Russell was fronting his band in 2003 the night 100 people — including the band’s guitarist Ty Longley — died in a fire at a Rhode Island nightclub, where more than 200 others were injured.
Jack Russell, the lead singer of the bluesy ‘80s metal band Great White whose hits included “Once Bitten Twice Shy” and “Rock Me” and was fronting his band the night 100 people died in a 2003 nightclub fire in Rhode Island, has died. He was 63.
“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,” said a statement posted Thursday to his Instagram page. The death was confirmed by K. L. Doty, author of Russell’s autobiography, “The True Tale of Mista Bone: A Rock + Roll Narrative.”
Russell recently stopped touring after announcing he had been diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia and Multiple System Atrophy, which causes loss of coordination and balance, and changes in speech.
Fellow metal stars mourned Russell, with ex-Cinderella member Fred Coury writing on X: “The world lost 1 of the nicest guys in the business & 1 of the great voices to sail across the airways of the 80’s.
