Mark Reale (riot) R.I.P

RIOT Founder Mark Reale Hospitalized - In Critical Condition




RIOT founder and guitarist Mark Reale
has been admitted to a San Antonio hospital in critical condition due
to complications of Crohn's disease. Subsequently, there is a
possibility that he may not appear in the band's upcoming performances
in the US Northeast and aboard the 70000 Tons Of Metal Cruise to Grand
Cayman.



According to a band update: "Mark
has been battling Crohn's for most of his life, working and performing
while enduring almost constant pain and the side effects of treatment
for his illness. He was in Texas bravely attempting to practice for the
shows, but was felled by a severe onset of Crohn's symptoms leaving him
in the Intensive Care Unit at an undisclosed facility.

The band has agreed that the performances will take place as scheduled with the possibility that Mark may not be well enough in time to appear. Riot would also like to acknowledge that Mark
has been struggling with these symptoms throughout the production of
their new album, Immortal Soul, and that guitarist Mike Flyntz recorded a
major portion of the guitars on the album with Mark's creative direction while he was unable to perform.

For
this reason, fans can be assured that the show will be as exciting as
anything Riot has ever staged, even if Mike needs to hold down double
guitar duty. Mark will be sorely missed in this event, but the shows will go on.

We ask fans and friends of the band to pray for Mark's
speedy recovery, and to support the band in our efforts to bring you
the Riot reunion shows that have been so long in the making. While Mark's
family insists on privacy during this difficult time, your prayers and
good wishes will make it to his bedside until he is able to return to

RIOT - Mark Reale's Official Headstone Ceremony To Be Held Saturday




On Wednesday, January 25th, RIOT guitarist and founder Mark Reale
passed away due to complications stemming from Crohn's disease in a San
Antonio hospital. He was 56 year old. Reale had been in a coma since
January 11th due to a subarachnoid hemorrhage. He had battled Crohn's
for most of his life, working and performing while enduring almost
constant pain and the side effects of treatment for his illness. He was
in Texas bravely attempting to practice for the band's scheduled shows,
but was felled by a severe onset of Crohn's symptoms, which eventually
put him in the Intensive Care Unit.





Mark Reale's official headstone ceremony is this Saturday, August
11th at 10am at Holy Cross Cemetary (17501 Nacogdoches Rd) in San
Antonio, Texas (behind Rolling Oaks Mall). The public is invited.