Frankie Banali, the outrageous drummer for '80s rock outfit Quiet Riot, died Thursday following a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 68.
Banali had been diagnosed with the disease in April of last year, with a GoFundMe page tracking his progress.
According to his grieving family, Banali:
“... put up an inspiringly brave and courageous 16-month battle to the end, and continued playing live as long as he could. Standard chemotherapy stopped working, and a series of strokes made the continuation on a clinical trial impossible. He ultimately lost the fight at 7:18 PM on Aug. 20 in Los Angeles, surrounded by his wife and daughter.”
Born November 14, 1951, in Queens, New York. Once in L.A. in the '70s, he joined the New Steppenwolf and then the reconstituted Quiet Riot in 1982.
Metal Health (1983), their first release with Banali, became a #1 multi-platinum smash, as did its singles “Bang Your Head (Metal Health)” (#33) and especially “Cum on Feel the Noize” (#5). The band's only other hit single, “Mama Weer All Crazy Now” (#51), came from the follow-up set, Condition Critical (1984), a #15 hit.
QR III (1986) reached #31, and QR (1988) #119.
In 1989, Quiet Riot split up, with Banali drumming for such groups as Blackie Lawless, W.A.S.P., Faster Pussycat and Heavy Bones.
The band was back together from 1993-2003, and from 2004 until present, with Banali present in its various incarnations.
Banali is survived by his wife Regina Russell, who directed the 2015 doc Quiet Riot: Well Now You're Here, There's No Way Back.
