Current Members:
Wade Black : Vox
Jeff Lords : Bass
Jon Drenning : Guitar
Ben Jackson : Guitar
Dana Burnell : Drums
Former Members:
Midnight : Vocals
Ravi Jahkotia : Drums
Steve "Doc" Wacholz : Drums
Band Bio:
Crimson Glory (originally named "Beowulf") was formed in 1982 in Sarasota, Florida by by guitarist-Ben Jackson, Drummer-Dana Burnell,
guitarist-Jon Drenning, bassist-Jeff Lords and Midnight.
The group spent the next four years in seclusion, rehearsing and developing their own distinctive look and sound.
This eventually led to the recording of their self-titled debut album, Crimson Glory, in 1986 on Roadrunner Records (Europe).
The band performed throughout Holland and parts of Germany immediately following the release of the LP in the fall of 1986, and were met with much success and acclaim.
The band recorded and released their much-anticipated followup LP, Transcendence, in 1989 for Roadrunner Records (Europe) and MCA Records (USA). Transcendence contained the band's first hit single, "Lonely", a song that was at the top of the American Radio charts in several major market areas for over 24 consecutive weeks. Transcendence received rave reviews abroad which led to a very successful tour of North America, Europe and Japan alongside Metallica, Ozzy Osborne, Queensryche, Udo, Doro and Anthrax performing for sold-out crowds everywhere.
The Metal Hammer Festival in Dortmund, Germany was the band's largest show at the time and took place in front of 20,000+ fans in the spring of 1990 with Ozzy Osbourne, Metallica and Queensrÿche.
Crimson Glory recorded and released their third LP, Strange and Beautiful, for Atlantic Records in 1991.
Immediately following the release of Strange and Beautiful, the band kicked off a headlining club tour in the United States which culminated with the biggest show of the tour at the end of the year in Los Angeles, CA alongside Ozzy Osborne, Soundgarden and Alice In Chains at the Concrete Foundations Forum.
Their three LPs, Crimson Glory (Roadrunner Records/1986), Transcendence (MCA Records/1989) and Strange and Beautiful (Atlantic Records/1991) have gained cult status as some of the best prog/power metal music ever recorded.
After a successful but brief US tour for Strange and Beautiful, the band members went their separate ways, taking a hiatus to pursue other musical interests.
The band's primary songwriters, Jon Drenning and Jeff Lords, formed the projects Erotic Liquid Culture (featuring vocalist David Van Landing of the Michael Schenker Group) and Crush (featuring drummer Ravi Jakhotia).
Ben Jackson and Dana Burnell formed the band Parish and afterwards Ben formed The Ben Jackson Group.
Former lead vocalist Midnight retired from the music business to pursue other interests.
- 1995 The Parish Years w/ Ben Jackson and Dana Burnell *Update coming*
Toward the end of 1996, Drenning and Lords knew it was time to reunite and make another Crimson Glory record.
However, in order to create a record of astronomical proportions, the band realized they would have to trace back to their roots, back to the progressive-power metal style that they helped pioneer in the late 1980's.
With the addition of new frontman Wade Black (formerly the vocalist for Tampa-based Lucian Black), new drummer Steve "Doc" Wacholz of Savatage, and the launching of their official website, www.crimson-glory.com, the band was ready to re-emerge into the next millennium, delivering their own unique brand of music in the only way they knew how...with raw passion and power.
The band's most recent record, Astronomica, is the prog/power metal album for which all others have been judged in the new millennium...and beyond.
The reformed Crimson Glory started a tour in early 2000 with a couple warmup shows in Florida, then it was off to Greece with Kamelot and Evergrey.
This was to be their first and last tour as troubles began to brew, and upon returning to the US the band once again went their separate ways.
Ben Jackson and Wade Black teamed up in late 2000 for the short-lived project Sector 9, performing only a handful of live shows with Kamelot before Jackson decided to return to his solo artist status.
Black ventured off to record an album with the project Seven Witches.
