Frankie Banali: Quiet Riot Drummer of Metal Health Fame Dies at 68

Frankie Banali was an American drummer, best known as the powerhouse behind Quiet Riot, whose 1983 album Metal Health became the first heavy metal album to reach No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Born Francesco Felice Banali on November 14, 1951, in Queens, New York City, he moved to Los Angeles in 1975.

Banali played with Steppenwolf and on Billy Idol's early recordings before joining Kevin DuBrow in Quiet Riot. The band's hits included "Cum On Feel the Noize" and "Metal Health (Bang Your Head)." After the band's decline he played with W.A.S.P. in 1989, and he rejoined Quiet Riot in 1993, later becoming the band's manager and leading it for decades.

Banali was inducted into the Metal Hall of Fame in 2017. He married Karen in 1994, who died in 2009, and he had a daughter, Ashley. In 2015 he married Regina Russell, who produced a documentary about the band. He announced in 2019 that he had stage IV pancreatic cancer and died in Los Angeles on August 20, 2020, at age 68.

Achievements: Metal Health reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 (1983), played with W.A.S.P. (1989), led Quiet Riot for decades, inducted into the Metal Hall of Fame (2017).

Birth: November 14, 1951 - Queens, New York City.

Profession: Drummer.

Interesting Facts: He was the last remaining member of Quiet Riot's classic lineup to lead the band. Johnny Kelly replaced him at his own request.