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Mark Craney
After high school, he went, like so many counterparts from across the Atlantic, to Art School, before becoming a professional musician. He has taught drums for twenty years as well as having had a varied career as a powerhouse stick-man for Jean-luc Ponty, Tommy Bolin, Mark-Almond Band, Gino Vanelli and Eddie Jobson. Through his work on Eddie's Zinc album, he was recommended to Ian Anderson as a potential player on Ian's would-be solo effort which became the Tull "A" album in 1980. Touring with Tull in that year in support of the record Mark became a firm friend of the band and later of his replacement, twice-removed, Doane Perry. Mark had the disadvantage of ill-health, first through diabetes and then from kidney disease which has almost cost him his life, as well as career. In spite of his problems Mark continued to play with many artists such as Jeff Beck, The Headpins, Tower of Power and, having rehabilitated himself on two occasions when his kidneys gave out, managed a long period with Eric Burdon until 1996 when he became too ill to play and had no option but to await the kidney transplant which is still hoped for. Doane Perry gave his considerable time and energy to put together a benefit album and concert for Mark in 1998, aided and abetted by many of Mark's previous employers including Uncle Eric and the Tull boys too. The CD "Something With A Pulse" is available on Laughing Gull Records #LG002 through "A New Day" magazine. Mark died in his sleep in November 2005. He
had been ill for many years fighting with an on-going kidney ailment,
transplant rejections, stroke paralysis and associated medical
problems.
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