A capacity crowd filed into Rock ‘n Roll Heaven this past Friday night to welcome Jack Russell and his shipmates back to town. Area temperatures having hovered in the single digits for weeks finally broke 30 degrees, allowing many suffering from cabin fever the chance to get out and get loose to the familiar songs of the late 80’s and early 90’s that served as Great White’s gifts to the world.
Those who may have doubted Russell’s vocal ability, based on his recent health and sobriety challenges, were nothing short of astonished by the crisp, clean delivery of GW classics such as “Lady Red Light,” “Save Your Love” and the enduring blues ballad, “House of Broken Love,” which Russell penned after waking from a sound sleep at 2am in a Nashville hotel while on tour with Whitesnake. After delivering a spine tingling version of the tune, he went on to explain that it is, to this day, one of his all time favorites, and most in attendance collectively agreed.
Russell has seemed to have put the drama of litigation with his former bandmates over the rights to the use of the name “Great White” behind him in order to focus on the business of making music and bringing it to his loyal followers. Is there room in the world for 2 versions of the band? I guess it depends on who you ask, but if you were to gauge it based on the crowd reaction at this show, it’s undeniable that Jack Russell is, and always will be, who the fans identify with and recognize as the voice of Great White.
Another identifiable talent sharing the stage was Tony Montana, who actually played bass in Great White from 1987 to 1992. After a 10 year stint in the corporate world, he decided to reunite with Russell, trading his bass for a guitar this time around, and just lit it up with some serious riffing and soloing throughout the evening. In addition to handling some of the vocal duties and some feisty harmonica playing during “Rock Me,” Montana also launched a duet with fellow guitarist Robby Lochner on a pair of Hendrix classics, “Purple Haze,” and “Voo Doo Child.”
Montana and Lochner wowed the crowd all night with their 6-string stylings and Robby brought down the house with a classically inspired, crushing solo near the end of “Face the Day.” The pair, in addition to bassist Chris Tristram and drummer Dicki Fliszar, exuded the energy and enthusiasm of a young band, while complimenting the chops of seasoned professionals.
As the audience reveled in the nostalgia of the evening, Russell took several opportunities to express heartfelt gratitude to the fans that have supported him through all the ups and downs. He thanked his wife, Heather, for saving his life, and also recognized his close friend, the late Jani Lane, who in the wake of his death, shocked Jack onto the path of sobriety.
In an interview conducted before the show, Russell and Montana gushed about the new material they are planning to release, and with this line-up, it ought to be spectacular. (Ed note: check back soon for our exclusive interview with Jack & Tony, right here on backstageaxxess.com)
To quote the resilient Jack Russell, “Baby it’s a shame, it’s never understood, how a dose of rock ‘n roll can make your heart feel good.” Well, today my heart feels pretty damn incredible! Thanks boys!
Setlist:
Set List
Down on Your Knees
All Over Now
Desert Moon
MistaBone
Purple Haze/Voo Doo Child (Jimi Hendrix medley)
Save Your Love
Face the Day
Lady Red Light
House of Broken Love
Call it Rock n Roll
Can’t Shake It
Rock Me
Encore:
The Immigrant Song (Led Zeppelin cover)
Wasted Rock Ranger
Once Bitten, Twice Shy
Photos by Gus Griesinger. We would like to thank Ross Cat from Back 2 Back Entertainment for the credentials to cover the show. Again, stay tuned for an exclusive interview with both Jack Russell and Tony Montana.
