What happened to Jack Russell? Health struggles explored as original Great White vocalist announces retirement from touring

Jack Russell, who is known as a founding member of the band Great White has recently confirmed that he would step down from touring due to health issues. The musician started touring again with the group back in 2006 and has two solo albums in his credits.

The vocalist took to Instagram on July 18, 2024, writing that he contracted Lewy Body Dementia and Multiple System Atrophy which has forced him to retire. The statement continued:

"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. You have made my life a wonder."

Lewy Body Dementia refers to a condition where Lewy bodies start developing in nerve cells in the brain. The brain regions that help in thinking, memory and movement are affected due to unnatural protein deposits. It leads to complications such as hallucinations, aggression, and depression.

Furthermore, multiple system atrophy is a neurological problem that impacts involuntary functions such as blood pressure. The symptoms are similar to Parkinson's like slurred speech and problems while swallowing.

Jack Russell's fans also took to the comments section of the post to send their best wishes to him. People even praised him for his work over the years, saying that it left a different kind of impact on their lives. A few other artists additionally recalled the time they collaborated with the vocalist.

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Jack Russell has battled with a few health issues in the past: Hospitalization and other details explained

The Montebello, California native has impressed the public over the years with his impressive work in music. However, apart from this, he has also struggled with some health problems in the past. There was also an instance in March 2022 when one of his shows had to be canceled.

The performance was supposed to happen at the Minnesota-based Black Bear Casino Resort and he was being joined by the Bret Michaels' Band, Vixen, and Liliac. However, Jack Russell had to be hospitalized due to some kind of illness.

Although some sources claimed that it was Covid-19, the same was not confirmed by anyone. Another source for Metal Sludge stated at the time that Jack Russell was not looking healthy when he arrived at the airport and was directly taken to the hospital in a wheelchair.

Furthermore, Jack once injured his pelvis during a live performance in 2010, leading to a perforated bowel. While appearing for an interview on the radio show, The Five Count in 2017, he said that his addiction to alcohol and painkillers led to the incident.

In the same interview, Russell recalled the time he had his last drink around two years ago and was in a coma for five days. He addressed the experience when he woke up at the hospital by saying:

"There's all these people in my room – a guy from Chicago that I know, my wife, my band, my doctor. I go, 'Where am I?' And he goes, 'Well, you're in the hospital.' I go, 'I know I'm in the hospital. What am I here for?' My wife goes, 'Jack, I couldn't wake you up. You came home at night. You were out with Don Dokken.'"

Russell opened up on his life during the 80s when he was sober, adding that there was a time when he met his road crew after performing and they always had a lit cigarette, and a bottle of Jim Beam alongside a few other things in the dressing room. Jack even described his addiction as a big mistake.

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Jack Russell explained his health issues on another occasion

Back in 2012, the artist told Glide magazine that the doctors had doubts about his survival when he had sepsis from bowel perforation. He revealed that he was hurt by the fact that his former band members did not come to see him and underwent a lot of pain. He continued:

"I've got degenerative disease which means basically it's vertebrae on vertebrae but it's tolerable. I can still go out and do my thing on stage and run around and there's nothing missing., you know."

Jack Russell also disclosed that he had two surgeries for a bulging disk and was facing problems while walking. He stated that he had once fallen over a monitor cable, injuring the left femur, and then performed on a stool. He added that his left leg became two inches shorter than the right. He even opened up about his early days and said:

"Yeah, I grew up all over California. I've been living at the beach for years. I lived out in the desert for ten years and it just drove me crazy. So my wife and I bought a new boat and moved back out on the boat and are living in Redondo Beach on the water and it's great."

As mentioned, Jack Russell has gained recognition for his work with the Great White and he is additionally known for making guest appearances on the singles of bands such as Rush and Aerosmith.