Great White started their career as Dante Fox, playing their first gig in 1981 at The Troubadour in Hollywood, California. After recording several demos, the band chose as manager Alan Niven, who had worked for the independent distributor Greenworld in Torrance, California and had dealt with Mötley Crüe's debut self-release. Niven suggested the name change from Dante Fox after seeing singer Jack Russell introduce Mark Kendall (guitarist) during his solo as "Mark Kendall, the Great White", due to his naturally white-blonde hair, white Fender Telecaster guitar, white jumpsuit, and white Capezio shoes. In 1982, founding members Mark Kendall, Jack Russell, drummer Gary Holland, and bassist Lorne Black recorded and released a 5-song EP, Out of the Night, on the independent label Aegean formed by Niven. Niven then convinced the Los Angeles radio station KMET to begin adding songs from the EP to its playlist in heavy rotation. KLOS-FM soon did the same. The band suddenly went from drawing 100 people to a local club to drawing thousands in L.A. concert halls such as Perkins Palace in Pasadena, The Palace in Hollywood and the Country Club in Reseda. As an unsigned act, Great White headlined at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia playing to 6,250 people. Near the end of 1983, EMI America signed the band and subsequently released Great White's eponymous debut album ('Great White') in early 1984. The band immediately toured the UK supporting Whitesnake's Slide It In tour and the entire US and Canada opening for Judas Priest's Defenders of the Faith tour. 'Shot in the Dark', their follow-up independent release, marked the arrival of drummer Audie Desbrow. By the time Capitol Records signed the band and reissued Shot in the Dark, keyboardist-guitarist Michael Lardie had come aboard. After the release of Shot in the Dark, Great White hit the road with Dokken and was on the verge of even bigger success.
The band hit the mainstream in 1987 when they released 'Once Bitten', which featured the hits "Rock Me" and "Save Your Love". Once Bitten... was certified platinum in April 1988.
The band followed up with '...Twice Shy' in 1989. The album included their biggest hit, "Once Bitten, Twice Shy", a cover of a UK hit single by Ian Hunter. They received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Hard Rock Performance. The album was certified platinum in July 1989 and then double platinum in September of that same year. The model Bobbie Brown (also known for being in Warrant's "Cherry Pie" video) appeared in the video for "Once Bitten, Twice Shy". They finished off the 80s touring in support of ...Twice Shy as headliners and with some best known bands, such as Bon Jovi.
In 1990, the band featured in the heavy metal video series Hard 'N' Heavy containing music, concert footage and interviews. The video included Slash and Duff from Guns N' Roses appearing with the band at a Children of the Night Benefit concert in L.A., the performance helping to raise money for housing abused homeless children. Both bands shared the same manager, Alan Niven at the time.
The band continued into the next decade performing the song "House of Broken Love" at the American Music Awards in January 1990. In March, Great White embarked on their first tour of Japan. They returned to the United States for the Memorial Day weekend festival dubbed The World Series of Rock, which featured Whitesnake, Skid Row, Bad English, and Hericane Alice. Great White recorded two more albums for Capitol Records, 'Hooked', which was certified gold, and 'Psycho City'. In support of Hooked, Great White did a tour as headliner tour, had a guest slot with German metal band Scorpions and travelled to Europe and Japan. Psycho City was followed by a US tour with Kiss.
Capitol issued the compilation 'The Best of Great White 1986-1992' in 1993, when Great White had already departed the label to begin work on their next studio release, 'Sail Away'. Before the release of the album, Great White spent seven months on the road headlining clubs. According to Lardie, it was "the longest stint we ever did without a break." Great White kept up the pace once Sail Away was released on Zoo Records in 1994, touring the US several times over the following year and a half. Their next release, Let It Rock, was released in 1996 through yet another label, Imago Records.
In 1999, the band released 'Can't Get There from Here' and embarked on a tour with Ratt, Poison, and L.A. Guns. The album featured the single "Rollin' Stoned", which managed to chart at No. 8 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.
