Dee Snider (TWISTED SISTER), Rudy Sarzo (QUIET RIOT), Charlie Benante (ANTHRAX), Glenn Hughes (DEEP PURPLE), Mike Portnoy (DREAM THEATER, SONS OF APOLLO), Jeff Scott Soto (SONS OF APOLLO), Ron Keel (KEEL) and BULLETBOYS are among the musicians who have reacted to the passing of QUIET RIOT's Frankie Banali. The drummer died last night (Thursday, August 20) after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 68 years old. Frankie was diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer on April 17, 2019 and given six months to live. He put up an inspiringly brave and courageous 16-month battle to the end and continued playing live as long as he could. Standard chemotherapy stopped working and a series of strokes made the continuation on a clinical trial impossible. He ultimately lost the fight at 7:18 p.m. on August 20 in Los Angeles surrounded by his wife and daughter. Frankie is survived by his devoted wife Regina, loving daughter Ashley, many dear friends, dedicated fans, and a menagerie of rescue animals, all of whom are family. He was a longtime advocate for animal rescue, a spokesperson for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, and a sponsor of Children International. Donations in his name are encouraged for Fixnation.org, Aspca.org, Pancan.org, or Children.org. His wish for everyone is that you be your own health advocate for early detection so you may live long and rescue many animals. Funeral plans will be announced at a later date. Banali was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer after going to the emergency room for shortness of breath, leg pain and loss of energy. A scan of his lungs caught an image of his liver, which is where the first spots were seen. Then came the discovery of a tumor on his pancreas. He had been in treatment since the spring of last year and recently completed his 21st round of chemotherapy with the hopes of shrinking or controlling the cancer. Banali resurrected QUIET RIOT in 2010, three years after the death of founding member DuBrow. QUIET RIOT's latest studio album, "Hollywood Cowboys" was released in November via Frontiers Music Srl.
Wow. What a day. So sad to hear about the loss of @FrankieBanali. He fought hard until the end. His playing and rock 'n' roll spirit will live forever. A fellow New Yorker, Frankie was the real deal. RIP my friend. "Take me away from all this death." — Dee Snider (@deesnider) August 21, 2020
Rest in Peace Frankie!!! U know we all loved you brotherman! @FrankieBanali U will be missed by all of us! Our Thoughts & prayers go out to Regina & Ashley Banali BB ????? pic.twitter.com/RAPVAeOZVE
— BulletBoys (@TheBulletBoys) August 21, 2020
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You always hope and pray for the best news yet sometimes you receive the worst. I’m so very sorry to hear about the passing of @fbanali - I saw Frankie play long before any one of us “made it” and I remember thinking to myself how incredible he was and what a groove he had. Then not long afterwards @quietriotband broke and I thought “he deserves it!” No surprise to me at all. He fought a very tough battle and gave his all. May God bless his soul and walk him through the pearly gates. Until we meet again, Godspeed my friend......
RIP Frankie you will be deeply missed! Thanks for the 30+ year friendship! ? #fuckcancer #rockandrolllegend @ Los Angeles, California https://t.co/H1TiP9vixB
— Taime Downe (@fasttaime) August 21, 2020
So saddened to hear of the passing of my drumming brother @FrankieBanali. He fought an incredibly brave battle against Cancer and his strength and dignity was truly inspiring...Rest In Peace my friend ? #RIPFrankieBanali pic.twitter.com/pTXPuqgScG
— Mike Portnoy ? (@mikeportnoy) August 21, 2020
With a VERY heavy heart I share one of the best humans has left us today, my dear friend and @QUIETRIOT drummer, @FrankieBanali! I'd known him since 1986, he was always the greatest person 1 could wish to befriend! Suffer no more FB, see you on the other side! #cancersucks pic.twitter.com/PBBFnnnmI3
— Jeff Scott Soto (@jeffscottsoto) August 21, 2020
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So very very sad that my brother Frankie Banali passed away last night ? Words cannot Express how I feel at this very moment. I met Frankie in 1981, when @pat_thrall and myself were preparing to make the Hughes/ Thrall album . We needed a drummer. Trust me, we got way more than a Drummer . He was always first to arrive at the rehearsal studio in Burbank, and first to arrive at United Western Studios, Hollywood, where we were making the record. Our relationship thrived throughout the years. There was no one more honorable, loyal , courageous , & committed to both music and friendships, than Frankie . He was always there for me , through it all , and never wavered . Gabi and I send all our love & prayers to Regina and Ashley Banali . Picture: Pat , Frankie & I in Burbank California , Summer 1981. Please share the love for Frankie, he is #PURELOVE ???
