Jack Russell, Original Singer of Great White, Dies at Age 63

Jack Russell, the original vocalist for the glam metal band Great White, has passed away at the age of 63.

The news of his passing was shared in an emotional message on his Facebook page.

“With tremendous sadness, we announce the loss of our beloved Jack Patrick Russell — father, husband, cousin, uncle, and friend,” began the post. Russell reportedly “passed peacefully” surrounded by his family. “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.”

Great White also paid tribute in a separate post, stating that Russell’s “incredible voice will live on forever.” They added, “All those wonderful years together will be held close to our hearts. It was a privilege and joy to share the stage with him – many shows, many miles and maximum rock.”

Born in Montebello, California, Russell began his musical journey with guitarist Mark Kendall in 1977. After serving an 18-month prison sentence, he joined Kendall in the band Dante Fox, which eventually evolved into Great White.

The band debuted with their self-titled album in 1984, followed by Shot in the Dark in 1986. Despite not achieving mainstream success initially, they built a devoted fanbase by opening for popular acts like Judas Priest, Whitesnake, and Kiss.

Great White’s breakthrough came with their third album, 1987’s Once Bitten… The singles “Rock Me” and “Save Your Love” became rock radio staples. By 1988, Once Bitten… earned platinum status and saw them touring with Guns N’ Roses and Twisted Sister.

Their commercial peak came with the 1989 album …Twice Shy. The album featured their biggest hit, a cover of Ian Hunter’s “Once Bitten, Twice Shy,” which peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and helped the album sell over 2 million copies.

Although Great White continued to release new material, the band’s popularity declined in the 1990s. Russell took a brief hiatus to release his solo debut album in 1996. By 2001, Great White had officially disbanded.

Russell went on to perform under his name for a while and later as Jack Russell’s Great White. Unfortunately, the band became part of a tragic incident in 2003 when pyrotechnics during a show at The Station nightclub in Rhode Island ignited a fire that killed 100 people and injured 230 others.

In 2006, Great White reunited with Russell, but in 2009, his ongoing health problems and addiction issues caused him to leave the band. That year, he released his final album with Great White, Rising. Russell subsequently sued the band over the Great White name, eventually reaching an agreement allowing both parties to continue using variations of the name.

In recent years, Russell announced his retirement from touring, planned for July 2024, following a diagnosis of Lewy body dementia (LBD) and multiple system atrophy (MSA).

“Words cannot express my gratitude for the many years of memories, love, and support,” Russell said at the time. “Thank you for letting me live my dreams. You have made my life a wonder.”

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Gallery Credit: Allison Rapp