Jack Russell Tribute Concert Announced For Friday

Jack Russell's Great White was originally scheduled to perform a show with Vixen at Arcada Theatre in St. Charles, Illinois on Friday, August 23. Instead of cancelling, the show will now become a tribute to Jack Russell. Russell's band is now performing gigs under the name "Once Bitten: Celebrating the Music of Great White." Terry Ilous is on vocals. He once held the frontman role for Great White.

Vixen will still perform in their headline spot during this show.

It will be interesting to see if more tribute shows are planned in the future.

Farewell Jack Russell

I feel like I'm writing farewell posts all the time now. We lost our beloved Great White frontman Jack Russell yesterday. He was recently diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia and retired from music.

The news of Jack's passing was still shocking to lots of folks, me included. According to a statement from his family, Jack died peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones. He was 63.

It didn't take long for condolences to come rolling in and that includes and official statement by his former Great White bandmates. It's a classy and concise tribute:

Other statements came from fellow musicians who shared the stage with Jack over the years:

Singer Jack Russell Announces Retirement From Touring

This was probably inevitable and still sad to see: singer Jack Russell has announced his retirement from performing. He has Lewy Body Dementia. It's a debilitating disease that causes muscle atrophy and dementia. Symptoms progress slowly and it isn't clear how long Jack has been battling the disease, but it has obviously been awhile.

The retirement news comes on the heels of his autobiography release. I wish Jack well - and I hope his version of Great White hangs it up for good at this point.

Available Now: 'The True Tale of Mista Bone: A Rock + Roll Narrative'

I've been watching for this news: Jack Russell's autobiography, The True Tale of Mista Bone: A Rock + Roll Narrative is available now. The Great White singer has obviously had some highs - and devastating lows - during his long career, and I want to see what he has to say about it all. I'm sure the horrific Station Nightclub fire plays a major role in this book.

Right now, Amazon has the hardcopy only. I am waiting for a digital release - hopefully that comes fast!

This Is Brutal - Jack Russell

Jack Russell's Great White played a show in Texas a few days ago. There are lots of clips of the show on YouTube now and they are all heartbreaking. Jack looks really ill and has no business performing these days. He deserves to retire and I think he needs medical care, too. Hopefully he is getting the support he needs but I don't know who thought this concert was a good idea. Also, paying fans deserve better.

(The videos were removed from YouTube - cleanup patrol in force!)

It's the Orange and White Barncat For Me

So I missed this from a couple months ago, but Tracii Guns and Jack Russell put out an album together called Medusa. One of the songs on the album is "Next In Line" and it is kind of catchy. No, this isn't setting-the-world-on-fire stuff, but it is solid rock n' roll from two guys that have been doing it forever.

The video isn't anything fancy and is made special by Tracii's orange and white barncat. The furball hangs out the entire time Tracii is playing, which means the cat is used to hearing the guitar a lot. I really enjoy the solo!