DANTE FOX was formulated in Los Angeles during the late 70s and would provide a formative staging post for a clutch of musicians that subsequently enjoyed success with high profile bands. The group was hinged on the vocal / guitar axis of JACK RUSSELL and Mark Kendall, this pair drawing in bassist Don Costa, from San Diego, and drummer Tony Richards, from Scottsdale. With both Costa and Richards departure, DANTE FOX duly evolved into GREAT WHITE.

Costa hooked up with OZZY OSBOURNE for a brief, if notorious, stint. Richards worked with latter day MAX HAVOC singer Pat Mckeon prior to joining the proto- W.A.S.P. At that juncture the group was still operating as CIRCUS CIRCUS, and would trade drummers with Gary Holland jumping ship to GREAT WHITE, allowing Tony Richards to fill the vacancy.