left to right: James Durbin, vocals; Frankie Banali, drums; Chuck Wright, bass; Alex Grossi, guitar.
QUIET RIOT continues their historic journey with Metal Health
founding member Frankie Banali who is joined by veteran bassist
Chuck Wright and guitarist Alex Grossi from their most stable
lineup, and vocalist James Durbin the season ten finalist on
American Idol.
QUIET RIOT is a rock & roll phenomenon. Famously described
as the first heavy metal band to top the pop chart at #1 on
Billboard magazine, the Los Angeles quartet became an overnight
sensation thanks to their monster 1983 smash album Metal
Health.
The story of QUIET RIOT begins in 1980 when Kevin DuBrow
formed a new band under his own name, working with Frankie
Banali and a variety of musicians over the next few years
before signing with Pasha/CBS Records, reverting back to the
QUIET RIOT moniker, and entering the studio with new guitarist
Carlos Cavazo and bassist Chuck Wright to start work on a new
album. The year was 1982 and, following Randy Rhoads’ welldocumented
death, former henchman Rudy Sarzo left Ozzy,
replacing Chuck Wright who is the bass player on record for
both the “Metal Health” and “Don’t Wanna Let You Go” tracks, to
complete the lineup and sessions for what would become 1983’s
Metal Health. Driven by the irresistible double whammy of the
title track’s muscular bass line and a raucous rendition of the old
Slade chestnut “Cum on Feel the Noize,” the album stormed up
the U.S. charts, duly reaching the number one spot and going
platinum five times over in the process at that time. The sales of
Metal Health has now exceeded the 10 million mark worldwide
to date.
QUIET RIOT returned to the studio to record 1984’s Condition
Critical, which went on to sell over 2 million copies in the US
and included another chart-ready Slade cover in “Mama Weer
All Crazee Now” and the self penned “Party All Night.” In 1986
QUIET RIOT re-grouped to launch the QR III record, Sarzo had
been replaced by former bassist Chuck Wright. Vocalist Paul
Shortino stepped in and recorded 1988’s simply named Quiet Riot
with Banali, Cavazo, and new bassist Sean McNabb.
In 1991, DuBrow and Cavazo began working together once again,
joined by Frankie Banali and eventually recording 1993’s Terrified
with bassist Kenny Hillery. Down to the Bone followed two years
later with Chuck Wright back on bass, and in 1997, a one-off
performance at an after show party hosted by industrial shock
rocker Marilyn Manson who had requested to Banali that QUIET
RIOT perform, lured bassist Rudy Sarzo back to the fold.
With that lineup once again, QUIET RIOT hit the road playing
venues across America, Europe and Asia. This lineup was
captured on 1999’s Alive and Well album, and 2001 saw the
release of Guilty Pleasures. QUIET RIOT officially parted company
with Rudy Sarzo and Carlos Cavazo in October of 2003. In 2004
DuBrow and Banali recruited guitarist Alex Grossi and bassist
Chuck Wright and continued to tour nonstop throughout 2006
in America, Europe, South America and Asia. For the recording
of Rehab in 2006, DuBrow and Banali entered the studio with
bassist Tony Franklin and guitarist Neil Citron, both long time
friends of Banali. QUIET RIOT with the lineup of DuBrow, Banali,
Wright and Grossi continued to perform live worldwide until
November of 2007 when sadly, Kevin DuBrow’s singing career
was cut short with his passing on November 25, 2007.
Frankie Banali’s history with QUIET RIOT began in 1982 and he
has the distinction of being the only member of QUIET RIOT to
have recorded on every single QUIET RIOT release from 1983’s
Metal Health through 2006’s Rehab. Since the loss of his friend
and band mate Kevin DuBrow, and with careful consideration,
soul searching and with the blessings and support of Kevin
DuBrow’s family, Frankie has decided to continue his journey
and the musical legacy of QUIET RIOT along with bassist Chuck
Wright, guitarist Alex Grossi and vocalist James Durbin.
CUM ON FEEL THE NOIZE
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