Kevin DuBrow

Kevin Dubrow

Dubrow performing at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in July 2007
Background information
Birth name Kevin Mark Dubrow
Born (1955-10-29)October 29, 1955
Origin Los Angeles, United States
Died ≈ November 19, 2007(2007-11-19) (aged 52)
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Genres Heavy metal, hard rock, glam metal
Occupation(s) 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 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

DuBrow performing

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 Hillary and former Rainbow drummer Bobby Rondinelli 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 Banali re-joining on drums.

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 Las Vegas, Nevada.

Dubrow in 2005

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 best friends with Ron Sobol. The two traded photographs that they would take at concerts. Sobol continued on as lead photographer and lighting director for Quiet Riot. DuBrow had another longtime friend named Carrie who was also a girlfriend on and off for three 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 had failed to show up to Thanksgiving arrangements he had made as well 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 he wanted to make changes to his lifestyle.[9]

The cause of death was established to be an accidental cocaine overdose.[11] It was also estimated that he had died about six days before his discovery, November 19, 2007.[12]

In an email to Spain's The Metal Circus, Quiet Riot drummer Frankie Banali wrote: "I can't even find words to say. Please respect my privacy as I mourn the passing and honor the memory of my dearest friend Kevin Dubrow."[13]

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 gave the eulogy; Frankie Banali, Ron Sobol, Glenn Hughes, and Carrie. The burial ceremony was traditional.

Discography

With Quiet Riot

Solo

References

  1. 1 2 "Kids These Days: Friend Achieved His Childhood Dreams". Daily Pilot. 2007.
  2. ↑ "Biography". Archived from the original on April 19, 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-26.
  3. ↑ "Quiet Riot". Sleaze Roxx. Retrieved 2011-10-09.
  4. ↑ "Kim Richards : Biography". IMDb.com. Retrieved 2014-07-25.
  5. ↑ "Kevin DuBrow". Famousinterview.ca. October 28, 2006. Retrieved 2014-07-25.
  6. ↑ "Kevin Dubrow". IMDb. Retrieved 2014-07-25.
  7. ↑ Archived August 22, 2006, at the Wayback Machine.
  8. 1 2 "Friends puzzle over death of Quiet Riot's Kevin Dubrow". Latimes.com. Retrieved 2014-07-25.
  9. 1 2 "GLENN HUGHES: KEVIN DUBROW 'Was A Very Dear Close Friend, A Brother To Me'".
  10. ↑ Kaufman, Gil (November 29, 2007). "Ex-Quiet Riot Bassist Gives Details About Kevin Dubrow's Death".
  11. ↑ "Quiet Riot singer died of overdose". AP via Yahoo News. October 12, 2007. Archived from the original on December 15, 2007. Retrieved 2010-05-14.
  12. ↑ Action News Exclusive: Dubrow's Fiancee Speaks Out
  13. ↑ Confirmado: Kevin Dubrow de Quiet Riot Encontradio Muerto En Su Apartamento.
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