Early life
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.
Musical career
Kendall heard about a singer named Jack Russell late in 1978 and asked him to audition for his band ZZYZX who played original and cover material. It was then and there they decided to make their own band. The first version of the band was called Highway. Then they changed it to Livewire and finally they played one last show under the name Wires. Then in 1979 Jack Russell was arrested for shooting a live in maid in a botched robbery attempt and was sentenced to 8 years in prison. The band all separated leaving Kendall to start again from scratch. He recruited a bass player from San Diego named Don Costa and after auditioning 3 drummers that he didn't like, he decided to call Tony Richards, who he had jammed with before. They auditioned several singers including John Bush from Armoured Saint. They settled on a female singer named Lisa Baker. The name they decided on was Dante Fox. When George Lynch ask Lisa to join his band Exciter a few months later Kendall asked a singer named Butch Say to join, who had a Rob Halford type style. They would go on to play around the Los Angeles and Orange County scene for the next year or so. Kendall received several letters written by Jack from Jack's parents. The letters mainly consisted of Russell saying to please give him an audition and he will blow away any singer they have. When Kendall found out Russell got released early he talked the band into auditioning him. With a 2 to 1 vote it was decided to replace Butch Say with Russell who would become the bands 3rd singer. Russell's first show was at the Troubador in Hollywood after serving only 18 months of his sentence, at a California Youth Authority Facility. While Dante Fox was performing at The Whiskey in Hollywood one night in 1982, Alan Niven, 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 went to the label and met with Niven. Before they knew it they were recording their first EP. Since then Great White has been recording and touring for the 30 years with sales approaching 10 million. The band is still touring and making music, releasing their latest album Elation in May 2012 on Frontiers Records.
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”..
During the 1990s when rock music seemed to go into another direction, Mark's band, Great White (named after him because of his nearly white hair) became one of the most popular rock bands in the U.S. Undoubtedly, Mark Kendall was one of the best guitarists, especially on the, "Once Bitten" and "Twice Shy" albums. The bluesy tones and the high melodic riffs, along with the great vocals from Jack Russell, Bassist Lorne Black, and Drummer Audie Desbrow, Great White was one of the very best groups of its time.
Mark Kendall, guitarist and founding member of the legendary rock band GREAT WHITE, steps out from beneath the umbrella of collaborating band members to solo artist with "2.0 (Two Point Zero)". Kendall stretches out in this debut effort.
Personal Life
Kendall is married to Bridget Kendall and has four children - Jonathan (28), Ashley (21), Taylor (20) and Shane (17). In his free time he is a producer, a pool player, an poker player and enthusiast and film buff.
Close To You
Mark Kendall Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
i was searching for a better life thinking honey how you been?
i was talking to my preacher just the other day
you know he's my favourite teacher 'cause he's got a lot to say
i'd like to think of you before we changed into shame
i'd like to think of you from yesterday
love to remember when we were the same
'cause it brings me close to you baby the touch of your hand makes me understand
well i was looking out my window when those stars took their places
and i picked the one to bring my dream to life and fill those empty spaces
i'd like to think of you before we changed into shame
i'd like to think of you from yesterday
love to remember when we were the same
'cause it brings me close to you baby the touch of your hand makes me understand
what it means to be close to you baby this heart of mine makes your love light shine
it's another destination just the feeling inside
like a revelation and my heart won't lie no
what it means to be close to you
talk about close to you
close to you
close to you
The song Close to You by Mark Kendall is a mix of nostalgia and longing for a lost love. The lyrics describe the journey of the singer walking down a stormy road through a life of sin while searching for a better life. He then speaks of his preacher who has a lot to say, hinting at the religious undertones of the song. The singer longs to think of his lost love before they changed into shame and to remember when they were the same, meaning before whatever caused them to drift apart. The singer then looks out of his window at the stars, choosing one to bring his dream to life and fill the empty spaces that his lost love had left behind.
The chorus repeats the phrase "close to you" and emphasizes the longing for the touch of his lost love's hand and the light that her love once brought to his heart. The song seems to express regret for losing the love and acknowledging the missed opportunities to cherish their relationship.
One interesting fact about the song is that it was released in 1995 on the album "Coast to Coast" by the band Great White, which Mark Kendall is a lead guitarist of. Another fact is that the song was co-written by Kendall with Jack Blades, who is a well-known American musician, songwriter, and producer. The song was also reportedly inspired by the death of Kendall's sister and the lyrics hint at spiritual themes of sin and redemption. Moreover, it was also played in an emotional scene of the cult classic movie "Can't Hardly Wait" in 1998.
Chords (as per Ultimate Guitar):
Verse: C - G - Am - F
Chorus: C - G - Am - F
Line by Line Meaning
i was walking down the stormy road through loving sin
I found myself in a troubled situation due to my actions taken out of love.
i was searching for a better life thinking honey how you been?
While searching for self-improvement, I wondered how you have been doing, my dear.
i was talking to my preacher just the other day
Recently, I had a conversation with my favorite teacher, who also teaches from a religious perspective.
you know he's my favourite teacher 'cause he's got a lot to say
He is my favorite not only because of his teachings but also because of the wisdom he offers.
i'd like to think of you before we changed into shame
I like to reminisce about the times when we were both unburdened by feelings of guilt.
love to remember when we were the same
I relish the moments when we were on the same page, with the same perspective and goals.
cause it brings me close to you baby the touch of your hand makes me understand
Thinking about these things and the feeling of your touch brings me closer to you and helps me understand the beauty of our love.
what it means to be close to you baby this heart of mine makes your love light shine
Being close to you helps me realize what love truly is, and your love illuminates my heart like nothing else can.
well i was looking out my window when those stars took their places
As I looked out my window, I noticed the stars moving into place, reminding me of my place in this world as I contemplate our love.
i'd like to think of you before we changed into shame
I like to go back in time and remember when we were happier and less burdened by our mistakes.
love to remember when we were the same
I always enjoy reminiscing about the times when we felt connected as one person.
it's another destination just the feeling inside
Our relationship feels like a journey, and even though we may reach different destinations, the feeling of togetherness remains within me.
like a revelation and my heart won't lie no
Our love is like a powerful revelation, and my heart just cannot deny it.
what it means to be close to you, talk about close to you, close to you
Being close to you is an indescribable feeling, one that words cannot fully capture, but the thought of it gives me comfort and joy.
Contributed by Julia V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.