Great White

Information

The official HMM fan group for Great White

Website: http://www.mistabone.com
Members: 62
Latest Activity: Dec 8

~ HISTORY & VIDEOS ~

~ HISTORY ~
Beginning as a paint-by-numbers glam band before evolving into one of the greatest blues based metal bands of the decade, Great White were one of the few groups to never give up or attempt to cater to current fads. They managed to reach major stardom in the late 80s, but will always be remembered for the tragic events of February 20, 2003.
Formed in Los Angeles, California by friends Jack Russell (vocals) and Mark Kendall (guitar) in the early 80s, they would recruit Lorne Black (bass) and Garry Holland (drums) and record an independent EP produced by Don Dokken. Audie Desbrow replaced Holland before recording for Shot In The Dark began, but few commercial inroads were made until the addition of guitarist/keyboardist Michael Lardie in 1987. Tony Montana would be the bass player by the time the band broke out with the double platinum ...Twice Shy. Both the album and the single Once Bitten Twice Shy (a cover of the Ian Hunter classic) would reach the Top 10 in America; Great White had finally reached the big-time.

Unfortunately success was short-lived and the band began to splinter. Kendall would sit out most of the Hooked tour after suffering a hemorrhage due to alcohol abuse and Montana was replaced by Dave Spitz prior to recording of Psycho City, an excellent blues-based album that failed to find an audience. Bassist Teddy Cook was then offered a spot in the band, however he only lasted one album and Spitz was back for the recording of Let It Rock before Sean McNabb was named the permanent bassist. In 1998 the band showed theirs true roots by releasing an album of covers dedicated to their idols Led Zeppelin. In the late 90s the band would be offered the forth major label deal of their career with the upstart Portrait/Sony records. This union resulted in the well received Can't Get There From Here.
Kendall left in late 1999 to form a band called Train Station, while Great White soldiered on with Ty Longley and a revolving door line-up. In 2002 Jack Russell decided to put the band to rest with a final live album called Thank You...Goodnight and began concentrating on a solo career. While supporting his solo album For You, Russell welcomed back Kendall and once again began touring as Great White. However on February 20, 2003 at the Station in Providence, Rhode Island, tragedy struck. During their opening number the pyrotechnics being used ignited the faulty soundproofing and the club went up in flames. When the smoke had cleared, one hundred people had perished, including guitarist Ty Longley. A series of lawsuits ensued, but once the tears had dried up Great White hit the road again, raising funds for the victims of the nightclub fire. In 2007 the band reformed with to record their first studio album in years called Back To The Rhythm. A band that truly loves the music and fans, Great White now wrestles with their demons as they play - one of rock's best.

(Courtesy of www.sleazeroxx.com)

~ VIDEOS ~

"Stick It"

"Face the Day"

"Rock Me"

"Lady Red Light"

"Save Your Love"

"Once Bitten, Twice Shy"

"Mista Bone"

"Desert Moon"

Discussion Forum

GUITARIST SPOTLIGHT: Mark Kendall (Great White) 1 Reply

Started by Andrew. Last reply by Andrew Apr 11.

Comment Wall

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Comment by Andrew on September 27, 2009 at 9:20pm: Oh wow Tanya, that's really cool that you got to meet them!

I'll be seeing them for the first time on October 9th and I can't wait!!

Comment by Tanya on September 27, 2009 at 1:28pm: I met these guys at an outdoor blues concert in Spokane,Wa quite a few years ago. They were the nicest bunch of people. When they weren't playing they came and sat in the grass with the rest of us and watched the other bands. you dont see that often

Comment by Hair Metal and nothin' else on September 25, 2009 at 9:13am: I LOVE this band, my fav song would be the angel song

Comment by 95Nasty89 on September 20, 2009 at 1:56pm

Comment by Andrew on July 20, 2009 at 8:01pm: Cory from the Wyldside Radio Show interviewed Great White at Rocklahoma 2009;

Great White at Rocklahoma 2009

Comment by bambi rose on May 21, 2009 at 2:13pm: this band has been through helll and back and i've loved them all the
way !!!!!!!!!!!!! they are one of the gods of the 80's long hair bands!!

Comment by susie on March 10, 2009 at 8:00pm: BEST BAND EVER!!!

Comment by Andrew on February 14, 2009 at 7:32pm: Yeah, Ty Longely is the one that died that tragic night...
But he wasn't an original member, so he wasn't with the band back then....so he isn't in any of the videos.

Comment by keri on February 14, 2009 at 3:08pm: now if somebody can answer me this question ok im stillmtrying to figure out who died in this band and or got seriously hurt,,,,,,,,,, to make it easier watch the video once bitten twice shy that would be easier to understand who please anyone im still confused thanks