He grew up listening to the Beatles, Eric Clapton, Gary Moore, Ritchie Blackmore and lists George Harrison as one of his greatest influences.

After attending concerts by Ronnie Montrose, Rick Derringer and Edgar Winter he decided to become a guitarist, forming the band Riot in 1975 who are still active to the present day.

Mark Reale was the principal songwriter and main creative force behind Riot starting with the band's 1977 debut album Rock City.

Other notable records include Restless Breed (1982), the band's comeback album, Thundersteel (1988), and its follow-up, The Privilege of Power (1990).

[1] Reale, who suffered Crohn's disease most of his life, had been in a coma since January 11 due to a subarachnoid hemorrhage.