In Memoriam: Mark Adams
More sad news to share this week. Original Saint Vitus bassist Mark Adams has passed away. A cause has not been announced, though he had long battled Parkinson’s disease. He was 64 years old.
The news was shared by Saint Vitus guitarist Dave Chandler on Facebook.
“This is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to write. I found out last night. I can’t say it out loud. I’m heartbroken to inform everyone that my best friend and co – founder of Saint Vitus Mark Adams has passed away,” he wrote. “The details are vague, as I haven’t actually spoken with the family yet. He left us May 23 2023 peacefully in his sleep. I’m trying to contact anyone in the family to find out more. Mark was the best person I’ve ever met. He was kind to everyone, even those who did him wrong. Never had a bad word to say about anyone. Always found the good in everything no matter how bad it was. A great guy to be around. Nothing will ever be the same.”
Adams helped found the doom metal titans in 1978, when they formed as Tyrant. The band counted their influences as bands like Judas Priest, Blue Cheer, Alice Cooper, and Black Sabbath. They changed their name to Saint Vitus in 1980 in reference to the Sabbath song “St. Vitus Dance”. They would release a total of seven albums before disbanding in 1996, only to reunite in the early 2000s.
Adams would perform with the band until 2016 when it was revealed he was battling health problems. Bassist Pat Bruders has been in the bass role since then.
Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Mark Adams.
