Hard rock singer dies at 63; “incredible voice will live forever”

Hard rock singer Jack Russell, founding member of 1980s band Great White, has died aged 63.

Russell died peacefully surrounded by family and friends, his family announced Thursday. The cause of death was dementia with Lewy bodies and multiple system atrophy, according to Rolling Stone.

“Deepest condolences to Jack Russell’s family. We hope they will take comfort in knowing that Jack’s incredible voice will live on forever,” Great White said in a statement. “His love for his fans and his sons was unmatched, as was his own love for rock music.”

“How about someone who has been with you on such an amazing journey, the good and the bad? We prefer to let the music fill in the gaps. All these wonderful years together will be held close to our hearts. It was a privilege and a joy to share the stage with him – many shows, many kilometers and maximum rock. In the studio, Jack was amazing. He always came ready to work. And he worked hard, he did. Jack stayed until he got the best performance for each song. He brought the same excellence in every show. The consistency of his live performances has always been without comparison. Rest in peace to one of rock’s greatest champions.”

Russell revealed last month that he had been diagnosed with dementia with Lewy bodies and multiple system atrophy, forcing him to retire from touring.

“I can’t perform at the level that I want and the level that you deserve,” Russell said in July. “Words cannot express my gratitude for the many years of memories, love and support.”

Lewy body dementia (LBD) is the second most common type of neurodegenerative dementia after Alzheimer’s disease, according to the Mayo Clinic. It affects the regions of the brain involved in thinking, memory and movement, causing a decline in mental abilities and sometimes visual hallucinations. Actor-comedian Robin Williams was diagnosed with LBD in an autopsy after his death in 2014.

Russell is best known as the lead singer of Great White, hitting the charts in the mid-to-late 1980s with hard rock/glam metal hits such as “Once Bitten, Twice Shy,” “The Angel Song,” “Rock Me,” “Lady Red Light”, “House of Broken Love” and “Save Your Love”. Russell also performed as a solo artist and under the name Jack Russell’s Great White.

Russell was performing with Great White when a fireworks display started a nightclub fire that killed 100 people at a 2003 concert in Rhode Island. Great White guitarist Ty Longley died in the fire, and the band’s then-tour manager spent two years in prison for his role in the tragedy. Russell was not charged, but he and the band settled a lawsuit with the victims as part of a total settlement of $176 million, according to Rolling Stone.

“Why did I get to live and so many other people didn’t? I feel guilty for the people who come to see me play and lose their lives. It’s very hard to deal with,” Russell said in 2015.

Russell wrote about the Station Nightclub tragedy, his career and his struggles with substance abuse in a new autobiography, “The True Tale of Mista Bone: A Rock & Roll Narrative,” released last month. The book, written with KL Doty, also features a foreword by Lita Ford.

“Jack is loved and remembered for his sense of humor, exceptional zest for life and unwavering contribution to rock and roll where his legacy will thrive forever,” his family said in a statement. “His family requests privacy at this time.”

Survivors include his wife Heather Ann Russell and his son Matthew Hucko.

“To my friend Jack Russell, such an amazing voice. May you rest in peace,” Poison singer Bret Michaels wrote on social media.