Great White will change their name after the death of frontman Jack Russell (Picture: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Rock band Great White has confirmed they will be changing their name in honour of their late frontman Jack Russell, who died last week at the age of 63.
The Rock Me singer had suffered from Lewy body dementia and multiple system atrophy, dying at home ‘peacefully’ on Thursday.
Bandmates Dan McKay, Robby Lochner, Tony Montana, and Ken Mary, shared a statement about the loss, calling it a ‘privilege and a joy’ to play with Russell.
They declared him ‘one of rock’s biggest champions’ and have organised a tribute concert in his honour.
In the announcement, the band revealed they would be continuing on without Russell but changing their name out of respect.
Great White will now be known as Once Bitten — after their album — with former frontman Terry Iliois returning for the Illinois gig.
The group were set to perform at a gig in Illinois (Picture: Manuel Nauta/Shutterstock)
The band was founded in Los Angeles in 1977, and is best known for debut album Once Bitten in 1987 and its 1989 follow-up …Twice Shy.
They secured early hits with Rock Me and Once Bitten, Twice Shy before Russell left the group in 1996, although he returned in 2003.
The Arcada Theatre, who are hosting the tribute concert on August 23, took to Facebook to share the updated name with fans.
They wrote: ‘Jack Russell’s Great White was originally scheduled to appear with headliner Vixen, but Jack’s illness caused him to back out of the show just two weeks before. Jack Russell’s Great White Band will still perform the show under its new name, “Once Bitten,” enlisting the powerful vocals of Terry Iliois, former Great White frontman.
‘President and CEO Ron Onesti said that Jack would have wanted the show to go on and that this tribute is a fitting way to honour his musical legacy.
‘Additionally, the release of Jack Russell’s autobiography, “The True Tale of Mista Bone: A Rock + Roll Narrative,” was planned to coincide with the concert. K.L. Doty, the author and “Official Jack Russell Family Spokesperson,” will still attend to discuss her book and share stories about Jack.’
It’s unclear if the band intends to continue on as Once Bitten after the concert but Onesti said the decision to continue with the gig is what ‘Jack would have wanted’.
Russell died after suffering from dementia and a rare nervous system condition (Picture: John Atashian/Getty Images)
He called the loss a ‘sad day in Rock and Roll’ and added: ‘What better way to honour his musical life than with a salute by his own bandmates?’
‘I know this will be an emotional evening for all rockers present, including the girls from Vixen. I am sure they shared many co-bills with Jack and his band. Thanks to Vixen for being a part of this,’ said Onesti.
Russell died after suffering from Lewy body dementia, which is the second most common type of dementia after Alzheimer’s disease.
It is caused by abnormal protein deposits in the brain, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a rare condition of the nervous system that causes gradual damage to nerve cells in the brain, according to the NHS.
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