Jack White

lunchmoney

lunchmoney

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I remember seeing a trick shot artist several times back in the 70s by the name of Jack White. He also went by the name Pittsburgh Jack. He was heavy set and his conversation nearly rivaled Minnesota Fats. I asked Mike Massey about him during an exhibition about 10 years ago and Mike said that he had never met him but had heard plenty about him. Has anyone heard of him? Is Jack still around? He would be pushing seventy or so.
 
This was posted by Scott Lee on another forum:

"Jack White is a pocket billiards showman, who from 1958 through today, has toured the country and the world, promoting pool through trick shots, teaching, and challenge matches, at colleges, universities, and military bases all over! In 1995, after a 25 yr relationship, I purchased his "tour", and he has since, mostly retired. You can read a good article about him in the Oct. 1996 issue of Pool & Billiard (that's the issue with Irving Crane on the cover, and also contained an interesting article on all-time great, Don Willis). This will be up on my website shortly. Many "players" have 'poo-poohed' Jack White, and other trick shot artists, as having no talent, or "guts" to play in tournaments. The truth is, that, then, as now, there was no statistical advantage to professional tournament play (you have to finish in the top 4 consistently, to break even or make a little $$$). The real money to be made in pool (with a VERY few exceptions), is in the entertainment business. Trick shot artists like Mike Massey and Dr. Cue (Tom Rossman) are extremely well respected worldwide. They are practically household names because of television, and relentless touring. Jack White made a very fine living for decades, because of a professional attitude and demeanor.

He was also a runout player, who gambled successfully, for decades BEFORE he turned to entertaining! Jack knew personally, and hustled with legendary names like Minnesota Fats, Luther Lassiter, Don Willis, and Earl Schriver; as well as "Rags" Fitzpatrick & Rotation Slim (two better known black hustlers from the 50's & 60's). Jack White is one of a very exclusive club of poolplayers ever to perform for a U.S. President, and/or in the White House...and the ONLY American player ever invited to a command performance for the Queen of England! Additionally, through his relationship with the U.S. Military (DOD...Dept. of Defense), Jack performed before heads of state in dozens of countries across the globe! He has made an positive impact on our sport, by introducing it to tens of thousands of excited and interested college students and military personnel for more than 45 years running!"

Ken
 
Ken in CT said:
This was posted by Scott Lee on another forum:

"Jack White is a pocket billiards showman, who from 1958 through today, has toured the country and the world, promoting pool through trick shots, teaching, and challenge matches, at colleges, universities, and military bases all over! In 1995, after a 25 yr relationship, I purchased his "tour", and he has since, mostly retired. You can read a good article about him in the Oct. 1996 issue of Pool & Billiard (that's the issue with Irving Crane on the cover, and also contained an interesting article on all-time great, Don Willis). This will be up on my website shortly. Many "players" have 'poo-poohed' Jack White, and other trick shot artists, as having no talent, or "guts" to play in tournaments. The truth is, that, then, as now, there was no statistical advantage to professional tournament play (you have to finish in the top 4 consistently, to break even or make a little $$$). The real money to be made in pool (with a VERY few exceptions), is in the entertainment business. Trick shot artists like Mike Massey and Dr. Cue (Tom Rossman) are extremely well respected worldwide. They are practically household names because of television, and relentless touring. Jack White made a very fine living for decades, because of a professional attitude and demeanor.

He was also a runout player, who gambled successfully, for decades BEFORE he turned to entertaining! Jack knew personally, and hustled with legendary names like Minnesota Fats, Luther Lassiter, Don Willis, and Earl Schriver; as well as "Rags" Fitzpatrick & Rotation Slim (two better known black hustlers from the 50's & 60's). Jack White is one of a very exclusive club of poolplayers ever to perform for a U.S. President, and/or in the White House...and the ONLY American player ever invited to a command performance for the Queen of England! Additionally, through his relationship with the U.S. Military (DOD...Dept. of Defense), Jack performed before heads of state in dozens of countries across the globe! He has made an positive impact on our sport, by introducing it to tens of thousands of excited and interested college students and military personnel for more than 45 years running!"

Ken
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Thanks Ken, I knew he could play, judging by the many stroke shots in his show. He also told some great road stories during breaks in his show and afterwards.
 
Ken where is your site? Do you have anymore info on Rotation Slim. Ive heard a lot of stories about him and he is mentioned in Fatty's book. But no one seems to know his real name, etc
 
he also wrote a very good book called "Come let us to Billiards Away" I'm assuming its the same guy. I still have the book. I bought it about 10 years ago. & I still enjoy reading it. :)
 
Sounds like him. Want to lend it out? It's $196.14 at Amazon.
Ken
 
I thought you were kidding when you said it went for $196.14 at amazon. I looked it up and I was shocked! this is the first item I ever owned that appretiated in value. I paid $25.00 for it way back when. I think I'll keep it for 20 more years. see how much its worth then. :) I just put it in a large zip lock bag. :D on second thought...I'll read it one last time before I do that. :p Hmmm.. I have tons of other very old pool books. I think I'll do some research.
 
*sigh* i didnt get to see it.

lunchmoney said:
Thanks for the response, how was his show?
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my school sent out emails that morning telling everyone that he was gonna be there. i didnt have class that day so i neevr bother to check my email. needless to say i bitched out like 50 people that work there and now i have my email fowarded to my phone so i know when i get importent stuff. however my friend said it was a great show. he's a real shark. he was playing random people in the crowd (killing them all...cuz i wasnt there :cool: ). and my buddy said, "call the pocket". so he just screamed," CALL POCKET" and fired it in :p .
 
lunchmoney said:
I remember seeing a trick shot artist several times back in the 70s by the name of Jack White. He also went by the name Pittsburgh Jack. He was heavy set and his conversation nearly rivaled Minnesota Fats. I asked Mike Massey about him during an exhibition about 10 years ago and Mike said that he had never met him but had heard plenty about him. Has anyone heard of him? Is Jack still around? He would be pushing seventy or so.
Click to expand...

Jack is actually 72! He has mostly retired, but still does a few exhibitions around the country. I suspect he will never completely "retire", as it is all he has ever done!
It's amazing to see that his book is selling on Amazon for nearly $200! I bought a dozen copies when he had it published, for $10 each, and gave them to my friends! Since then, it is out of print, and will not be reprinted.

Scott Lee
 
This was originally sent to ScottLee when my name wasn't registered.

I recently played Mr. Jack White at University of Cincinnati
and then read the articles about him on AzBilliards. We
played 4 games. He messed around the whole time just having
fun and I actually took the oportunity on the third game and
beat him. I don't think Mr. White or myself expected that to
happen but he played for his car. The next game was cutting
it close because the whole time we were playing I knew I had
a calculus test in a little bit. So the forth game he played
around taking his time to let me get a little worried about
the time on my math test. The whole time we were playing
last ball, which I have come to love from those four games.
I had the 8-ball and he had his 2-ball left. I tried to play
a safety to block his shot and it bumped his ball just a half
an inch too much. I just thought I would let you know that
to post it, because I don't have privilages to post yet.
This happened on Thursday April 8th, 2004. from 5:30 to 6:30
and the show went from 6 to 8. I just thought I would let
you know... and he has some great jokes too. And if you
couldn't tell from earlier... he won his keys on that last
game. But when I came back not a single person beat him from
there on out. It was such a rush, I would love to play
more. I have played since I was 11 and I am 19 now, and
nothing felt that good EVER playing pool. But its time for me to get back to class. Have a good day.
 
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