Jack Russell, one A founding member of the 1980s band Great White has died at the age of 63. In a social media post on Thursday, Russell’s family announced that the glam metal singer passed away “peacefully” surrounded by family and friends. His memoir co-author KL Doty confirmed that Russell died of dementia resulting from Lewy bodies and multiple system atrophy. Rolling Stone.
“Jack is loved and remembered for his sense of humor, his extraordinary passion for life, and his unwavering contribution to rock and roll music, where his legacy will live on forever,” the statement read. “His family asks for privacy at this time.”
The singer announced in July that he would be taking a break from touring due to his dementia and multiple muscular atrophy. “I am unable to perform at the level I want to and at the level you deserve,” Russell said. He said at that time“There are no words to express how grateful I am for the many years of memories, love and support.”
“Thank you for letting me live my dreams. You’ve made my life wonderful,” he concluded the letter in July. Over the summer, Russell released a memoir about his life with KL Doty, The True Story of Mista Pone: A Rock and Roll Story.
A public memorial ceremony is scheduled to be announced at a later date, according to the statement.
Born in Montebello, California, Russell was once the lead singer of the rock band Great White, whose biggest hits were “Once Bitten, Twice Shy” (a cover of an Ian Hunter song) and “The Angel Song” in the late 1980s. He co-founded the band in 1982 with Mark Kendall, and released several albums, including the 1987 album The Angel Song. once bit And 1989 Twice shy.
On Thursday, Great White offered their “deepest condolences” to Russell in an Instagram post, writing that his “amazing voice will live on forever” and calling him “one of rock’s biggest heroes.”
“What do you say about someone who has been with you on this incredible journey, both good and bad? We prefer to let music fill in the blanks,” the band wrote. “All those wonderful years we spent together will always be close to our hearts.”
“It was a pleasure and an honor to share the stage with him – so many shows, so many miles, so many rocks. In the studio, Jack was amazing. He was always ready to work. He worked hard,” the statement read. “Jack stayed until he got the best performance of every song. He brought that same excellence to every show. The consistency of his live performances was always unmatched.”
Kendall announced his cessation of work with Great White in 2000, and Russell announced the end of the band in 2001 to pursue solo music, which failed to achieve success. Several years later, the musicians reunited while Russell toured with the band under the name “Jack Russell Great White”.
For some, Russell’s name brings back memories of the tragic 2003 Station nightclub fire, which killed 100 people and injured 230 more. Great White — who had reunited with Russell and Kendall — was performing at the nightclub when a massive fire broke out after the band’s tour manager ignited flammable acoustic foam at the back of the stage. The band’s guitarist, Ty Longley, was among those killed in the blaze.
In 2015, Russell announced that he would be making a documentary about the mass shooting. “It’s my life story intertwined with the story of the fire,” Russell said at the time. “It’s really hard, you know, but it’s going to give me a chance to apologize and express my feelings about it. I never had a chance to say, ‘I’m sorry.’”
Although Russell was not charged, he and Great White reached a $1 million settlement with the fire victims, part of a $176 million settlement fund. “That’s the legacy of that band,” said Victoria Potvin-Egan, a fan who survived the tragedy. Rolling Stone In 2013.
Great White and Russell reunited in 2006, but split again in 2009 due to Russell’s health issues related to his addiction. Russell left the group and ended up suing Kendall and Great White, although they eventually reached a settlement.
Kendall continued to tour as Great White with alternating vocalists. His version of the band made headlines for performing in July 2020, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, without social distancing or masks.
This story was updated at 8:25 p.m. ET on Aug. 16 to include the confirmed cause of death.
This story was updated at 8:50 p.m. ET on Aug. 16 to include Great White’s statement on Russell’s death.
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