Lorne Black, seen left

Great White’s first bassist, Lorne Black, passed away Friday. The cause of death has yet to be announced. Members from the band paid tribute to him over the weekend, according to Classic Rock Magazine.

Former frontman Jack Russell, who is touring as Jack Russell’s Great White, and guitarist Mark Kendall who follows the original band name, both weighed in on their fallen friend.

“Our hearts go out to his family, friends and fans. Lorne was a huge part of the first incarnation of Great White; may he rest in peace.,” Russell told the magazine.

“Lorne was a good dude – he had a great sense of humor and was a great bass player. He was a fan of bass players and he had a very musical style with his bass parts,” Kendall said.

Black performed on Great White’s 1983 debut EP, their self-titled 1984 album, Shot In The Dark  and 1987′s Once Bitten. While the band was successful with their first two albums, it was their 1989 album, Twice Shy, that was their most successful album, going double platinum.