| Mark Kendall | |
|---|---|
Mark Kendall live with Great White on July 11, 2008 at the Moondance Jam |
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| Background information | |
| Born | April 29, 1957 Loma Linda, California, USA |
| Genres | Hard rock, heavy metal, glam metal |
| Occupations | Musician, songwriter |
| Instruments | Guitar, backing vocals |
| Associated acts | Great White |
Mark Kendall (born April 29, 1957) is a lead guitarist born in Loma Linda, California. He is best known for being a founding member and lead guitar player of the blues-based hard rock band Great White.
Mark Kendall grew up in Huntington Beach, California. He came from a musically talented family, with his mother belting out smoky tunes as a jazz singer, his father playing jazz trumpet, and his grandfather, a classically trained pianist from the age of thirteen. As such, Mark developed a good ear for melody early on, and has never lost sight of where his ability came from and the musical gifts he netted through his DNA.
He received his first guitar at the age of nine after watching a local band rehearse in a neighbor's garage. His father gave him a Kay acoustic for his birthday and he began to develop a talent to learn songs by ear. The following Christmas his father bought him an electric guitar and amplifier. In addition, his dad also bought him three albums: The Jimi Hendrix Experience's Are You Experienced, Cream’s Disraeli Gears, and The Doors’ Strange Days. These records would prove to be highly influential on his musical life.
In the 4th grade he had already performed at the school talent show with a friend, showcasing four songs: "Wipe Out", "Pipeline", "Gloria" and "Secret Agent Man". Since then, he never put his guitar down even into his teenage years. From the age of eight to eighteen, he played baseball as a strong pitcher who was set to become a professional player. By the time he was eighteen, his arm started hurting after three innings every time he pitched a game and ended up deciding that making music would be his life and priority.
While performing at The Whiskey in Hollywood one night in 1982, a record executive was in the audience and came backstage to give the band his card. The following day Mark accompanied his singer Jack Russell and the two of them went to the label and met with the A&R representative Alan Niven. Before they knew it they were recording their first EP. Since then Great White has been recording and touring for the last 30 years and have sold over 12 million records. The band is still touring and making music.
Mark has been quoted by saying, “Music is a pure blessing and I wouldn't change anything about my life”. He said, “Even with all the mistakes I have made, they are nothing more than learning experiences and just part of life”. He is happily married to his beautiful wife Bridget Kendall and has four wonderful children Jonathan (27), Ashley (20), Taylor (19) and Shane (16). In his free time he is a producer, a very talented pool player, an avid poker player and enthusiast and a huge film buff.
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