“I’ll be filling in on vocals for Jack Russell’s Great White on Saturday at Feather Falls Casino in Oroville, CA.“
— Andrew Freeman

Metal Sludge — More unfortunate news from the Jack Russell’s Great White camp as it appears Russell is not well.

Metal Sludge reported back on June 1st 2024 that the former Great White frontman was in no condition to tour with our article; POSTPONED … Jack Russell’s Great White postpones weekend show, source says “Jack is in no condition to tour”.

Now less than 1 week later, it appears Russell is still in no condition to take to the road or perform.

With that… this will be the 2nd show in a week that the band will be unable to full-fill per their contract.

Feather Falls Casino and Lodge in Oroville, California has now shared a message on their official social media platforms informing ticket holders of the last minute change.

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“Regrettably, we need to inform the fans of Jack Russell’s Great White that Jack will not be performing this weekend at Feather Falls Casino due to an ongoing health issue. Performing in his place will be friends of Jack Russell featuring his band members Robby Lochner (guitar), Dan McNay (bass), Ken Mary (drums) and Tony Montana (axe/keys). Andrew Freeman has stepped up to help out on vocals. Andrew is the A-list vocalist of Last In Line and also former member of Offspring, Lynch Mob and Great White. The “Friends of Jack” band will be performing all the hits plus some DIO classics! Bulletboys kick off the night in true Rock N’ Roll fashion!

We appreciate your continued support as Jack works on getting his health in order!”
— Feather Falls Casino & Lodge

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Freeman also took to his official Facebook page today writing: “I’ll be filling in on vocals for Jack Russell’s Great White on Saturday at Feather Falls Casino in Oroville, CA. Wishing Jack a speedy recovery. That dude is tough as nails and I’m honored to fill in for him.”

Freeman ironically had previously filled in for Great White and it apparently did not end well.

“Michael Lardie and I had a handshake agreement, if this doesn’t work for you let me know, no harm no foul. The problem is, they got sneaky about it” said Freeman on the This, That And The Other Radio Show and podcast.

“I just don’t care anymore. It’s not that I don’t care about doing the right thing, I don’t care if these guys like me or if they like me anymore”, Freeman continues with “If they don’t like me, that’s fine. I don’t care, straight up.”

Metal Sludge also reported on Russell and his on-going health issues back in early April when the group was chastised online after they carried Russell on-stage and sat him on a stool, only for the singer to watch everyone else around him perform, but Russell, who is a lead singer, did not sing lead vocals.

Tony Montana (Guitar and Keyboards) sang lead vocals on a few songs and they also had a guest singer named Dusty Rose from a local band who got up and took the lead mic.

All the while, Russell sat center-stage as the band played on around him.

Russell and his camp later noted the singer had a new prescription that messed him up, and with all due respect, it left Russell looking worse than ever as fans watched in shock.

One fan recalled the night as follows; “I felt like it was a “weeknight at bernies”….unbelievable and the crowd were in a state of shock at what they saw and paid for….Jack couldn’t get five words out of his mouth and couldn’t even hold or at times find the microphone…“
— A fan’s review on Facebook after seeing Jack Russell’s Great White at ‘Lava Cantina‘ in Texas

Dozens of fans from the show and those who saw videos online after, all questioned as to why Russell was put on stage in that condition, when in fact, he was not only unable to walk, or stand, but he could not sing either.

It appears that Russell‘s {openly admitted} hard living and a past of abusing drugs and alcohol has caught up to him in a big way. It has become more and more frequent, that he is challenged day-to-day with even simple tasks.

In a 2017 interview Russell talked in depth about his drug use and at some point recalls waking up from being in a 5-day coma; “My life has been the adventure I’ve always dreamed it would be tenfold. Sure, I made a lot of mistakes and I did a lot of stupid things, all around drugs.”

Metal Sludge would like to wish Jack Russell a full and speedy recovery.

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