Twisted Sister singer Dee Snider bid farewell to the former Great White lead singer Jack Russell. Russell passed away on Thursday at 63 years old.
“RIP Jack Russel. This man was vilified for a situation out of his control and tortured by the memories. He was not evil. And man could he sing,” he wrote and mentioned the fire a Great White show caused.
“That situation should not be in any discussion regarding his legacy,” journalist Dave Wight replied. “Iconic voice. It was a tragic situation that I am sure lived with him until he passed. The losers and hacks who continually bring it up need to move on. Jack’s voice was irreplaceable, no one sounded like him. The Led Zeppelin covers were also fantastic.”
A user responded to the journalist: “The fire was the deadliest fireworks accident in U.S. history & the 4th deadliest nightclub fire in U.S. history. Of the 462 people there, 100 were killed, 230 were injured, & 132 escaped uninjured Don’t tell people who lost their loved ones to move on or call them names A-hole.”
Snider defended the user and Russell: “Well said, Megan. I would never say that. No matter how much my heart has and continues to bleed for those victims, I will not speak ill of Jack Russell when I know the accusation is untrue. Rest in peace Jack.”
On February 20, 2003, over 400 fans packed into a small nightclub to see Jack Russell’s Great White play. The band’s manager decided to use fireworks during the show, but things went wrong. After the concert started, flames broke out and quickly spread across the roof and walls. Some people managed to get out, but many couldn’t escape. The fire took over in a short time and it resulted in 100 deaths, and 200 injuries. The fire caused the death of the guitarist Ty Longley as well.
After the fire, the band went through a tough legal process and struggled with the emotional pain of losing friends and bandmates. The band broke up as a result of the fire. They did reunite later, but couldn’t stay together for long.
Russell passed away just a few weeks after announcing he was retiring from touring due to a diagnosis of Lewy body dementia. His cause of death is still unknown.
