Tuesday, November 27, 2007 – Dee Snider’s Eulogy for Kevin DuBrow
Link to video from Quiet Riot’s press conference at Rocklahoma, courtesy our HOH friends at KXUS-FM “US 97” in Springfield, MO
Link to the New York Times’ Obituary for KevinDuBrow
“Kevin DuBrow is dead. This is hitting me pretty damn hard. Which is kind of strange because Kevin and I were not “hanging out,” calling each other regularly kind of friends. But we respected each other. When we would run into each other at airports, concerts and other events, Kevin and I would have an immediate rapport and fall into easy conversations about the business and “life after rock n’ roll.” The basis for this commonality came from the fact that both Quiet Riot and Twisted Sister formed in 1973–long before the rebirth of heavy metal or “hair metal,” as it came to be known, in the 80’s . When Quiet Riot (on the West Coast) and Twisted Sister (on the East Coast) were formed, it was an outgrowth of the glam rock movement of the early 70’s and both our bands fought the good fight against the onslaught that was disco (ugh!). When most other bands gave up or switched allegiances to what was more commercially viable at the time, both of our bands refused to bend–or break for that matter–and carried the torch for heavy rock through the dark days of the mid to late 70’s.
As a result, Quiet Riot were not only at the forefront of the LA metal scene, they were the inspiration for many other bands who went on to find fame and fortune. If you were to look back at old issues of LA music papers, you’d see every band who ever became anything out of LA opening for Quiet Riot, including Van Halen. And it was Kevin DuBrow and Quiet Riot’s perseverance and refusal to take no for an answer that literally destroyed the barriers of the record industry, television and commercial radio and opened the door for all metal bands to follow into the promised land. And we all know the glory days of metal that followed. Thank you Kevin.
And because Twisted Sister was doing and had done the same thing for the music scene on the East Coast, Kevin and I always shared a mutual respect for one another, because we knew that none of the other bands (with the possible exception of Y&T who were doing pretty much the same thing in Northern California) had been through the shit that we’d been through. We had earned our battle scars and our right to stand on those coliseum stages…while we felt many others had not.
After the demise of the 80’s metal scene, both Kevin and I sought careers in radio–both of us doing morning drive time (which was a bitch for vampires like Kevin and me) for a number of years. Again, we walked the same path and had much in common.
It’s because of this connection, that the passing of Kevin DuBrow hits me particularly hard. You’ve all heard the saying, “There by the grace of God go I.” Well, it’s never been truer for me than now.
I’d like to end by sharing a story. Kevin and I were talking one day and he told me about some Girl Scouts coming to his house to sell cookies and when he opened the door, they started singing “We’re Not Gonna Take It,” much to his chagrin. Kevin told me that people were often getting Twisted Sister’s song confused with Quiet Riot’s “Cum On Feel the Noize” and asked if that ever happened to me. I proudly (and smugly) told him it had not. I could see Kevin was a little embarrassed by this…even better.
From that day on, I have often had people confuse my song with “Cum On Feel the Noize” culminating at a major sporting event where the cameras picked me out of the crowd, put my face on the Jumbotron…and started blasting “Cum On Feel the Noize” while thousands cheered! Now it was my turn to be embarrassed. It was like God was getting even with me for being such a smug asshole. Sorry about that Kev.
The metal community has lost a powerful voice and a great front man, but let it never be said that Kevin DuBrow did not leave his mark. You kicked our asses Kevin, you really did.
Dee Snider
November 2007
hoh skully icon For more news information about Kevin Dubrow, see BuzzChic’s blog.
The House of Hair mourns Kevin’s passing and sends our condolences to his family, friends and fans worldwide. We will keep you updated with more information when we receive it.
Plans are underway for a HOH tribute show dedicated to Kevin.
Go to BuzzChic’s Blog page to leave a song request and/or your remembrance of Kevin DuBrow to be included in the tribute show OR click on the Kevin Dubrow icon above on the home page.
Go to the HOH Commmunity/Blogs – to the BuzzChic Tribute Blog Post to leave a comment (or post your own Blog post on Kevin) if you would like.
It is now confirmed that Quiet Riot singer Kevin DuBrow passed away yesterday at his home in Las Vegas. Dubrow was 52. Determination of the cause of death was pending an autopsy and toxicology results, Clark County coroner’s spokeswoman Samantha Charles said. First reported on The Vegas Eye website, DuBrow was found in his Las Vegas home. At this time, we have no further information.
Quiet Riot drummer Frankie Banali confirmed DuBrow’s passing in an email to Spain’s “The Metal Circus” with this comment:
“I can’t even find words to say. Please respect my privacy as I mourn the passing and honor the memory of my dearest friend Kevin DuBrow.” This statement can be found on Frankie’s official website, and on The Metal Circus website in Spanish .
The band has not issued a formal statement yet, but ex-member and founding bassist Kelli Garni had this to say on the Randy Rhoads site
“I ask this to all of you not only for myself but for other friends and family. I ask that no one here offer any speculation or opinions, theories or other things that could be construed as negative or, and I’m sorry for this, even sympathetic, right at this immediate time. I am already within hours of this having to deal with untrue rumors and speculation and that only adds fuel to that. There is a tendency for the subject of Kevin to incite flames on every board and now is not the time for that. I will explain to everyone here the facts and the truth in the next 24 to 48 hours as I realize this will effect us all. So please, until then, be patient. All details and other pertinante info will be passed on to you here when it becomes available to me. Thank you.”
Chavis Records owner Bill Chavis, who released the band’s last album, issued a statement regarding the singer’s untimely demise.
“As I mourn his death with a heavy heart, I will remember hearing his voice and the music for the very first time on the radio back in 1983. I will remember all the great music Kevin and Quiet Riot gave to so many of us over the years and I will say, “Thank you, Kevin. May you rest in peace.”
Rehab, Quiet Riot’s latest album, was released in late 2006. The lineup on the CD consisted of DuBrow, Banali, Tony Franklin, & Neil Citron. Glenn Hughes, former Deep Purple bassist and singer, also made a guest vocal appearance on the album. The House of Hair and many of you last saw Quiet Riot perform on July 13, 2007 at Rocklahoma.
The House of Hair mourns Kevin’s passing and sends our condolences to his family, friends and fans worldwide. We will keep you updated with more information when we receive it.
Plans are underway for a HOH tribute show dedicated to Kevin.
R.I.P. Kevin DuBrow, from all your Friends and Fans at the House of Hair.
“And remember, IF IT AIN’T METAL…IT’S CRAP!!”
Your HOH Webmistress,
The BuzzChic