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

manny wrote:

Gentlemen, gentlemen, Leo's Iron Maiden's loyalty is still intact, at least one of these bands has opened for an Iron Maiden tribute band

...and at least one member of each band has appeared on an Iron Maiden tribute album put out by Deadline/Cleopatra Records.

Fat Freddy wrote:

manny wrote:

Gentlemen, gentlemen, Leo's Iron Maiden's loyalty is still intact, at least one of these bands has opened for an Iron Maiden tribute band

...and at least one member of each band has appeared on an Iron Maiden tribute album put out by Deadline/Cleopatra Records.

Hey, Stryper is playing and they covered The Trooper!

and Sanctuary, am Iron Maiden tribute band is playing at Metal Lords Day....

In all fairness, I'm friends with the guys from Sanctuary and they let us use their Eddie costume for the past few fan club meet ups that a friend and I organized

I'm on Jack's side here.

Quote :

Great White frontman Jack Russell has launched a lawsuit against his estranged band mates for the wrongful use of the group's name.

Russell was hospitalized in the summer of 2010 after suffering a perforated bowel, and he was ultimately forced to sit out the remaining dates on Great White's 25th anniversary tour while he recovered and XYZ star Terry Ilous was called in to take his place.

However, founding member Russell has now accused lead guitarist Mark Kendall, drummer Audie Desbrow, keyboard player Michael Lardie, bassist Scott Snyder, and Ilous of firing him and using group's name while he was sick.

Courthouse News Service has obtained a copy of the legal documents, which were filed on Thursday, and a portion of the complaint reads, "In August of 2010, plaintiff was hospitalized and underwent emergency surgery for a life threatening condition. While he recuperated from this surgery, other singers filled in for him during GREAT WHITE's live performances, however, it was undisputed that plaintiff's absence was temporary, and that he retained his position in the band's lineup and would resume singing with the band upon his recuperation.

"By December of 2011, plaintiff had recuperated sufficiently to be able to once again perform as lead singer. However, defendants, who had apparently decided that they would prefer that band continue without plaintiff, stated that he would not be 'permitted' to return to his band until he agreed to a lengthy set of conditions... that was clearly designed to keep him from returning to the band."

Russell has reportedly asked the remaining members to perform under a different title but they refused and now the group plans on releasing a new album as Great White, which the rocker claims will cause severe damage to his reputation.

His lawyers state, "The release of the Elation album will irretrievably alter the discography of the band GREAT WHITE, tarnishing and diluting the trademark, reputation, and goodwill that plaintiff has developed over 30 years."

The rocker is seeking a minimum of $500,000 in damages for trademark infringement, injury to business reputation, and unfair competition.

yep. Get Elation while its printed under Great White moniker because it will be a collectable...

I don't necessarily think they tried to make it difficult for Russell to rejoin but who knows. From what I understand, they don't think he's healthy enough to tour/record but he's obviously proving them wrong on that front (for now anyway) by getting this new band together.

exact33 wrote:

yep. Get Elation while its printed under Great White moniker because it will be a collectable...

If it comes out at all. I hope it does. I think Russell is a great singer but with or without him I'm sure this album will be good. They've been on a roll since Can't Get There From Here. I'll also buy anything Jack puts out.

For whatever reason, it's come down to a matter of ego and money. The money can't be THAT good, especially not after they enter L.A. Guns territory and force promoters to choose sides. But apparently they have more money to fight over than the L.A. Guns guys do since they're actually getting lawyers involved. It's really sad that at this stage, these old guys can't just go out and play together and have fun.

exact33 wrote:

yep. Get Elation while its printed under Great White moniker because it will be a collectable...

AHHHH-HAAAAAaaa! So this is just all an eloborate scheme to get some attention for the new album.

After the disastrous fire I am surprised these guys have any career left, speaking of which, wasn't Jack Russell touring with a scab version of this band for years, with no original members outside of himself of course.

manny wrote:

After the disastrous fire I am surprised these guys have any career left, speaking of which, wasn't Jack Russell touring with a scab version of this band for years, with no original members outside of himself of course.

Not that I recall. He's toured as a solo act, which played GW songs and his own of course.

Great White has been through their share of drummers & bassists, but at the core it's pretty much always been Russell, Kendell and Michael Lardie.

Maybe he could get the members of Aerosmith to join him.

MetalGuy71 wrote:

manny wrote:

After the disastrous fire I am surprised these guys have any career left, speaking of which, wasn't Jack Russell touring with a scab version of this band for years, with no original members outside of himself of course.

Not that I recall. He's toured as a solo act, which played GW songs and his own of course.

Great White has been through their share of drummers & bassists, but at the core it's pretty much always been Russell, Kendell and Michael Lardie.

No, I believe he did do this in the 90s. It had a similar name, like Russell's Great White or something.

I thought that was his solo venture, though, but he did it under that name for the same reason Distant Thunder toured as Helstar—to get gigs he couldn't otherwise get.

If memory serves, the night that the Station Nightclub went up in flames, Jack was actually touring under the name "Jack Russell's Great White," as he was the only original GW member in the lineup at the time.

The media, of course, didn't know (or care) that there was a difference between "Great White" and "Jack Russell's Great White" so all the news coverage merely reported it as plain ol' "Great White."

I'm pretty sure Kendall was there too, Freddy.

MetalGuy71 wrote:

manny wrote:

After the disastrous fire I am surprised these guys have any career left, speaking of which, wasn't Jack Russell touring with a scab version of this band for years, with no original members outside of himself of course.

Not that I recall. He's toured as a solo act, which played GW songs and his own of course.

Great White has been through their share of drummers & bassists, but at the core it's pretty much always been Russell, Kendell and Michael Lardie.

From 2000 - 2001 he was the only original member left in the band.

So I was just reading an interview with Jack, and in it he says he just heard the other guys had their trademark application denied. Jack thinks Great White will be fully his again soon.

I wonder if Frontiers is still going to release Elation? If what Jack says is true, that'll put them in a position to be sued, I would think.

'Elation' by Great White-er.

MetalGuy71 wrote:

'Elation' by Great White-er.

Greater White?

Great Off-White?

Still Great, But Now Only Slightly White?

The Artist Formerly Known As Great White?

Great Whitey? Hmmmm, no. That might attract the wrong audience.
GR8 Whyte?
The Grateful White?
Carcharodon Carcharias?
Ask Randy Jackson to join...Great White and a Black?

Great Tidy Whiteys?

Great Grape Ape White?

Great White Stripes?

...we could probably do this all day, MG...

Great White Flames

Great White Firedrill

Great White Out

Great Not Quite White

Great White Ghost

The Great White Discount Band

Great Whites Can't Jump

and they will know us by the trail of our Great White droppings

or

Mark kendall's White Lion!!!

Jack Russell's Great White, tour sponsored by Medicalert

Mark Kendall's Great White
Great White Shark
Hammerhead: The music of Great White
The Great Whites
Great White Shark (with shark in very, very small print)
Nurse Shark
Jaws: the music of Great White featuring founding member Mark Kendall
Great White featuring Mark Kendall and members of one of the LA Guns
The Great White Experience
Great White of the 21st century

...I think it's safe to say that this topic has "jumped the shark" ...

manny wrote:

Jack Russell's Great White, tour sponsored by Medicalert

'Help, I've fallen and I can't get up!"

Or the Jack Russell's Great White World Tour sponsored by Viagra AKA the Help! I can't get it up! tour 2k12

Fat Freddy wrote:

...I think it's safe to say that this topic has "jumped the shark" ...

Jumping The Shark: The music of Great White featuring (insert Mark Kendall or Jack Russell) of Great White