Kevin DuBrow
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| Kevin DuBrow | |
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 Kevin DuBrow performing at the Del Mar Fairgrounds |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Kevin Mark DuBrow |
| Born | October 29, 1955 |
| Origin | Los Angeles, California |
| Died | November 19, 2007 (aged 52) Las Vegas, Nevada |
| Genres | Heavy metal, hard rock, glam metal |
| Occupations | Singer-songwriter, musician |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar, drums |
| Years active | 1973–2007 |
| Associated acts | Quiet Riot DuBrow Hear 'n Aid Heat |
Kevin Mark DuBrow (October 29, 1955 – November 19, 2007) was an American rock singer best known as the lead vocalist of the Heavy Metal band Quiet Riot from 1975 until 1987, and again from 1990 until his death in 2007.
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Early life [edit]
DuBrow grew up in Los Angeles, California, and eventually settled in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Van Nuys at age 13. At some time, he learned to play a twelve-string guitar. DuBrow was raised Jewish and had the nickname "Butch" growing up. DuBrow's first band consisted of 11-year-olds that played only one gig to an audience of senior citizens who were not particularly fond of rock music.[1] By the time he was in his mid-teens he had developed an appreciation for a number of British rock acts including the Small Faces, Queen, Slade, Spooky Tooth, Rod Stewart and Humble Pie. It was the latter of those influences being singer Steve Mariott that would leave the biggest impact on DuBrow and act as a compass in his musical career.[2] DuBrow was a prankster during the 1970's, and would often make break through emergency phone calls to friends whose phone line's were busy using the name Steve Mariott, only to tell them something ridiculous. DuBrow's brother is Terry DuBrow, the Newport Beach Plastic Surgeon featured on Fox's The Swan.
Career [edit]
With Quiet Riot [edit]
Quiet Riot was formed by Randy Rhoads and bassist Kelly Garni (who would be replaced by Rudy Sarzo) in 1975, who recruited DuBrow and drummer Drew Forsyth. This lineup disbanded in 1980 when Rhoads went on to join Ozzy Osbourne's band, with Rhoads personally enlisting Greg Leon as his replacement. For a time the band's name was changed to DuBrow, which had a rotating lineup of members including Leon, Chuck Wright, Frankie Banali, and brothers Tony and Carlos Cavazo. After Rhoads' death in a plane crash in 1982 while on tour with Osbourne, DuBrow changed the name of the band back to Quiet Riot. Rudy Sarzo left Osbourne's band and rejoined Quiet Riot shortly before the release of Metal Health, which went to the top of the charts, making Quiet Riot the first metal band to achieve number one status on their (U.S. release) debut album. Their singles included "Cum on Feel the Noize" (originally written and recorded by English band Slade in 1973), and "Metal Health (Bang Your Head)".
In February 1987, DuBrow was fired from Quiet Riot. This was decided during a Japanese tour in December 1986 and came as a result of DuBrow's verbal attacks on newer bands of the same genre, which negatively affected the band's reputation.[3] Shortly afterwards, DuBrow signed with Kim Richards for personal management.[4] With Richards' help, DuBrow formed and began recording with a new band named "Pretty Women." Richards, who was working on the soundtrack for the Blake Edwards directed movie "Switch" at the time, arranged for the DuBrow penned "Slam Dunk" to be included on the movie's soundtrack.[5]
In 1991, DuBrow regrouped with his Quiet Riot bandmate Carlos Cavazo in a new band called Heat. (Quiet Riot had continued on in 1988 with new singer Paul Shortino of Rough Cutt but by this time were disbanded.) By 1993, Heat had renamed themselves Quiet Riot with Frankie Banali re-joining on drums.
Quiet Riot continued through the 90s in several different incarnations, including a full reunion with the Metal Health line-up. They released the albums Terrified (1993), Down to the Bone (1995), Alive and Well (1999) and Guilty Pleasures (2001).
