Quiet Riot drummer Frankie Banali, the sole founding member still in the band, revealed this week that he’s been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. While that news is undeniably bad, we’re comforted with the knowledge that Banali is and has always been a fighter. Indeed, shortly after the band finished recording the new Hollywood Cowboys album, singer James Durbin left and has been replaced with former member Jizzy Pearl (best known for fronting Love/Hate). Quiet Riot just doesn’t quit, and we spoke to Banali this week about it all…

L.A. WEEKLY: First of all, sorry to hear about the diagnosis but we know you’re a fighter — what are the first steps forward, with treatment?

The plan is to continue treatments based on a schedule that won’t interfere with me returning to playing live dates. I will be able to fly to dates again around December of this year.

As far as the forthcoming commitments go, you’re planning on moving ahead?

I will play the Quiet Riot Whisky A Go Go date this Saturday, October 26, and I plan to resume playing all Quiet Riot dates for 2020.

You’re playing in support of a new album but you’ve had a change of singer — Jizzy’s back — does that make the process, rehearsals, etc, a little odd?

Actually not at all. I reached out to Jizzy Pearl before looking at any other potential singers because I always thought that Jizzy was a really good fit for Quiet Riot and is a total pro. He welcomed the opportunity to return to Quiet Riot which made me very happy and we replaced our former singer in less than 24 hours.

What can we expect from the Whisky set?

The set will be made up with the majority of the songs from the classic Metal Health release, along with songs from Condition Critical as well as QR III. I traditionally don’t play songs from a new release until after it’s actual release. We will likely add one or two songs from the Hollywood Cowboys record which is being released on November 8 for the 2020 touring cycle. The latest Quiet Riot video for “In The Blood” will premier this Friday, October 25.

What else is coming up?

More Quiet Riot! I already have dates booked for 2020 and I’ve started writing songs as well as recording drum tracks for a future Quiet Riot release. It’s better to do as much as you can while on this side of the ground than doing nothing beneath it!

Quiet Riot plays with The Aviators, Dead Fervor, Captor of Sin, Black Sabbath, Perfect Wig and Power Tribe at 6 p.m. on Saturday, October 26 at the Whisky A Go Go.

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