Great White - Definition and Overview

For information about the shark, see Great White Shark.

Great White is a hair metal band known primarily for the hit "Once Bitten, Twice Shy", a cover version of a song written by Mott the Hoople's Ian Hunter. Great White formed in 1981 in Los Angeles, California. Fronted by lead singer Jack Russell and great admirers of Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, and Mott the Hoople, the band didn't hit the mainstream until their fifth album, ...Twice Shy (1989; see 1989 in music), which included their sole hit.

Although they appeared in tight leather pants and threw their hair around, they were considered more committed to blues-based rock and roll than to glamor.

They continued touring and recording throughout the 1990s, but never had another hit. In 2003, Great White was playing in Rhode Island when their fireworks caused a fire that killed 100 people (see The Station nightclub fire).

Guitarist Ty Longley died in the fire and a soundman for the band was injured.

Quotation

The lyrics of "Once Bitten, Twice Shy" are about a girl who loves rock and roll and rock and roll musicians. They include the lines:

You didn't know that rock n' roll burned

So you bought a candle and you loved and you learned