The canvas had barely dried on a painting my mom, Alyce Hendrickson, and I collaborated on for Jack as a gift for his retirement when I got the call that he passed away. This man with one of the most amazing voices in the history of rock was gone. The impact he left in this world will be felt for a long time. Though I had been a fan since the early 1980s, I never knew I would eventually be considered a friend a couple decades later. I had the pleasure of seeing Jack perform or talking on the phone many times and I want to share some of those moments and some of my special memories as through the memories and the music we heal.
I first met Jack in 2009 at Halfway Jam in Royalton, MN. I sure wish I had pictures from that show. I had been the communications manager for the Tawn Mastrey Foundation where I was in close communication with Tawn’s rockstar friends since her passing in 2007. Jack and Tawn were very close. In fact, she had once asked him to marry her, but he turned her down as he had just gotten out of a marriage and wasn’t ready to do it again though he loved Tawn very much. It took some time for him to accept her passing, so he wasn’t involved much with the foundation; however, he fully appreciated the work we were doing to honor Tawn’s memory.
In 2010, the Foundation was invited to be part of the Warrant/Great White show at Medina Ballroom in MN. The lineup was a bit different as Robert Mason was singing for Jani Lane in Warrant and Jani was singing for Great White as Jack had just had surgery. I had some fun conversations with Jani as we were having band members sign memorabilia for the foundation and he was chuckling as he wasn’t actually allowed to sign for anything for Warrant. I had seen him many more times at the ballroom and always enjoyed our special back/side stage viewing spot at every show. One time, he was so hungry before a show, he had me run to get him some McDonalds.
Flash forward to 2013, we rented an RV with some friends and went to Halfway Jam, where to my joy, Jack was playing with his newly formed Jack Russell’s Great White. It was an amazing time! I had the chance to speak to Jack about Tawn. We shared some laughs and even some tears as he spoke fondly about his former love.
In 2015, Robby Lochner, who was always an absolute dear, hooked myself and friends/family up with tickets for Grand Rocktember in Hinckley, MN. There were like 8 of us and we had an incredible time! We took a big group photo with most of my group and the band as the rest were in the casino playing cards. It was fun to chat with Jack for a brief moment before he turned in for the evening.
The rest of the evening we all hung out with many of the musicians in the casino. I had walked Robert Mason over to the Blackjack tables where my husband and nephews were playing because I knew he was one of my nephew’s, Chris, favorite singers of all time. Chris jumped up from the table to shake the hand of one of his idols. My nephew, Rich, had a talk with CJ Snare for hours and he will remember that time always.
For years, Jack and I would have chats on the phone, facetime or send Marco Polo video chats to each other to check in on one another. He’d call me from his boat when he was out in California and give me little tours. I wish I could have saved those videos or calls, but they do remain in my memories. One of the funniest, as you all know, Jack had quite the sense of humor, was went he sent me a video message from the dentist chair. He had felt bad that he hadn’t called me in a while and figured he had time in that moment to check in with me, so there he was with that little blue dental spit bib while he waiting in the chair just to say hi. During the pandemic, he’d often leave me video messages, singing a little tune or just being silly as he was. I still have the voicemail he left me Christmas of 2016 as he wished me a happy all the things…he was such a ham. He’d fondly refer to me as ‘kiddo’ when we Facetimed while I was giving him a tour of our lake place as he and Heather planned to visit us there sometime. It made me smile that he took the time to connect with me.
One of the most memorable times with Jack was at Mid Summer Music Fest in Menagha, MN in 2022. The concert was over my mom’s birthday weekend and I had called Jack to ask if he would surprise her by wishing her a Happy Birthday from stage and he said that he would be happy to do so. During the set, they had played the wonderful hits we all know and love. At a break, Jack started talking about a friend who had a birthday, his friend, Alyce “who was a young 71 years old today”…and then he did something I did not expect. He proceeded to sing Happy Birthday to my mom in front of thousands of people. This was the best gift I never asked for. I thought he was just going to say something nice, but he took the time to make her day the most special one ever. Later that evening, when we were back stage taking pictures and talking, my mom got to hug Jack and tell him how much that meant to her. It was the best gift ever and I will remember that moment always.
Another funny moment we shared was at the Rollie’s show in MN in 2022 when they were playing with Firehouse. I was backstage with Jack and Heather while Firehouse performed. As they started to go into Love of a Lifetime, I shared with Jack how my nephews, when they were in their band Ripchord, would change the lyrics to, “I finally found some gloves that are like mine”. And when the chorus came up during the song, Jack stood up by me and belted out the new lyrics I had just shared with him. We both busted out in laughter.
During another show at the Medina Ballroom in 2022, Jack Russell’s Great White opened for Lita Ford. I was back stage during Lita’s set with Jack, his wife Heather, and Cara Mastrey. Heather and Cara hadn’t seen each other for some time and wanted to catch up. At this time, Jack was having some mobility issues and needed a chairback of sorts, so I literally became his chairback as we watched Lita together. Heather messaged me later that evening by how touched she was that I was so kind to Jack. She said she’d remember that always. Jack needed a bit of support and I was happy I could provide that for him.
Most recently, I had the pure joy of being able to work with Jack on some shirts for what would be the last show in MN at the Medina Ballroom in March of 2024. I had been hoping to work with them for some time and was so excited that Jack and Robby trusted me to print some shirts.
After the sample was printed, I was asked to mail it to Jack and Heather for approval to make sure they were happy with the print. They approved it and I printed the shirts for the show. Robby had asked if I would work the merch table at the show.
I was so honored to be trusted with such a task. I ended up selling for Lynch Mob that night too. During times when they were on stage and the merch table was slow, I would dart to behind the curtain side stage to catch a glimpse of our dear Jack doing what he loved best.
After the show was over, me and my rock n roll bestie, Dana, were hanging with the band in the greenroom catching up and celebrating a great show. Jack and Heather gave me back the shirt I had sent them and, to my surprise, the entire band signed the back of the shirt, with the note at top reading, “Angela, Thanks for always being there. Love, Jack” It meant so much knowing that I made an impact on Jack’s life as he did mine. That shirt along with a picture of me and Jack holding the shirt is going into a frame so I can see those beautiful words always.
If I knew the last time I saw Jack would be the last, I would have hung out a bit longer, hugged him a bit tighter. We never know when it is our time and it truly shows that every moment should be cherished as we never know if it will be our last.
The last text I have from him was just after his retirement and I had checked in on him as I often did.
I have held every memory I have of Jack from over the years very close to my heart.
It’s those memories, his music and seeing his Jack Russell’s Great White (now Once Bitten) bandmates continue to go out on that stage and perform all the songs that helps heal this would left by his passing.
His legend lives on through the music and memories. I am ever so grateful for the friendships I have made because of Jack. I am grateful for his bandmates as they have been great friends throughout the years and my heart is with them all.
He touched many lives and his voice is absolutely one of the very best in rock ‘n’ roll history.
Will miss you always, my friend.
Sail on, Captain, sail on. We will see you on the other side.