More Details Emerge Regarding Mysterious Death of Quiet Riot Singer

Former Quiet Riot bassist and Las Vegas photographer Kelli Garni has revealed the circumstances surrounding the death of Quiet Riot lead singer Kevin DuBrow, however a cause of death remains undisclosed. According to Garni's lengthy statement, police at the crime scene "found no signs of foul play and are ruling this an accidental death." Police also believe that DuBrow was dead for roughly six days before being discovered.

Garni said that last Sunday, he was alerted by authorities that DuBrow's home in Vegas had been broken into. While frantically trying to reach DuBrow, Garni discovered that his friend's voicemail was full. Garni then contacted QR drummer Frankie Banali, who also couldn't reach the singer. The pair reached out to DuBrow's two girlfriends, as he had made separate Thanksgiving plans with both women. Girlfriend #2 became concerned when DuBrow didn't show, and tried in vain to get in touch with him. Girlfriend #1, Lark Williams, also became worried, and asked a paramedic friend who lived near DuBrow to check in on the singer. The paramedic peeked through the windows and saw DuBrow's keys on a counter, broke into the building and discovered DuBrow's body in his own bed. A coroner still hasn't determined cause of death, which may hold up plans to bury DuBrow in Corona del Mar, California, this Sunday next to the grave of his father.

In the statement, Garni said, "To me, Kevin was my brother for thirty-five years. And like brothers, we had our differences. But many many times over dinner, we discussed how great it was to be able to sit across from each and laugh about all the terrible things we said and did to each other. He was always there for me, and I was always there for him." Garni's replacement in Quiet Riot, Rudy Sarzo, who left QR to join Ozzy Osbourne's band, told Billboard, "Kevin always enjoyed life -- he enjoyed partying and everything that rock'n'roll brought. He had the scream that kicked open the door for the generation of early-Eighties metal. I've been getting a lot of condolences, and everybody has one thing in common -- the influence of that Metal Health record. [It] just inspired a whole generation. He was a true rock'n'roll fan." DuBrow was fifty-two.

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Song Stories

“Smells Like Teen Spirit”

Nirvana | 1991

"Smells Like Teen Spirit," named after a brand of deodorant marketed to girls, was Kurt Cobain's attempt to "write the ultimate pop song," he said, using the soft-loud dynamic of his favorite band, the Pixies. Cobain "had that dichotomy of punk rage and alienation," the song’s producer, Butch Vig, told Rolling Stone, "but also this vulnerable pop sensibility. In 'Teen Spirit,' a lot of that vulnerability is in the tone of his voice." Sadly, by the time of Nirvana's last U.S. tour, in late '93, Cobain was tortured by the obligation to play "Teen Spirit" every night. "There are many other songs that I have written that are as good, if not better," he claimed.

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