Kevin DuBrow, lead singer of Los Angeles rock band Quiet Riot, whose 1983 hit "Cum On Feel the Noize" helped usher heavy-metal music to new heights of popularity, was found dead in his Las Vegas home Sunday. He was 52.
The cause of DuBrow's death was not known, and an autopsy is pending. Police and paramedics were called to the house by neighbors Sunday and DuBrow was pronounced dead, police and coroner's officials said.
There was no forced entry, and no suspicious circumstances were reported, Officer Jose Montoya told the Associated Press on Monday.
Though DuBrow was open about his substance-abuse issues -- last year's Quiet Riot album was titled "Rehab" and contained the track "Old Habits Die Hard" -- his recent health had been good. Quiet Riot finished a substantial U.S. tour in September.
Both the album and tour featured powerhouse drummer and DuBrow's longtime friend Frankie Banali, who posted a message on his website expressing his grief over DuBrow's death. "Please respect my privacy as I mourn the passing and honor the memory of my dearest friend," Banali wrote.
Quiet Riot released its first record in Japan in 1977; it was the first heavy-metal L.A. band of the 1980s to make a substantial dent in the charts. The group's 1983 album "Metal Health," which contained the hit remake of British rock band Slade's "Cum On Feel the Noize" and the big anthem "Bang Your Head (Metal Health)," went to No. 1 nationally and went on to sell more than 6 million copies, according to the Recording Industry Assn. of America.
Major sellers by L.A. groups such as Motley Crue and Ratt would follow, igniting the '80s "hair band" pop-metal movement, but Quiet Riot, despite years of persistence with various lineups, never duplicated its first success. The follow up to "Metal Health," titled "Condition Critical," peaked at No. 15 in 1984 but still sold more than 1 million copies.
DuBrow bridged the gap between 1970s power pop -- he sported new-wavish stripes, bright colors and suspenders -- and '80s metal, as represented by his grainy, rabble-rousing vocal delivery and Quiet Riot's grunting, guitar-charged attack. His in-your-face stage presence and distinctive voice attracted the best musicians, such as Banali, widely admired guitarist Randy Rhoads (who died in a 1982 plane crash after making two albums with Ozzy Osbourne) and bassist Rudy Sarzo, who also went on to play with Osbourne.
