Quiet Riot

Quiet Riot: A Complete Biography (1973–Present)

Quiet Riot began in Los Angeles in 1973 when guitarist Randy Rhoads, bassist Kelly Garni, vocalist Kevin DuBrow, and drummer Drew Forsyth formed a glam‑leaning hard rock band that quickly became a fixture on the local club circuit. Although they built a strong following and even opened for early Van Halen, the group struggled to secure a U.S. record deal, leading their first two albums—Quiet Riot (1977) and Quiet Riot II (1978)—to be released exclusively in Japan. Internal tensions, particularly between Garni and DuBrow, eventually fractured the early lineup, and by 1979 both Garni and Rhoads had departed, with Rhoads joining Ozzy Osbourne and becoming one of metal’s most influential guitarists.

After Rhoads’ tragic death in 1982, DuBrow revived Quiet Riot with bassist Rudy Sarzo, drummer Frankie Banali, and guitarist Carlos Cavazo, forming what would become the band’s classic and most commercially successful lineup. This incarnation recorded Metal Health (1983), the first heavy metal album ever to reach No. 1 on the Billboard 200, propelled by hits like “Cum On Feel the Noize” and “Metal Health (Bang Your Head).” Their success helped push metal into the mainstream and cemented Quiet Riot as one of the defining acts of the 1980s.

The mid‑to‑late ’80s brought turbulence. Sarzo left in 1985, and DuBrow was dismissed in 1987, leading to a brief era fronted by vocalist Paul Shortino before the band dissolved in 1989. A reunion followed in 1993 with DuBrow, Cavazo, Banali, and bassist Kenny Hillery, though tragedy struck again when Hillery died in 1996. Sarzo returned in 1997, restoring much of the classic lineup until DuBrow’s death in 2007, which temporarily ended the band’s activities.

Banali resurrected Quiet Riot in 2010 with a rotating cast of vocalists and musicians, eventually stabilizing around guitarist Alex Grossi, bassist Chuck Wright, and singer Jizzy Pearl. The band released new albums including Quiet Riot 10 (2014), Road Rage (2017), and Hollywood Cowboys (2019), continuing to tour despite ongoing lineup changes. Banali remained the group’s anchor until his death from pancreatic cancer in 2020, after which the band honored his wish to continue by recruiting drummer Johnny Kelly.

In 2021, longtime bassist Rudy Sarzo rejoined, bringing a direct link to the band’s most iconic era. As of the mid‑2020s, Quiet Riot continues to perform with Jizzy Pearl (vocals), Alex Grossi (guitar), Rudy Sarzo (bass), and Johnny Kelly (drums)—a lineup that carries forward the legacy of a band whose history spans five decades, multiple reinventions, and a lasting impact on heavy metal and hard rock.

QUIET RIOT – BAND MEMBERS

Founding Era

Kevin DuBrow – Vocals

Randy Rhoads – Guitar

Kelly Garni – Bass

Drew Forsyth – Drums

Classic Metal Health Lineup

Kevin DuBrow – Vocals

Carlos Cavazo – Guitar

Rudy Sarzo – Bass

Frankie Banali – Drums

Notable Later Members

Chuck Wright – Bass

Paul Shortino – Vocals

Sean McNabb – Bass

Kenny Hillery – Bass

Mark Huff – Vocals

Scott Vokoun – Vocals

Seann Nicols – Vocals

James Durbin – Vocals

Modern Era

Jizzy Pearl – Vocals

Alex Grossi – Guitar

Rudy Sarzo – Bass

Johnny Kelly – Drums

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