Frankie Banali passed away. ?You fought such a courageous battle. God bless you and have a safe journey to the next level. #CancerSucks #FuckCancer #FrankieBanali #RipFrankieBanali
— Marten Andersson bass player (@anderssonmarten) August 21, 2020
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Rest In Peace Frankie… The great gig in the sky just got a hell of a lot louder. No matter what, you always played with the intensity as if it would be your last. I can hear the sound of your signature laugh as I write this. I’ll never forget that. My thoughts and prayers are with Regina, Ashley, Alex & Chuck. Fly on Thunderbird…
I just heard that my friend, brother and fellow musician, Quiet Riot drummer Frankie Banali passed away. I share many wonderful memories with Frankie and will always remember him with a smile. Safe travels my brother. Love you ? pic.twitter.com/xd4sejn41E
— Tony Franklin (@FretlessMonster) August 21, 2020
Very very sad to hear this RIP @FrankieBanali https://t.co/VtdxCkyYFm
— Charlie Benante (@skisum) August 21, 2020
Very sad to hear this. RIP Frankie Banali. A man I was fortunate enough to share the stage with a few times. What a loss #ripfrankiebanali pic.twitter.com/SpaACmj1rT
— Todd Dammit Kerns (@todddammitkerns) August 21, 2020
https://t.co/R7YRTzorRE - I am proud to have known @FrankieBanali , to have shared good times and music. The #AmbassadorOfGroove has a new gig now, we will miss you Frankie. (graphic is from Frankie's recent appearance on SoRnR) pic.twitter.com/XuNSnMXQsE
— Ron Keel (@ronkeel) August 21, 2020
My hero, mentor, @QUIETRIOT brother @FrankieBanali is now resting in peace and pain free. I will post a follow up in days to come as try to process this unmeasurable loss. https://t.co/E1dqzJH5ln
— Rudy Sarzo (@rudysarzo) August 21, 2020
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I don’t know what to say. I loved this man. He along with Rudy and Kevin who are not only I always felt or feel comfortable with and consider to be people I really trust but they are also my heroes and I admire their accomplishments and their human skills . This is a bad day for rock n roll music and the world. I played music with all three of these guys but never all at the same time. He fought cancer like the warrior he will always be remembered for being. I can only imagine what his family and closest friends are going through today and I wish them extra strength to deal with this tremendous grief . Fly High Frankie. ???
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Wow. What a day. So sad to hear about the loss of @FrankieBanali. He fought hard until the end. His playing and rock 'n' roll spirit will live forever. A fellow New Yorker, Frankie was the real deal. RIP my friend. "Take me away from all this death." — Dee Snider (@deesnider) August 21, 2020
Rest in Peace Frankie!!! U know we all loved you brotherman! @FrankieBanali U will be missed by all of us! Our Thoughts & prayers go out to Regina & Ashley Banali BB ????? pic.twitter.com/RAPVAeOZVE
— BulletBoys (@TheBulletBoys) August 21, 2020
View this post on Instagram
You always hope and pray for the best news yet sometimes you receive the worst. I’m so very sorry to hear about the passing of @fbanali - I saw Frankie play long before any one of us “made it” and I remember thinking to myself how incredible he was and what a groove he had. Then not long afterwards @quietriotband broke and I thought “he deserves it!” No surprise to me at all. He fought a very tough battle and gave his all. May God bless his soul and walk him through the pearly gates. Until we meet again, Godspeed my friend......
