Jack Russellthe frontman of the rock band Great White, who 2003 Station Nightclub fire in Rhode Island, in which 100 people were killed and over 200 others were injured, has died. He was 63 years old.

The cause of death was Lewy body dementia and multisystem atrophy, KL Doty, the author of his memoirs, confirmed to WBZ-TV.

Jack Russells White Dog

Great White peaked in the late 1980s and early 1990s with a cover of “Once Bitten, Twice Shy.” Russell was performing with his spinoff band Jack Russell’s Great White at the packed West Warwick Club when the band’s pyrotechnics ignited the soundproofing foam in the building’s walls.

The fire was one of the deadliest in US history. At the beginning of his autobiography, published just weeks before his death, Russell apologized to the families of the victims.

Russell’s apology to the victims of the Station Nightclub fire

“I’m sorry that every tender embrace of love is no longer possible, and that you dread every February 20th for more reasons than ice and snow. That birthdays, sunsets and good news are things you cannot share. That plans and dreams were not fulfilled. That hell is going to get you,” Russell wrote. “I’m sorry it wasn’t me.”

Criminal charges were filed against club owners Jeff and Michael Derderian and the band’s tour manager, Daniel Biechele. Michael Derderian and Biechele were imprisoned. Rhode Island introduced stricter fire safety regulations as a result of the tragedy.

“One of the greatest champions of rock”

Russell was born in Montebello, California and played with Great White from 1981 to 1996 and then from 1999 until the band’s dissolution in 2001. He announced his diagnosis: Lewy body dementia and multiple system atrophy and announced that he would retire from touring.

“Thank you for letting me live my dreams,” he said in an Instagram post. “You made my life a miracle.”

Great White said in a Facebook post that Russell had an unparalleled love for rock music.

“The consistency of his live performances was always unparalleled,” the band said. “Rest in peace, one of rock’s greatest champions.”