

Last Update: August 21st 2020

FRANKIE BANALI: November 1951 - August 2020 Frankie Banali and the fight that he has endured with cancer for well over a year now, that has taken its toll physically, emotionally and spiritually is now finished. My friend is gone.



I met him July 17th 1975. It was my first night in Hollywood. I was scared to death and had no idea of what waited for me in this "Dream Factory" that promised so much, but at the same time had a reputation that proceeded itself of being astonishingly cruel to its naïve dreamers. He was outside leaning up against the wall at the Roxy on the Strip. Arthur Kane had met him on the last N.Y. Dolls trip to L.A. and he introduced me to him. I remember thinking, "I dont even care if this guy can play. This guy's an absolute Rock Star and nobody knows it yet". I wanted to be in a band with him BAD!



Over the years, our lives crossed paths in many ways both personally and professionally, and I would go see the bands he was playing in, and he stuck out in all of them. His talent separated him from everyone else he was on stage with.



One night in 1979 I ran into him at a burger joint and played him a demo of the songs I had just completed. We sat in my car and listened, and it was at that moment we started to really develop a friendship that would last us all of our lives. Those songs we listened to that night in my car would later become the foundation that both he and I would build from the ground up 11 years later. The record would be called "The Crimson Idol".



Over the years, we got to know each other well. His love for music and its history would lead us into countless hours of romancing the music and the bands we idolized. One of the things that impressed me was how much detail he knew about other instruments. Little things that usually only players who use those instruments, Frankie could discuss with them, and it would always get those players attention that a drummer could have that kind of detailed knowledge. But he was not your average drummer. Hed prove that over and over again to all he touched with his musical greatness.



Us being kids from New York, we naturally had a love for baseball. During the '89 Headless Tour on days off we'd go to every Major League Ball Park we could. One day we were in Cincinnati and the Reds were in town. We had a show that night, but we thought we could catch the first half of the game and then get down to the venue. Well, the game was getting really good, and we knew we were supposed to get going, or we'd be late for the show. We were sitting there talking, and he said: All those people are in the venue all excited and thinking, "oh man, the Band is backstage getting ready to come out and it's gonna be insane!". But there we were, sitting in a ball park watching the game, eating peanuts and laughing, and having a good ole time. Finally, we knew we were in trouble, so we got our butts up and made it to the show, and we were about a half hour late getting on stage. Id turn around during the show and look up at him, and wed both break out laughing, like a couple of little kids that were skipping school. It was one of those moments that only the two of you will ever know.



We had some insanely fun times together and I will truly miss that. He could make me laugh more than almost anybody. He was one of those guys that was genuinely funny. Seriously, Frankie could make a dog laugh. I could go on and on but those stories will be mine and mine alone, and for that, I am selfishly unashamed.



But we experienced heartache together as well. Years ago he and I sat alone in a room having the wake for his mother. I hurt so badly for him and I couldnt take the pain away from him. Its those kinds of moments that make you "tight".



As Christians, we're told to "not let the left hand know what the right hand is doing", meaning, whatever good works you do in this world, dont do it for the acknowledgment of men so the world will praise you. Over the years he supported many orphaned children in different countries and saw those children through to adulthood. From time to time he would show me pictures of these children children he would never be able to meet. He never spoke publicly about it. Thats who Frankie Banali was.



I want to take a moment, to put into perspective, the contributions that this man has made to the Rock genre that we all now take for granted. Unashamedly called Heavy Metal!



For better or for worse, the entertainment industry attempts to emulate its own successes.



Rarely will any Movie, Television or Record Company venture into uncharted territories for fear of failure. In 1983 when Quiet Riot released the ground breaking Album Metal Health, the music business as we know it changed. There is no way I can over exaggerate this fact. That album gave birth to an entire movement, that later myself and many others would benefit from.



