Metalfanatics Board

Blabbermouth hat geschrieben:Former GREAT WHITE singer Jack Russell has died at the age of 63.

Earlier today (Thursday, August 15),the following statement was posted on Jack's social media: "With tremendous sadness, we announce the loss of our beloved Jack Patrick Russell — father, husband, cousin, uncle, and friend.

"Jack passed peacefully in the presence of his wife Heather Ann Russell, son Matthew Hucko, cousin Naomi Breshears Barbor, and dear friends Billy and Cheryl Pawelcik.

"Details of a public memorial will be announced at a later date.

"Jack is loved and remembered for his sense of humor, exceptional zest for life, and unshakeable contribution to rock and roll where his legacy will forever thrive.

"His family asks for privacy at this time."



The news of Jack's passing comes less than a month after he announced that he was retiring from touring following a diagnosis of Lewy body dementia.

"To my fans and friends, it is with the heaviest of hearts that I must announce my retirement from the road," Russell said in a statement on July 17. "After a recent diagnosis of Lewy body dementia (LBD) and multiple system atrophy (MSA) in May 2024, I am unable to perform at the level I desire and at the level you deserve. Words cannot express my gratitude for the many years of memories, love and support. Thank you for letting me live my dreams. You have made my life a wonder."

Lewy body dementia is the second most common cause of neurodegenerative dementia after Alzheimer's disease.

Lewy body dementia impacts memory, decision-making and ability to solve problems. It has led to motor and muscle weakness and rigidity. It also can cause sleep disorders and hallucinations.

Lewy body dementia is often misdiagnosed as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease due to its early similarity to those other neurodegenerative diseases.

After actor and comedian Robin Williams took his own life in August 2014, autopsy results revealed he was suffering from LBD.

Russell was performing with his version of GREAT WHITE when a pyrotechnics display sparked a nightclub fire that killed 100 people at a 2003 concert in Rhode Island. At the time of the fire, the group that was on the road was called JACK RUSSELL'S GREAT WHITE. Mark Kendall, who founded GREAT WHITE with Russell in 1982, later said he was asked to join Russell and his solo band on the tour to help boost attendance. Guitarist Ty Longley died in the blaze.

Russell exited GREAT WHITE in December 2011 after he was unable to tour with the group due a series of injuries, including a perforated bowel and a shattered pelvis. Jack largely blamed these injuries on his alcohol and painkiller addictions as well as the prednisone drug he was prescribed.

Russell sued his onetime bandmates in 2012 over their continued use of the GREAT WHITE name after Jack had taken a leave of absence from the band for medical reasons. A short time later, Russell was countersued by guitarist Mark Kendall, rhythm guitarist/keyboardist Michael Lardie and drummer Audie Desbrow, claiming the vocalist's self-destructive behavior was damaging the GREAT WHITE name (they also alleged he was charging promoters less for his own touring version of GREAT WHITE). The parties settled in July 2013 without going to trial, with Russell most recently performing as JACK RUSSELL'S GREAT WHITE while the others are continuing as GREAT WHITE.

KronenZeitung hat geschrieben:Great-White-Frontmann
Rocksänger Jack Russell mit 63 Jahren gestorben

Sänger und Frontmann der Rockband Great White, Jack Russell, ist tot. Er sei friedlich im Beisein seiner Familie und zweier Freunde eingeschlafen, teilten die Angehörigen auf der offiziellen Facebook-Seite des Musikers mit.
Der Musiker starb infolge der sogenannten Lewy-Körper-Demenz und damit einhergehender Multisystematrophie, wie seine Biografin K. L. Doty der „New York Times“ und dem Magazin „Rolling Stone“ mitteilte.


Trauer um Rocker
Russell, dessen 80er-Jahre-Band vor allem in Verbindung mit einem tragischen Feuer in einem Nachtclub in die Musikgeschichte einging, wurde 63 Jahre alt. Der Sänger hatte die Band Great White nach Angaben von US-Medien gemeinsam mit dem Gitarristen Mark Kendall gegründet.
Der größte Hit der Gruppe, „Once Bitten Twice Shy“, war eine Coverversion des gleichnamigen Titels von Sänger Ian Hunter und erreichte 1989 Platz fünf der US-Billboard-Charts. Mit dem Song wurde die Band für einen Grammy nominiert. 2001 löste sich die Gruppe offiziell auf, tourte als Jack Russell‘s Great White aber mit veränderter Besetzung weiter.

Brand bei Konzert
Den schrecklichen Tiefpunkt ihrer Karriere erlebten die Hardrocker im Jahr 2003, als bei ihrem Konzert im Club The Station in West Warwick (Rhode Island) 100 Menschen durch ein Feuer und eine anschließende Massenpanik starben. Pyrotechnik setzte die Decke des Clubs in Brand, unter den Toten war auch der Bandgitarrist Ty Longley. Später sammelte die Band mit ihren Konzerten auch Spenden für die Angehörigen der Opfer.

Im Juli hatte Russell seine Erkrankungen öffentlich gemacht und angekündigt, sich aus dem Musikgeschäft zurückzuziehen. „Ich bin nicht in der Lage, die Leistung zu erbringen, die ich mir wünsche und die ihr verdient“, schrieb er auf Instagram. „Worte können meine Dankbarkeit für die vielen Jahre der Erinnerungen, der Liebe und der Unterstützung nicht ausdrücken.“

Die Lewy-Körper-Demenz ähnelt der Alzheimer-Krankheit. Nach Angaben der Deutschen Alzheimer Gesellschaft zeigen Patienten neben einer fortschreitenden Gedächtnisstörung psychotische Symptome oder Bewegungsstörungen. Die Multisystematrophie ist eine seltene, Parkinson-ähnliche Erkrankung.

FireHouse hat geschrieben:Today we morn the loss of our good friend, Jack Russell. Jack was a true friend of FireHouse and will always be remembered as the amazing, one of a kind vocalists of our generation. Out heartfelt condolences go out to Heather, his friends and family, bandmates, all of the musicians and crew guys who had the chance to work with him, and the millions of fans who loved him dearly. RIP Captain Jack.