In a memo dated 20 January 2000 Mark Kendall announced he was leaving Great White, shortly thereafter both Audie Desbrow and Sean McNabb left Great White. Kendall was replaced by guitarist Matthew Johnson. Desbrow, clearly very unhappy with the financial state of the band posted a tirade on his website lambasting Jack Russell and Michael Lardie, while claiming to have been "fired" from Great White. Meanwhile, it was rumored that Sean McNabb was fired for going to management and asking to see the accounting books. Despite only having one original member left, the band announced plans to begin work on a new album in late 2000. Early in the process, some of the new songs were played for John Kalodner at Columbia Records. It was mutually agreed that the "magic was gone" and the band decided their heart was not in the recording process. They subsequently left Columbia Records and discontinued work on the new album. On 5 November 2001 Jack Russell announced the end of Great White, stating that he was moving on, and that Great White would play one final farewell show on 31 December 2001 at the Galaxy Theatre in Santa Ana, CA. Both Kendall and McNabb rejoined the band for the farewell show, recorded for a live CD entitled 'Thank You...Goodnight!' released by Knight Records. The live album includes two new tracks, "Back to the Rhythm" and "Play On" from their discontinued studio sessions, both of which would ultimately wind up on their reunion album 'Back to the Rhythm' in 2007.
In late 2002, in part due to his failure to attract good audiences while on the road with his solo band, Jack Russell contacted Kendall, who himself was struggling to gain an audience on his own. Kendall agreed to play some dates with Russell's band, allowing Russell to use the name Great White once again. Billed as "Jack Russell's Great White," the tour was to consist primarily of classic songs from the Great White catalog with some of Russell's solo work mixed in. Eventually, more dates were added and the tour extended through the early months of 2003.
The band returned to the national spotlight on 20 February 2003. At the beginning of a Great White performance at The Station night club in Rhode Island, pyrotechnics used by the band's crew created a spray of sparks that ignited the foam soundproofing material in the ceiling around the stage. One hundred people including the band's guitarist Ty Longley, died in the fire that followed. In 2008 the band agreed to pay $1 million to survivors and victims' relatives of the fire while admitting to no wrongdoing. This amount also covers former tour manager Daniel Biechele along with the band members, record label, and management as it existed at the time of the fire. The settlement was the maximum allowed under the band's insurance plan. Victims had previously received $3.8 million raised by United Way of America.
Though the media referred to the band as "Great White" following the tragedy in Rhode Island, the band was officially performing under the moniker of "Jack Russell's Great White" at the time of the incident. In fact, prior to the fire, the band's official website posted a message stating that Great White had not re-formed. It's unclear when the band began officially going by "Great White" again.
Great White played their first full show following the Rhode Island tragedy on 22 July, starting a benefit tour for the survivors and victims of the fire. The band toured until 2005 to raise funds for the Station Family Fund, which had been set up to help the victims of the tragedy. In late 2005, citing "medical reasons", the band canceled the second half of their summer tour. The "medical reasons" turned out to be Jack Russell's addictions to alcohol and cocaine. This was the end of this version of Great White, as Jack Russell entered rehabilitation and did not perform again until 2007. Russell used the year of 2006 to get sober and get a facelift that was detailed on ExtraTV. Russell later referred to this incarnation of Great White as "Fake White", saying "It still sounded like Great White, but not – almost like we were doing a cover of ourselves."
Talk of a reunion of Great White began in a 2004 interview. Later in 2006, guitarist Mark Kendall officially announced that Great White had re-formed its classic lineup. The re-formed lineup of Russell, Kendall, Lardie, McNabb and Desbrow played their first date together in more than 5 years on 27 January 2007 at the Keyclub in Hollywood performing in the Harpseals.org Benefit Concert for the Seals 2007. In 2008, bassist Sean McNabb left Great White to concentrate on a career in theater and acting. McNabb was promptly replaced with Scott Snyder (Ramos, Accomplice). McNabb went on to join Dokken.
Great White released their album, 'Rising', on 13 March 2009 in Europe via Frontiers Records and on 21 April in the US.
In 2010, Jani Lane of Warrant filled in for Jack Russell, while Russell recuperated from surgery after suffering a perforated bowel. Terry Ilous (XYZ) replaced Jack Russell at the Coach House during the summer of 2010, and Paul Shortino (Rough Cutt, Quiet Riot, King Kobra) filled in for Russell when Great White performed at Stockholm Rock Out Festival in September. In December 2011, Russell formed a new incarnation of Great White with a brand-new lineup under the name of "Jack Russell's Great White".
