Who didn’t want to be a rock star when they were young? There are probably a few who were never tempted by the money, fame and everything else that came with the lifestyle, but not many. Rock stars get whatever they want and live in a world where it seems they never have to grow up. Rock stardom definitely has its allure.

For some, the dream fades when the demands of the real world set in. For others, the dream ends when they have to pawn their instruments to pay for car insurance, rent or diapers. Then there is the small group that never lose that dream. Out of that group, only a select few find success, with even fewer finding longevity to be a part of that success.

Having said that, Great White is coming to 527 Main St. on Saturday, Aug. 8. Almost 20 years after the song “Once Bitten, Twice Shy” was nominated for a Grammy, these weekend warriors are still making a living being rock stars.

The band consists of all original members: Jack Russell on vocals, Mark Kendall and Michael Lardie on guitar and Audie Desbrow on drums. The only exception is Sean McNabb, who was replaced by Scott Snyder after the completion of the latest album. While other bands of the era are left with only memories, the members of Great White are still recording, touring and finding that elusive continued success.

“I think you get to a place where you feel more blessed that you have the opportunity to continue to do it because it is the one thing that you always, always wanted to do your entire life,” Great White guitarist/producer Michael Lardie said.

Though the band continued to tour as Great White after 2000, the original members would not reunite until 2007, when they got together to release Back to the Rhythm. Most of the preproduction for Rhythm was done long distance and involved a lot of e-mailed MP3s and phone calls. It wasn’t until the band got together at Audie Desbrow’s abode to work on a new album that the old sparks really started to fly.

“We went in with only three or four of the songs already written, which is something that I always wanted to do,” Lardie said. “As we are working on the project we would get that vibe of all of us playing together, and we would come up with the material. Maybe compose it one day then record it the very next day. In many ways the tracks have a real immediate sense about them in terms of the freshness.”

That album is Rising and was released in April of 2009. The title refers to the forward moving mentality of the band. With such a storied history punctuated by times of triumph, heartbreak, addiction and tragedy, Rising could be a reference to a phoenix rising from the ashes. This is a project that a resilient band is very proud of and is perceived as a stepping-stone to their future.

The new shows are a smattering of old classics mixed with some of the new stuff. The classics such as “Rock Me,” “Once Bitten, Twice Shy,” and “Save Your Love” have afforded Great White the opportunity to continue to be rock stars for over 25 years, so don’t expect them to abandon those songs or the fans. Their newfound success is not rooted solely in 40- or 50-something fans seeking a taste of nostalgia.

“One of my best moments thus far was seeing a 5-year-old wearing a Great White shirt from 1989 hanging down to his ankles singing every word to “Rock Me.” I’m thinking ‘how amazing is that?’ Your music can find its place among the older generation and the completely youngest, newer generation,” Lardie said.

So the next time you see a band that once sold out arenas and had pyrotechnics that rivaled the Nashville 4th of July fireworks display playing your county fair or the little rock club down the road, don’t scoff. Before you take that thought any further, do a quick inventory of yourself.

While they are still making a living by touring the country doing something they truly love, we are stuck counting beans, serving burgers, meeting with pain-in-the-ass clients or writing articles about “washed-up” rock bands. Very few people in this world can make a career out of doing something they love, especially when their job is being a rock star.

IF YOU GO:

Who: Great White with Cold Truth, Jason and the Punknecks and Platinum Rose feat. Bullet Boys
Where: 527 Main St.
When: Sat. Aug. 8 Price: $25; $40–Balcony