Kendall is a founding member of the 80s band
Great White guitarist Mark Kendall has revealed that he has been diagnosed with Stage 4 kidney cancer. The 80s rocker says he’s undergoing Immunotherapy, which has led to a shrinking tumor.
“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,” Kendall shares on Facebook. “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 doctors 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 years ago, so that is encouraging!”
In addition to his health update, the Huntington Beach native says Great White is working on new music with the band’s current vocalist, Brett Carlisle. They plan to release the new material in smaller increments of two or three songs at a time, rather than a full album all at once.
The band’s current lineup also includes Michael Lardie on guitars and keyboards, Audie Desbrow on drums, and Scott Snyder on bass.
Great White continues to tour, with upcoming dates scheduled for late 2025 and 2026. Their next confirmed date is Friday, December 5th, in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada.
Kendall is one of the founding members of Great White, along with the late Jack Russell, who fronted the band. The pair met in 1977 and began playing as Dante Fox. In 1982, after a performance in Hollywood, record executive Alan Niven suggested changing the name. Niven is said to have chosen Great White as a reference to Kendall’s blonde hair. Some of the band’s biggest hits include “Once Bitten, Twice Shy,” “House of Broken Love,” “Save Your Love,” and “Rock Me,” among others.
