RIOT Burns San Antonio 1979 Interview part 1

Share Tweet hey Fans, Hope everyone had a peaceful and Merry Christmas. Here's the top half of the “It's only Rock-Roll Vol.2 No.7” featuring RIOT November 1979 interview with Guy Speranza and Mark Reale. A lot of really good information about the band that will clear the air about some thing's many have been asking for years including its crazy mascot. I’ll be posting the other half soon…until then enjoy and have a safe new year..…see you in 2013. photo link a lot more coming in 2013 Shine On!

RIOT 1979

Share Tweet   Hey fans,   I was digging around in the archive vault and came across this old news article of RIOT back in the   heydays when they played here in San Antonio. I'll have the full interview with Guy soon; also I'm   getting ready to post a few videos I think ALL will like seeing. I talked with Mr. Reale the other day and he   is doing well. As we move into the Holiday season, please take a moment and think about helping our   friends on the East Coast by donating to the Salvation Army. I attended a conference meeting earlier in   the year and I found out a lot of information about the Salvation Army. Did you know that $0.86 of every   dollar this past year goes to the needy? They also teach the word of GOD to ALL who are in need?   Please think about donating this year or drop a dime in the bucket when you see them ringing the bell of   hope near your area.   more coming soon,         Shine on!

Photo's From The Official Headstone Unveiling

Share Tweet Hey Fans, I wanted to post these pic's of the Official Headstone unveiling I arranged for Mark. I'm looking into adding maybe next year what's called a Medallion that hold's a code bar, allowing anyone with a smart phone to scan it and read detailed information about Mark and his band RIOT. This will come from the yearly fundraising campaign I’ll be holding in the months to come, so everyone can be a part of it if they want. I've sent Mr. Reale photos and all of the DVD video of this service per his request. I talked to him yesterday and he has received them. I’d like to thank Mark at South Texas Memorials for doing such a great job in the detail work of the Les Paul along with the rest of the stone. Mr. Reale is very pleased with his work and sends his thanks. http://www.southtexasmemorials.com/ Father Kevin saying a few words and prayers before the unveiling. Father Kevin praying after the unveiling. Here’s a up close look at the headstone. More up close look at the headstone, the guitar work is sunken into the stone giving it a 3D feel  The picture used was from Army Of One photo session.  And yes The Mighty Tior is on the back. more to come!

MARK REALE - A Great Man and a Private Man

Share Tweet Let's get one thing straight right from the start, how much money Mark made over the years or who he chose to live with is nobody’s business. As if the blatant lying concerning Mark’s deteriorating health and his contributions to Riot’s latest record weren’t bad enough on the part of others, now they’re distorting the truth concerning Mark’s finances and the way he chose to live his life. The people responsible for this totally inappropriate and distasteful post should be ashamed of themselves. Mark was sick with Crohns disease most of his life. After traveling and touring throughout the world and living in Texas a few years, Mark eventually came to live with his father not out of necessity but, of his own free will. Perhaps he was influenced by the passing of his mother? They loved each other and took care of each other; it was a beautiful father and son relationship. They were best of best friends. Mark was an old school guy and all about family. Family of his own was not part of his future due mostly to medical condition he struggled with. However, Mark never complained about this to anyone nor did he want anyone to feel sorry for him. That’s why hardly anyone outside of his immediate circle and band members knew about his condition. Rather than feeling sorry for himself, Mark led a courageous life and made the most out of what God had given him-his talent and his family. Mr. Reale signing a fans guitar in San Antonio Texas                   Japan 2005 After Show Fan Signing As far as Mark’s finances were concerned, he was far from being a broke man. Make no mistake about it, Riot was Mark’s band and it was a successful business venture. Mark was a content bachelor. Sure he made some mistakes along the way especially, when he was young. What great man hasn’t? Many in the press stated that Mark was one of the most underrated musicians in the business. The story of the emerging artist struggling to make smart business decisions is nothing new. Yet, through it all Mark was happy with the hand he was dealt, after all it was never about great wealth only instead the love of music that Mark focused on. Anyone who knew Mark understood that he was a very private person and the dissecting of his life long struggle like this is way out of line and beyond disrespectful. If there was one thing that anyone who knew Mark could agree upon was that he always preferred to keep his private life private. Please let the man and his legacy rest in peace, for this are his father’s true wishes. Art work by Rika Sekiya Shine on Mark, Shine on!   6th Member/webmaster

