Former Great White singer Jack Russell has announced his retirement from touring.
According to Pollstar, the singer said in a statement that he would no longer be able to perform due to his recent diagnosis:
“It is with the heaviest of hearts that I must announce my retirement from the road. After a recent diagnosis of Lewy body dementia and multiple system atrophy 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.”
Russell’s Earlier Health Scares
The singer has been through health setbacks and scares in the last few years.
More recently in the last month, the singer took to social media to announce that Jack Russell’s Great White wouldn’t be able to play at Feather Falls Casino because of an ‘ongoing health issue.’
He also revealed another singer would be taking his place until he got back:
“Regrettably, we need to inform the fans of Jack Russell’s Great White that Jack will not be performing this weekend at Feather Falls Casino due to an ongoing health issue. […] Andrew Freeman has stepped up to help out on vocals. Andrew is the A-list vocalist of Last In Line and also former member of Offspring, Lynch Mob and Great White. The ‘Friends of Jack’ band will be performing all the hits plus some DIO classics!”
In a December 2023 interview with Neil Jones of TotalRock, Russell talked about his recent health issues and said:
“I’ve been having some issues with my back [in 2023 and 2022]. So I’ve had to take a little time off. It’s finally starting to get better. But I had to have my back fused to my neck, actually.”
In December 2011, Jack Russell left Great White because he couldn’t tour with the band. He had injuries like a perforated bowel and a shattered pelvis, mainly due to his alcohol and painkiller addictions, along with the effects of prescribed prednisone medication.