Quiet Riot’s Frankie Banali diagnosed with pancreatic cancer

Frankie Banali
Quiet Riot's Frankie Banali (Image credit: CJ Rivera - Getty)

Quiet Riot’s Frankie Banali reports he’s been diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer.

The drummer has issued a statement through music journalist and broadcaster Mitch Lafon to explain why he’s missed some of the band’s live shows this year.

Banali says: “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 17, I have been battling stage four pancreatic cancer.

“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 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.

“I intend to play the Quiet Riot concert at the Whiskey A Go Go on October 26 and to continue touring in 2020 with Quiet Riot, so I hope to see you there. 

“I appreciate all the fans that support Quiet Riot by coming to shows and I hope you will all continue that support as well as keeping me in your thoughts and prayers.”

Banali reformed Quiet Riot in 2010 – a move which came after the death in 2007 of frontman Kevin DuBrow.

The band went on to release 10 in 2014, Road Rage in 2017 and will launch Hollywood Cowboys on November 8 through Frontiers Music srl 

The current lineup features Banali, Chuck Wright, Alex Grossi and Jizzy Pearl.

Scott Munro
Louder e-commerce editor

Scott has spent more than 30 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in the summer of 2014 before moving to the e-commerce team in 2020. Scott maintains Louder’s buyer’s guides, scouts out the best deals for music fans and reviews headphones, speakers, books and more. He's written more than 11,000 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog and has previous written for publications including IGN, the Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from daily news and weekly features, to video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, Marillion and Rush.