Midnight resurfaced with a new website, www.midnightsattic.com (now defunct), and a new acoustic EP simply titled M in late 2001 which was indepentantly released through his website only.
Midnight also released an album entitled Sakada through Black Lotus Records in 2005.
Ben Jackson launched a website in 2001 as well, to support his Ben Jackson Group release entitled Here I Come.
The record is available through his website, as well as a Jeff Lords release entitled G-Lock released in 2003.
In 2005, Ben Jackson released the album All Over You.
Shortly thereafter, Crimson Glory made a major announcement concerning reunion and a possible new album, tenatively entitled Metatron, Lucifer and the Divine Chaos (as yet unreleased).
2006 saw the talks of reunion come to fruition with the Rockwave Festival tour in Greece, celebrating 20 years since the release of their self-titled debut record and featuring performances by both Midnight and Wade Black.
2007 brought Crimson Glory and Wade Black to the West Coast, co-headlining the first annual Bay Area Rock Fest in San Francisco, CA alongside fellow Florida-based band Jon Oliva's Pain.
The two-day festival sold out quickly, and Crimson Glory's performance was heralded as an extraordinary treat for West Coast fans and was met with excellent reviews.
For all the latest Official Crimson Glory news and updates, please refer to our BLOG.
Crimson Glory Myspace is maintained and managed by staff of The Official Website of Crimson Glory: www.crimson-glory.com and is monitored by members of the band Crimson Glory. We enjoy hearing from our fans and friends!
For booking/press inquiries, please contact us at admin@crimson-glory.com
March 15/16, 2007:
Crimson Glory headlining @ The Hall/Bourbon Street:
September 16, 2006:
Crimson Glory united for their first and only USA gig of the year, opening for their good friends Kamelot.
Here are some photos highlighting that night:
Crimson Glory is a local band for me & my 1st exposure to the band's music was when Jon Drenning pulled up to Johnny's Car Wash blasting "Lady of Winter" around release date. From there it was a fast track to buying Transcendence, becoming addicted, attending the big show at Manatee Civic Center, seeing the premiere of "Lonely" on Headbanger's Ball, etc. Great Times!
Sorry it took an unfortunate event like Midnight's passing, to finally contact you & let you know that, regardless of home town flavor, I was blown away & addicted to Transcendence during that period & I still find it outstanding! It's one of my most influential albums & has led me on a 20 year search for similar music. I've yet to find another Midnight.
It goes without saying that, Midnight was transcending, an original & a legend. Legends never die! R.I.P.
In death I've found the answer In death I live again Fear not thereaper'sblade It does not mean the end It never really ends...... RIP See'll you again in the other side......
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The flame is gone but the fire remains,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Sacred heart you've lost your way, can't find the way home again, been out on that road so long, so lonely, but your soul is not gone.
Sacred heart why do you bleed, all u need is love to plant it's seed, nurture it and feel it grow and it will show you the way back home.
I was at the memorial service for you and it was very heart felt your loss is great to those who knew you and to those of us that only heard the voice.
I have a tribute I'm doing for Midnight on my radio show this week, tune in ...MetalExpressRadio.com (Norway) (Sundays @ 9AM EST and 3PM EST or (15.00 CET and 21.00 CET)
Xtrememetalradio.com (Georgia, USA) (Sundays @ 9AM EST- Fridays at 6PM EST) or (15.00 CET and 24.00 CET)
R.I.P. John "MIDNIGHT" McDonald - Have A Good Trip To VallHalla Tonight - You Were One Of The Best - Thank You For The Great Music - Your Music Lives Forever...
The man seemed to live his life on his own terms, left an incredible legacy and brought joy to countless people around the world. Regardless of how, when or why he died, his was a successful, productive and full life no one can question or criticize. If Midnight is truly as happy and peaceful right now as the spiritual among us hope and think he is, how can we be sad? Selfishness is not the equivalent of honoring someone. I for one am thrilled for his current journey. I doubt he's ever felt more at home.
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