In a recent interview with Mark Strigl, Great White guitarist Mark Kendall opened up about the passing of the band’s original singer, Jack Russell.
He revealed that there was no bad blood between the two. “Jack and I were connected at the hip for our whole career. There was no hatred or anything. It was just addictions and things like that that just happened. And I don’t even take that personally. It was just we wanted him to get better.”
“And I did a dedication to him live at a [Great White] show [a few days after he died]. I just wanted people to know that we were brothers,” Kendall continued. “He had the greatest voice, man — the guy [had] max talent. And I had an opportunity to go on Eddie Trunk[‘s SiriusXM radio show], when we did this [The Mountain Music Festival] gig [in Tennessee last August] or whatever. And we got to be on his show for an hour and speak about Jack. I wanted to share stories ’cause we had so much time together.”
Russell passed away in August last year at the age of 63 due to Lewy body dementia and multiple system atrophy. His passing came weeks after he said he was retiring from touring. “It is with the heaviest of hearts that I must announce my retirement from the road,” Russell said at the time.
He added, “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.”
Before his passing, Russell revealed his one final wish about Kendall, saying he wanted to at least shake his hand for one last time before ‘kicking off.’