During 2006, Quiet Riot worked on a new studio album that was expected to be released in either 2006 or 2007. The band stated that they had set no timetable for the release of the album, that they were financing the project themselves, and that it would be released when they saw fit and on their terms.[6]
The album, Rehab, was released on October 3, 2006. The lineup on the album was DuBrow, Frankie Banali, Tony Franklin, and Neil Citron. Singer Glenn Hughes also made a guest vocal appearance on the album.
Other projects [edit]
In 2004, after Quiet Riot's 2003 breakup, DuBrow recorded a collection of cover versions for his first solo album, In for the Kill. The album was recorded in DuBrow's hometown Las Vegas, Nevada.
DuBrow also worked as a morning DJ for the Rock Station in Las Vegas, KOMP 92.3 on the morning show alongside longstanding host Craig Williams. Talk of show syndication had been heavily rumored but DuBrow departed the show to pursue touring with Quiet Riot.
Death [edit]
On November 25, 2007, Kevin DuBrow was found dead in his house in Las Vegas. Initial reports were confirmed by local authorities and reported by major news outlets the following day. The cause of death was determined to be an accidental overdose of cocaine.[7][dead link] KTNV in Las Vegas reported that he had died about six days before his discovery, November 19, 2007.[8] Quiet Riot drummer Frankie Banali had also confirmed DuBrow's death in an email to Spain's The Metal Circus.[9] Banali wrote:
| “ | Please respect my privacy as I mourn the passing and honor the memory of my dearest friend Kevin DuBrow." | ” |
DuBrow was buried in Pacific View Cemetery in Corona del Mar, California, next to his stepfather, Harold Mandell. A rabbi presided over his funeral service on November 30, 2007.[1] Several of DuBrow's friends presented the Eulogy, Frankie Banali, Ron Sobol a best friend since age 14, Glenn Hughes, Carrie a longtime friend of DuBrow's. The burial ceremony was traditional. DuBrow had always been fond of Dragons, an amber colored crystal dragon was put on top of his casket by a long time friend during final burial.
Discography [edit]
With Quiet Riot [edit]
- 1978 Quiet Riot
- 1979 Quiet Riot II
- 1983 Metal Health
- 1984 Condition Critical
- 1986 QRIII
- 1993 Terrified
- 1995 Down to the Bone
- 1999 Alive and Well
- 2001 Guilty Pleasures
- 2006 Rehab
Solo [edit]
- 1985 Hear 'n Aid "Stars"
- 1998 Thunderbolt: A Tribute to AC/DC - cover version of "Highway to Hell"
- 1998 The Side Effects of Napalm by The Neanderthal Spongecake. Guest vocals on remake of "Metal Health '98"
- Appetite for Reconstruction – cover version of "Welcome to the Jungle" on Appetite for Reconstruction, a Guns N' Roses tribute album
- 2004 In for the Kill
References [edit]
- ^ a b "Kids These Days: Friend Achieved His Childhood Dreams". Daily Pilot. 2007.
- ^ "Biography". Archived from the original on 2007-04-19. Retrieved 2007-11-26.
- ^ "Quiet Riot". Sleaze Roxx. Retrieved 2011-10-09.
- ^ http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3249319/bio & http://www.famousinterview.ca/interviews/kevin_dubrow.htm
- ^ http://imdb.com/name/nm1591687/
- ^ Frankie Banali interview with C.C. Banana at Metal Sludge on 8/7/06.
- ^ "Quiet Riot singer died of overdose". AP via Yahoo News. 12/10/2007. Archived from the original on 2007-12-15. Retrieved 2010-05-14.
- ^ Action News Exclusive: DuBrow's Fiancee Speaks Out
- ^ Confirmado: Kevin DuBrow de Quiet Riot Encontradio Muerto En Su Apartamento.
External links [edit]
- Kevin DuBrow on Myspace
- History of Quiet Riot w/ Kevin Dubrow
- Obituary in The Times, 11 December 2007
- Kevin DuBrow at Find a Grave
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