Dee Snider (TWISTED SISTER), Rudy Sarzo (QUIET RIOT), Charlie Benante (ANTHRAX), Glenn Hughes (DEEP PURPLE), Mike Portnoy (DREAM THEATER, SONS OF APOLLO), Jeff Scott Soto (SONS OF APOLLO), Ron Keel (KEEL) and BULLETBOYS are among the musicians who have reacted to the passing of QUIET RIOT‘s Frankie Banali. The drummer died last night (Thursday, August 20) after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 68 years old.
Frankie was diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer on April 17, 2019 and given six months to live. He put up an inspiringly brave and courageous 16-month battle to the end and continued playing live as long as he could. Standard chemotherapy stopped working and a series of strokes made the continuation on a clinical trial impossible. He ultimately lost the fight at 7:18 p.m. on August 20 in Los Angeles surrounded by his wife and daughter.
Frankie is survived by his devoted wife Regina, loving daughter Ashley, many dear friends, dedicated fans, and a menagerie of rescue animals, all of whom are family. He was a longtime advocate for animal rescue, a spokesperson for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, and a sponsor of Children International. Donations in his name are encouraged for Fixnation.org, Aspca.org, Pancan.org, or Children.org. His wish for everyone is that you be your own health advocate for early detection so you may live long and rescue many animals.
Funeral plans will be announced at a later date.
Banali was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer after going to the emergency room for shortness of breath, leg pain and loss of energy. A scan of his lungs caught an image of his liver, which is where the first spots were seen. Then came the discovery of a tumor on his pancreas.
He had been in treatment since the spring of last year and recently completed his 21st round of chemotherapy with the hopes of shrinking or controlling the cancer.
Banali resurrected QUIET RIOT in 2010, three years after the death of founding member DuBrow.
QUIET RIOT‘s latest studio album, “Hollywood Cowboys” was released in November via Frontiers Music Srl.
R.I.P. Mr Frankie Banali???? Rest In Peace. ??
— RATT (@theRATTpack) August 21, 2020
Rest In Peace Frankie Banali pic.twitter.com/N8qpQOCsB8
— Official Dio (@OfficialRJDio) August 21, 2020
Wow. What a day. So sad to hear about the loss of @FrankieBanali. He fought hard until the end. His playing and rock ‘n’ roll spirit will live forever. A fellow New Yorker, Frankie was the real deal. RIP my friend.
“Take me away from all this death.”— Dee Snider (@deesnider) August 21, 2020
Rest in Peace Frankie!!! U know we all loved you brotherman! @FrankieBanali U will be missed by all of us! Our Thoughts & prayers go out to Regina & Ashley Banali BB ????? pic.twitter.com/RAPVAeOZVE
— BulletBoys (@TheBulletBoys) August 21, 2020
RIP Frankie you will be deeply missed! Thanks for the 30+ year friendship! ? #fuckcancer #rockandrolllegend @ Los Angeles, California https://t.co/H1TiP9vixB
— Taime Downe (@fasttaime) August 21, 2020
So saddened to hear of the passing of my drumming brother @FrankieBanali. He fought an incredibly brave battle against Cancer and his strength and dignity was truly inspiring…Rest In Peace my friend ? #RIPFrankieBanali pic.twitter.com/pTXPuqgScG
— Mike Portnoy ? (@MikePortnoy) August 21, 2020
With a VERY heavy heart I share one of the best humans has left us today, my dear friend and @QUIETRIOT drummer, @FrankieBanali! I’d known him since 1986, he was always the greatest person 1 could wish to befriend! Suffer no more FB, see you on the other side! #cancersucks pic.twitter.com/PBBFnnnmI3
— Jeff Scott Soto (@jeffscottsoto) August 21, 2020
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Glenn Hughes (@glennhughesonline) on Aug 21, 2020 at 11:33am PDT
Frankie Banali passed away. ?You fought such a courageous battle. God bless you and have a safe journey to the next level. #CancerSucks #FuckCancer #FrankieBanali #RipFrankieBanali
— Marten Andersson bass player (@anderssonmarten) August 21, 2020
I just heard that my friend, brother and fellow musician, Quiet Riot drummer Frankie Banali passed away. I share many wonderful memories with Frankie and will always remember him with a smile. Safe travels my brother. Love you ? pic.twitter.com/xd4sejn41E
— Tony Franklin (@FretlessMonster) August 21, 2020