Once Bitten Twice Shy

The Zoo Crew is spinning the classic track "Once Bitten Twice Shy" by Great White from their 1989 album …Twice Shy, a song that’s got the Zoo Freaks rocking out! This tune, a cover of Ian Hunter’s 1975 original, became Great White’s biggest hit, peaking at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100. Interestingly, the band didn’t initially see it as a single. Guitarist Mark Kendall shared in a Songfacts interview that the cover was suggested by Izzy Stradlin of Guns N’ Roses, who thought it fit their vibe. The record label, Capitol, heard the final cut and declared it “the one,” pushing it to heavy rotation on MTV. The band tweaked some lyrics, changing “Greyhound bus” to “grey tour bus” to reflect their life on the road, and swapped Hunter’s “I, I, I” in the chorus to “My, my, my” for Jack Russell’s signature delivery.

Another cool tidbit comes from the song’s music video, which featured model Bobbie Brown, who later starred in Warrant’s “Cherry Pie” video. The video, directed by Nigel Dick, shows the band jamming in a warehouse before hitting the road, capturing the gritty, party-heavy hair metal scene of the late ’80s. Fans on Reddit’s hairmetal community still rave about its sing-along energy, with one user calling it “a great drinking song.” The song’s live performances were a staple, with drummer Audie Desbrow adding intense fills, as noted in a drum sheet analysis. Great White’s connection to the song runs deep, but some fans, like those commenting on Songfacts, argue the original’s glam rock edge by Hunter, ex-Mott the Hoople, carries a rawer charm.

Great White formed in Los Angeles in 1977, evolving from a local act called Dante Fox. Frontman Jack Russell and guitarist Mark Kendall were the driving forces, honing a bluesy hard rock sound inspired by bands like Led Zeppelin and Aerosmith. Their early days were spent grinding through club gigs, building a loyal following in Southern California. By 1984, they released their self-titled debut album, but it was 1987’s Once Bitten that broke them through, selling over a million copies with hits like “Rock Me.” The band’s shark-themed branding—playing off their name—gave them a distinctive edge, and by the time …Twice Shy dropped in 1989, they were hair metal heavyweights, selling two million copies of the album. Despite lineup changes and a tragic 2003 nightclub fire that killed 100, including guitarist Ty Longley, Great White has kept rocking, with Kendall leading the charge after Russell’s passing in 2024.

You can keep up with Great White on their Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where they share tour updates and tributes to their legacy. Fans also gather on sites like Bandcamp, which offers live recordings, including a 1993-94 set featuring “Once Bitten Twice Shy.” For deeper dives, check out fan-driven spaces like the Great White Fan Club on Facebook, where Zoo Freaks can connect over favorite tracks and memories. The r/hairmetal subreddit is another spot where devotees discuss the band’s underrated catalog, often praising songs like “House of Broken Love” alongside their big hit.