Singer Jack Russell Announces His Own Version of Great White
Original Great White frontman Jack Russell is causing waves today. The singer, who had been sidelined by illness, has issued an announcement that he is forming his own version of Great White.
The current version of Great White continued on without Jack, using Terry Ilous of XYZ as a replacement singer while Russell recovered from a perforated bowel. By all accounts, the agreement with Ilous on vocals was only temporary while Russell worked on regaining his health. The late Jani Lane and current King Kobra vocalist Paul Shortino, both also filled in the vocal spot at differnt points in 2010.
Via email and Facebook, Russell suddenly announced he was "coming back... with a brand new band." His version of the band will be billed as "Great White Featuring Jack Russell." Russell's version of Great White will feature guitarist Matthew Johnson, drummer Derrick Pontier, bassist Dario Seixas and guitarist Robby Lochner. The version of Great White with Terry Ilous on vocals also features longtime members Mark Kendall, Michael Lardie and Audie Desbrow.
Also in the announcement, Russell writes, "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."
Russell co-founded Great White in 1978. The bluesy hard rock band has released 11 studio albums, with their latest, 'Rising,' hitting stores in 2009. In 2003, the band made headlines when 100 people died at their show at The Station nightclub in West Warwick, Rhode Island, after the group's tour manager set off some pyrotechnics that led to a massive fire. Great White's guitarist Ty Longley, who had been a member of the band for three years, was among the victims who perished in the fire.
Great White featuring Jack Russell will debut at the Pre-NAMM Jam on Jan. 14 in Southern California.
Update:
Since posting this story on Dec. 13, Great White members Mark Kendall (lead guitar), Scott Snyder (bass), Audie Desbrow (drums), Michael Lardie (guitar, keyboards) and Terry Ilous (lead vocals), have responded to Jack Russell's announcement through a statement on their official website www.greatwhiterocks.com.
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