Quiet Riot drummer Frankie Banali
Photo: Paul Archuleta / FilmMagicAmerican drummer Frankie Banali has died. He died Thursday in Los Angeles at the age of 68 of pancreatic cancer. The "Rolling Stone" reports, citing Banali's agents and a statement from his widow, Regina Banali.
"He fought an inspiring, brave and courageous 16-month fight to the end and played live as long as he could," writes Regina Banali. "Standard chemotherapy stopped working and a series of strokes made it impossible to continue a clinical trial. He finally lost the fight on August 20 at 7:18 pm in Los Angeles, surrounded by his wife and daughter."
Frankie Banali was from New York City, where he was born on November 14, 1951. He grew up in the city too. In 1982 he joined Quiet Riot. He is the only band member to be featured on all albums. His lively drumming can be heard especially in the hits "Cum On Feel the Noize" and "Metal Health". The album "Metal Health" was the first metal album to reach number one on the Billboard charts.
He didn't just support the band musically. In between he managed himself too; after the death of singer Kevin DuBrow in 2010, he caused a reunion.
Banali also drummed for the Deep Purple bassist Glenn Hughes. The condolences on Twitter: "Sad that my brother Frankie Banali died last night. Frankie played on the 'Hughes: Thrall' album. There was no more loyal, venerable, courageous and committed guy than Frankie."
Fans can still hear Banali on other heavy metal albums. He was involved in several records by WASP, for example "The Headless Children". With Bob Kulick from WASP he also started a band project called Afterlife and released an album of the same name in 1993.
Icon: The mirrorLöw / dpa