Kevin DuBrow, the spandex clad lead singer of the 1980’s heavy metal glam band Quiet Riot, has died at his home in Las Vegas, Nevada, according to TMZ.com. The Clark County coroner’s office was examining the body to determine the cause of death which is unknown as of yet.

Quiet Riot hit No. 1 with their infamous “Metal Health” album in 1983 driven by the group’s cover of Slade’s “Cum on Feel the Noize,” which hit the Top 40. Quiet Riot was one of the first generation of spandex clad glam metal bands that came barrelling out of the Los Angeles club scene in the early 1980’s. The band formed in the mid-1970s behind DuBrow and guitarist Randy Rhoads, who later joined Ozzy Osbourne’s band and died in a fatal tour accident when a plane collided with the tour bus. After several years, during which time the band disbanded, regrouped and built an audience, everything came together for “Metal Health,” which put Quiet Riot in the vanguard of the Los Angeles heavy metal movement.

Quiet Riot catapulted to stardom and their crowning moment was playing 1983’s mammoth US Festival which featured acts such as U2, Motley Crue, Ozzy Osbourne, Judas Priest, The Scorpions, Van Halen, The Pretenders, Stevie Nicks, David Bowie, INXS, The Stray Cats, Men At Work, and The Clash. Upon the release of their second album “Condition Critical,” Quiet Riot didn’t do as well, and DuBrow started taking shots at other L.A. bands, such as Motley Crue and Ratt. The following years weren’t kind to Quiet Riot and found them back into the club scene, no longer a headlining arena band, they were washed up and considered a triviality by most music fans.

“I’m at a loss for words. I’ve just lost my best friend,” Quiet Riot drummer Frankie Banali told CNN. “Out of respect for both Kevin and his family, I won’t comment further. There’s going to be a lot of speculation out there, and I won’t add to that. I love him too much.”

Here’s an early picture of the band Quiet Riot with the legendary Randy Rhoads.

And here’s Quiet Riot’s most legendary video that rocketed them to stardom “Cum On Feel the Noize” !!!

I saw them two times in 1983 when they were touring with Iron Maiden at the old Hollywood Sportatorium in Hollywood, Florida and those shows were totally sold out. People crammed and scammed their way in the arena to see that show. Half my high school had the tour shirts the next day at school (wow, that was back when the days after a concert everybody wore their tour shirts).

RIP Kevin DuBrow

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So you’re bands about to go on tour for the first time? You have the van all packed up, ready to go and everybody’s anxious to hit the road. The experience can be a lot of fun, but there are three things you should definitely NEVER take on the road with you.

1. Drugs and Paraphenalia - This is the most obvious , but so many young and old musicians alike make this terrible mistake. I know several musicians who have outstanding warrants in different states because they got busted on tour. If you need to party, it’s not hard to find when you’re playing shows every night, but carrying that bong or pipe in the tour van is just plain stupid.

2. Fireams and Weapons - No, no, no - don’t pack a Glock in the glove compartment or anywhere else when touring from state to state. If you happen to get pulled over because of out of state tags, and the police find a firearm, then you can count on the whole van being searched. My band made the mistake of letting our drummer bring a gun with us on our second tour and we spent 4 hours having the van searched on the side of the road, even though the gun was registered.

3. Girlfriends and Boyfriends - This is the worst one you can ever bring along. Leave your girlfriend or boyfriend at home with your drugs and guns. Touring causes enough stress, and nobody needs an all day lovers quarrel in the van in between shows. The only circumstance this is applicable is if the girlfriend or boyfriend are in the band or manage the band. Otherwise heed my warning.

Also, on your first tour, try to be friendly, polite and courteous to the other bands, clubs and people you meet. A good impression goes a long way, and you never know if the soundguy you once pissed off in Peoria will come back to haunt you later down the road. Burning bridges is only advised if the people you are dealing with are total creeps.

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