Hard rockers Great White have officially lost their frontman Jack Russell. The band is best known for their bluesy hard rock hits in the 80�s like �Mr. Bone� �Twice Shy� and �Rock Me�. Russell announced his departure from the band soon after hearing his father had passed. In his statement he told fans his father�s �passing made me realize that it was time to lay to rest the two things I loved most in life.�  Now that he has officially left Great White Russell plans to continue to pursue a solo career. 

Great White will play one final show together on New Years Eve in Anaheim California before they part ways. 

Here is Jack Russell�s Statement:

As of Monday, November 05, 2001, I have chosen to leave Great White, the band I started back in 1978. 

I am proud and thankful of my achievements with Great White and hold such fond memories of the past. We will play one show on New Years Eve in Anaheim as a final farewell. 

My thanks go out to my bandmates, past and present, and I wish them all the best in their future endeavors. Also thank you to the managers, agents, radio presenters, record labels and all the people that have helped me achieve my dreams. I especially want to thank John Kalodner for his understanding and support in my decision. 

As I have said many times before, when it stopped being fun, that was the time to do something else. 

After much deliberation, I decided that the time had arrived. 

I wasn�t sure how or when to make this decision public, but this morning, my father John Russell passed peacefully away. He had always been Great White�s biggest supporter and was so excited about my future solo career. His passing made me realize that it was time to lay to rest the two things I loved most in life. 

I am in the process of recording a new album under the name of Jack Russell, which I am dedicating to my father�s memory. It is in a totally different vein and we are planning to release it in the first half of next year. 

The musicians in my new band are undoubtedly some of the best in the world and it is with them that I�m moving forward to fulfill my desires - musically, creatively and spiritually. 

We will be touring the world next year and I hope that the fans who have supported me over the years will be there in the future. Without the fans, there never would have been a Great White and for that I thank you all from the bottom of my heart. My prayers and blessings are with you. 

As an old book closes, a new one opens and I hope that everybody can understand and respect my reasons and listen with enjoyment to the music that I make in the future.  � Peace and Love, Jack Russell
 
 

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