Jack Russell, the frontman for the '80s hard rock band Great White and a survivor of one of the deadliest nightclub fires in U.S. history, passed away on August 7 at 63. His death occurred at a family member’s home in Southern California. According to K.L. Doty, the author of Russell's autobiography, the cause of death was Lewy body dementia and multiple system atrophy.
Jack Russell
Russell originally revealed his passing in a message on his own Instagram account, and Doty subsequently provided confirmation. On their Instagram page, his old band Great White also gave him a tribute.
Russell and guitarist Mark Kendall co-founded Great White in the early 1980s. Before changing their name to Great White in 1984, the band was formerly known as Dante Fox and performed in Southern California's modest venues. Their 1987 breakthrough song "Rock Me," which peaked at No. 60 on the Billboard Hot 100, helped them become well-known. "Once Bitten Twice Shy," which peaked at No. 5 in 1989 and led to the band's 1989 Grammy nomination, was their biggest commercial hit.
Despite their success, Russell left the band in 1996 to pursue a solo career, only to return in 1999. However, by 2001, Great White disbanded.
In 2002, Russell and Kendall re-formed a version of the band called Jack Russell’s Great White, which played smaller venues. Tragedy struck in February 2003 during a performance at The Station nightclub in West Warwick, Rhode Island. Pyrotechnics used by the band ignited a fire that claimed the lives of 100 people, including Great White’s guitarist, and injured 230 more. The incident remains one of the deadliest nightclub fires in U.S. history.
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Russell was not charged after the fire, but the proprietors of the club and the tour manager for the band were. Nonetheless, the band consented to pay a settlement of $1 million.
Jack Russell's Great White broke up in 2005 following years of hardships on both a personal and professional level, including legal disputes, internal band strife, and Russell's struggle with drug addiction. In 2007, there was a brief reunion of Great White, although it did not last long. Under the moniker Jack Russell's Great White, Russell proceeded to travel and record until his retirement in July 2024 due to health concerns.
In his final Instagram post, Russell expressed his deep gratitude to his fans, writing, "I am unable to perform at the level I desire and at the level you deserve. Words cannot express my gratitude for the many years of memories, love, and support."
Born Jack Patrick Russell on December 5, 1960, in Montebello, California, he grew up in Whittier and left high school early to pursue a career in music.
He is survived by his wife, Heather Ann Russell, and his son, Matthew Hucko.
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