Great White

Great White emerged from Los Angeles in 1977, formed by vocalist Jack Russell and guitarist Mark Kendall. The band, originally named Highway, underwent several name changes, including Livewire and Wires, before settling on Dante Fox. Following Russell’s brief incarceration, the band continued with other vocalists, but ultimately, Russell rejoined after his early release. By 1982, with the addition of drummer Gary Holland and bassist Lorne Black, the band, now known as Great White—a nickname given to Kendall due to his white-blonde hair and stage attire—released their debut EP, “Out of the Night,” on the independent label Aegean. Early radio airplay on KMET and KLOS-FM swiftly increased their local popularity, leading to performances in major Los Angeles venues and a headlining slot at Six Flags Magic Mountain playing to 6,250 people. EMI America signed the band in 1984, releasing their eponymous debut album, subsequently touring the UK with Whitesnake and the US and Canada with Judas Priest.

Great White achieved mainstream success with their 1987 album, “Once Bitten,” featuring hit singles such as “Rock Me” and “Save Your Love,” which received substantial radio airplay. This album was certified platinum in April 1988. Following a lineup change with Tony Montana replacing Lorne Black on bass, the band released “…Twice Shy” in 1989. This album included their most significant hit, “Once Bitten, Twice Shy,” a cover of an Ian Hunter song, which became a gold-certified single. “…Twice Shy” earned double-platinum status and a Grammy Award nomination for Best Hard Rock Performance. The band maintained a rigorous touring schedule through the late 1980s and early 1990s, supporting acts such as Guns N’ Roses, Whitesnake, and Kiss, and participating in the European Monsters of Rock tour.

Throughout the 1990s, Great White continued to release albums, including “Hooked” (1991), which achieved gold certification, and “Psycho City” (1992). The band experienced commercial decline and significant internal changes, including the departure of Mark Kendall, Audie Desbrow, and Sean McNabb by 2000. Jack Russell announced Great White’s disbandment in 2001, with a final show recorded as the live album “Thank You…Goodnight!” A partial reunion under “Jack Russell’s Great White” in 2002 led to the tragic Station nightclub fire in 2003, resulting in 100 fatalities, including guitarist Ty Longley. The band officially reformed in 2006, releasing “Rising” in 2009 and “Elation” in 2012. Subsequent years saw further vocalist changes, including Terry Ilous, Mitch Malloy, Andrew Freeman, and currently Brett Carlisle, as the band continues to tour and release new material.