Current:Home > FinanceJack Russell, former Great White frontman, dies at 63 -Secure Horizon Growth
Jack Russell, former Great White frontman, dies at 63
View
Date:2025-04-26 19:27:10
Jack Russell, the rock icon known as the former frontman of Great White, has died. He was 63.
A rep for Russell's autobiographer K. L. Doty confirmed his death via email Thursday. Doty "was personally approached by Jack to write his story" and "in honor of Jack's wishes, she will continue to be his voice," wrote publicist Laura Orrico.
His death was also announced on his unverified Instagram page Thursday on behalf of his family, saying the singer was "loved and remembered for his sense of humor, exceptional zest for life, and unshakable contribution to rock and roll where his legacy will forever thrive." The family noted a public memorial is to be announced.
Publicist Olivia Reagle said via email Friday that Russell died in Southern California, surrounded by his family. The rock singer died from Lewy body dementia and multiple systems atrophy, which Russell referenced in announcing his retirement from the stage last month.
Los Angeles-based band Great White rose to notoriety in the late 1980s. The band is known for the platinum-selling albums "Once Bitten" in 1987 and "…Twice Shy" in 1989, and the singles "Rock Me" and "Once Bitten, Twice Shy." Current band members include Mark Kendall, Audie Desbrow, Michael Lardie, Scott Snyder and Brett Carlisle.
Remembering those we lost: Celebrity Deaths 2024
The group disbanded in 2001 and took on the name Jack Russell's Great White until 2006.
In 2003, during a performance in Rhode Island, the band's pyrotechnics set nightclub The Station on fire, causing the death of 100 people, including guitarist Ty Longley, and injuring hundreds of others. The fire is the fourth worst nightclub fire in United States history, according to The Providence Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network.
Martin Phillipps,The Chills guitarist and lead singer, dies at 61
Sparks from the pyrotechnics ignited foam soundproofing that lined the club's walls. Fueled by the flammable foam, the fire spread quickly, trapping many people inside.
At the time, Russell was among those blamed for the fire, but he was never charged. Daniel Biechele, the band's road manager who triggered the pyrotechnics that sparked the fire, and the club's owners, Jeffrey and Michael Derderian, were the only people ever charged, according to the Journal. Each pleaded to 100 counts of manslaughter, with Biechele pleading guilty and the Derderians pleading no contest. Biechele and Michael Derderian were sentenced to four years in prison, though each was released early. Jeffrey Derderian was sentenced to community service.
Lawsuits followed, totaling nearly $180 million.
John Mayall,Godfather of British Blues, dies at 90 amid 'health issues'
More stars we've lost in 2024:Peter Marshall, Gena Rowlands, Mitzi McCall
In 2013, as the 10th anniversary of the fire neared, Russell announced that he would host a benefit concert in California and donate the proceeds to a foundation that was seeking to build a memorial on the fire site, but officials of the Station Fire Memorial Foundation told Russell's manager it did not want his money.
Great White remembered Russell on its unverified Instagram page Thursday. The band wrote that Russell's "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 bad? We prefer to let the music fill in the blanks," The statement continued. "All those wonderful years together will be held close to our hearts. Rest In Peace, to one of rock's biggest champions."
Contributing: Providence Journal staff reports
veryGood! (66688)
Related
- Arkansas State Police probe death of woman found after officer
- The carnivore diet is popular with influencers. Here's what experts say about trying it.
- Will Smith, Martin Lawrence look back on 30 years of 'Bad Boys': 'It's a magical cocktail'
- AI ‘gold rush’ for chatbot training data could run out of human-written text
- Sonya Massey's father decries possible release of former deputy charged with her death
- Lady Gaga addresses pregnancy rumors with cheeky TikTok: 'Register to vote'
- Woman charged with shooting two people believed to be her parents, killing one, authorities say
- National Donut Day 2024 deals: Get free food at Dunkin', Krispy Kreme, Duck Donuts, Sheetz
- Megan Fox's ex Brian Austin Green tells Machine Gun Kelly to 'grow up'
- World hits 12 straight months of record-high temperatures — but as warming continues, it'll be remembered as comparatively cold
Ranking
- Jorge Ramos reveals his final day with 'Noticiero Univision': 'It's been quite a ride'
- Idaho Murder Case: Ethan Chapin’s Mom Tearfully Shares How She Finds Comfort After His Death
- Broad City Star Abbi Jacobson Marries Jodi Balfour
- U.S. man who killed girlfriend, stuffed body in suitcase gets 42 years for femicide in Colombia
- See you latte: Starbucks plans to cut 30% of its menu
- 'It's invasive & irresponsible': Taylor Swift defends Lady Gaga after pregnancy rumors
- 2 more charged in betting scandal that spurred NBA to bar Raptors’ Jontay Porter for life
- Tinashe Reveals the Surprising Inspiration Behind Her Viral Song “Nasty”
Recommendation
B.A. Parker is learning the banjo
Southern Baptists are poised to ban churches with women pastors. Some are urging them to reconsider
Lady Gaga addresses pregnancy rumors with cheeky TikTok: 'Register to vote'
Levi Wright’s Mom Shares Gut-Wrenching Final Moments With 3-Year-Old Before Toy Tractor Accident
Global Warming Set the Stage for Los Angeles Fires
Why Teen Mom's Leah Messer Was Hesitant to Support Her Dad Through His Detox Journey
General Mills turned blind eye to decades of racism at Georgia plant, Black workers allege
What in the world does 'match my freak' mean? More than you think.