On 18 March 2012 Great White announced their first new album with Ilous, 'Elation' , to be released in May that year, along with a live album ('30 Years: Live From The Sunset Strip') and a concert DVD of the band's 30th-anniversary show at the Key Club in Hollywood on 22 March.
Lorne Black, Great White's original bassist, who performed and recorded with the group up through the Once Bitten album, died on September 27, 2013. He was 50 years old.
On June 2, 2017, Great White released their most recent studio effort, 'Full Circle', on Bluez Tone Records, with Wagener as the producer. The song "Big Time" was released as the first single and video. On July 9, 2018, Great White announced that they had parted ways with Terry Illous as their singer and he was replaced by Mitch Malloy.
On May 31, 2022, Great White announced vocalist Andrew Freeman of Last In Line replaced Malloy as the band's lead singer and frontman.
Rock Me
Great White Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You don't have to go
Little baby
Tell me you won't go
We'd be so good together if we had the time
Bein' alone's a nowhere state of mind
Lovin' ain't no crime, oh no
I see your man ain't here
The way of the night has gone
We'll move on
Got to find a way
To face another day
I search the world
For someone I'll never find
Someone who ain't
The hurtin' kind
If you stay the night
We'll make the wrong seem right
So come on now
Rock me
Rock me
Roll me through the night
Rock me
Rock me
Roll me through the night
Rock me
Rock me
Roll me through the night
We'll burn in love tonight
Sweet little baby
Oh don't you go
You ain't so innocent, I know
I know your heart's like mine, oh yeah
And I will find the time
To make you mine
And if your love goes bad
If it makes you sad
I'll be back for more
At your door
Rock me
Rock me
Roll me through the night
Rock me
Rock me
Roll me through the night
Rock me
Rock me
Roll me through the night
Before the mornin' light
We'll burn with love tonight
And when your man don't care
I will be there
Still be lovin' real good love
So baby now
Rock me
Rock me
Roll me through the night
Rock me
Rock me
Roll me through the night
Rock me
Rock me
Roll me through the night
There is no wrong or right
We'll burn with love
Rock me
Rock me
Roll me through the night
Rock me
Rock me
Roll me through the night
Rock me
Rock me
Roll me through the night
There is nothing left to do
But make sweet love to you
Come on and Rock me
The song "Rock Me" by Great White is a classic example of a rock ballad, where the lyrics tell a story of a man who is trying to convince his love interest to stay with him for the night. The song begins with the man addressing his "little baby," pleading with her not to leave while declaring his feelings for her. He then goes on to suggest that they could be happy together if they had more time and that being alone is a terrible state of mind. The man reassures his love interest that loving each other is not wrong or shameful, and that he sees her man is not around, indicating that he is willing to take a chance and be with her.
The singer then searches for someone who is not among the "hurting kind," implying that he wants a real connection with someone genuine. The next verse reinforces the romantic tension, with the singer suggesting that if his love stayed the night, they could "make the wrong seem right." There is no mention of what the "wrong" could be, but it is clear that if the two spend the night together, they'd have their passion together.
The chorus is a repeated verse where the singer echoes the phrase "Rock me" three times, each time with more energy and conviction, making the listener feel the intensity of his passion. The song overall is a classic rock ballad with an element of sexual tension, and the message is simple - "Let's love each other tonight without reservation or worry."
