Great White guitarist Mark Kendall has revealed he is currently battling stage four kidney cancer. The 68-year-old musician, who founded Great White (originally Dante Fox) in 1977, shared the news on his Facebook page on Saturday, November 22nd.
“Hello Friends!
“Just wanted everyone to know I was diagnosed with Stage 4 kidney cancer a few months ago. I wanted to wait to go public until I knew a little more about it.
“Just to give you an update the tumor has shrunk from 13 centimeters to 8, so I’m going in the right direction with my first scan. There isn’t a cure for cancer but what I have is manageable. I have the best doctor’s in the world and one of them invented Immunotherapy which is the treatment I’m on.
“I only had to do 3 radiation treatments which is a good thing! To be clear, I don’t need any financial help but I’ll take prayers & encouragement!
“I’m gonna fight this thing and be okay. People in my support group were diagnosed with my exact issue up to 20 yrs ago, so that is encouraging!
Blessings All!”
Mark Kendall‘s original band, Dante Fox, settled on vocalist Jack Russell after trying two other singers. Their 1982 performance at the Whisky A Go Go in Hollywood impressed record executive Alan Niven, who suggested they change their name to reflect Kendall’s blonde hair—thus, Great White was born. Since 1982, the band’s crushing, blues-based guitar riffs and swagger have captivated audiences, selling over 10 million albums worldwide. The core writing team of Kendall and Michael Lardie (keys/guitar), later joined by drummer Audie Desbrow in ’85, forged numerous hits, most notably the Grammy-nominated, gold-selling “Once Bitten, Twice Shy.”
Mark Kendall and his wife Bridget have been married for over twenty years and are the parents of four children: Jonathan, Taylor, Shane, and Ashley.
Metal Stop wishes you full recovery.
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