RIP Mark Abrahamian (Starship)

MARK ABRAHAMIAN - LEAD GUITARIST FOR STARSHIP DIES SUDDENLY:
The very popular guitarist for Starship - Mark Abrahamian - has died suddenly after a show with Survivor and Boston in Nebraska. I'm deeply saddened to hear of his passing and at such a young age also. I've sent condolences to Mickey Thomas and the band, but on behalf of all readers of MelodicRock.com, our thoughts and prayers are with Mark's fiancée, family and his band mates at this time.
Mark has been on tour with Starship since 2000 and was just 46 years old. Mark's bio reads: "Mark chose the guitar and was encouraged by her to practice for 15 minutes each day. However, inspired by Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley, Mark was soon practicing on his own within a few months. The turning point in Mark's life came in the Seventh Grade when he heard Edward Van Halen's song entitled Eruption from the album Van Halen. "I went home and didn't leave my room until the Ninth Grade." For the next few years Mark practiced for hours on end taking the guitar very seriously.
When he was seventeen, Mark applied and went to GIT (The Musicians Institute). Being the youngest in his class, "I lived, breathed, ate and slept music." It was during this period that he discovered such players as John McLaughlin, Al De Meola, Allan Holdsworth, Jeff Beck, Stevie Ray Vaughan. Discovering different types of music was a big part of his development as a guitar player. Jazz, Funk, Blues and classical all intrigued and inspired him. Upon graduation he began playing around town with local bands as well as taking on some fifty students a week teaching his own method.
"I like to give the student the tools of music. After that, they can then learn whatever they want."

The band posted this message on their official Facebook page: "We are all shocked and saddened at the sudden loss of our guitar player Mark Abrahamian. Mark was a kind, thoughtful and innovative soul. He was also a friend and family member. Mark also happened to be one hell of a guitar player. We are devastated by the loss of our brother and just dealing with it the best we can."