On Monday, Frankie Banali, the Quiet Riot drummer, revealed that he has been diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer through podcast star Mitch Lafron’s Facebook page.
Alex Grossi, who is Banali’s bandmate, also shared the same post on his own Facebook page.
The post read, “I just want to let all of my friends and fans know what’s going on with me and why I have unfortunately missed some appearances this year. Since April 17th I have been battling stage four pancreatic cancer,” along with a photo of Banali taken on Saturday.
“The original prognosis was very scary. I had quite a battle on my hands and it took a lot, but I am thankful to say that after several rounds of chemo and other treatments I am on the mend,” the post continued.
“The road ahead is not going to be easy but cancer has met its match and I plan to continue fighting. I wish I could have been with you all at every Quiet Riot performance as this is the first time in 38 years I have ever missed a gig. Please know that if I had been able to fly on a plane and play a show nothing else would have stopped me. I am feeling much better and stronger now.”
Banali joined the American heavy metal band in 1982. He announced that he will be performing with Quiet Riot at the “Whiskey A-Go-Go” on Saturday and will continue touring in 2020.
Guitarist Randy Rhoads and bassist Kelly Garni founded Quiet Riot in 1973, which is ranked at No. 100 on VH1’s 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock.
In November 2010, the band’s singer Kevin DuBrow died of a cocaine overdose at the age of 52. At that time, the band reunited. Quiet Riot will release its new album “Hollywood Cowboys” in November.
