Another Quiet Riot Singer Change?

When is it time to just put a band to bed? According to a German music website, Quiet Riot has canned singer Seann Nicols. Now Frankie Banali and crew has apparently tapped former American Idol contestant James Durbin. Now, I was a James Durbin fan during his season. He's a rocker and I wrote about him here. But still. I just don't see how he fits with Quiet Riot. But apparently the only thing Banali wants now is a warm, male body.

Quiet Riot will release the upcoming album Road Rage on April 21. The album features vocals by Nicols.

Here's a track from the upcoming new album.

Comments

[Ace Steele]

Having been around Quiet Riot since the early dayz of it being Randy Rhoads, KevinDuBrow, Drew Forsyth & Kelli Garni.. (& later, Rudy Sarzo in Kelli's place) I can't help but agree that it's time to honor the band name, by laying it to rest. If this re-formation was truly "a band" instead of a mealticket for Frankie, they would have stood by Kevin's original replacement, Mark Huff, instead of firing him on the morning he went in for brain surgery. That one act left a truly bad taste in my mouth.

P.S. In terms of honoring Quiet Riot, it's name, and it's original members, on 3/19, the anniversary of the place crash that ended Randy's life, there will be a celebration of his life at his sister's wineroom/enoteca, the D'Argenzio enoteca at 1204 West Burbank Blvd., Burbank, CA 91506 on the evening of March 19th... and, my band, Actress, is one of the acts that has been invited to perform, among others. If you're in the area, come by.

[Him]

Glad to see you celebrating the life of RR, Ace. Kudos to you. Wish I could attend.

And the latest single is an even surer way to tell that whatever magic once existed in QR, the band, has long since been snuffed out.

That said, I do feel a degree of sympathy for people like Banali. Life has walked him into a corner, and he is scratching and clawing to make something out of the increasingly small space he has left in a place that has been "home" to him for a long time. Which isn't to excuse him or his treatment of Huff (a good point, Ace). But Banali played on some great songs (QR, WASP, etc.). So I do owe him a measure of thanks for the memories.

I guess my point is this: he tried to revive a band he never created and failed. It is time to move on to session work or another band. Won't be the same. Then again, it wasn't the same this go around either.

[Kixchix]

Ace. Thanks for being a part in keeping RR's legacy alive. Kids today need it.

As for QR. Wow, I just heard the new song this week. Was prepared to say it was good but production is absolute crap. Does Frankie really think James Durbin is a draw versus the other dude? Can't make this stuff up.

Damn, we miss Kevin so much. This bands '83 incarnation could've kicked ass with Ratt on tour in 2017

[Darktown]

Once a well respected band (One of my Favorites, RIP Kevin, RR) now nothing more than a cruel joke. This needs to be put to sleep and start something anew. It's to the point of being embarrassing AF. Stick a fork in it!!!

[Metalboy!]

Hear, hear, Ace! And I agree with ALL comments, particularly HIM's strategy for Banali to move forward.

But it's obvious a strategy of any kind has long been missing from the handling of QR. Why on earth would you part ways with a singer and replace him right before a new album is released? If it's Banali's doing, it's stupid and if it's Nichols' doing it's stupid. I don't see how either party can get any momentum off the new album from this move.

The only thing that might have worked is to re-record the vocals with Durbin and attempt to create momentum on the road with the synergistic package of a "Hear the band, but the album."

But, something tells me the CDs are already manufactured and inserts printed and no one involved cares or perhaps they realize it doesn't really matter who's on it as the band exists in name only, and is just a vessel solely designed to perpetuate Banali's survival, not a legacy,

As Ace so adroitly noted, it's become nothing more than his mealticket.

[Gary]

Can't belive that Randy will be gone 35 years in a couple weeks. That's one that as a guitarist I never really got over. Him and SRV are probably the only 2 I could honestly say that about. IMO, Randy was the most talented guitarist to come out of the entire era, and that included one EVH. Guy just had so much feel, technical ability and talent it was almost scary. As for Quiet Riot, I get what Banali is doing, but all he's accomplishing now is dragging a legacy through the mud for the sake of a few bucks.

[Shawn]

@Gary You hit the nail on the head with your assessment of Randy. I am a guitar plunker not player but I always feel like when learning another persons music you get an insight to their personality. With that being said Randy had the most tasteful dead on note selection and phrasing as well as his unbelievable rhythms. He was lost way too soon. Even though he was going in a different direction I believe he would have still made more of an impact on music if he were to have lived longer. @Ace I wish I could be there on 3/19 but can't I will be there is spirit. Hope you have a great set!

[Badland]

Nobody cares. Prob have 5 more this year. Cover band

[Ace Steele]

What's going on w/ Quiet Riot really distresses me. I'm torn 2 different ways, because on 1 side, I feel that the name should have remained retired the moment Randy left the band Halloween weekend of 1979. On the other hand, I know from my conversations with Randy the week before the plane crash, that as soon as the Diary tour was over, he planned to leave Ozzy, go to UCLA to further his Classical guitar studies, AND at least rejoin Kevin in recording a proper Quiet Riot record. So, Randy wanted the Quiet Riot legacy to continue...I was ready for it to happen, after being skeptical, when FB reformed with Chuck, Alex, & Mark Huff... THAT version worked... but Mark wasn't given a chance to get better, after developing a brain tumour. Instead, he got fired on his way into brain surgery. Awfully heartless on Frankie's part , if you ask me. I am thrilled & honored that Randy's sister Kathy asked me & Actress to play at his 60th birthday celebration, & the entire Rhoads/D'Argenzio family treated us like stars at that event in December, and am honored to be asked again, to return this March 19th. It is an honor to be asked to perform there, One I do not take lightly. It's also a thrill for us to pull out some of the Quiet Riot obscurities that were Randy's favorite songs, like "Lie Back & Let Me In" and "Anytime You Want Me", and attempt to do them justice. You could totally feel the spirit of Randy , in the room! Here's a video of the old QR song "Any Time You Want Me, I'll Be There" as we performed it in December. I hope you all enjoy it. Don't think it wasn't tough playing these, with Kathy & Kelle Rhoads, and Rudy Sarzo looking on... Talk about pressure to be accurate ! Got the pat on the back from Sarzo as we completed it, so I guess we did OK. :) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pdL5OyFAPc

[Him]

Ace, thanks once again for sharing your thoughts. You give us a view we wouldn't have if not for your generosity of spirit. Very much appreciated.

[Gary]

@ Ace. Cool shit brother (on all fronts) 😎😎👍👍

[dan]

Surprisingly as im typing this this is the top news story on yahoo

[Him]

Sad fact is, Dan, it is a top story because of Durbin, not Quiet Riot. That speaks to the larger problem already discussed above.