Metal Health would go on to sell over an astounding 10 million copies in the U.S. and much more worldwide. This had never been done before by any so called Hard Rock or Heavy Metal band in the history of the music business. It blew the doors off all the conventional thinking of what a Rock band was capable of doing. Every Rock band, and I mean EVERY Rock band that came after Quiet Riot owes a debt to them that can never be repaid. Without that band, the genre we know and love today simply would not exist in the way it does now. It created a domino effect that showed MTV, all record companies, live music promoters, booking agents and every other fledgling, up and coming Rock group that this music would not only not go away, but to the contrary, was becoming massive!



For myself, theres no way I can exaggerate the importance of his talent on my career. Of the many, many records we made together, the thing that was the most memorable to me was watching him find a way to interpret my vision of the things I was hearing. As a musician he was far superior to myself and he knew it, but what made our collaboration work was his respect for the songs. Because it was only the two of us in the studio I would use him as the lead instrument. I would push him to carry the arrangements in a way that is usually reserved for only lead vocals or lead guitars. It was remarkable to watch his mind work. Id throw ideas at him and then watch him run them through this extraordinary drumming filter.



It is impossible to sum up the totality of a man's life in only a few words. The only thing we really have in this world is what we leave behind. It was the great educator Horace Mann that said, Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity. Frankie Banali has nothing to be ashamed for. He was a huge part of that band that won that victory for the music we all love.



My friend is gone.



But in every heart theres a Truth that beats.



He was a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ.So I have the assurance that I will see him again one day.



