Kevin DuBrow of Quiet Riot Dies

Runner · Post by **Runner** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 9:08 pm

I just saw this on another forum

http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/Music/11/26/obit.dubrow/?iref=hpmostpop

(CNN) -- Kevin DuBrow, the lead singer of the 1980s heavy metal band Quiet Riot, has died, CNN has confirmed. He was 52.

DuBrow died at his home in Las Vegas, Nevada, according to TMZ.com. The Clark County coroner's office was examining the body to determine the cause of death, according to TMZ.

"I'm at a loss for words. I've just lost my best friend," Quiet Riot drummer Frankie Banali told CNN. "Out of respect for both Kevin and his family, I won't comment further. There's going to be a lot of speculation out there, and I won't add to that. I love him too much."

Quiet Riot hit the top of the charts with its 1983 album, "Metal Health," considered by some sources as the first heavy metal album to hit No. 1. The album was driven by the group's cover of Slade's "Cum on Feel the Noize," which hit the Top 40.

The band's other hits included "Bang Your Head (Metal Health)" and another Slade cover, "Mama Weer All Crazee Now."

The band formed in the mid-1970s behind DuBrow and guitarist Randy Rhoads, who later joined Ozzy Osbourne's band and died in a tour accident. After several years, during which time the band disbanded, regrouped and built an audience, everything came together for "Metal Health," which put Quiet Riot in the vanguard of the Los Angeles heavy metal movement.

But the band's rushed follow-up, "Condition Critical," didn't do as well, and DuBrow started taking shots at other L.A. bands, such as Motley Crue and Ratt, according to Allmusic.com. Within a few years, the band had mutinied (leaving DuBrow at a hotel in Hawaii while other members returned to California, Allmusic's Eduardo Rivadavia observes) and taken on a new lead singer. The bad blood prompted a lawsuit from DuBrow.

By the 1990s tempers had calmed and the band got together again, putting out a live album in 1999 and a new studio set, "Guilty Pleasures," in 2001. According to Allmusic, the band broke up once more after its release.

mstangmom · Post by **mstangmom** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 9:33 pm

Man he was still rather young, that is sad to hear they had some great music.

Wonder what the cause of death will be

Runner · Post by **Runner** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 9:41 pm

He supposedly gave up the drugs and hard alcohol years ago because they were ruining his life. The band had just started touring again on a regular basis earlier this year and I believe they released another album. DuBrow was having fun again according to some of the interviews I have read about him.

Even though he said that he gave up the hard life, maybe it still caught up with him. Its hard to tell what brought it on at this time.

Steely Dan · Post by **Steely Dan** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 10:07 pm

This is really a bummer.

carbon_dated · Post by **carbon_dated** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 6:14 pm

The first band I ever met personally was the Ramones in Ft. Lauderdale, then I met Poison, but Quiet Riot was simply the coolest and it was great to meet them at a 'meet & greet' after a concert in Burgettstown, PA.
Have an autographed picture of the band and at least they did give you the opportunity to talk with theml
Sadly, they die too young.

RiverRatZap · Post by **RiverRatZap** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 6:46 pm

I had a media pass for WAMX at the Ohio State fair back in '98. I got to see and meet a number of 80's hair bands that evening and Quit Riot was one of them. I have to agree with carbon_dated, they were really cool guys!

Runner · Post by **Runner** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 2:40 am

Early autopsy reports says he died from an "accidental" cocaine overdose.