August 26, 2024
I am deeply saddened by the passing of my friend and bandmate, Jack Russell.
We had been preparing for this moment for a long time. It was obvious to him, and all of us,
that his faculties were deteriorating and that as much as he wanted to perform for his fans and
fans of Great White music, it was just not tenable any longer. In the wake of Jack’s retirement
post on 7/17, we all, including Jack, had discussions about dealing with previously booked
shows. For legal purposes we would have to have a different entity name to do those shows.
Thus, the Once Bitten band name was put into service, and we hit the road with Jack’s blessing.
I have seen some online speculation that is critical of the apparent timing of our changeover.
Truthfully, these things had been in the planning stages for months prior, and that Jack was not
only aware of this, but encouraged it. If your captain on the ship becomes incapacitated, the
first officer takes the wheel. That was Captain Jack’s instruction.
And that’s where we’re at.
As to my involvement, as a corporate member of the band in its heyday, I am of the mind that it
is still appropriate to go out and play the songs. Songs that I either had a hand in the writing, the
recording, or songs that I helped to make hits.
Both I and Jack’s band, “Jack Russell’s Great White”, have a great respect for the legacy of
Jack, of his Great White contribution, and we will continue playing as long as you want to hear
the legacy songs of Great White.
When I first met Jack Russell in 1987, I had just turned 21, and had no idea what I was in for. It
was a great first ride, Jackie Blue! Touring the world, seeing ourselves on TV, hearing ourselves
on the radio. But good times, and great sales, come to an end eventually. After 5 years we had
reached the commercial pinnacle of Great White’s career.
Yet, in the past 12 years since I rejoined Jack, he and his loyal band have still flown 1000 plus
flights, logged hundreds of thousands of miles in the air, on land and on sea, to keep bringing
Great White music to our friends and fans. We are so blessed and grateful.
Jack’s band is in the midst of planning a musical celebration of life show for him here in the Los
Angeles area where the boy and the band were born. The venue and participants TBA. We
hope all his fans, friends, and associates can make it out!
Jack’s band, and I, want to express our heartfelt thanks for the outpouring of love and support.
Jack Russell’s voice, humor, and zest for life will be sorely missed by us all.
We all sail on. We Sail Away.
Tony Cardenas-Montana
