Jack Russell returns with "Great White"... sorta

Just saw this on another forum. Hoo-boy. Looks like we got another L.A. Guns situation in the making.

FROM JACK RUSSELL
To all my friends:

Just wanted to announce that I will be coming back with my band Great White and a BRAND NEW line up. My new band mates are some of the most incredible musicians I have ever had the privilege to play with, Matt 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 band mates 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 will be announcing tour dates as soon as they become available.

Our first performance will be at the Pre-NAMM Jam January 14 2012. Only shows advertised as Great White featuring Jack Russell will include myself on vocals. I have missed all of you terribly and look forward to seeing you all on the road. You have no idea how much your love and devotion has meant to me during what has been one of the hardest periods of my life. Happy Holidays! Much peace and love to you and your families. Have a blessed New Year. Yours as always, Jack Russell, founder and lead vocalist, Great White

PS. JACK IS BACK!!!!!!!!

Neither Great White or LA Guns have enough interest or fan support to justify two bands touring under that name, plus I thought Jack Russell only left because he was sick and was going to return once his health got better.

manny wrote:

Neither Great White or LA Guns have enough interest or fan support to justify two bands touring under that name, plus I thought Jack Russell only left because he was sick and was going to return once his health got better.

That's what I thought too. He was crapping out his intestines or something. Once he got better, he was back in the band. Guess not.

No good can come from this. Is Terry Ilous (however it's spelled) still touring with what we'll now call the 'other' Great White?

FYI Here's the post describing Jack's original health issues...ick.

https://heartofmetal.niceboard.com/t13928-great-white-s-jack-russell-undergoes-surgery?highlight=jack+russell

MetalGuy71 wrote:

manny wrote:

Neither Great White or LA Guns have enough interest or fan support to justify two bands touring under that name, plus I thought Jack Russell only left because he was sick and was going to return once his health got better.

That's what I thought too. He was crapping out his intestines or something. Once he got better, he was back in the band. Guess not.

No good can come from this. Is Terry Ilous (however it's spelled) still touring with what we'll now call the 'other' Great White?

X3. This seems like a tremendous waste of time. As a fan, I hate when bands pull this crap.

Hm. Yeah. Pointless. Everybody was under the impression Russell was only out (temporarily) for health reasons. This doesn't make much business sense to dilute an already super small fanbase but hey, it's working wonders for LAG, right?

What's really sad is that Great White has continued to put out good albums but I'm sure both sides will now be content to forgo new material from here on out.

In an unconfirmed report, ex-singer for Tracii Gun's LA Guns Dilana (under advise from Stephen Pearcy's Ratt) is in talks with Mark Kendall's Great White for a job.

Ripper Owens could not be reached for comment.

MetalGuy71 wrote:

In an unconfirmed report, ex-singer for Tracii Gun's LA Guns Dilana (under advise from Stephen Pearcy's Ratt) is in talks with Mark Kendall's Great White for a job.

Ripper Owens could not be reached for comment.

Since he's now fronting Mike Tramp's White Lion!

Weird. I agree that this will amount to not much.

Not the biggest Great White fan/follower, but when was there a Derrick Pointer drumming for Great White? I know in the slim/bad days of 2000 to 2006, there was a revolving door of players, perhaps then?

metalinmyveins wrote:

MetalGuy71 wrote:

In an unconfirmed report, ex-singer for Tracii Gun's LA Guns Dilana (under advise from Stephen Pearcy's Ratt) is in talks with Mark Kendall's Great White for a job.

Ripper Owens could not be reached for comment.

Since he's now fronting Mike Tramp's White Lion!

What a joke this whole thing is.

Quote :

Not the biggest Great White fan/follower, but when was there a Derrick Pointer drumming for Great White? I know in the slim/bad days of 2000 to 2006, there was a revolving door of players, perhaps then?

No mention of him on Wikipedia. Aside from Audie Desbrow (who's been there the longest), only 3 other drummers are listed, none of which are Derrick Pointer. Maybe he just toured with them?

