JOHN CORABI On JACK RUSSELL's Passing: 'You Hate To See Any Of Your Heroes Or Musical Peers' Die

In a new interview with link textUltimate Classic Rock, former MÖTLEY CRÜE and current THE DEAD DAISIES frontman John Corabi spoke about the recent passing of original GREAT WHITE singer Jack Russell. He said: "That sucks. It was probably about a year ago, I did an acoustic set. It was me, [former DANGER DANGER vocalist] Ted Poley and Jack with [his guitarist] Robbie Lochner. I was shocked. I hadn't seen Jack in a while. He came in and had two crutches and just looked super frail. But you know what? He got in there, sat down on a stool and sang his balls off. I was just, like, 'Wow.' It's amazing. He looked physically frail, but if you closed your eyes and listened to him, it didn't sound like [any time had passed]. It sounded like old Jack. But yeah, I was sad when I heard that [about his passing]."

He continued: "Listen, I respect anybody that can get out and do what we do and have some success at it. GREAT WHITE was one of the first bands I saw when I moved to L.A. I saw them at the Roxy and they were kind of in between record deals. I think they were writing for what became ['Once Bitten']. They were just kind of in between. I saw them play the Roxy and I was just like, 'Wow.' Then they did some [LED] ZEPPELIN stuff and I just thought it was amazing. It's sad, dude. You know, you hate to see any of your heroes or musical peers [die]. We're all getting up there in age, man. So we're starting to lose 'em all."

Russell's death was announced by his family in a social media statement on Thursday (August 15). The statement read: "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 came less than a month after he announced that he was retiring from touring following a diagnosis of Lewy body dementia.

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. Guitarist 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.

In October 2022, GREAT WHITE officially named Brett Carlisle as its new lead singer. Carlisle joined the band as the replacement for Andrew Freeman, who sang for GREAT WHITE for only five months.

Carlisle made his live debut with GREAT WHITE on September 24, 2022 at the Cannery Casino Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Russell's autobiography, titled "The True Tale Of Mista Bone: A Rock + Roll Narrative", was recently released via Gatekeeper Press. Penned by author Katelyn Louise "K.L." Doty, it features a sentimental foreword by Lita Ford, with additional commentary from Eric Singer, Eddie Trunk, John Kalodner, Kip Winger and others. The book, with a cover photo by legendary rock photographer Mark Weiss, is available in paperback, hardcover and e-book form.

For more information, visit www.jackrussellbook.com.