Now There's Two Versions of Great White
Tuesday, December 13, 2011 at 12:01AM Step aside L.A. Guns... now there's two versions of Great White. And go ahead and file this one under the "I didn't see this coming."
So yesterday Jack Russell wrote a little letter, announcing his own version of Great White:
"To all my friends:
Just wanted to announce that I will be coming back with my band, GREAT WHITE, and a BRAND NEW lineup.
"My new bandmates are some of the most incredible musicians I have ever had the privilege to play with: Matthew Johnson, former guitarist for GREAT WHITE; Derrick Pontier, former drummer for GREAT WHITE; Dario Seixas, former bassist for FIREHOUSE and the Stephen Pearcy band; and Robby Lochner, former guitarist for Rob Halford's band and Cherie Currie.
"I am very excited about this new beginning.
"I am feeling better than ever, despite any rumors you may hear to the contrary.
"Unfortunately, and as confusing as it will be, my former bandmates and their manager have decided to continue to tour next year under the name I created, GREAT WHITE. I will be touring under the name GREAT WHITE FEATURING JACK RUSSELL to try avoid any confusion.
"So now the true fans will know the difference."
I just don't even know what to do with this information. I guess we'll be getting one of these versions at M3 this year... I mean, how can we not? I didn't think there was any friction between Great White and Jack... I even thought things were cordial between replacement singer Terry Ilous and Jack... but I guess not. Clearly something has gone down. Whatever the case, I wish all parties good luck. I just hope Jack is well enough to go back on the road. He's been recovering from surgery for months - and you don't mess with your health. Thoughts?
Reader Comments (32)
Has anyone seen the photo of Jack's line up? He does not look well. I hope we don't end up with another dead rocker soon.
p.s. How about Great Guns?
What a monster singer Russell is! You guys are right. Here's an example of someone who could just go out under his own name.
But I just think when it comes down to it, times are so tough, these guys need every bit of brand equity they have in their past monikers in order to get even just a few more tickets sold.
I wish Russell well, especially when I think of all the hell he's been through between Rhode Island and all of his health problems.
The recent announcement that long-time Great White vocalist Jack Russell would be returning with a new band under the name 'Great White featuring Jack Russell' (with Matthew Johnson, Derrick Pontier, Dario Seixas, and Robby Lochner) has caught his former bandmates completely by surprise. Mark Kendall, Audie Desbrow, Michael Lardie, Scott Snyder and Terry Ilous have shot back by saying Russell has no rights to use the Great White name and that they will litigate any promoter that books the band as 'Great White featuring Jack Russell'.
In a lengthy statement posted at greatwhiterocks.com the band says, "First and foremost, our main concern is our fans. We have spent 30 years trying to be the best we can be and bring our fans the top quality of music they have become accustomed to and deserve. It saddens us today to have to respond to Jack Russell's announcement.
Jack Russell announced on Facebook on Saturday, December 10, 2011 that he was returning to Great White with a new line-up. This was a complete shock to the entire Great White Family.
This couldn't be further from the truth.
As we all know Jack Russell has been fighting drug and alcohol abuse for many years. He has had numerous stints in and out of treatment facilities and hospitals.
In 2010 Jack's physical condition deteriorated to the point that he routinely fell on and off stage, forgot lyrics and we had to cancel shows due to his inability to perform. In the past two years, Jack has had five major surgeries and has almost died three times. His drug abuse was so bad that his body began to shut down and ultimately resulted in colostomy surgery from a perforated bowel (he nearly died during this procedure). The colostomy surgery saved his life, but vanquished him with a colostomy bag for a year.
We stood by Jack; we supported his sobriety and eagerly awaited his return.
Jack was first slated to return to Great White this past summer. Unfortunately his frail body and his drug abuse prohibited this event. In the following months, Jack had three more surgeries that delayed his return. Finally, he chose February 2012 as his target return date. We had five clear conditions for Jack's return:
1. Jack had to be drug free. Off all Opiates, Methadone, Valium or Xanax.
2. Jack had to be off Prednisone (a steroid that ate away at Jack's internal organs that caused the perforated bowl).
3. Jack had to be sober and off crack cocaine and all alcohol.
4. Jack had to agree to weekly drug tests.
5. Jack must attend weekly meetings for AA and NA.
Last week Jack notified management he would not make it back by February 2012. Jack referred to his doctor's opinion that he would not be ready. He had just started physical rehabilitation again and his legs and back needed more rehab to handle the rigors of touring. Jack thought he would be ready by May to start the summer touring season. However, he wasn't sure if he could be off the Methadone by then or ever. Management reiterated that he had to be completely drug free for his return. He owed it to the fans. He owed it to us. He owed to himself.
Out of nowhere, we all received an email on Saturday, December 10, 2011 stating that he was coming back now and that he was starting his own (a different lineup) Great White. As you can imagine, this was shocking to say the least. We were saddened and hurt from this shocking announcement.
We only want to do right by our fans. We aim to give the best possible show and have every fan leave the show feeling they got their monies worth. This band is sober and music is our passion. With Jack Russell, not being drug free and unable to physically perform on stage, it will only let down our fans.
Time and again, Jack Russell has let down his band and fans. His addictions have ruined his life the past eight years. We will not sit by and enable our brother to abuse alcohol and drugs to kill himself. We have lost too many loved ones to this madness. After the passing of our dear friend, the talented Jani Lane, it has become more evident that this has to stop. It must end.
Since Jack's departure in August 2010, Great White has performed almost 100 concerts. We've had no shortened sets, cancellations or song choice limitations due to vocal issues. In this struggling economy, fans need and deserve more -- not less. We owe it to our fans and the promoters to not to allow Jack Russell and some garage band to hurt Great White's classic rock legacy and bright future.
Jack Russell does not have the right to start his own Great White or use the name without our names in the lineup. We will litigate any promoter that books 'Jack Russell's Great White' or uses any logo featuring the name Great White.
We give you our word, we will continue through 2012 and beyond to provide you with the top quality musical performances you have been accustomed and deserve. We hope and pray that Jack gets healthy, happy and sober. His health and well-being is the only thing that matters."
As far as the name "GREAT WHITE" goes... Doesn't make a whole lot of difference to me. If both versions are good I have no problem supporting both versions. It's not about the name, it's about the MUSIC.
And, to be clear, this isn't to contradict my support for bands who marshal on without original members. But I do have to offer up one personal anecdote from Rock n' America:
Probably the best part of that festival, and there were a lot of great moments, was watching how the fans treated Russell. More to the point, it was standing front and center when he did the call and response to "Rock Me." He looked a mess physically. But he sounded amazing. And Kendall was right there with him, playing and smiling along. It might sound weak or overly nostalgic to some who post here, but that moment ranks up there with some of my best musical memories.
I wish them all the best, in all the ways that you can interpret that pithy comment. I truly do. I wish them the best.
But this situation--when you add in all the lives cut short for one reason or another, the Dios and the Lanes and so on--only points to the fact that the golden age is fast fading into the past. Granted, it is _my_ golden age (many of yours as well, I would guess). And that just makes me sad. Not angry, not itching to pick sides, not ready to drop one-liners, just sad.
Again, I wish them the best.