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https://blabbermouth.net/news/former-great-white-singer-jack-russell-dead-at-63

Former GREAT WHITE Singer JACK RUSSELL Dead At 63

August 15, 2024

 

 

Former GREAT WHITE singer Jack Russell has died at the age of 63.

Earlier today (Thursday, August 15),the following statement was posted on Jack's social media: "With tremendous sadness, we announce the loss of our beloved Jack Patrick Russell — father, husband, cousin, uncle, and friend.

 

"Jack passed peacefully in the presence of his wife Heather Ann Russell, son Matthew Hucko, cousin Naomi Breshears Barbor, and dear friends Billy and Cheryl Pawelcik.

"Details of a public memorial will be announced at a later date.

"Jack is loved and remembered for his sense of humor, exceptional zest for life, and unshakeable contribution to rock and roll where his legacy will forever thrive.

"His family asks for privacy at this time."

The news of Jack's passing comes less than a month after he announced that he was retiring from touring following a diagnosis of Lewy body dementia.

"To my fans and friends, it is with the heaviest of hearts that I must announce my retirement from the road," Russell said in a statement on July 17. "After a recent diagnosis of Lewy body dementia (LBD) and multiple system atrophy (MSA) in May 2024, I am unable to perform at the level I desire and at the level you deserve. Words cannot express my gratitude for the many years of memories, love and support. Thank you for letting me live my dreams. You have made my life a wonder."

Lewy body dementia is the second most common cause of neurodegenerative dementia after Alzheimer's disease.

Lewy body dementia impacts memory, decision-making and ability to solve problems. It has led to motor and muscle weakness and rigidity. It also can cause sleep disorders and hallucinations.

Lewy body dementia is often misdiagnosed as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease due to its early similarity to those other neurodegenerative diseases.

After actor and comedian Robin Williams took his own life in August 2014, autopsy results revealed he was suffering from LBD.

Russell was performing with his version of GREAT WHITE when a pyrotechnics display sparked a nightclub fire that killed 100 people at a 2003 concert in Rhode Island. At the time of the fire, the group that was on the road was called JACK RUSSELL'S GREAT WHITE. Mark Kendall, who founded GREAT WHITE with Russell in 1982, later said he was asked to join Russell and his solo band on the tour to help boost attendance. Guitarist Ty Longley died in the blaze.

Russell exited GREAT WHITE in December 2011 after he was unable to tour with the group due a series of injuries, including a perforated bowel and a shattered pelvis. Jack largely blamed these injuries on his alcohol and painkiller addictions as well as the prednisone drug he was prescribed.

Russell sued his onetime bandmates in 2012 over their continued use of the GREAT WHITE name after Jack had taken a leave of absence from the band for medical reasons. A short time later, Russell was countersued by guitarist Mark Kendall, rhythm guitarist/keyboardist Michael Lardie and drummer Audie Desbrow, claiming the vocalist's self-destructive behavior was damaging the GREAT WHITE name (they also alleged he was charging promoters less for his own touring version of GREAT WHITE). The parties settled in July 2013 without going to trial, with Russell most recently performing as JACK RUSSELL'S GREAT WHITE while the others are continuing as GREAT WHITE.

In a December 2023 interview with Neil Jones of TotalRock, Russell was asked if he still enjoys going out on the road. He responded: "I enjoy the hour and a half of playing. The rest of it you could take it and do what you would with it. It's not fun. It's hard. The traveling is just a drag — it's a real drag. I mean, getting on airplanes and cars and buses and all that stuff is a real drag. We try to keep that to a minimum. We play maybe two, three shows a week. We try to play every weekend, 'cause I don't wanna do a job that I don't like. So just keep it to where I can function, have a good time doing it and I'm not complaining about my back."

Elaborating on his recent health setback, Jack said: "I've been having some issues with my back [in 2023 and 2022]. So I've had to take a little time off. It's finally starting to get better. But I had to have my back fused to my neck, actually."

Asked if this is "just because of the rigors of the road over the years," Jack said: "Yeah, [just from] pounding the boards for 47 years, just jumping up and down, acting like a fool."

Russell previously discussed his surgery in an interview last October with Meltdown of Detroit's WRIF radio station. At the time, he said: "I had a fusion in my neck and my back, so it was a pretty gnarly surgery. That kept me off stage for a while. I couldn't even move my neck. Somehow it screwed up my voice a bit and then it finally came back. But it was really weird, really strange… Yeah, it's coming back, slow but sure. I get people — they can't tell. They tell me, 'You sounded just like you did in 1985.' I'm, like, 'No.' It's, like, 'Okay, cool. Awesome.'"

In October 2022, GREAT WHITE officially named Brett Carlisle as its new lead singer. Carlisle joined the band as the replacement for Andrew Freeman, who sang for GREAT WHITE for only five months.

Carlisle made his live debut with GREAT WHITE on September 24, 2022 at the Cannery Casino Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Russell's autobiography, titled "The True Tale Of Mista Bone: A Rock + Roll Narrative", was recently released via Gatekeeper Press. Penned by author Katelyn Louise "K.L." Doty, it features a sentimental foreword by Lita Ford, with additional commentary from Eric Singer, Eddie Trunk, John Kalodner, Kip Winger and others. The book, with a cover photo by legendary rock photographer Mark Weiss, is available in paperback, hardcover and e-book form.

For more information, visit www.jackrussellbook.com.

 

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Damn, rough day in the music world.

Jack sang what would be considered mine and my wife’s song, “Save Your Love”.  Whether with Great White, solo, or via his recent collaboration with Traci Gunns, his music has been part of my life for nearly 40 years. He will greatly missed.

RIP Mista Bone

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Sad news, he had a great voice and was a part of making some memorable songs.  I wasn't aware of that recent diagnosis.  Unfortunately he seemed to struggle with a number of health issues and personal demons over the latter part of his life.   Rest easy Mr. Russell. 

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Jack had been severely ill for a long time now, and only a month ago he announced his retirement so as sad as it is, it is not entirely unexpected.

The one thing I hate with articles like the one I posted from Blabbermouth (it was the only one I could find at the time) is that they seem focused on all the bad shit in his life rather than the years of great music. There was absolutely no need to mention the fire in this article, and did we really need to know about the lawsuit etc?

Where was the celebration of the music he wrote and performed for decades?

Jack was certainly not perfect, but who is? From what I have read over the years, he was a genuinely nice guy (can't say the same for certain members of GW) who had his demons, but performing was his one major passion. The fact that the last few years meant he could no longer enjoy that is truly heartbreaking.

Rest in peace Mr Russell, your legacy will live on.

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Rest In Peace Jack Russell...sad news...expected or not...

Will blast classic Great White tomorrow when I get home.

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Wouldn't wish of what Jack died of to anyone, Alzheimer, after seen first-hand with two of my relatives getting it

Rest In Peace, Jack

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In memory of legendary former Great White lead singer Jack Russell, The Arcada Theatre will host a tribute concert on Friday, August 23. The rocker passed away August 15 at the age of 63.

Jack Russell's Great White was originally scheduled to appear with headliner Vixen, but Jack's illness caused him to back out of the show just two weeks before. Jack Russell's Great White Band will still perform the show under its new name, "Once Bitten," enlisting the powerful vocals of Terry Iliois, former Great White frontman.

President and CEO Ron Onesti said that Jack would have wanted the show to go on and that this tribute is a fitting way to honor his musical legacy. Additionally, the release of Jack Russell's autobiography, "The True Tale of Mista Bone: A Rock + Roll Narrative," was planned to coincide with the concert. K.L. Doty, the author and "Official Jack Russell Family Spokesperson," will still attend to discuss her book and share stories about Jack.

"This is another sad day in Rock and Roll," said Arcada President and CEO Ron Onesti. "Jack would have wanted the show to go on, what better way to honor his musical life than with a salute by his own bandmates?

Vixen will close the night with a performance of their greatest hits. "I know this will be an emotional evening for all rockers present, including the girls from Vixen. I am sure they shared many co-bills with Jack and his band. Thanks to Vixen for being a part of this," said Onesti.

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