Mark's Headstone Unveiling

Share Tweet         Dear Fans,   Everything is now in order and we are ready to announce that on Saturday August 11th 2012 at 10am, Father Kevin will be   attending and saying a few words along with a special prayer at Mark’s headstone unveiling at Holy Cross Cemetery. Also   in attendance will be some local press and very close friends, so come out and celebrate this very moving moment in time.   All are welcome to attend, please be prompted as this service will start on time.   Note: If you would like to send flowers to this event you may do so by sending them to the address below, I will make sure   they get placed at Mark’s grave site. (Please have them there by 9:45am)   Location:  Holy Cross Cemetery                      17501 Nacogdoches Rd.                      San Antonio, TX 78266                      (210) 651-6011                      map: Holy Cross more coming soon,         Shine on!

Reale's Headstone Almost Ready

Share Tweet       Great news fans, Mark’s headstone is being engraved as I type this news post, it should be delivered to Holy Cross on Friday August 3rd 2012. Depending on Holy Cross’s workload, they should be able to set the stone Monday (August 6th) or Tuesday (August 7th). I have asked the local press to attend this event and will be reveling the headstone to the public on that day. I’ll have the exact date information ASAP and will post it here, until then I have uploaded the stencil of what it will look like. This will be a 3 dimensional headstone that will allow you to actually feel Mark’s guitar raised up from the stone along with a special laser engraved image and a few word’s on the back of the headstone dedicated to you the fans. Please feel free to leave a comment below, also "Like" us at the top right hand of this page if you want? This will allow you to stay informed through active feeds at facebook. You can also "share" or "tweet" about this page by clicking onto the links above.     more coming soon,         Shine on!

New Home On The Web

Share Tweet      Dear, Fans    Ok, I got most of what I want up and running for now. But I’m still putting a few thing together and will be add them    soon to the layout. As you can see I've moved over to blogger, this way everything will stay in place should    something happen to me. After my friends passing, it got me thinking about a lot of things. So that’s why I’ve been    moving everything here for the past two months, plus it has a lot of great features that everyone can enjoy.    I will be posting the information about Mark’s headstone very soon, I know many have been waiting patiently for    this. Also for those who are wounding, yes I’m still holding the yearly fundraising campaign and will post that info    soon as well, I just wanted to get this part up now.    Here’s some very old RIOT archive memorabilia I wanted to share with you all, I have a lot more coming along with    some never seen before video. Things are starting to move forward around here now, been a bit hard but I’m ready    to get back into it again and have much to share for years to come. I hope you enjoy!   more coming soon,         Shine on!

Grass Looks Great, Thank You!

Dear, Friends, Thanks to Phil, Kent and his wife for coming out to the grass planting at Mark’s grave site. Look's really good now and there’s a water faucet very close to keep it green, you know I’ll be there! I’ll be posting the fund raising info very soon, just getting all the info together now but ALL will be able to take part if desired. This will be an “Annual Fundraising Campaign” for Mark, you maybe asking why? Well this will help keep stuff like fresh flowers at Mark’s grave site on a monthly basis. At the cemetery they pick up everything at each grave site every 30 days, this help’s keep trash, old dried out flowers and other stuff from making the cemetery look unkempt. Therefore we will be buying flowers every month and placing them at Mark’s grave site. Also the ‘Eternal Candle’ that burns in the mausoleum at Holy Cross Cemetery, this feature can be purchased for one, two or three years at at time and will burn 24 hours a day 365 days a year for as long as we keep the account in good standings. The candle will have a plaque below it with Mark’s full name engraved into it, so this is why I will be holding this “Annual Fundraising Campaign” for Mark, for ALL to be a part of his legacy. more coming soon! 6th Member/webmaster

