Founding Vocalist Of Rock Band Great White Involved In Tragic Fire Was 63..

Jack Russell, lead vocalist for 1980s hair metal group Great White, died Thursday from multiple system atrophy and Lewy body dementia, Rolling Stone reported. He was 63.

Russell announced his retirement from touring last month after his diagnosis.

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“I am unable to perform at the level I desire and at the level you deserve,” Russell said on social media at the time. “Words cannot express my gratitude for the many years of memories, love, and support.”

He was remembered today by his family.

“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,” his family wrote in an online statement.

Founded in Los Angeles in 1977, Great White rode the mid-1980s metal wave with the million-selling 1987 album Once Bitten and its double-platinum 1989 follow-up, … Twice Shy. The band’s songs “Rock Me” and Ian Hunter cover “Once Bitten, Twice Shy” were MTV mainstays. The latter reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and went gold; watch the video here: