Frankie Banali states that he owes no explanation for not performing at certain Quiet Riot shows

Frankie Banali states that he owes no explanation for not performing at certain Quiet Riot shows

Putting aside the recent and rather sudden line-up change that Quiet Riot have undergone by replacing singer James Durbin with the returning Jizzy Pearl, one question that many Quiet Riot fans have asked is “Where is Frankie Banali” at some of the band’s concerts.

Banali‘s reported absences from the Quiet Riot line-up seem to have started at the Wildflower Arts & Music Festival in Richardson, Texas, USA on May 17, 2019 when the regular band line-up of Durbin (lead vocals), Alex Grossi (guitar) and Chuck Wright (bass) played alongside replacement drummer Johnny Kelly (Type O Negative, Danzig, Kill Devil Hill). Banali was also reported missing in action again at Heavy Montreal in Montreal, Quebec, Canada on July 27, 2019. Finally, a video from Chris Deutsch for Front Row Concert Photos via Decibel Geek TV of Quiet Riot performing their classic song “Metal Health (Bang Your Head)” at the Buffalo Rose in Golden, Colorado, USA on August 24, 2019 showed Kelly rather than Banali playing for the band.

On September 8, 2019 at around 5:00 pm, Banali announced via one of his Facebook accounts that “The Dark One” — Jizzy Pearl — was returning to Quiet Riot. That led to some interesting comments including from Jeff Essex who stated: “I dig Jizzy, but will Frankie even show up?” This prompted a number of responses including from Pearl and Grossi before Banali chimed in as follows:

“Jeff Essex GIVE IT A REST…. UNLESS YOU KNOW THE FACTS OF THE ENTIRE PICTURE, YOUR COMMENTS ARE WORTHLESS. AND THIS ALSO MEANS THAT I DON’T OWE YOU ANY EXPLANATION. I DON’T TELL YOU HOW TO RUN YOUR LIFE OR BUSINESS, KINDLY DON’T TELL ME HOW TO RUN QUIET RIOT. STAY TUNED……”