History of Frankie Banali in Timeline

Francesco Banali was an American rock drummer best known for his work with the heavy metal band Quiet Riot. His drumming, featured on their breakthrough album "Metal Health," propelled the band to the top of the Billboard charts, making history as the first metal album to achieve this feat. Beyond Quiet Riot, Banali showcased his talent in bands like W.A.S.P. and alongside artists like Billy Idol. He also briefly toured with Faster Pussycat and Steppenwolf. In addition to his musical pursuits, Banali explored his artistic side as a painter later in life.

November 14, 1951: Birth of Frankie Banali

Francesco Felice Banali was born on November 14, 1951, in Queens, New York City, to Italian immigrants, Jack and Martha Banali.

1951: Birth of Frankie Banali

Frankie Banali was born in 1951.

1969: Birth of Karen

Frankie Banali's future wife, Karen, was born in 1969.

1974: Death of Frankie Banali's Father

Frankie Banali's father, Jack, died in 1974 due to pancreatic cancer.

1975: Frankie Banali Moves to Los Angeles

Frankie Banali made a significant move to Los Angeles in 1975, where he immersed himself in the music scene, spending the next four years playing drums for various bands.

1979: Secret Rehearsals with Randy Rhoads and Ozzy Osbourne

Frankie Banali, along with bassist Dana Strum, participated in secret rehearsals with guitarist Randy Rhoads and vocalist Ozzy Osbourne in 1979, as Osbourne sought a guitarist for his new band.

1980: Formation of DuBrow

Frankie Banali teamed up with Kevin DuBrow in 1980 to form the band DuBrow, featuring a rotating lineup of musicians before solidifying the lineup with guitarist Carlos Cavazo and bassist Chuck Wright.

September 1982: Quiet Riot Signs with Pasha Records

In September 1982, Quiet Riot, with Frankie Banali on drums, secured a record deal with Pasha Records.

November 1983: "Metal Health" Reaches Number One

Quiet Riot's album "Metal Health" achieved a groundbreaking feat in November 1983 by reaching the top spot on the Billboard 200 charts, marking a historic moment as the first heavy metal album to achieve this milestone.

July 1984: Release of "Condition Critical"

Quiet Riot released their album "Condition Critical" in July 1984, a period marked by growing tensions within the band.

October 1988: Quiet Riot Releases Self-Titled Album

Quiet Riot released their self-titled album in October 1988.

1989: Quiet Riot Disbands

Internal conflicts led to Quiet Riot's disbandment in 1989.

November 14, 1990: Death of Frankie Banali's Mother

Frankie Banali's mother, Martha, passed away from breast cancer on November 14, 1990, which coincided with Frankie's 39th birthday.

November 1990: Death of Frankie Banali's Mother

Tragedy struck Frankie Banali on his 39th birthday, November 14, 1990, when his mother, Martha, passed away after an eight-year battle with breast cancer.

1992: Heavy Bones Disbands

After releasing one album, Frankie Banali's band Heavy Bones disbanded in 1992.

1993: Frankie Banali Rejoins Quiet Riot

Frankie Banali rejoined Quiet Riot in 1993 following the departure of drummer Bobby Rondinelli.

1993: Frankie Banali Becomes Quiet Riot's Manager

In 1993, Frankie Banali took on the role of manager for Quiet Riot, overseeing the band's business affairs.

1994: Frankie Banali Marries Karen

Frankie Banali entered into marriage with Karen in 1994.

1994: Frankie Banali Becomes Quiet Riot's Manager

In 1994, Frankie Banali assumed the role of manager for Quiet Riot, taking charge of the band's business affairs.

February 17, 1997: Birth of Ashley Banali

Frankie Banali welcomed the birth of his daughter, Ashley, on February 17, 1997.

1997: Reunion of the Classic Metal Health Lineup

Quiet Riot saw a reunion of its classic "Metal Health" lineup in 1997.

2003: Quiet Riot Disbands Again

Quiet Riot disbanded once again in 2003.

October 2004: Reformation of Quiet Riot

Frankie Banali and Kevin DuBrow reunited to reform Quiet Riot in October 2004, joined by bassist Chuck Wright and new guitarist Alex Grossi.

2006: Quiet Riot Releases "Rehab"

Quiet Riot released the album "Rehab" in 2006.

November 2007: Death of Kevin DuBrow

Kevin DuBrow, a member of the classic "Metal Health"-era Quiet Riot lineup, passed away in November 2007.

January 14, 2008: Frankie Banali Announces Quiet Riot's Dissolution

Following the death of Kevin DuBrow, Frankie Banali announced the disbandment of Quiet Riot on January 14, 2008.

April 14, 2009: Death of Karen Banali

Frankie Banali's first wife, Karen, died on April 14, 2009, at the age of 40 due to heart failure.

September 2010: Quiet Riot Reforms with New Lineup

With the support of Kevin DuBrow's family, Frankie Banali reformed Quiet Riot in September 2010, enlisting Chuck Wright, Alex Grossi, and new vocalist Mark Huff.

January 2012: Mark Huff Departs Quiet Riot

Vocalist Mark Huff was dismissed from Quiet Riot in January 2012.

March 2012: Scott Vokoun Joins Quiet Riot

Quiet Riot brought in Scott Vokoun as their new vocalist in March 2012.

November 2013: Jizzy Pearl Replaces Scott Vokoun

Following Scott Vokoun's departure, Jizzy Pearl stepped in as Quiet Riot's new vocalist in November 2013.

April 29, 2014: Premiere of "Quiet Riot - Well Now You're Here There's No Way Back"

"Quiet Riot - Well Now You're Here There's No Way Back," a documentary about the band produced and directed by Regina Russell Banali, premiered at the Newport Beach Film Festival on April 29, 2014.

June 2014: Quiet Riot Releases "10"

Quiet Riot marked their return with the release of their album "10" in June 2014, their first album in eight years.

November 11, 2015: Frankie Banali Marries Regina Russell

Frankie Banali married Regina Russell, who produced and directed the documentary "Quiet Riot: Well Now You're Here, There's No Way Back," on November 11, 2015.

January 18, 2017: Frankie Banali Inducted into the Metal Hall of Fame

Frankie Banali's significant contributions to heavy metal drumming earned him a place in the Metal Hall of Fame on January 18, 2017.

October 2019: Frankie Banali Diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer

In October 2019, Frankie Banali publicly shared his diagnosis of stage-IV pancreatic cancer, which he had received on April 17 of the same year.

August 20, 2020: Death of Frankie Banali

Frankie Banali passed away on August 20, 2020, at the age of 68, after battling stage-IV pancreatic cancer.

September 4, 2020: MTV Classic Airs Quiet Riot Video Block in Honor of Frankie Banali

On September 4, 2020, MTV Classic paid tribute to Frankie Banali by airing a special block of Quiet Riot music videos on their "Metal Mayem" program, a gesture prompted by a fan-led petition.