A few days ago the last thing I wrote to him was: "A while back, you and I did a song called "Hold On To My Heart", hold on to mine Ill hold on to yours". He replied: "Love You Brother". Frankie Banali and the fight that he has endured with cancer for well over a year now, that has taken its toll physically, emotionally and spiritually is now finished. My friend is gone.I met him July 17th 1975. It was my first night in Hollywood. I was scared to death and had no idea of what waited for me in this "Dream Factory" that promised so much, but at the same time had a reputation that proceeded itself of being astonishingly cruel to its naïve dreamers. He was outside leaning up against the wall at the Roxy on the Strip. Arthur Kane had met him on the last N.Y. Dolls trip to L.A. and he introduced me to him. I remember thinking, "I dont even care if this guy can play. This guy's an absolute Rock Star and nobody knows it yet". I wanted to be in a band with him BAD!Over the years, our lives crossed paths in many ways both personally and professionally, and I would go see the bands he was playing in, and he stuck out in all of them. His talent separated him from everyone else he was on stage with.One night in 1979 I ran into him at a burger joint and played him a demo of the songs I had just completed. We sat in my car and listened, and it was at that moment we started to really develop a friendship that would last us all of our lives. Those songs we listened to that night in my car would later become the foundation that both he and I would build from the ground up 11 years later. The record would be called "The Crimson Idol".Over the years, we got to know each other well. His love for music and its history would lead us into countless hours of romancing the music and the bands we idolized. One of the things that impressed me was how much detail he knew about other instruments. Little things that usually only players who use those instruments, Frankie could discuss with them, and it would always get those players attention that a drummer could have that kind of detailed knowledge. But he was not your average drummer. Hed prove that over and over again to all he touched with his musical greatness.Us being kids from New York, we naturally had a love for baseball. During the '89 Headless Tour on days off we'd go to every Major League Ball Park we could. One day we were in Cincinnati and the Reds were in town. We had a show that night, but we thought we could catch the first half of the game and then get down to the venue. Well, the game was getting really good, and we knew we were supposed to get going, or we'd be late for the show. We were sitting there talking, and he said: All those people are in the venue all excited and thinking, "oh man, the Band is backstage getting ready to come out and it's gonna be insane!". But there we were, sitting in a ball park watching the game, eating peanuts and laughing, and having a good ole time. Finally, we knew we were in trouble, so we got our butts up and made it to the show, and we were about a half hour late getting on stage. Id turn around during the show and look up at him, and wed both break out laughing, like a couple of little kids that were skipping school. It was one of those moments that only the two of you will ever know.We had some insanely fun times together and I will truly miss that. He could make me laugh more than almost anybody. He was one of those guys that was genuinely funny. Seriously, Frankie could make a dog laugh. I could go on and on but those stories will be mine and mine alone, and for that, I am selfishly unashamed.But we experienced heartache together as well. Years ago he and I sat alone in a room having the wake for his mother. I hurt so badly for him and I couldnt take the pain away from him. Its those kinds of moments that make you "tight".As Christians, we're told to "not let the left hand know what the right hand is doing", meaning, whatever good works you do in this world, dont do it for the acknowledgment of men so the world will praise you. Over the years he supported many orphaned children in different countries and saw those children through to adulthood. From time to time he would show me pictures of these children children he would never be able to meet. He never spoke publicly about it. Thats who Frankie Banali was.I want to take a moment, to put into perspective, the contributions that this man has made to the Rock genre that we all now take for granted. Unashamedly called Heavy Metal!For better or for worse, the entertainment industry attempts to emulate its own successes.Rarely will any Movie, Television or Record Company venture into uncharted territories for fear of failure. In 1983 when Quiet Riot released the ground breaking Album Metal Health, the music business as we know it changed. There is no way I can over exaggerate this fact. That album gave birth to an entire movement, that later myself and many others would benefit from.Metal Health would go on to sell over an astounding 10 million copies in the U.S. and much more worldwide. This had never been done before by any so called Hard Rock or Heavy Metal band in the history of the music business. It blew the doors off all the conventional thinking of what a Rock band was capable of doing. Every Rock band, and I mean EVERY Rock band that came after Quiet Riot owes a debt to them that can never be repaid. Without that band, the genre we know and love today simply would not exist in the way it does now. It created a domino effect that showed MTV, all record companies, live music promoters, booking agents and every other fledgling, up and coming Rock group that this music would not only not go away, but to the contrary, was becoming massive!For myself, theres no way I can exaggerate the importance of his talent on my career. Of the many, many records we made together, the thing that was the most memorable to me was watching him find a way to interpret my vision of the things I was hearing. As a musician he was far superior to myself and he knew it, but what made our collaboration work was his respect for the songs. Because it was only the two of us in the studio I would use him as the lead instrument. I would push him to carry the arrangements in a way that is usually reserved for only lead vocals or lead guitars. It was remarkable to watch his mind work. Id throw ideas at him and then watch him run them through this extraordinary drumming filter.It is impossible to sum up the totality of a man's life in only a few words. The only thing we really have in this world is what we leave behind. It was the great educator Horace Mann that said, Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity. Frankie Banali has nothing to be ashamed for. He was a huge part of that band that won that victory for the music we all love.My friend is gone.But in every heart theres a Truth that beats.He was a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ.So I have the assurance that I will see him again one day.A few days ago the last thing I wrote to him was: "A while back, you and I did a song called "Hold On To My Heart", hold on to mine Ill hold on to yours". He replied: "Love You Brother". Godspeed Frankie Banali . My Friend



Blackie Lawless





Due to the Worldwide Covid-19 Pandemic, W.A.S.P. has been forced to cancel their "1984 to Headless" Tour. Because of the complexity and scheduling of future touring plans, the "1984 to Headless" Tour will not be able to be performed at this time. Although we are saddened to have to miss this tour, we would hope to look at doing that Special Tour at some point in the future. In the coming weeks we will make a Special Announcement as to those future plans. In the coming weeks we will make a Special Announcement as to those future plans. For ticket refunds, please contact the original point of purchase locations for a complete refund. This is certainly not the way we would have wanted this Tour to end. There was a tremendous amount of work and preparation that went into the planing for this Tour. But the Band are still hard at work in what will be a coming period of memorable events including recording, a book and touring. This is certainly not the way we would have wanted this Tour to end. There was a tremendous amount of work and preparation that went into the planing for this Tour. But the Band are still hard at work in what will be a coming period of memorable events including recording, a book and touring. Trust us, the wait WILL BE WORTH IT! The next couple of years are going to be INTENSE!! The next couple of years are going to be INTENSE!!





