Frankie Banali, the longtime drummer of '80s pop-metal outfit Quiet Riot, has revealed that he's battling stage four pancreatic cancer.
"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," Banali shared on Mitch LaFon's Facebook page.
"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," Banali shared. "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."
With Quiet Riot scheduled to perform in Los Angeles in the upcoming week, the drummer told fans to expect to see him there back behind the drum kit:
"I intend to play the Quiet Riot concert at the Whiskey A Go Go on Saturday October 26th and to continue touring in 2020 with Quiet Riot, so I hope to see you there," he wrote. "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. Peace and Love, Frankie Banali."
While Banali is not the original drummer for Quiet Riot--that was Drew Forsyth--it was with Banali in the lineup that the band experienced their most successful era. Specifically, the 1983 release of Metal Health, which forever holds the distinction of being the first heavy metal album to hit #1 on the Billboard charts. Featuring the title cut and the band's biggest hit, a cover of Slade's "Cum On Feel the Noize," the album has sold more than ten million copies worldwide.
Legendary Deep Purple singer Glenn Hughes has taken to social media to share his well wishes to the Quiet Riot drummer.
All love and prayers for my dear brother @frankiebanali... Gab and I love you , and are here for you ... pic.twitter.com/0oJBDBkXQl
— Glenn Hughes (@glenn_hughes) October 21, 2019
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