Kevin DuBrow
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Kevin DuBrow | |
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Background information | |
Birth name | Kevin Mark DuBrow |
Born | Hollywood, California, U.S. | October 29, 1955
Died | November 19, 2007 Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. | (aged 52)
Genres | Heavy metal, hard rock, glam metal |
Occupations | Singer, songwriter |
Years active | 1973–2007 |
Formerly of | Quiet Riot, DuBrow, Heat, Hear 'n Aid |
Kevin Mark DuBrow (October 29, 1955 – November 19, 2007) was an American singer, best known as the lead vocalist of the heavy metal band Quiet Riot from 1975 until 1987, and again from 1993 until his death in 2007.
Early life, photography work and family
Kevin DuBrow was born to Laura and Alvin Dubrow. He was raised in Los Angeles with his younger brother,
DuBrow learned to play 12-string guitar, and 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.
DuBrow enjoyed a hobby of photography in his teenage years, often taking photos at rock 'n roll concerts from 1969 to 1975. He became proficient enough as a photographer that he was soon selling his photos to rock magazines for publication, including Rock and Guitar Player magazine.[4] Among the acts he photographed were Jeff Beck, Robin Trower, and Mott the Hoople.
Through his photography work, he became friends with producer Ron Sobol, and the two traded photographs that they shot at concerts.[4] Not long after Dubrow photographed Rod Stewart at a concert in 1970, he said he realized he wanted to be on the other side of the lens.[4] He once commented: "shooting concerts is what made me become a singer. I saw Rod Stewart in '70. I was taking pictures, and I thought, 'Wow, I want to be up there! I don't wanna be behind the camera."[4]
Career
With Quiet Riot
Quiet Riot was formed by
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
In February 1987, DuBrow was fired from Quiet Riot.[6] “It wasn’t the band that wanted him out,” said drummer Frankie Banali in 2013. “It was management and the label. But it took the band to make the change.” However, DuBrow had a habit of publicly bad-mouthing other bands, which alienated a lot of musicians and fans, and also caused problems for Quiet Riot members (bassist Rudy Sarzo was famously punched in the face by Ozzy Osbourne after DuBrow publicly insulted the English singer). Another factor cited in the decision to fire DuBrow was his excessive drinking and drug use. “We all indulged," said Banali, "but Kevin could be told nothing by no one, and his lifestyle choices had made it impossible for us to continue with him.” [7]
Shortly after his firing from Quiet Riot, DuBrow signed with Kim Richards for personal management.[8][9] With Richards' help, DuBrow formed and began recording with a new band named Little 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.[10]
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 had disbanded). In June 1991, Heat 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.
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 home in 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.
Personal life
DuBrow dated Las Vegas radio DJ Lark Williams for seven years, breaking up shortly before his death.[12]
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 dinner hosted by his friend
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."
Discography
With Quiet Riot
- 1978 - Quiet Riot
- 1978 - 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 benefit album - "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 "Metal Health '98" remake
- 1999 - Appetite for Reconstruction Guns N' Roses electronic tribute album – cover version of "Welcome to the Jungle"
- 2000 - Leppardmania: A Tribute To Def Leppard - cover version of "Rock! Rock! (Till You Drop)"
- 2000 - Covered Like a Hurricane: A Tribute to Scorpions - cover version of "Big City Nights"
- 2004 - In for the Kill
- 2006 - World's Greatest Metal Tribute to Led Zeppelin – cover version of "Whole Lotta Love"
References
- ^ Amabile Angermiller, Michele (June 29, 2014). "Remembering Quiet Riot's Kevin Dubrow ... on 'Real Housewives of Orange County?'". Billboard. Retrieved May 22, 2015.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b c d "Quiet Riot - Kevin Dubrow - Randy Rhoads - Glenn Hughes - Historic Interview - full in bloom Music". www.fullinbloommusic.com.
- ^ "Quiet Riot - BIO". www.quietriot.band. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
- ^ "Quiet Riot". Sleaze Roxx. Archived from the original on October 20, 2011. Retrieved October 9, 2011.
- ^ "Quiet Riot: Death, Drugs, and Rock and Roll". Classic Rock. Retrieved October 29, 2015.
- ^ "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". Los Angeles Times. November 28, 2007. Retrieved July 25, 2014.
- ^ a b "GLENN HUGHES: KEVIN DUBROW 'Was A Very Dear Close Friend, A Brother To Me'". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. November 26, 2007.
- ^ Kaufman, Gil (November 29, 2007). "Ex-Quiet Riot Bassist Gives Details About Kevin Dubrow's Death". MTV.
- ^ "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". Archived from the original on January 11, 2008. Retrieved November 28, 2007.
- ^ Confirmado: Kevin Dubrow de Quiet Riot Encontradio Muerto En Su Apartamento.