During a Great White concert in West Warwick, Rhode Island, a pyrotechnics display sets the Station nightclub ablaze, killing 100 and injuring over 200 others.

Formed in the vibrant **Los Angeles** rock scene of 1977, **Great White** emerged as a formidable **American rock band**, initially carving out its niche in the burgeoning hard rock and glam metal landscape. Their raw energy and melodic hooks quickly captured attention, setting the stage for a period of significant success.

The Ascent to Stardom: Platinum Albums and MTV Recognition

The band's ascent truly peaked in the mid-to-late 1980s, a golden era for rock music, marked by the release of several highly successful albums. Among these, the **platinum-selling records Once Bitten (1987)** and **...Twice Shy (1989)** stand out, defining their signature sound and cementing their place in rock history. These albums spawned iconic singles like **"Rock Me"** and the immensely popular **"Once Bitten, Twice Shy"**, tracks that received considerable, almost ubiquitous, airplay across radio waves and the then-influential music video platform, **MTV**. Their melodic yet powerful sound propelled them to the **Billboard Hot 100**, where they charted two Top 40 hit singles: **"Once Bitten, Twice Shy"** and the poignant **"The Angel Song."** Even as the musical landscape began to shift with the advent of grunge, **Great White** continued to release new material well into the 1990s, showcasing their enduring creative drive and adaptability.

Shifting Tides and Dissolution

Despite their continued efforts, the turn of the millennium brought changes, and the band eventually called it quits in 2001, marking a temporary end to an influential chapter in hard rock. However, the story of **Great White** was far from over, as the allure of their music and performances proved too strong to keep them disbanded for long.

A Tragic Chapter: The Station Nightclub Fire

Within a few short years of their initial breakup, the iconic voice of the band, Jack Russell, led a reincarnation, performing under the moniker **"Jack Russell's Great White."** This period, however, would be tragically etched into the annals of music history for a catastrophic event unrelated to their sound. On the evening of February 20, 2003, a horrific tragedy unfolded at **The Station nightclub** in **West Warwick, Rhode Island**, while **"Jack Russell's Great White"** was performing. This catastrophic fire, which claimed the lives of 100 people, including the band's own **Ty Longley**, and injured 230 more, remains one of the deadliest nightclub fires in U.S. history.

Details of the Disaster

The blaze was ignited by **pyrotechnics** set off by the band's tour manager, which tragically came into contact with highly flammable **acoustic foam** lining the walls and ceilings surrounding the stage. The fire escalated with terrifying speed, reaching flashover within a mere minute and causing all combustible materials to burn. Intense, toxic black smoke rapidly engulfed the club within two minutes, making escape virtually impossible for many. Video footage from that night vividly captured the ignition, the rapid, consuming growth of the flames, the billowing smoke that quickly obscured vision, and the tragically blocked egress that severely hindered evacuation efforts. The combination of toxic smoke, extreme heat, and the resulting desperate human rush toward the main exit proved fatal for 100 individuals, while 230 were injured, and another 132 managed to escape physically unharmed. Many survivors carried the invisible scars of the event, developing post-traumatic stress disorder. This devastating incident stands as the fourth-deadliest nightclub fire in U.S. history and the second-deadliest in New England, surpassed only by the 1942 Cocoanut Grove fire, which resulted in 492 deaths.

The Aftermath and Enduring Legacy

In the wake of this profound tragedy, **"Jack Russell's Great White"** eventually reverted to its original name, **Great White**, by 2006, seeking to move forward while honoring those lost and to rebuild their career. After more than three decades as their dynamic lead singer, **Jack Russell** ultimately departed the band in 2011, once again choosing to perform under the distinctive moniker **"Jack Russell's Great White."** Since Russell's departure, the original **Great White** has continued its musical journey. They first enlisted the talents of XYZ vocalist Terry Ilous, and as of 2018, the charismatic Mitch Malloy has taken the helm as their current singer, keeping the band's legacy alive and continuing to tour. Through all their triumphs and tribulations, **Great White**'s impact on the hard rock landscape is undeniable. As of August 2008, the band had estimated worldwide record sales of approximately eight million, a testament to their enduring appeal and the power of their music that continues to resonate with fans globally.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Great White

Who is Great White?
Great White is an **American rock band** that rose to prominence in the 1980s with their distinctive hard rock and glam metal sound, known for powerful vocals and memorable guitar riffs.
When and where did Great White form?
The band formed in **Los Angeles** in 1977, emerging from the vibrant rock scene of the late 70s and early 80s.
What are Great White's most famous songs?
Great White is widely recognized for their hit singles **"Rock Me"**, **"Once Bitten, Twice Shy"**, and **"The Angel Song"**, all of which received significant airplay on radio and **MTV**.
What albums did Great White achieve platinum status with?
The band achieved commercial success with **platinum-selling records** such as **Once Bitten (1987)** and **...Twice Shy (1989)**.
What was The Station nightclub fire?
**The Station nightclub fire** was a devastating incident on February 20, 2003, in **West Warwick, Rhode Island**, during a performance by **"Jack Russell's Great White."** The fire, caused by stage **pyrotechnics** igniting **acoustic foam**, resulted in the deaths of 100 people, including band member **Ty Longley**, and injured 230 others. It remains one of the deadliest nightclub fires in U.S. history.
Who has been the lead singer of Great White?
For over three decades, **Jack Russell** was the band's iconic lead singer. After his departure in 2011, the band continued with vocalists like Terry Ilous and their current singer, Mitch Malloy.