Great White’s Mark Kendall Stays Close with Families of 2003 Fire Victims [AWESOME ’80S WEEKEND]

Next February will make 10 years since a fire at a Great White show at the Station Nightclub in Rhode Island claimed 100 lives. Co-founder and guitarist Mark Kendall says his relationship with the victims families is what's helped him through the tragedy.

"That's been one of the best parts of the healing process is to this day being so close to all those people that started the (Station Family Fund)," Kendall tells Washington D.C. area radio station Big 100.3. "We really fellowship a lot. We're in touch almost daily. If anyone is feeling down it's all been about the hugs and the love."

Kendall talks about that night during his conversation with deejay Lisa Birigan, recalling how he looked back to see a small fire beginning just behind his amplifier and remembering how there wasn't a working fire extinguisher in the club. Recently the owner of the Station agreed to donate the land to the families of the victims so they could build a memorial. "It's a wonderful thing he did," Kendall says.

In May, Great White released 'Elation,' the first studio album without Jack Russell as lead vocalist. Terry Ilous took the microphone in 2010 after Russell pulled out of shows, and the band made the change permanent shortly thereafter. Great White just finished a tour in Europe. Russell has also formed Jack Russell's Great White, creating two separate fan experiences.