Grass Planting Party

Dear Friends, We will be planting grass at Mark’s grave site on Sunday April 29th 2012 at 5pm at Holy Cross Cemetery, all are welcomed to attend and help out with the planting and watering. Wear some old cloths, you just might get dirty form all the fun. There will be drinks and snacks for all, so come out and give a helping hand to our friend Mark and chat about how he inspired you in your life! Also, we have started work on Mark’s head stone and plan to have a reveling in June, we will be asking the local media to attend this event and ALL fans who would like to come to make plais in June. I will be posting the date and more info on this soon. There will also be a fund drive coming soon to help in the final cost of the headstone but for now if you would like to help out, please click onto the official DONATION link. more coming soon! 6th Member

Living Memorial Tree Program

Dear Fans,  Hope you have a peaceful Easter Sunday, I got this in the mail a few days back and wanted to pass on the good news, that GOD continues  to bless us with Mark’s good work in life.       Shine on!  6th Member/webmaster

Marquee/Avaron | Mark Reale Tribute Page

Dear Fans,  Marquee/AVARON (RIOT Thundersteel Reunion line up Japan label) released my friends cover story, some of it was published in March’s issue of   Burrn Magazine. It was posted at Marquee/AVARON web site, get the full report from behind the scene of Mark’s service at marquee.co.jp  Here it is in English:  Mr. Mark Reale, founding member of long-standing band RIOT (established in 1975), passed away on January 25th, 2012 at the Methodist Medical  Center in San Antonio, Texas after a long battle and complications from Crohns disease. Damon Di Bari, the band’s production manager, lighting  engineer, tour manager and Mark’s personal assistant since 1988 was at his bedside up to the end.  At the onset of this tragic news, his father, Mr. Anthony Reale, band member Mike Flyntz, who was on tour at the time, were immediately contacted  by phone. At the time, RIOT was on tour with the “7000 Tons of Metal” event. Guitarist Mike Flyntz, who received the news a day after his own  birthday, dropped his cell upon hearing of this tragedy. At the end of the tour, the members first returned to their respective homes.  Mike Flyntz then participated in an interview on New York’s WBAB radio show, “Fingers & Fingers Metal Show”, where he talked about his  memories of Mark.  The day before the viewing, Mike Flyntz and Mark’s father, Anthony Reale arrived in San Antonio. Frank Gilchriest and Mike Dimeo arrived in  Texas the same day. Bobby Jarzombek was unable to attend due to tour responsibilities with Sebastian Bach’s tour. Tony Moore also was unable to  attend, due to prior commitments.  The Viewing for family and friends was held at the Porter Loring Mortuary North at 5:00 pm. The Viewing for general attendees was held from 6:00  pm to 8:00pm. The facility featured a large projection screen on the left side of the venue. The casket, positioned in the center, was surrounded by  flowers. On the right side of the venue was a large picture of Mark in his prime, as well as a gift from his fans in Japan: a “Sen-ba Tsuru” (one  thousand Origami cranes; a traditional Japanese symbol of prayer and hope).  Mark was interred wearing a crucifix necklace, a silver ring, a purple velvet shirt with a black leather vest. A guitar pick was positioned between his  fingers. Also positioned within the casket were a bible and a RIOT tour T-shirt from their 1981 & 1982 “Fire Down Under” tour. These two  items were treasured by Mark, as they were constantly with him. When playing on stage, he always kept these items in a bag near the stage. Until his  passing, this fact was not known, even to his long-time friend and personal assistant, Damon Di Bari.  His viewing was attended by over 80 mourners. Among them, some were wearing T-shirts emblazoned with album titles, “Born In America” and “Fire  Down Under”, indicating the long-term devotion of his fans. During the viewing, a short film shot by Mark’s former guitar technician, Mike Arata was  shown on the large screen. This footage was shot during the recording of “Through The Storm” at Millbrook Studios, featuring Mark and a few other  musicians during a coffee break. Also shown was rehearsal footage of the band performing “Irish Trilogy” during their 1998 Japan tour. During the  coffee break sequence, Mark, who was known to be rather camera-shy, is shown heartily laughing at the jokes made by Mike Arata.  