One of the voices from Venice…
Mark Lennon has been singing professionally since the age of 14. One of the lead singers in the band “Venice” (with his cousins and brother), he has been recording albums since 1990, both with “Venice”, and as a solo artist.
The youngest of 13 children, Mark is one of the many cousins of the famous “Lennon Sisters” (Lawrence Welk Show) and he has learned from them, and all of his other musical influences, the ability to find and sing a variety of harmonies without any difficulty. This makes him extremely able to vocalize in a style that reflects such artists as Prince, Annie Lennox, Michael Jackson, George Michael, and kd Lang . When singing ballads, Mark’s emotions shine with heart and soul, many times moving the audience to tears.
Mark is third generation Venice California . His music and voice quality both exude that California beach sound, similar to that of the Beach Boys, Eagles and Crosby Stills & Nash. Celebrities such as Stevie Nicks, Jackson Browne, David Crosby and Graham Nash have come to see Mark’s performances as well as sit in on them. Mark also sang backgrounds for Cher for two years and toured with Phil Collins. Mark has done session work for Don Henley, Billy Bob Thornton and hundreds of others.
Another of Mark’s many qualities is his dancing ability. Without ever taking a dance class, Mark exudes his sexuality and honesty through his body movement with the music. His fluidness and timing are similar to Prince, Michael and Janet Jackson , and Jamiroquai, but he is still able to keep a rock and roll edge to it.
Mark’s solo Christmas album “Christmas in the Groove” is a funky R&B Christmas album chalk full of 3 and 4 part harmonies done by Mark Lennon himself with a bit of Hip Hop flare that you can definitely groove to.
Mark sang Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me” as the end credits roll in the movie Boxing Helena starring Julian Sands and Sherilyn Fenn, as well as Route 66 in the movie “Nothing to Lose” starring Tim Robbins and Martin Lawrence. Mark’s voice can also be found on many Disney soundtracks and throughout the many Disney theme parks.
Mark, along with Brad Chiet, was the Grand Prize Winner in the County category of the 2002 John Lennon Songwriting Contest, for their song “Love Carries On”.
In February of 2003, Mark wrote, starred in, and directed a music video for the band “Venice” for his song “Blue Paint”, overseeing all aspects of the six week project, which was then released by Sony Music. At the same time, he made his acting debut in an independent short film, soon to be released at Film Festivals across the U.S.
Mark has performed at many local benefit concerts as a solo artist, supporting projects by Anjelica Huston and Dennis Hopper.
“Venice” is very popular in Europe and Mark and the band spends much of their time touring there. When Mark isn’t on tour, he’s painting his now famous “hand painted clothing” line and recording the music that he writes himself which he recently turned into a solo album “The Demo Sessions”. He enjoys traveling the world, dining out with friends, going to movies, dancing, body surfing, water skiing, and jumping off high cliffs into lakes and seas whenever possible! HA HA!
All things combined, Mark’s look and talents appeal to a wide range of audiences, young and old, all over the world.
Pictures and words from the official Mark Lennon website.
Discography
Dance Or Cry
ML Records 2007
Tracks: We Played Records, Everybody Breaks A Glass Now And Then, Rollin´Back To Me, Who Would´we Thought, Put In A Jar, Have I Told You That, Lonely Boy Waltz, Gotta Be A Big Man, Can We Try Again, Don´t Say Maybe, Cricket (Spoken Bedtime Story), Cricket & Put It In A Jar Remix (Bonus Track).
Musicians on the Dance Or Cry album: mark Lennon, Albert Lucero, Michael Lennon, Mark Harris, Chris Horvath, Mike Wolf & Brad Chiet.
The Demo Sessions
ML Records 2005
Tracks: Guardian, Only Passing Through, The Romance That Never Was, Love Come And Find Me, No Morning After, I Put My, Swaved, Katrina, Careless, Storm, Ave Maria & Free Bonus Track.
Musicians on the Demo Sessions album: Mark Lennon, Chris Horvath, Pat Lennon, Michael Lennon & Kipp Lennon.
Christmas In The Groove
ML Records 2001
Tracks: What Child It Is, O Come All Ye Faithful, Everyday With You Is Christmas, Away In A Manger, O Little Town Of Bethlehem, Hold Out Til Christmas, The First Noel, O Holy Night, Silent Night, Angels We Have Heard On High, Hart The Herald & Auld Lang Syne.
Musicians on the Christmas In The Groove album: Mark Lennon & others.