Jack Russell had publicly shared his battle with Lewy body dementia and multiple system atrophy. On July 17, he expressed his deep regret about no longer being able to perform.
Jack Russell, the dynamic and soulful co-founding lead vocalist of the glam metal band Great White, passed away on Thursday at the age of 63. His death was confirmed via his social media accounts.
Earlier in July, Russell had publicly shared his battle with Lewy body dementia and multiple system atrophy.
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In a heartfelt Instagram post on July 17, Russell expressed his deep regret about no longer being able to perform. “I am unable to perform at the level I desire and at the level you deserve,” he wrote. “Words cannot express my gratitude for the many years of memories, love, and support. Thank you for letting me live my dreams. You have made my life a wonder.”
Russell’s life in music was marked by incredible highs, including Great White’s platinum success in the 1980s and the hit single “Once Bitten, Twice Shy.” However, his journey also carried great sorrow, particularly the tragic 2003 fire at The Station nightclub in Rhode Island during a Great White performance. The fire, caused by the band’s pyrotechnics, claimed 100 lives, including that of Great White guitarist Ty Longley, and injured 230 others.
Following the news of Russell’s passing, guitarist and Great White co-founder Mark Kendall paid tribute to his longtime bandmate on Instagram.
Kendall described Russell as “one of rock’s biggest champions” with an “incredible voice that will live on forever.” He reminisced about their journey together, stating, “What do you say about someone who 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. All those wonderful years together will be held close to our hearts.”
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About Jack Russell
Born on December 5, 1960, in Montebello, California, Russell lent his distinctive vocal talents to several high school bands before forming a partnership with guitarist Kendall in 1977. After going through several band names, they eventually settled on Great White, a nickname for the platinum-haired Kendall, under the guidance of their manager, Alan Niven.
However, their path to success was interrupted when Russell was arrested in 1979 for shooting a live-in maid during a robbery attempt, leading to an eight-year prison sentence. He served 18 months before reuniting with Kendall, and by 1982, they had formed the lineup that would propel Great White to fame.
With the release of their independent EP “Out of the Night” and subsequent radio play in Los Angeles, Great White quickly became a key player in the hair metal scene, sharing stages with acts like Whitesnake, Dokken, and David Lee Roth. Their success peaked with the albums “Once Bitten” (1987) and “Twice Shy” (1989), which produced hits like “Rock Me,” “Save Your Love,” and “The Angel Song.”
As the 1990s ushered in the grunge era, Great White’s popularity waned, leading to lineup changes and label shifts. After Kendall’s departure in 2000, the band faced a series of challenges, including Russell’s decision to disband the group following his father’s death in 2001.
Despite recording solo projects, Russell and Kendall reunited to form Jack Russell’s Great White, but their attempt to rekindle their success was marred by the 2003 nightclub fire. Following the tragedy, Jack Russell Touring Inc. agreed to a $1 million settlement with survivors and victims’ families.
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In the years that followed, Russell and Kendall’s paths diverged, culminating in a 2013 legal agreement that granted Kendall and his bandmates the rights to the Great White name. Russell continued to perform under Jack Russell’s Great White, recording new music, including the album “He Saw It Comin’” in 2017, and authoring an autobiography set for publication in 2024.
According to his Instagram, Jack Russell passed away peacefully surrounded by his wife Heather Ann Russell, son Matthew Hucko, cousin Naomi Breshears Barbor, and close friends Billy and Cheryl Pawelcik.
Russell is survived by his wife, Heather Ann Kramer, whom he married in 2011. Details of a public memorial will be announced at a later date.