MUSIC
Great White singer Jack Russell dies at 63: what was the cause of death?
A founding member of the Los Angeles band, Russell survived a fire at a Great White gig that killed more than 100 people.
Jack Russell, the founding member and former lead singer of Los Angeles rock band Great White, died on Thursday (August 15) at the age of 63, a post on his official Instagram account confirmed.
“With tremendous sadness, we announce the loss of our beloved Jack Patrick Russell - father, husband, cousin, uncle, and friend,” it begins. “Jack passed peacefully in the presence of his wife Heather Ann Russell, son Matthew Hucko, cousin Naomi Breshears Barber, and dear friends Billy and Cheryl Pawelcik.
“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”.
Memoir co-author confirms Jack Russell cause of death
Russell’s memoir co-author K.L. Doty confirmed to Rolling Stone he had died of Lewy body dementia and multiple system atrophy. The musician had publicly announced he was suffering from the diseases on his Instagram account just a few weeks ago.
“It is with the heaviest of hearts that I must announce my retirement from the road,” Russell said. “After a recent diagnosis of Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) and Multiple System Atrophy, I am unable to perform at the level I desire and the level you deserve. 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.”
What are Lewy body dementia (LBD) and Multiple system atrophy?
According to the National Institute of Aging, Lewy body dementia is “a disease associated with abnormal deposits of a protein called alpha-synuclein in the brain. These deposits, called Lewy bodies, affect chemicals in the brain whose changes, in turn, can lead to problems with thinking, movement, behavior, and mood”.
More than one million people, typically aged over 50, suffer from the disease in the United States. Actor and comedian Robin Williams, who passed away at 63 in 2014, was also a sufferer.
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke describes Multiple system atrophy as “a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a combination of symptoms that affect both the central nervous system (which controls how a person moves), and the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary functions such as blood pressure or digestion. A person with MSA will have increased difficulty with movement and eventually become bedridden”.
Jack Russell’s successes and tragedy with Great White
Found in 1977, Great White were most popular in the mid-to-late1980s following the successes of platinum-selling albums ‘Once Bitten’ and ‘…Twice Shy’ in 1987 and 1989 respectively.
Russell quit the band in 1996 but returned in 2001, after which it known as Jack Russell’s Great White.
In February 2003, the singer was involved in and survived a fire at a Rhode Island hard rock music club that was caused by their stage pryotechnics lighting highly flammable acoustic foam that surrounded the venue. However, more than 100 people were killed, including guitarist Ty Longley.