Quiet Riot drummer Frankie Banali, RIP
Frankie Banali, drummer and founding member of Quiet Riot, has died after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 68. His wife shared the sad news, saying, “He 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 7:18PM on August 20th in Los Angeles surrounded by his wife and daughter.โ
Quiet Riot’s agent, Ashley Talent Agency, wrote, “He was the very best of men. An articulate and deeply sensitive consummate professional musician/entertainer and a champion for good.”
Banali joined Quiet Riot in 1982, just in time for the recording of their #1 1983 album Metal Health which featured their smash cover of Slade’s “Cum on Feel the Noize,” along with “Slick Black Cadillac” and “Bang Your Head (Metal Health).” He was the only member from that ’80s era of Quiet Riot who was still in the current line-up.
Twister Sister‘s Dee Snider wrote “Wow. What a day. So sad to hear about the loss of Frankie Banali. He fought hard until the end. His playing and rock ‘n’ roll spirit will live forever. A fellow New Yorker, Frankie was the real deal. RIP my friend. ‘Take me away from all this death.'”
Glenn Hughes, who spent time in Deep Purple and Black Sabbath, said, “So very sad that my brother Frankie Banali, passed away last night. Frankie played drums on the the Hughes: Thrall album. There was no one more loyal honorable courageous and committed than Frankie. Words cannot express how I feel. Letโs all share the love for Frankie.”
Cinderella guitarist Tom Keifer, wrote, “Saddened to hear that @FrankieBanali has passed away. Not only was he a talented drummer/musician but also a great human being. He will be missed. Condolences, love & prayers to his family and friends.”
Pro wrestler Frankie Kazarian called Banali, “One of the best drummers to come out of the 80โs hard rock scene. I used ‘Bang Your Head’ as entrance music for several years early on. Those drums to kick off that song always got me. Godspeed sir.” Fellow wrestler Chris Jericho wrote, “Sorry to hear about the passing of Frankie Banali, one of the greatest rock drummers of the 80s w @QUIETRIOT.”
Rest in peace, Frankie. Read a few more tributes, below
Wow. What a day. So sad to hear about the loss of @FrankieBanali. He fought hard until the end. His playing and rock 'n' roll spirit will live forever. A fellow New Yorker, Frankie was the real deal. RIP my friend.
"Take me away from all this death."— Dee Snider๐บ๐ธ๐ค (@deesnider) August 21, 2020
https://twitter.com/FrankieKazarian/status/1296883649946607617
So Sad To Hear Frankie Banali Has Passed…R.I.P. Sweet Frankie…My Love To Your Family, Friends & Fans…XXX pic.twitter.com/vJNrNnGLrN
— David Coverdale (@davidcoverdale) August 21, 2020
R.I.P. Frankie Banali Iโm deeply saddened to hear this news!!! Frankie was a great guy, and I had many laughs with him!!!! The band upstairs is unfortunately becoming greater…Rest in Peace buddy!!!!! pic.twitter.com/QWc4SN5aw9
— John Corabi (@Crablegs59) August 21, 2020
RIP my dear friend Frankie Banali QUIET RIOT my sincere condolences to his wife Regina, family, band, friends, fans. You fought hard against pancreatic cancer. It was an honor to be asked by you to co-write and sing backing vocals on the last QUIET RIOT album Hollywood Cowboys pic.twitter.com/s4gVzDfPj3
— neil turbin (@deathriders) August 21, 2020
Sorry to hear about the passing of fbanali #FrankieBanali, one of the greatest rock drummers of the 80s w @QUIETRIOT. I had the pleasure of having him and his old band mate and my brother @rudysarzo on #TalkIsJerichoโฆ https://t.co/S8M1wLomwx
— Chris Jericho (@IAmJericho) August 21, 2020
So very sad that my brother Frankie Banali, passed away last night.
Frankie played drums on the the Hughes: Thrall album . There was
no one more loyal honorable courageous and committed than Frankie.
Words cannot express how I feel. Letโs all share the love for Frankie
๐งก๐๐ pic.twitter.com/OkdQhemvW3— Glenn Hughes (@glenn_hughes) August 21, 2020
Rest in Peace Frankie!!! U know we all loved you brotherman! @FrankieBanali U will be missed by all of us! Our Thoughts & prayers go out to Regina & Ashley Banali BB ๐๐ฝ๐๐๐ฝ pic.twitter.com/RAPVAeOZVE
— BulletBoys (@TheBulletBoys) August 21, 2020
With a VERY heavy heart I share one of the best humans has left us today, my dear friend and @QUIETRIOT drummer, @FrankieBanali! I'd known him since 1986, he was always the greatest person 1 could wish to befriend! Suffer no more FB, see you on the other side! #cancersucks pic.twitter.com/PBBFnnnmI3
— Jeff Scott Soto (@jeffscottsoto) August 21, 2020
I just heard that my friend, brother and fellow musician, Quiet Riot drummer Frankie Banali passed away. I share many wonderful memories with Frankie and will always remember him with a smile. Safe travels my brother. Love you ๐ pic.twitter.com/xd4sejn41E
— Tony Franklin (@FretlessMonster) August 21, 2020
So saddened to hear of the passing of my drumming brother @FrankieBanali. He fought an incredibly brave battle against Cancer and his strength and dignity was truly inspiring…Rest In Peace my friend ๐ข #RIPFrankieBanali pic.twitter.com/pTXPuqgScG
— Mike Portnoy ๐ค (@MikePortnoy) August 21, 2020