Kevin DuBrow
Kevin DuBrow | |
---|---|
![]() DuBrow performing at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in July 2007 | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Kevin Mark DuBrow |
Born | Hollywood, California | October 29, 1955
Origin | Los Angeles |
Died | November 25, 2007 Las Vegas, Nevada | (aged 52)
Genres | Heavy metal, hard rock, glam metal |
Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter, musician |
Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar, drums, percussion |
Years active | 1973–2007 |
Kevin Mark DuBrow (October 29, 1955 – November 25, 2007) was an American heavy metal 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.
Early life and family
DuBrow grew up in Los Angeles, and eventually settled in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Van Nuys at age 13. DuBrow was raised Jewish and had the nickname "Butch" growing up. His younger brother is plastic surgeon and reality star Terry Dubrow.
At some time, he learned to play a 12-string guitar. His first band consisted of 11-year-olds who 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, Spooky Tooth, Rod Stewart and Humble Pie. Singer Steve Marriott would leave the biggest impact on DuBrow and act as a compass in his musical career.[2] DuBrow was a prank caller, and would often make 'emergency break-through' phone calls to friends whose phone lines were busy using the name Steve Marriott, only to tell them something ridiculous.
Career
With Quiet Riot
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8b/Quietriot.jpg/220px-Quietriot.jpg)
Quiet Riot was formed by Randy Rhoads and bassist Kelly Garni (who would later be replaced by Rudy Sarzo) in 1975, who recruited DuBrow and drummer Drew Forsyth. This lineup disbanded in 1979 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, with brothers Tony and Carlos Cavazo. After the death of Rhoads in a plane crash in 1982, while on tour with Osbourne, DuBrow changed the name of the band back to Quiet Riot. Rudy Sarzo, who had also joined Ozzy Osbourne, 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.[3] Shortly afterwards, he signed with Kim Richards for personal management.[4][5] With Richards' help, DuBrow formed and began recording with a new band named Pretty Women. Richards, who was at that time working on the soundtrack for the Blake Edwards film Switch, arranged for the DuBrow penned "Slam Dunk" to be included on the movie's soundtrack.[6]
In 1991, DuBrow regrouped with his former Quiet Riot bandmate Carlos Cavazo alongside Kenny Hillery and Pat Ashby in a new band called Heat, (Quiet Riot had continued on in 1987 with new singer Paul Shortino of Rough Cutt but by this time were disbanded). In June 1991, Heat had renamed themselves Quiet Riot.
Quiet Riot continued through the 90s in several different incarnations, including a full reunion with the Metal Health-era 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.[7] The album, Rehab, was released on October 3, 2006. The lineup on the album was DuBrow, Banali, Tony Franklin, and Neil Citron. Singer Glenn Hughes also made a guest vocal appearance on the album.
Other projects
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 late home in Las Vegas, Nevada.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/75/Kevin_DuBrow_2005.jpg/220px-Kevin_DuBrow_2005.jpg)
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.
Personal life
DuBrow had a hobby of photography from his teenage years, often taking photos at rock 'n roll concerts. Through that interest, he became friends with Ron Sobol. The two traded photographs that they would take at concerts. DuBrow had another longtime friend named Carrie who was also a girlfriend on and off for two decades. DuBrow dated Las Vegas radio DJ Lark Williams, breaking up shortly before his death.[8]
Death
On November 25, 2007, Kevin DuBrow was found dead at his home in Las Vegas. Friends had been unable to contact DuBrow for a week and he failed to show up for Thanksgiving arrangements he had made nor at a party hosted by his friend Glenn Hughes. [8][9][10] According to Hughes, DuBrow had told him a few days before he was unable to be contacted that DuBrow wanted to make changes to his lifestyle.[9]
The cause of death was established to be a cocaine overdose. [11] It was also determined that he had died about November 19, 2007, [12] six days before he was discovered on November 25, 2007.[13]
In an email to Spain's The Metal Circus, Quiet Riot drummer Frankie Banali wrote: "I can't even find the words to say. Please respect my privacy as I mourn the passing and honor the memory of my dearest friend Kevin DuBrow." [14]
DuBrow was buried at 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 gave the eulogy: Frankie Banali, Ron Sobol, Glenn Hughes, and Carrie. The burial ceremony was a traditional one.
Discography
With Quiet Riot
- 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
- 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"
- 2000 - Leppardmania: A Tribute To Def Leppard - cover version of Rock! Rock! (Till You Drop)
- 2004 - In for the Kill
- 2006 - World's Greatest Metal Tribute to Led Zeppelin – cover version of "Whole Lotta Love"
- 2007 - Appetite for Reconstruction – cover version of "Welcome to the Jungle" on Appetite for Reconstruction, a Guns N' Roses tribute album
References
- ^ a b "Kids These Days: Friend Achieved His Childhood Dreams". Daily Pilot. 2007.
- ^ "Biography". Archived from the original on April 19, 2007. Retrieved November 26, 2007.
{{cite web}}
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suggested) (help) - ^ "Quiet Riot". Sleaze Roxx. Archived from the original on October 20, 2011. Retrieved October 9, 2011.
{{cite web}}
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ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Kim Richards : Biography". IMDb.com. Retrieved July 25, 2014.
- ^ "Kevin DuBrow". Famousinterview.ca. October 28, 2006. Retrieved July 25, 2014.
- ^ "Kevin Dubrow". IMDb. Retrieved July 25, 2014.
- ^ [1] Archived August 22, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b "Friends puzzle over death of Quiet Riot's Kevin Dubrow". Latimes.com. Retrieved July 25, 2014.
- ^ a b "GLENN HUGHES: KEVIN DUBROW 'Was A Very Dear Close Friend, A Brother To Me'".
- ^ Kaufman, Gil (November 29, 2007). "Ex-Quiet Riot Bassist Gives Details About Kevin Dubrow's Death".
- ^ "Quiet Riot singer died of overdose". AP via Yahoo News. October 12, 2007. Archived from the original on December 15, 2007. Retrieved May 14, 2010.
- ^ Action News Exclusive: Dubrow's Fiancee Speaks Out
- ^ Find-A-Grave gravestone photo
- ^ Confirmado: Kevin Dubrow de Quiet Riot Encontradio Muerto En Su Apartamento.
External links
- 1955 births
- 2007 deaths
- 20th-century American singers
- 21st-century American singers
- Accidental deaths in Nevada
- American heavy metal singers
- American male singer-songwriters
- American male songwriters
- American rock songwriters
- American singer-songwriters
- Burials in California
- Cocaine-related deaths in Nevada
- Glam metal musicians
- Jewish American musicians
- Jewish heavy metal musicians
- Jewish musicians
- Jewish singers
- People from Van Nuys, Los Angeles
- Singers from Los Angeles
- Songwriters from California
- Quiet Riot members