In 1987, the hard rock group Great White made a splash in the heavy metal world with their album titled “Once Bitten“. Their music videos were frequently played on MTV’s Headbangers’ Ball and their tunes became staples on rock radio stations. This led to them rapidly growing a fanbase.
The album showcased a unique blend of blues music that deviated slightly from the standard sounds prevalent during that time period. Tracks such as “Rock Me,” “Lady Red Light,” and “Save Your Love” resonated with rock and roll enthusiasts. Remarkably, two out of these three songs managed to secure positions on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
After two years, the band put out “Twice Shy” and achieved their greatest commercial success with a remake of the track “Once Bitten, Twice Shy.” This song reached number five on the Billboard Hot 100. Additionally, “House of Broken Love” and “The Angel Song” also charted on that list.
Great White seems underappreciated now
All told, their band amassed six hits on the Hot 100, managed to get nine albums onto the Billboard 200, and had fourteen songs play on the Mainstream Rock Airplay chart, with as many as seven of those songs making it into the top 10.
Although they didn’t achieve commercial success at the same level as contemporaries such as Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, Motley Crue, and Poison during their time, they still managed to find considerable success.
To be honest, despite the resurgence of the hair metal era, our band hasn’t quite captured the same level of spotlight as some of our contemporaries.
By the 1990s, heavy metal music was losing its appeal. Numerous bands emerged, often imitating their predecessors without bringing much freshness to the genre. The constant focus on sex, drugs, and rock and roll grew monotonous, causing many listeners to seek out different musical styles.
In my perspective, I witnessed the birth of a fresh era where the youth found their resonance within the raw, authentic tones of the new grunge or alternative rock genre that swept across the music scene. The lyrics carried a deeper, more tangible weight, reflecting the struggles and realities of life. Musically, this movement had an unmistakable flavor, with acts such as Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Candlebox, Alice in Chains, Stone Temple Pilots, and many others dominating the rock and roll landscape.
During the ’80s hair band period, their music developed a post-’80s image as being superficial and devoid of the authenticity found in alternative rock. While it’s true that many hair bands lived up to this reputation, there were significant advancements in both the lyrics and music among early hair band groups that have not been fully acknowledged.
For about 15 years, numerous hair band groups faced difficulties and eventually disappeared into obscurity. Their music was deemed irrelevant and out-of-date. However, something unexpected occurred – their music experienced a resurgence. This wasn’t a case of new music mimicking ’80s tunes, but rather fans recalling what drew them to that music initially. Nostalgia gradually took hold.
It appears that the Great White band didn’t quite manage to recapture the same level of popularity as other groups did. While their tunes occasionally found their way onto rock radio stations, there was simply not much excitement or anticipation surrounding them. Tour announcements about them are scarce, which might be due to certain factors.
The tragic nightclub fire involving Jack Russell’s Great White
For quite a while, different incarnations of the band Great White have emerged. Occasionally, certain ex-members performed using the name Great White in concerts. However, the original frontman went on tour with his own group called Jack Russell’s Great White.
2003 saw the performance of the band at a Rhode Island nightspot known as The Station. Unfortunately, during this concert, some of the band’s stage effects triggered a catastrophic fire that claimed the lives of over a hundred individuals, and left more than 200 others with injuries.
Starting from then, the band struggled to reclaim the recognition they truly merited due to their electrifying blend of rock and roll infused with blues. Indeed, the event was a terrible one that could have been prevented, and accountability was shared by many.
This event significantly damaged the band’s collective image, leaving fans baffled as various iterations of the group coexisted simultaneously. Such circumstances might explain why Great White is largely overlooked today.
As a devoted admirer, I must say, the tales spun around the campfire are undeniably heart-wrenching. Yet, despite the unfortunate event, it’s crucial to remember that Great White’s unique sound transcended their genre, and they deserve recognition for their musical prowess in their time. Their music continues to be something that can, and should, be cherished and appreciated.
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2025-06-13 15:00