Following the films, Damon Di Bari addressed the congregation. Following that, there were speeches from 8 friends and fans. Among these were local  friends of Mark’s who had been close with him since the seventies; a young fan who professed that his father was also a long-term fan; and a  bartender from a “Chili’s”, a favorite restaurant of Mark’s. One of these speeches featured a humorous story about Mark that brought laughter and a  warm atmosphere to the viewing. Following the viewing, many attendees gathered for dinner at “Chili’s”.  The music that was playing at the viewing was chosen especially for this, Mark’s “final show”, by Damon Di Bari. The list of songs used are as follows:  １．Overdrive  ２．The Man  ３．Chains (Revolving)  ４．Army Of One  ５．Angel Eyes  ６．49er  ７．Johnny's Back  ８．Metal Soldier  ９．Outlaw  １０．Racing With The Devil On A Spanish Highway  １１．Road Racin'  １２．Still Alive  １３．Swords and Tequila  １４．Thundersteel  １５．Tokyo Rose  １６．Warrior  The funeral was held at St. Mark The Evangelist Catholic Church on February first, the following day. Following the ceremony, the mourners then  transported to Holy Cross Cemetery for the burial. Current and former band members Mike Flyntz, Don Van Stavern, Mike Dimeo, Pete Perez,  Frank Gilchriest, along with their families were among those attending the burial. Ron Jarzombek and Buster Grant (former bandmate of Bobby and  Don, and currently vocalist for “Age Of Reason”, a San Antonio band), as well as Ligaya Perkins (former back-up vocalist for RIOT) were also in  attendance.  Prior to the funeral, the casket, Mark’s portrait and the Origami crane display was positioned under a large stained glass window in the  entranceway to the church. Mourners paid their last respects as they passed the casket and proceeded into the main worship hall. As Mark’s father,  Mr. Anthony Reale lingered by the casket, he and many other mourners were overcome with tears. The casket was then closed for the last time and  carried to the front of the cathedral. Then the funeral mass began and lasted for approximately an hour. Then 5 band members, along with Damon  Di Bari, silently carried the casket outside to the hearse. The funeral procession, along with the police escort, consisted of over 20 vehicles.  Although a native New Yorker, Mark loved San Antonio and often visited for long periods of time. There was a lot of talk of his desire to live  permanently in San Antonio. He was fond of the warm weather and the many close friends he had that live there. There were solid plans for both   Mark and his father to move to San Antonio, but unfortunately, these plans never came to fruition. His father, aware of his son’s love for San Antonio,  insisted that this be Mark’s final resting place.  The burial was held on a stunningly beautiful day. After a few words from the priest, the song, “Here Comes The Sun” (a Beatles cover off of RIOT’s  “Through The Storm” album) was played as four doves were released into the sky. The doves hovered over the mourners for a while before flying off  into the distance.  Following the burial, Mr. Reale, along with 20 attendees gathered at the “Little Italy” restaurant for a memorial dinner. Among the attendees were  current and former band members, along with a few long-term friends of Mark’s.  Mark was apparently on the verge of creating a blues project with Mike Dimeo and Bobby Rondinelli. Undoubtedly, his many fans would have loved  to hear a different side of Mark’s talent that differed from his work on “Thundersteel”. Tragically, they will forever be deprived of this opportunity.  The name Reale, according to Mark’s father, means “royal”, in Italian. To Mark’s friends, and to the many RIOT fans around the world, Mark Reale  was, indeed, and will continue to be rock royalty.  R.I.P. Mark, Shine On!  Written by:Hiromi Oshima  Translated by: Hiromi Oshima & Bob Dyer  more to come soon,

