Riot guitarist Mark Reale has died after a near lifelong battle against Crohn’s Disease. He was 56.
The last remaining founding member of the band was rushed to hospital on January 11 following a brain haemorrhage. He’d been in a coma ever since and passed away without regaining consciousness.
Last week the band told how Reale wasn’t well enough to play on their upcoming album, saying "Guitarist Mike Flyntz recorded a major portion of the guitars on the album with Mark’s creative direction while he was unable to perform."
He collapsed while rehearsing for a brief run of live shows, which the band went on to play without him while asking fans for prayers.
Reale’s webmaster, who’d visited him in hospital regularly and read him messages of support, says: "Our brother Mark went home to be with Our Lord after a long battle and complications from Crohn’s Disease.
"Heartfelt thanks to the fans around the world. The Riot army meant everything in the world to Mark – it’s what kept him going. Please keep the memory of Mark alive within you."
Thanks for the report to RockNewsDesk.com.
