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.
I'm The Man
Mark Kendall Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
i'll stop anyone dead in their tracks that tries to come between us
i'll hit the mark i'll toe the line i'll lead with my heart 'cause i'm that kind of guy
you know i am
i'm the man the man you've been looking for
take my hand baby won't you climb aboard
though i might be your average joe or just a guy next door
i'm the man you've been looking for
in the dead of night i'll be your light baby just turn me on
i can be gentle i can be tough i've got the backbone i'll back it up
you know i can
i'm the man the man you've been looking for
take my hand baby won't you climb aboard
though i might be your average joe or just a guy next door
i'm the man you've been looking for
just take the journey and believe me now and hear the words i say
i hold the candle i believe in you so close your eyes and we'll slip away
'cause i'm the man the man you've been looking for
take my hand baby won't you climb aboard
though i might be your average joe or just a guy next door
i'm the man you've been looking for
hear me i'm the man you've been looking for
hear me i'm the man you've been looking for
The lyrics to Mark Kendall's song "I'm the Man" are all about being the perfect partner for someone. The singer tells the person they're singing to that they'll always have their back, and they'll protect them from anyone who tries to come between them. The singer believes in leading with their heart, which they believe makes them the perfect partner for the person they're singing to.
The singer tells the person that he's the man they've been looking for. He might not be a superhero or anything like that, but he's just an average guy who's willing to fight for them and be there for them. He tells the person that if there's ever any trouble, they'll be safe in his arms. He'll be their light in the dead of night, and he can be gentle or tough when he needs to be.
The chorus of the song is all about the singer telling the person that he's the man they've been looking for. He invites them to take his hand and climb aboard on this journey together. He wants them to believe in him and trust him completely.
Overall, the song is a romantic love ballad that encourages trust, belief, and safety in a relationship. It's about finding the perfect partner who will always have your back and protect you from harm.
Line by Line Meaning
i got you covered i got your back baby i'm riding shotgun
I am here for you and ready to protect and support you any time, any day.
i'll stop anyone dead in their tracks that tries to come between us
I won't let anyone harm our relationship or come between us, I'll stand up for us.
i'll hit the mark i'll toe the line i'll lead with my heart 'cause i'm that kind of guy
I am disciplined and reliable, and I will always do what is right and true to my feelings.
you know i am
You can count on me to be the man I claim to be.
i'm the man the man you've been looking for
I am the partner, the friend, and the protector you've been searching for all your life.
take my hand baby won't you climb aboard
Join me on this adventure and let me lead the way to happiness and fulfillment.
though i might be your average joe or just a guy next door
I may not be a superhero or a celebrity, but I am sincere, down-to-earth, and relatable.
if there's trouble on the rise you'll be so safe in my arms
I will be your shelter and your refuge when life gets rough, and I will take care of you always.
in the dead of night i'll be your light baby just turn me on
When you feel lost, alone, or scared, just reach out to me, and I will guide and comfort you.
i can be gentle i can be tough i've got the backbone i'll back it up
I am versatile and adaptable, and I am not afraid to stand up for my convictions and defend my values.
just take the journey and believe me now and hear the words i say
Trust me and give me a chance to show you what we can achieve together, and listen to my words of encouragement and inspiration.
i hold the candle i believe in you so close your eyes and we'll slip away
I am your ally and your supporter, and I have faith in your dreams and your potential. Let's escape the world and create our own little paradise.
'cause i'm the man the man you've been looking for
I am the answer to your prayers and the solution to your problems. Trust me, and we'll make it work.
hear me i'm the man you've been looking for
Listen to my voice, my heart, and my soul, and recognize that I am the real deal, the one you've been hoping to find.
Contributed by Wyatt B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.