But think about it. Jack most likely got the biggest cut of profits. So he has to bow out for a few years due to health issues, the rest of the band carry on with a couple other singers, and no doubt start making more money. And now Jack wants back in...

You'll remember over the years, when the band was interviewed, they bad-mouthed Jack. It was always under the guise of "being honest," but they pretty much painted him in a very bad light, detailing his addiction and all that.

So this might be a case of the other band members not wanting to accept a pay decrease. Or it could be a load of crap and just a way for all of them to make more money. Who knows.

wow... first two Rhapsody's, then two LA Guns and now 2 Great Whites?? Dont tell Dianno because he will be back with 'Iron Maiden featuring Paul Dianno'

exact33 wrote:

wow... first two Rhapsody's, then two LA Guns and now 2 Great Whites?? Dont tell Dianno because he will be back with 'Iron Maiden featuring Paul Dianno'

He did that tour last year - played all of the first album... but he toured as Paul Di'Anno of Iron Maiden featuring Icarus Witch

thejokeriv wrote:

exact33 wrote:

wow... first two Rhapsody's, then two LA Guns and now 2 Great Whites?? Dont tell Dianno because he will be back with 'Iron Maiden featuring Paul Dianno'

He did that tour last year - played all of the first album... but he toured as Paul Di'Anno of Iron Maiden featuring Icarus Witch

ok... we will have two Manowars Double the loin cloth!

exact33 wrote:

wow... first two Rhapsody's, then two LA Guns and now 2 Great Whites?? Dont tell Dianno because he will be back with 'Iron Maiden featuring Paul Dianno'

Wasn't there 2 Saxon's making the rounds not that long ago?

Sorry. I am TIRED of playing these "games" that these bands want to play with their lineups. I've seen the original Great White once (and it was a GREAT show), but I have no desire to see either of the current (less than the orignal Great White) versions.

MetalGuy71 wrote:

exact33 wrote:

wow... first two Rhapsody's, then two LA Guns and now 2 Great Whites?? Dont tell Dianno because he will be back with 'Iron Maiden featuring Paul Dianno'

Wasn't there 2 Saxon's making the rounds not that long ago?

Yep - Oliver/Dawson Saxon. Supposedly they are still active, but with Saxon putting out great material on the excellent Call To Arms, I imagine Oliver/Dawson Saxon is somewhat marginalized now

How lame!

http://www.sleazeroxx.com/news/00912.shtml

Quote :

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."

Interesting. I wonder if the station fire sent him down this path? That's gotta be one heavy burden to carry around.

File this under "SD hasn't cared about this band for 20 years" so it really doesn't matter what they do.

They were barely 2nd tier in the first place (in SD's opinion)

Nonsense. They never put out a bad album, and the last few have been excellent.

Eyesore wrote:

Nonsense. They never put out a bad album, and the last few have been excellent.

Agreed. They haven't put out a bad album yet. I've played the hell out of the last three albums. Now all this Great White talk has me wanting to listen to Rising again.

Metal Misfit wrote:

Eyesore wrote:

Nonsense. They never put out a bad album, and the last few have been excellent.

Agreed. They haven't put out a bad album yet. I've played the hell out of the last three albums. Now all this Great White talk has me wanting to listen to Rising again.

DITTO! I have been a GW fan since the early 80s, and will continue to be so in the future... but sadly doubt I will ever go see them live again.

Metal Misfit wrote:

http://www.sleazeroxx.com/news/00912.shtml

Quote :

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."

and the winners are.....




The Lawyers!!!!!

He makes a compelling case for himself.

http://www.metalsludge.tv/home/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2638

If he owns the name, though, why is he going out as Great White featuring Jack Russell or whatever? And didn't he once tour as Jack Russell's Great White? Maybe he's being respectful to the name, I don't know. Seems like he may not own it like he thinks, though.

Whoever is more on the side of right, this is all about money. It'll be good if Jack comes out at that first show and just slays it.