Photo Credit: Jack Russell by Matt Becker / CC by 3.0
Jack Russell, co-founder and lead vocalist of glam rock band Great White, has passed away at age 63.
Glam rock band Great White’s co-founder and lead vocalist, Jack Russell, passed away on Thursday (August 15), confirmed on the musician’s social media. He was 63 years old, and had shared a statement back in July regarding his deteriorating health.
“Jack passed peacefully in the presence of his wife Heather Ann Russell, son Mathew Hucko, cousin Naomi Breshears Barbor, and dear friends Billy and Cheryl Pawelcik,” the announcement on his Instagram reads. “Details of a public memorial will be announced at a later date.”
“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,” the statement continues. “His family asks for privacy at this time.”
In July, Jack took to Instagram to announce his inability to perform the way he once did. “I am unable to perform at the level I desire and at the level you deserve,” he wrote, explaining his struggles with Lewy body dementia and multiple system atrophy. “Words cannot express my gratitude for the many years of memories, love, and support. Thank you for letting me live my dreams. You have made my life a wonder.”
Fellow bandmate Mark Kendall sent condolences on Instagram after the news emerged, referring to Russell as “one of rock’s biggest champions,” with an “incredible voice that will live on forever.”
Great White is best known for their hit single, “Once Bitten, Twice Shy,” as well as several platinum-certified albums during the hair metal peak of the 1980s. In 2003, their pyrotechnic-laden show turned into a tragedy when the small Rhode Island venue caught fire, killing 100 people and injuring 230 others. Among the victims was Great White guitarist Ty Longley, who died in the fire.
After the hair metal movement took a backseat to grunge in the early ‘90s, Great White left Capitol Records and danced around at other labels, including Zoo Records. By 2000, Kendall announced he was taking a break from the band, and other members left altogether shortly thereafter.
Great White briefly signed to Columbia Records in 2001, before Russell’s father passed away and the singer disbanded the remaining group. The band reunited several times over the years that followed, and Russell recorded several new songs through 2014. In 2017, Russell penned his autobiography, “The True Tale of Mista Bone: A Rock + Roll Narrative.”
