Marc Moreland, born January 8th, 1958 a native of California and resident of West Covina for most of 25 years, passed away March 13, 2002 in France after a long bout with liver disease and complications due to a liver transplant. Marc began his music career as songwriter and lead guitarist with his brother Bruce (bass guitarist) in his first high school band "The Sky People." Later he and a close friend formed "The Skulls" and even later others including "Pretty & Twisted." Marc and his brother Bruce also created the famous 80's band "Wall of Voodoo." Marc toured the world and made his band, song writing and unique lead guitar style famous. His most popular song "Mexican Radio" which he wrote and performed on has been played all across the world on radio and TV and even in movies and on The Seinfeld TV series. Unfortunately Marc was never able to hear when completed his newly released March 5th CD "Take it to the spotlight" created by Marc and called "Marc Moreland Mess." Marc also worked for more than 20 years as an usher at Santa Anita Race Track. He is survived by his loving wife and soul mate, Frederique who was with him throughout and remained by his side at his passing. His devastated brother, Bruce who worshipped and adored him along with his mother, Bonnie who cherished everything about him and his bereaved father, Kenneth. Also his two Aunts Beverly Gagon and Barbara Koss and many cousins, friends and fans. Words cannot convey our sorrow and the world has lost not only a great talent but the most kind, gentle and creative of all souls.

Musician Marc Moreland, 44, dies
West Covina native was Wall of Voodoo lead guitarist
By Mike Del Muro
Correspondent

WEST COVINA -- Marc Moreland, lead guitarist and song writer from the 1980s band Wall of Voodoo, died Wednesday from complications due to a liver transplant.

The 44-year-old Moreland grew up in West Covina and went to West Covina High School before he graduated from Coronado High School.

Bruce Moreland, Marc's brother, said Marc's love of music began when they were young. He went to a Jimi Hendrix concert for his 12th birthday. He and his brother copied Alice Cooper and Iggy Pop and wore spiked hair and clothes that looked like dresses.

"We did anything that would shock people," Bruce said.

Moreland never stopped going back home to West Covina.

His mother, Bonnie Hart, now lives in El Monte and works at Santa Anita Park racetrack.

"People would come up to me all the time at Santa Anita and ask me about Marc," Hart said. "Everyone around here loved him."

When in high school, Moreland formed punk bands The Sky People and The Skulls. In 1978, he and Bruce formed Wall of Voodoo.

Bruce said it was wonderful to be in a band with Marc, although their relationship bordered on codependence.

"Marc was really shy," Bruce said. "So whenever something came up, I'd have to talk to the other band members about it."

Bruce left the band in 1983, one year before Wall of Voodoo released their huge hit "Mexican Radio," which was a big shock to Hart.

"I remember him writing it here at home," Hart said. "I told him it was terrible. All it did was repeat itself. Radio. Radio."

Fortunately for Moreland, his mother was wrong. The song was hugely successful worldwide, and Wall of Voodoo played shows in the Soviet Union, Australia and Puerto Rico.

Wall of Voodoo disbanded in 1989, and Moreland started concentrating on other projects.

His most recent release, under the band name Marc Moreland Mess, came out March 5.

Hart said her son never heard the completed version of the CD.

Moreland went to France to visit his wife, Frederique. He got sick there and was taken to the hospital. Hart said Moreland stayed in the hospital for four months, then he flew back to Los Angeles. He did not have health insurance, so he flew back to France with the hope of getting treated there.

"He was so weak," Hart said. "I didn't think he'd make it back."

Moreland received a liver transplant. Five weeks later, his body rejected the liver and he died.

Bruce said his brother died from living the rock 'n' roll life too long.

"Everyone used to think I was the one who was going to die, but I came through and Marc continued to drink a lot," he said.

Moreland's body is still in France, where it will be cremated and flown back to the United States.

Bruce said Marc wanted to have his ashes spread in the water of Ensenada, Mexico.