Kevin Mark DuBrow

 Kevin Mark DuBrow (October 29, 1955 – November 19, 2007)

DuBrow is best remembered as the lead vocalist of the heavy metal band Quiet Riot from 1975 until 1987, and again from 1993 until his death in 2007. During Quiet Riot's commercial heyday in the 1980s, DuBrow was known for his on-stage charisma, black-and-white striped microphone stand, gravelly bluesy voice, and suspenders. The original lineup of Quiet Riot was formed by Randy Rhoads and bassist Kelly Garni in 1973, who recruited DuBrow and drummer Drew Forsyth. Songs like "Cum on Feel the Noize" (originally written and recorded by English band Slade in 1973), and "Metal Health (Bang Your Head)" then launched them into national fame. Nevertheless, when asked to compose more successful albums, they were unable to do so. This, coupled with DuBrow's attacks against contemporary metal bands, the press, and eventually his own record company led to the decline of Quiet Riot. DuBrow at one point was even fired from Quiet Riot during a tour's end at Hawaii in 1987; he was abandoned in a hotel while the other members of the band left on an earlier flight. 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).

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. 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 Glenn Hughes. The cause of death was established to be a fatal overdose by a combination of cocaine, painkillers and alcohol. In addition, it was determined that DuBrow had died six days prior to his body being found. He is buried at Pacific View Memorial Park in Corona Del Mar, California.