido sin sentido

[@paulosicne8498]

Huh, I never knew his severe arthritis issue healed shortly after being fired from KISS.

[@76sagi]

What is more disturbing? The guitar playing or the hair style? I cannot decide.

[@roberthaizlip7143]

A lot of jealousy on here lol. He's faster than eddie van halen and no one bags on van halen. Same shit.

[@2DclanSnipingTeam]

Umm.... Edward Van Halen changed the music industry and to a large extent pop culture as a whole. He is renown for his feel, his tone, his ingenuity, his melodic sensibility, the list goes on and on. Not just on his speed.

[@roberthaizlip7143]

Dewey B Eddie has zero soul or feel. He was just about flash and speed. U watch his solos he's doing identical to this in EVERY one

[@msievers55]

eddie has a creative flow...his songs are great...loved van halen with dave!!!!! mark is a bad ass.....speed merchant....like him to....

[@klmullins65]

Well this video probably isn't the best representation of his playing... terrible sound quality. But speed isn't everything, as most guitarists SHOULD know

[@psykonauttija2012]

Maybe the solo would sound better if the audio would be of a better quality one.

[@twikirobot6897]

I doubt it.

[@Semo1969]

I’ve transcribed the notes for anyone wanting to play

[@KISStorianBrothers]

LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@archdukebigdogkoopa3821]

Mark St. John, on the lead guitar everyone! GIVE IT UP FOR HIM! LOL

[@MrLemmy2000]

is he wearing a hat?

[@johnnywalker3326]

GRAN REMEMBRANZA DE UN GRAN Y EXIMIO GUITARRISTA QUE PASO SIN PENA NI GLORIA Y QUE LAMENTABLEMENTE NO PROSPERO EN KISS (MUCHA MUY MALA SUERTE) PERO TE IMAGINAS QUE HUBIERA SIDO SI NO HUBIERA CONTRAIDO ESTE MAL; UNA LAMENTABLE PERDIDA LA PARTIDA DE MARK ST. JOHN

[@bigtorrisi]

I couldnt hear a note.

[@jamesbondcarlos2926]

AND I WAS THINKING VINNIE VINCENT IS CRAZY..............

[@instrumentalist28]

Greatest kiss guitarist

[@darrinconnor7]

isaac thrash How dare you say that.

[@catfatherb]

isaac thrash were you born deaf?

[@twikirobot6897]

He was crap and couldn't play the same thing twice - that's why they got rid of him.

[@quit293]

makes no sense just notes after notes Vinnie vincent sounds melodic compare to this.

[@PerpetualArt]

quit293 ,this guys not in Vinnies class whatsoever.

[@martywhite1084]

J R Kiss solos? I think he’s basing that judgement on Kiss, Invasion, his solo ep, and his instructional video.

[@thrashrattlehead4548]

just so ya know...at the Marque in Garden Grove...Mark opened a can of whoop azz against Vinnie...I do think for the position for the Kiss Animalized album...Mark ripped out some serious chit that night...one of many I will never forget.

[@davewhite3193]

@@thrashrattlehead4548 Agreed the truth is he was far better than Vinny he was actually pretty bored with hard rock he loved jazz and fusion and specially classical I was lucky enough to take it's our lessons with him for almost 2 years and he was a great teacher I also got the play with him and Peter criss a little bit They were both really cool to me and my best friend when my buddy came over one time. I hope he is resting in peace he was a good guy.

[@endtyme1345]

True! a complete disaster

[@juancorchado9690]

Guitarrista muy rápido pero muy ruidoso

[@soykissero35]

Highly technical guitar player making an extremely boring solo.

[@ausman05]

Doesnt help the audio sounds terrible, but very true point. Amazing speed he had but i got nothing out of that solo.

[@thrashrattlehead4548]

just suppose either of you commentors had actually BEEN there...I was...smfh WT put on some kick azz shows...RIP Mark

[@venomagent76]

Let's hear your solo numb nuts!

[@tonybrick2095]

People who can't play fast always make that type of comment. It's all rooted in jealousy and insecurity of their own skills, usually unrecognized and subconscious. You can't play like them, so you want them dragged down to your level. Which is SLOW. They do it to Yngwie, Eddie, Vinnie, and so many more shredders.... "No heart..all speed No passion...too many notes".... blah blah BULLSHIT!! They're all amazing at what they do, and they smoke you on guitar in every single regard. Hence, your stupid comment.

[@michaelgraham9774]

@@tonybrick2095 This guy can play fast but it sounds like shit. EVH and Yngwie play fast and can actually make music out of it. Not every critique of a fast guitarist is rooted in jealousy

[@anthonybritt451]

Soulless shredder. Very talented but not my style

[@telecasteredtodeath]

Even Kerry King would give this is thumbs down..

