MARK ST. JOHN
MARK NORTON
Feb. 7, 1956, Hollywood, CA - April 5, 2007

Mark St. John was born Mark Norton, in Hollywood, California, on February 7, 1956 and attained some noteriety as KISS’ shortest serving guitarist. During a hectic and disruptive period of two years KISS changed from Ace Frehley to Vinnie Vincent to Mark St. John, and then finally to Bruce Kulick on lead guitar, a position that was considered the most temporary job in town at the time. St. John lasted less than eight months with the band only joining them on stage in public three times. Regardless, Mark played on KISS' most successful studio album of the unmasked period and any line-up apart from the originals (ST&H doesn't count). Mark was a successful guitar teacher whose modesty didn’t allow him to name who his students were.

Following his time with KISS, Mark reconnected with David Donato, a vocalist who had had an equally short tenure with another legendary band: Black Sabbath. The two, who had worked together prior to their supergroup tangents, formed White Tiger becoming the first ex-KISS guitarist to release an album. The band included Mark’s brother Michael Norton, but split while working on demos for a second album in 1988. Mark was soon working with ex-KISS drummer Peter Criss, and while the band cut several demos in 1990, he nor his brother survived as the band became "Criss." He then disappeared, before re-emerging in late-1998. He released an "EP" which featured some material that originated from the project with Peter Criss, and later a full-length instrumental CD. He also became a special guest on KISS Expo circuit.