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Mark Reale

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Mark Reale
Background information
Born(1955-06-07)June 7, 1955
New York City, U.S.
DiedJanuary 25, 2012(2012-01-25) (aged 56)
San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Musician
  • songwriter
InstrumentGuitar
Years active1974–2012
LabelsFire Sign, Capitol, Elektra, Quality, CBS, Sony, Zero, Rising Sun, Metal Blade, Toshiba-EMI, Metal Heaven, LongHouse (self)
Formerly of
Websitemarkreale.com
Guitar case by Reale on stage at the appearance of Riot V at Headbangers Open Air 2014

Mark Reale (June 7, 1955 – January 25, 2012) was an American guitarist and songwriter who founded and led the heavy metal band Riot (now known as Riot V) in 1975, which experienced success and popularity in the early 1980s. Reale was the sole constant member of the band, as well as its creative force. After Reale's death in 2012, remaining members of the band reformed the group a year later under the name Riot V.

Biography

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Reale was born in Brooklyn, New York City, in 1955. He grew up listening to the Beatles, Eric Clapton, Gary Moore, Ritchie Blackmore and lists George Harrison as one of his greatest influences. After attending concerts by Ronnie Montrose, Rick Derringer and Edgar Winter he decided to become a guitarist, forming the band Riot in 1975 who are still active to the present day.

Mark Reale was the principal songwriter and main creative force behind Riot starting with the band's 1977 debut album Rock City. The group's most acclaimed album was 1981's seminal Fire Down Under, the last of three studio albums to feature original vocalist Guy Speranza. Other notable records include Restless Breed (1982), the band's comeback album, Thundersteel (1988), and its follow-up, The Privilege of Power (1990). Riot's last album to feature Reale was Immortal Soul, released in 2011. Riot has toured all around the world and been a support act for major acts such as Kiss, AC/DC, Sammy Hagar, Molly Hatchet, and Rush while maintaining a particularly strong fanbase in Japan and continental Europe.

After Riot's temporary breakup following the Born In America (1983) release, Reale formed a short-lived outfit named Narita with former members of S.A. Slayer, including future Riot bassist Don Van Stavern. The band recorded a sole demo in 1984 before calling it quits. Reale decided to re-activate Riot which led to a new record deal with CBS Records and the Thundersteel album in 1988. In 1998, Reale co-founded the group Westworld with vocalist Tony Harnell of TNT fame. Westworld released three studio albums and one live disc between 1999 and 2002.

Death

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On January 25, 2012, Reale died of complications related to Crohn's disease.[1] Reale, who suffered Crohn's disease most of his life, had been in a coma since January 11 due to a subarachnoid hemorrhage.[2]

Discography

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Main article: Riot discography

with Riot

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with Westworld

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  • Westworld (1999)
  • Skin (2000)
  • Live... In the Flesh (2001)
  • Cyberdreams (2002)

References

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  1. ^ "Founding RIOT Guitarist Mark Reale Has Died – The Gauntlet Heavy Metal News". Thegauntlet.com. January 25, 2012. Retrieved July 17, 2014.
  2. ^ "Mark Reale Obituary: View Mark Reale's Obituary by Express-News". Legacy.com. Retrieved July 17, 2014.
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