Jack Russell, Who Led Rockers Great White, Dies at 63

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Jack Russell in the Great White video for 1983’s “Once Bitten, Twice Shy”

Jack Russell, the former frontman of the rock band Great White, died today (August 15, 2024). His death at age 63 was attributed to Lewy body dementia and multiple system atrophy. The band announced his death on its Facebook page, noting his “incredible voice” and “love for the fans,” adding that, “It was a privilege and joy to share the stage with him–many shows, many miles, and maximum rock.” But what will always stand out as a stain on Russell and the band’s career was their concert on the night of February 20, 2003.

Great White was performing at The Station nightclub in Warwick, RI, when their tour manager Daniel Biechele set off pyrotechnic explosions that caused flammable insulation materials above the stage’s drum riser to catch fire.

The club was over capacity with 462 people in a space only licensed for 404. The fire took a little over five minutes to spread throughout the club. The rush to the main exit created a bottleneck that prevented people from getting out. At a backstage exit a security guard reportedly stopped fans, saying it was only for the band.

Great White guitarist Ty Longley, and the show’s MC, WHJY DJ Mike “The Doctor” Gonsalves, were among those who perished. In the criminal trials that followed, Biechele was charged with 100 counts of manslaughter and pleaded guilty. He was given a 15-year sentence. One of the club’s owners was also sentenced to the same 15-year prison term as Biechele.

The band’s complete statement read, “Our deepest condolences to the family of Jack Russell. We hope they take comfort in knowing Jack’s incredible voice will live on forever. His love for the fans and his sons went unmatched, as was his own love for rock music. What do you say about someone that was there by your side on such an amazing journey, the good and the band? We prefer to let the music fill in the blanks. 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. In the studio, Jack was amazing. He always came ready to work. And work hard, he did. Jack stayed until he got the best performance for each song. He brought the same excellence to every show. The consistency of his live performances were always beyond comparison. Rest in Peace, to one of rock’s biggest champions.”

Russell was with Great White from 1981 to 1996 as they earned significant success with the back-to-back albums Once Bitten (1987) and …Twice Shy (1989) for Capitol Records, as well as a #5 pop hit with a rollicking single taken from those two titles, written more than a decade earlier by Mott the Hoople’s Ian Hunter. After departing for a solo career, he ultimately returned to the band, as it was renamed Jack Russell’s Great White. The tragic fire in Rhode Island took place not long after.

Earlier this year, Russell and Tracii Guns released an album, Medusa, of which the latter said, “Jack is one of the greatest rock voices of our generation. It’s a total honor to play guitar on this record.”

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