[@klmullins65]

I can't discern any notes...just the phase shifter

[@TImDoyle-k1w]

Playing fast is great..but if there's no fill to it..then there's no reason for it

[@orbithesun1]

I cannot hear anything but noise?

[@catfatherb]

orbithesun1 you sir are lucky that's all you hear

[@carlosbailon4287]

Mush potatoes

[@mikeyo3230]

This audio is horrific. Wish someone has a better version.

[@PISStopherNolan]

This is literally just mindless shredding. Hitting a whole bunch of notes without them being in any good order. This is the type of guitar playing that people who don't play guitar think is good

[@erenn6476]

Well that sound quality certainly sucked

[@David-mn2mp]

I can't hear anything but noise.

[@weilandiv8310]

He could've used the name Mark St. Norton.... the patron saint of IT security (and jammin')

[@georgew2432]

Sounds like someone's strangling a cat

[@Tnuk3]

bad audio... sounds like noise... a wall of it.

[@Games-n-ganja]

This solo sounds like shit, but no one can deny the talent it requires.

[@juancorchado9690]

Ese estilo es tocar guitarra no gusta porque es muy ruidoso Es cierto que es más rápido con sus dedos pero no gusta

[@luisgallardo158]

Eran Los 80's Amigo, Donde Surgieron Los Mejores Guitarristas, Y A La Vez Competian Para Ver Quiem Tocaba Mas Rapido Y Mejor, Si Hubieran Seguido Esa Linea De Los 70's Ninguna Banda De Esa Hubiera Sobrevivido Como.Por Ejemplo Kiss Que Tuvieron Que Adaptarse.

[@Cryptosifu]

Shawn Lane level

[@santanajackson6160]

R.I.P to mark st john but this solo sounds like complete shit . its just a bunch of noise and there's nothing impressive at all about this . but I still have respect for the man

[@greglawrence1314]

His solo on "I've Had Enough (Into the Fire)" is great.

[@davidhenrylake2047]

santana jackson Uhh the quality of this video is terrible.

[@henrygvidonas9573]

The solo doesn't sound like _anything_ - because you can't hear it. This is mostly noise from a completely overloaded shitty VHS camera microphone. You could rub sandpaper over the mike and it would sound pretty much the same as most of this recording. What you hear has nothing to do with what was played, whether that was good, bad, or anything in between.

[@juancorchado7235]

ace frehley a Sido el mejor guitarrista de kiss

[@wattage2007]

He's just playing rubbish here. There's no order, melody or anything resembling music.

[@tbone8223]

The audio quality is so shit that I can barely make out what he’s playing, if you don’t like this listen to his studio solos on the kiss album animalize.

[@ForgetIt2023]

Sounds like noise.

[@sweetgyy]

I liked mark but that was absolutely bullshit. He sounded a lot better in the animalized album

[@henrygvidonas9573]

Really? He sounded better on something that wasn't recorded with a crappy overloaded consumer-grade video camera mike crying for the sweet release of death? Is water wet, too?

[@-rockmusiclover-]

@@henrygvidonas9573 lol

[@RAREDEATHMETAL]

Equally as awful as vinnie Vincent. Just fake shred guitar playing, random notes as fast as posssible.

[@kingwinter2024]

Try doing it yourself. Oh yeah: you can't.

[@kameel68]

Fast but pointless.

[@charliemartin576]

lots of noise

[@JDCUSA]

It sounds better than anything you could ever play, you diarrhea breath.

[@markherring3513]

He looks bored

[@PerpetualArt]

Sounds pretty bad to me.

[@tatethompson1234]

Wow that's bad

[@JDCUSA]

You only wish you could play that "bad", you bum!

[@OnBendedKneeMusic]

Terrible audio.

[@mattray8767]

Awful.

[@kyleknight6027]

He sure as hell wouldn't have saved Kiss playing this crap.

[@JDCUSA]

Is that your nose or are you eating a banana?

[@TImDoyle-k1w]

Sound sucks

[@endtyme1345]

A complete MESS. This is a shitty bad audio clip but besides that what he does has no sense. Vinnie Vincent it´s Malmsteen compared to this. Kiss made terrible decisions choosing band members after Frehley except for Kulick...

[@jahjah67]

Hate to bag on the guy especially since he's not around but this is just unlistenable. He was actually a pretty musical guy but during this time, there was so much competition I guess it brought out the worst in him. This is garbage

[@catfatherb]

found this record at a pawn shop a few years ago good condition had fan club and merchandise ordering sheet inside the cover....but all the songs are complete shit not a good song on it

[@mr.timebombman2230]

Terrible

[@nicholassabella8338]

Boring

[@vaekkriinhart4347]

To me, that sucks. I hate KISS' Animalize album. I can't stand his playing. He's obviously very talented, but that style is annoying. There's no diversity or melody in it at all. He should've listened to EVH or Ace and learned how to do a solo RIP

[@StrokerAce78]

The most horrible audio in the damn world