Jack Russell, founding singer of the glam metal band Great White, has died at the age of 63.
White was recently diagnosed with Lewy body dementia and multiple system atrophy. He passed away “peacefully” on Thursday, August 15th, surrounded by his family and friends, according to a statement released by K.L. Doty, who co-authored his memoir.
“Jack is loved and remembered for his sense of humor, exceptional zest for life, and unshakeable contribution to rock and roll where his legacy will forever thrive,” Doty wrote. “His family asks for privacy at this time.”
Russell fronted Great White during its commercial heyday in the late 1980s, singing on hits including “Once Bitten, Twice Shy,” “Rock Me,” and “The Angel Song.”
After the band broke up in 2001, Russell went solo but began touring as Jack Russell’s Great White. It’s with that outfit that he performed during the tragic venue fire at The Station in West Warwick, Rhode Island in 2003 that resulted in the deaths of 100 fans.
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Russell reunited with Great White in 2006, but split with the band in 2010. From there, two incarnations of Great White existed: Great White (without Jack Russell) and Jack Russell’s Great White, leading to a legal battle that eventually allowed both acts to tour and record separately.
With the original Great White, Russell and the band went platinum with the 1987 album Once Bitten and double-platinum with its follow-up …Twice Shy (1989).
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