Holy smokes, we lose Greg Kihn and Jack Russell of Great White in the same day? Jack was my first pro interview for assignment. I’d drawn Jack based on word of mouth from a personal project where I cold contacted and interviewed about 20 hard rock and metal bands from the 80s before they resurged.

My network of publicists from those early interviews who helped me break into the music industry took a shot on me by pitching me to Pitriff. They assigned me Jack Russell only a couple weeks after Great White’s Rhode Island tragedy. I was told not to “go there” with him, but I didn’t need the warning. I was sold by my network as someone new who already had the savvy to avoid yellow journalism.

Jack was still shaken, upset and angry by the Rhode Island deaths and the public backlash he and the band faced. I stayed off topic, got him to loosen up taking about the old days, MTV and Headbangers Ball giving Great White a boost and then getting into the new album they were promoting.

I won’t ever forget it, my debut in the big boy leagues, Jack saying, “Ray, I appreciate your class by not addressing the elephant in the room, but I want to comment on it anyway.” He said his peace and his publicist thanked me when I sent the transcript to ensure Jack stood on his words. I will always give you an out as an interview guest if I feel it’s potentially damaging. Jack sent me a message of thanks and to go for it.

From that interview, I was avalanched by requests from other bands who’d gotten word about my handling of this moment.

Yeah, this is a self-serving post, but I thank Jack Russell and his publicist (who became a lifelong friend after this) for giving me a chance at proving myself. It was a debut to remember that went on for 16 more years.

Rest in power, Jack. Hope you find a lady red light to put a smile upon your face on the other side.

Rest in power, Greg, may you wreak jeopardy across the great, lost arcades that time forgot.

–Ray Van Horn, Jr.