Rock Me

Zoo Freaks, get ready to vibe with the Zoo Crew as we spin "Rock Me" by Great White from their 1987 album Once Bitten. This anthem was a make-or-break moment for the band, as guitarist Mark Kendall revealed in a Songfacts interview. After being dropped by EMI, Great White signed with Capitol Records, and Once Bitten was their shot to stay in the game. Kendall said, "It was kind of a do-or-die record. Had we not come up with something memorable, it would have been career over right there." When he heard "Rock Me" blaring in the studio, he got chills, knowing it was a hit. The song’s raw energy and melodic hooks pushed it to #60 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #9 on the Mainstream Rock chart, helping the album go platinum.

Another cool tidbit about "Rock Me" is its length. The original version clocks in at over seven minutes, a bold move for a single. For radio and the music video, they trimmed it to three to five minutes, but the full version still gets love on classic rock stations. The video, directed by Nigel Dick, features the band rocking under spotlights with clips of a woman walking, adding a gritty, mysterious vibe. Fans on Reddit have praised its arena-shaking power, with one post calling it a standout from the platinum-certified Once Bitten. The song’s success came from its bluesy, Led Zeppelin-inspired groove, which resonated with Great White’s road-warrior lifestyle.

Great White formed in Los Angeles in 1977, originally as Dante Fox, led by vocalist Jack Russell. The band, named after the shark and Kendall’s stage nickname, came together with Russell, Kendall on guitar, Lorne Black on bass, and Gary Holland on drums. Their blues-infused hard rock drew from legends like Led Zeppelin and Aerosmith. They built a following in local clubs, moving to bigger venues and changing their name to Great White. In 1982, they released a self-financed EP, Out of the Night, and On Your Knees with Enigma Records, catching EMI’s attention. Though their debut album flopped, Capitol Records signed them, and Once Bitten in 1987 launched them into the mainstream with hits like "Rock Me" and "Save Your Love."

By the late ‘80s, Great White was a hair metal powerhouse, selling over 10 million albums worldwide, with six Top 100 Billboard hits and two platinum albums. Their 1989 album ...Twice Shy earned a Grammy nomination for Best Hard Rock Performance for the hit cover "Once Bitten, Twice Shy." Despite challenges, including a tragic 2003 nightclub fire, the band’s passion for music keeps them rocking. Today, Great White is Mark Kendall (guitar), Michael Lardie (guitar, keyboards), Audie Desbrow (drums), Scott Snyder (bass), and Brett Carlisle (vocals), delivering sultry, hard-hitting live shows.

Stay connected with Great White on their Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts for tour updates and more. Fans can join the Great White Fan Club on Facebook to share stories and connect with fellow rockers. For more band history, check out fan sites like Only-Rock, which celebrates their glam metal legacy and pays tribute to late guitarist Ty Longley. Keep rocking, Zoo Freaks!