Jack Russell, the lead singer of '80s metal band Great White, has died at 63
Jack Russell, the iconic frontman of the '80s metal band Great White, known for hits like "Once Bitten Twice Shy" and "Rock Me," has passed away at 63. He was the voice behind many memorable tracks and was leading the band during the tragic 2003 nightclub fire in Rhode Island that claimed 100 lives.
A statement on Russell's Instagram page described him as a man with a vibrant spirit, a great sense of humor, and an enduring impact on rock and roll. The news of his death was confirmed by K. L. Doty, who authored Russell’s autobiography, "The True Tale of Mista Bone: A Rock + Roll Narrative."
Russell had recently retired from touring after revealing his battle with Lewy Body Dementia and Multiple System Atrophy, conditions that affect coordination, balance, and speech.
The rock community mourned Russell's passing. Fred Coury, former Cinderella member, expressed his sadness on X, calling Russell "one of the nicest guys in the business" and praising his remarkable voice. Poison's Bret Michaels also paid tribute, saying, "To my friend Jack Russell, such an amazing voice. May you rest in peace."
In 2003, a tragedy struck when Russell's version of Great White, known as Jack Russell’s Great White, was performing at The Station nightclub in Rhode Island. Pyrotechnics used during the show ignited a fire that quickly spread, causing a deadly stampede as concertgoers tried to escape. The fire claimed 100 lives, including the band's guitarist, Ty Longley, and injured over 200 others.
Reflecting on the incident in a 2010 interview with The Roanoke Times, Russell said, "It was a horrible tragedy. I wish we could go back in time and erase it. I wish there was something I could’ve done about it. You just kind of pick yourself up and move on."
The nightclub's owners, Jeffrey and Michael Derderian, and Great White’s tour manager, Daniel Biechele, who had set off the pyrotechnics without a permit, were the only ones criminally charged in connection with the fire. They reached plea deals, and Great White later held benefit concerts to support the victims and their families, raising money for the Station Family Fund.
Russell, a California native, joined Great White in 1981 and quickly rose to fame with the band's blend of blues and hard rock. After the band disbanded in 2001, Russell launched his own version under his name. Great White’s biggest hit, "Once Bitten, Twice Shy," reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1989, and their album "...Twice Shy" sold around 2 million copies, earning the band a Grammy nomination.
The band briefly reunited in 2007 to celebrate their 25th anniversary, released a new studio album, and recently completed a European tour.
