Jack Russell, a founding member of the 1980s band Great White, has died. He was 63 years old. On Thursday, Russell’s family announced via a social media post that the Glam Metal singer “Peacefully” passed away among his family and friends. Russell died of Levi’s body dementia and multiple system atrophy, co-author of his autobiography K. L. Dotty confirmed to Rolling Stone.

“Jack will be remembered for his sense of humour, unparallelled enthusiasm for life and his unwavering contribution to rock and roll, whose legacy will always live on,”” the family said in a statement.” The family has appealed for secrecy at this time.

Russell announced in July that he would be away from touring due to his dementia and MSA diagnosis. “I am unable to perform at the level I want and the desire you do,”” he said.” He expressed gratitude to his fans and said that words cannot express their gratitude.

Russell was born in Montebello, California and was once the lead singer of Great White, famous in the 1980s for his big hits “Once Byton, Twice Shai” (cover of Yan Hunter’s song) and “The Angel Song”. He founded the band in 1982 with Mark Kendall and released several albums, including 1987’s “Once Baiton” and 1989’s “Twis Shai”.

On Thursday, Great White expressed “deepest condolences” to Russell in his Instagram post, saying his “unique voice will live on forever” and call him “one of Rock’s greatest champions.”

The band wrote, “What can you say about the person who was on an amazing journey with you, both in good and bad? We like to let music fill those empty spaces.” The band also said, “All those wonderful years we will cherish in our hearts.”

Kendall announced a break from Great White in 2000, and Russell ended the band in 2001 so he could focus on solo music, which did not succeed. A few years later, the musicians reunited touring the band with the name “Jack Russell’s Great White”.

Russell’s name also brings back memories for some of the tragic 2003 station nightclub fire, which killed 100 people and injured 230 others. The Great White — with both Russell and Kendall — was performing at a club in Rhode Island at the time when a major fire broke out. The fire was started by firecrackers set by the band’s tour manager, who caught fire the flammable acoustic foam behind the stage. The band’s guitarist Ty Longley was also killed in the fire.

In 2015, Russell announced that he would release a documentary on the incident. “This is the story of my life that is intertwined with the story of fire,”” he said.” It’s really hard, but it will give me a chance to apologize and express my feelings. I never got a chance to say ‘I’m sorry’.”