The voice of Great White and of Jack Russell’s Great White (of Course) has passed away
Before COVID shut everything down, I spent a lot of my time at night and on the weekends combining two of my favorite things, music and photography. Being a Concert Photographer was fantastic and I got to cover some fantastic shows, and I plan on getting back into soon. Every now and then an artist from my generation, someone who I listened to and may have even covered at a show or two passes away. Last week was a loss to my generation. Jack Russell, the voice of Great White and Jack Russell’s Great White.
less then a month ago it was anounced that he was retiring from touring and announced his diagnosis of Lewy Body Dementia (the same thing Robin Williams had)and Multiple System Atrophy and then on August 15th came the sad news of his passing. I wasnt planning on doing a whole blog post on this, I didnt know him much more then just a passing handshake in an autograph line at a couple of concerts. I wish I could have spoken with him a bit, a few words to sharew with ya’all, but alas, I am not much of the interviewer type. So I am going to share some photos and other memories. A few of these pics I dont think I have posted before.
First time I was going to see them live
This was the view from the stage area. It was a nice set up and being touted Jack’s first show in New England since the Station Fire. I was there hoping to cover it from a journalistic point of view, they were predicting all of these protestors showing up. From what I saw that day and evening, not a single one did, but then, neither did much of a crowd. A great mix of local bands leading up to Steelheart and then Jack Russell. He did pop out and catch a few songs by some other bands. Most notably one called DMK, headed by a singer named Scotty Dunbar.
Scotty is just one of many forever living the tragedy of The Station Fire (his story to tell not mine). During his set he stopped and spoke about that and how it affected him. He spoke words that day that moved me, that also applied to an issue I had and have been dealing with for a long time. I spoke with Scotty after his set that night and told him how what he said resonated with me and what I have gone thru. Now there isnt a time, we dont say hello when crossing paths at the many shows we both attend. Steelheart was great that night, but something happened and at the end of their set power was lost and Jack and his band never made it to the stage. Rumor among the 100 or so people there was the promoter literally pulled the plug to claim insurance money, who knows, what I do know is that Jack and the band came out and signed things for the fans and mingled with the small crowd for awhile during what was supposed to be his set.
It was a couple of years later…..
That the last show I covered of Jacks was at The Chance in Poughkeepsie NY. What a wonderful night it was. Another night filled with some great local talent and Chance regulars. We were treated to one of the Hudson Valleys rising stars, a young lady named Moriah before she became involved with The Voice and Plush…..
Makes you wonder if he spoke with her and passed along tips to make it along in this crazy world.
Music is a wonderful thing, it sets moments in time. You will always remember what song was playing when you lost your virginity, the first song you danced with that special one, the song that was playing when you were 16 and cruising the main drag.
There are alot of memories set to the sounds of Jacks voice and the band behind him at the time. For me, its not just the memories set to his songs, but the memories made with friends at his shows, friends made at his shows. His songs, our memories will keep him with us for a very long time.