Mark's Mass Service March 10th 2012

Dear Fans,  On March 10th 2012 I attended a small MASS service at Holy Cross Cemetery where Mark rest. Family members and friends from those who  where laid to rest in the month of February 2012 attended this special service. I called Mr. Reale before the service started and informed him that I  was there. It was a simple Catholic traditional service, a nice way to reflect on our loved one’s we had to depart with here on earth but being assured  they are at rest and have peace with GOD  Mark’s a great friend and my brother in Christ who gave me a chance (at 20) to see the world and help him in his time of needs throughout our  25 year special friendship. I learned a lot from that man, traveling with him around the would was tricky but I had such a blast. I could see what he  saw in the fan, it was always about the fan and nothing else, I thank him for allowing me to meet so many great fans along the way. I’ll never forget  you and how kind you are! He love that the most I think! Shine On Warriors!  I'm working on the new site that will have many new features for all of us to share in Mark’s great work. One thing I’m setting up is a prayer light that  will burn for as long as I and you the fans keep the account up to date at Holy Cross Cemetery. More details on this coming very soon.  And finally, my good friend who attended Mark's service and dinner just released there new video POWER HOUSE from his new project  [Age Of Reason], check them out if you want!  more coming soon,

Mass Service

Dear Fans,  Wanted to let you all know that a special Mass service will be held at Holy Cross Cemetery on March 10th 2012 for those who past away and where  buried at Holy Cross in February. This includes our friend and brother in Christ Mark Reale, GOD continues to reassure us that Mark’s in a great  place and is at rest. All who would like to attend this service are encourage to do so, I will be attending this for Mr. Reale and myself.   Also, my source confirms that Burrn Magazine in Japan will be doing a tribute to Mark in next months issue, it will be on sale March 5th 2012 in  Japan. This is sure to be a hot item, pick one up if you can!  more coming soon, SHINE ON!

Thank You

....................................................................**Mark Reale**...............................................................
                                                                         June 7th 1955 - January 25th 2012

Romans 10:9-13
New International Version (NIV)

⁹ If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. ¹¹ As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” ¹² For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, ¹³ for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Dear Fans, I would like to thank all who sent prays to Mark as he gallantly gave his all in this fight, be assured I read to him daily your thoughts, kind words and prays at his bed side.

This was a very hard road for all, but a lot of good signs came not only to myself but to many who where very close to Mark. God was truly talking to many of us, like when I showed Frank why I really was sold on this place for Mark.


Or when we where in the hotel and just turned on Pandora radio and Warrior just started when we turned it on Wednesday night after the diner at Littlie Italy. But the one that gets me is that I called Flyntz shortly after Mark’s passing, but he was on the ocean when I called and after that he could not use the phone again? Others had assuring dreams that Mark is in a great place, this is not all just a coincidence in my mind. An old saying goes like this, “Make time for the quiet moments as GOD whispers and the world is loud.” I can hear very clearly that my brother is safe.


I thought it would be nice to post a few pics of the church where Mark’s MASS took place, many of you are over sea’s and of course could not make it, so here’s a few photos in remembrance of Mark.



This is where my brother rest in San Antonio Texas, a place Mark truly loved and planned on moving his father here to enjoy great sunny weather he so loved.



Mark loved and had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ his savior. It’s truly a nice place to visit and I encourage you to.



This is where my brother rest, under a nice tree to give him some shade from all the sunshine. It gets hot here that's for sure, but Mark loved it.



My brothers view, thanks be to GOD!



In keeping with Italian traditions, I though it would be nice to have a table of 20 reserved at what I think is the closest to New York Italian food and I highly recommend Littlie Italy here in San Antonio. Tell Dominic Mr. Reale & Damon sent you! True Italian cooking, don’t forget desert!



father, like son!


Taking the time to talk to a friend of Mark's!

 Shin On! Mr. Reale!


Family, thank you Mark Reale.


I would also like to say thank you to all who have donated to Mark's funds, it has helped a lot. Mr. Reale has started to receive medical bills from the doctors and other expenses, if you would like to still help out with theses astronomical expense you may do so by clicking onto the Official Donation link located at the top right of every page here at Mark’s official web site. All proceeds go to Mr. Reale’s account via paypal.

I’ll be working on the web site in the months to come, there will be a lot of great stuff coming as well, this is not the end but a new beginning for all. If you would like to stay connected and get updates on news feeds, just click onto the RSS feed button located at the bottom lower left of this page.

More to come soon,
6th Member/webmaster