Ex-Great White Vocalist Jack Russell Announces Retirement from Touring Due to Recent Diagnosis
Former Great White vocalist Jack Russell is somewhat of a controversial figure in the metal community, and we’ve come to expect stories about Great White to feature phrases like “gross disregard for human life.” But this story about Great White is depressing for a different reason, as Russell announced his retirement from touring this week following a very difficult diagnosis. In a statement reported on by Pollstar, Russell had this to say:
“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.”
This may be a good moment to put aside any other issues we have with Russell, because Lewy body dementia—or any dementia, for that matter—is fucking devastating and not something I would wish on my worst enemy. According to the Lewy Body Dementia Association, LBD is the 2nd most common form of progressive dementia, with Alzheimer’s disease being the first. Here’s how they describe LBD:
“LBD is an umbrella term for two related diagnoses:
“-A person with dementia with Lewy bodies will develop dementia and other LBD symptoms, one of which may be changes in movement, like a tremor (parkinsonism).
“-With the other form of LBD, people will present first with changes in movement, leading to a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis; over time many will develop dementia years later. This is diagnosed as Parkinson’s disease dementia.”
So we would like to extend our deepest sympathies to Russell and his family, friends, and fans.