A post shared by Michael Sweet (@michaelsweetstryper) on Aug 21, 2020 at 11:51am PDT
RIP Frankie you will be deeply missed! Thanks for the 30+ year friendship! ? #fuckcancer #rockandrolllegend @ Los Angeles, California https://t.co/H1TiP9vixB
— Taime Downe (@fasttaime) August 21, 2020
So saddened to hear of the passing of my drumming brother @FrankieBanali. He fought an incredibly brave battle against Cancer and his strength and dignity was truly inspiring...Rest In Peace my friend ? #RIPFrankieBanali pic.twitter.com/pTXPuqgScG
— Mike Portnoy ? (@mikeportnoy) August 21, 2020
With a VERY heavy heart I share one of the best humans has left us today, my dear friend and @QUIETRIOT drummer, @FrankieBanali! I'd known him since 1986, he was always the greatest person 1 could wish to befriend! Suffer no more FB, see you on the other side! #cancersucks pic.twitter.com/PBBFnnnmI3
— Jeff Scott Soto (@jeffscottsoto) August 21, 2020
View this post on Instagram
So very very sad that my brother Frankie Banali passed away last night ? Words cannot Express how I feel at this very moment. I met Frankie in 1981, when @pat_thrall and myself were preparing to make the Hughes/ Thrall album . We needed a drummer. Trust me, we got way more than a Drummer . He was always first to arrive at the rehearsal studio in Burbank, and first to arrive at United Western Studios, Hollywood, where we were making the record. Our relationship thrived throughout the years. There was no one more honorable, loyal , courageous , & committed to both music and friendships, than Frankie . He was always there for me , through it all , and never wavered . Gabi and I send all our love & prayers to Regina and Ashley Banali . Picture: Pat , Frankie & I in Burbank California , Summer 1981. Please share the love for Frankie, he is #PURELOVE ???
A post shared by Glenn Hughes (@glennhughesonline) on Aug 21, 2020 at 11:33am PDT
Frankie Banali passed away. ?You fought such a courageous battle. God bless you and have a safe journey to the next level. #CancerSucks #FuckCancer #FrankieBanali #RipFrankieBanali
— Marten Andersson bass player (@anderssonmarten) August 21, 2020
View this post on Instagram
Rest In Peace Frankie… The great gig in the sky just got a hell of a lot louder. No matter what, you always played with the intensity as if it would be your last. I can hear the sound of your signature laugh as I write this. I’ll never forget that. My thoughts and prayers are with Regina, Ashley, Alex & Chuck. Fly on Thunderbird…
A post shared by ????? ?????? (@jamesdurbinofficial) on Aug 21, 2020 at 11:40am PDT
I just heard that my friend, brother and fellow musician, Quiet Riot drummer Frankie Banali passed away. I share many wonderful memories with Frankie and will always remember him with a smile. Safe travels my brother. Love you ? pic.twitter.com/xd4sejn41E
— Tony Franklin (@FretlessMonster) August 21, 2020
Very very sad to hear this RIP @FrankieBanali https://t.co/VtdxCkyYFm
— Charlie Benante (@skisum) August 21, 2020
Very sad to hear this. RIP Frankie Banali. A man I was fortunate enough to share the stage with a few times. What a loss #ripfrankiebanali pic.twitter.com/SpaACmj1rT
— Todd Dammit Kerns (@todddammitkerns) August 21, 2020
https://t.co/R7YRTzorRE - I am proud to have known @FrankieBanali , to have shared good times and music. The #AmbassadorOfGroove has a new gig now, we will miss you Frankie. (graphic is from Frankie's recent appearance on SoRnR) pic.twitter.com/XuNSnMXQsE
— Ron Keel (@ronkeel) August 21, 2020
My hero, mentor, @QUIETRIOT brother @FrankieBanali is now resting in peace and pain free. I will post a follow up in days to come as try to process this unmeasurable loss. https://t.co/E1dqzJH5ln
— Rudy Sarzo (@rudysarzo) August 21, 2020
View this post on Instagram
I don’t know what to say. I loved this man. He along with Rudy and Kevin who are not only I always felt or feel comfortable with and consider to be people I really trust but they are also my heroes and I admire their accomplishments and their human skills . This is a bad day for rock n roll music and the world. I played music with all three of these guys but never all at the same time. He fought cancer like the warrior he will always be remembered for being. I can only imagine what his family and closest friends are going through today and I wish them extra strength to deal with this tremendous grief . Fly High Frankie. ???
A post shared by ⨁ Tracii Luk Guns (@traciiguns) on Aug 21, 2020 at 11:21am PDT
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