Line by Line Meaning
Sweet little baby,
Addressing a woman in a tender way
You don't have to go
Do not leave, stay with me
Little baby
Reaffirms his tender address to the woman
Tell me you won't go
Asking her to confirm she will stay
We'd be so good together if we had the time
They would make a good couple if they had more time together
Bein' alone's a nowhere state of mind
Being alone is depressing
Lovin' ain't no crime, oh no
Expressing that love is not a crime
I see your man ain't here
Noticing the woman's partner is absent
He don't care
Suggesting that her man isn't invested in their relationship
The way of the night has gone
Referring to the end of the night
We'll move on
Proposing to move on from this moment
Got to find a way
Finding a solution
To face another day
To deal with whatever comes next
I search the world
Searching the world over
For someone I'll never find
Confessing beliefs that it is not out there
Someone who ain't
A person who is different
The hurtin' kind
A person who doesn’t cause emotional pain
If you stay the night
Proposing for her to stay the night
We'll make the wrong seem right
Suggesting that they can make things work together
So come on now
Encouraging her to agree with the plan
Rock me
Asking her to rock him
Roll me through the night
Asking her to stay close throughout the night
We'll burn in love tonight
Passionately wishing to spend the night together
Sweet little baby
Still referring to the woman in a loving way
Oh don't you go
Asking her to stay once again
You ain't so innocent, I know
Acknowledging that the woman is not as innocent as she may seem
I know your heart's like mine, oh yeah
Expressing understanding and similarity with the woman
And I will find the time
Promising to make time for her
To make you mine
Wanting to be with her
And if your love goes bad
Anticipating the possibility that their love may not work out
If it makes you sad
Concerned about the woman's emotional state
I'll be back for more
Committing to being by her side
At your door
Willing to come to her side
Before the mornin' light
Wishing to spend as much time as possible together
We'll burn with love tonight
Wishing to spend the night together and expressing passionate love
And when your man don't care
When her partner isn't invested
I will be there
Committing to being by her side in times of need
Still be lovin' real good love
Continuing to offer real and genuine love
There is no wrong or right
There's nothing wrong with what they are doing
We'll burn with love
Reiterating the passionate love between them
There is nothing left to do
Emphasizing that they only have one option
But make sweet love to you
Referencing sexual intimacy
Come on and Rock me
Asking once again for her to rock him
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ALAN NIVEN, JACK RUSSELL, MICHAEL LARDIE, MARK KENDALL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@melissaderosa4253
Hi Michael, Ty as being 23 years old and enjoying Whitesnake, not.wantkng to be brainwashed by today's mostly crazy crappy yuck music and.wish you'd grown up in the 1980's!!!!!! It was a stellar decade, the ambience, dress, food, TV shows, music, concerts, people's attitudes, I was a teenager, etc.
👹hell yeah. I didn't think I'd ever be a mom. My siblings, cousins , few close. friends had babies before me!!!!!!!!!
After reading about my 1st child are you dried 👀ed still or 😭ing haugh??!!!!!!
Always stay on the straight and narrow path!!!+++++++
Be a good Godly man as Deputy Shannon Bennett was that we'd lost way too soon!!!!
He adored all children, had a ❤ for tbose with autism like I'd stated and we all who knew him ADORED, cared for, loved, respected ,etc him.more for all he'd advocated for, etc!!!!!!!!!
Read the online stories about Shannon he left behind one.👹hell of a stellar legacy!!! I've replied to some of the articles on Shannon, R.I.P. our 😇!!!!!!!!
Deputy Bennett is missed by his family, our DBES family, NE DB BSO, his fiance',,those who were fortunate enough to have known Shannon!!!!!! Be a good role model, etc!!!!!!
Hang in there. Especially now with the cornavirus!!!!!!!+++!
I 🙏🌅🌏🌞🌜 Michael that our children grow up to be like you!
We need more people like you!!
Hugs and love,
Melissa
@toddvandell85
Audie Desbrow killing it on lead drums.
Mark Kendall on lead guitar.
Jack Russell on lead vocals.
Michael Lardie on guitar, keyboards, and that soulful harmonica.
The late Lorne Black on bass.
This was the original band.
As with many 80s bands that are still around in 2021, Great White is now officially two bands:
Jack Russell's Great White, which is just Jack and whoever he finds to play for him.
And Great White, led by guitarist Mark Kendall, which features nearly all the original members of Great White, except a different lead singer and bassist now.
Original bassist Lorne Black died in 2013, at 49 years old.
His replacement, Sean McNabb, left the music industry to become an actor.
Scott Snyder is their current bassist.
Mitch Malloy is their current singer.
(In 2010, Paul Shortino of Rough Cutt sang lead vocals with the briefly reformed Great White for a minute live in Stockholm Sweden while Jack was in the hospital.)
@SassyKaren68
Who else is still listening to this kick ass song in 2024???? ❤
@robynmacneil3554
High Five!!!
@tanishqahuja3861
Here
@bloodsav
me 100% greats never fail
@SassyKaren68
@@bloodsav I agree ☝️
@shannonnewman3091
Great White - Rock's !
@j.t.cooper2963
I'm 59 and still rocking out to Great White. Man I miss the good old days.
@deryckcampbell2582
I here ya brother I'm 57 love em
@daveweller3427
Me too Sir!
Cheers brother 🍻
@chrome_dome3599
rock lives on 4 ever...been listening since a kid...im 43