JOIN THE ROADCREW for our inaugural VIRTUAL RIDE at Heavy Metal Truants VIII: THE EIGHTH OF SPADES You may have seen Download Festival are planning a virtual weekend, so we're planning a virtual ride! Join the road crew and virtually cycle the distance from London to Donington in the name of four awesome kids charities! Childline , Nordoff Robbins, Teenage Cancer Trust and Save the Children UK This event is open to all and you can join using actual bikes, smart trainers, or simple exercise bikes. (NB: you must do so within your local government guidelines for outdoor exercise!) Find out more and sign up at https://heavymetaltruants.com/

RSVP to keep up to date here https://www.facebook.com/events/259856642063445/ Donate to our cyclists https://heavymetaltruants.com/donate #heavymetaltruants #teenagecancertrust #childline #nordoffrobbins #savethechildren #fundraiser #charity #fundraising #donate #donation #support #help #change #event #fitness#hmt8

W.A.S.P. is happy to announce their exclusive performances at ForceFest Festival in Mexico City on December 1st 2019,

KnotFest Festival in Bogota, Colombia on December 6th 2019, and Dark Dimensions Metal Fest in Sao Paulo, Brazil on December 8th 2019 For tickets, go to our Tour Date Page:





W.A.S.P.’s "Re-Idolized" Officially Released TODAY!

Click here to view the new Chainsaw Charlie Video Premier: This photo was taken just before the last song in the last show.

It captures the sentiment that was felt by fans everywhere.

And for making it one of our most sucessful tours ever, we say: THANK YOU !!! THANK YOU !!! THANK YOU !!! The recording of the new album "Re-Idolized" and the accompanying film for "The Crimson Idol" has developed unexpected delays. This will make it necessary for W.A.S.P. to withdraw from the 4 upcoming Festivals that were scheduled for this Summer. This was essential for the band to complete the album and film, to make the scheduled release in September, and the ensuing Tour in the fall.







W.A.S.P. - "Re-Idolized: The 25th Anniversary of The Crimson Idol"

The previously unreleased Film & Soundtrack united after 25 years!

(Read Below) Check out the first official trailer for W.A.S.P.'s upcoming 25th anniversary release "RE-IDOLIZED" HERE! In 1992 W.A.S.P. released "The Crimson Idol". It's the story of Jonathan Aaron Steele, an abused child looking for love. Discovering music years later, he rises to international superstardom. Later followed by a catastrophic fall. 2017 marks the 25th anniversary of the original release, which is still considered to be the best album of W.A.S.P.'s career, and one of the greatest concept albums of all times! "The Crimson Idol" undoubtedly belongs in every metal head’s record collection.The album about the anti-hero Jonathan Steele was originally intended to be accompanied by a movie, with several hundred hours of film that were shot to createapproximately 50 minutes of movie footage. This film has never been released - Until now! Napalm Records proudly announces "RE-IDOLZED", the 25th anniversary of the iconic hit album plus the original "The Crimson Idol" movie on DVD and Blu-ray! For the first time EVER as originally intended, released in one product! "RE-IDOLIZED" will be available on Blu-ray, DVD, CD, and vinyl later this year! RE-IDOLIZED

25th Anniversary of "The Crimson Idol"



2017 marks 25 years from the original release of the acclaimed album "The Crimson Idol" by W.A.S.P. Recognized worldwide as the band's landmark recording, W.A.S.P. will commemorate the release of that historic album by performingit in its entirety: "Re-Idolized: The 25th Anniversary of the Crimson Idol" World Tour.



The tour will feature the complete album, as well as 3 missing songs originally intended to be part of the recordings. The show will be done in two parts, with the first being "The Crimson Idol", and part two being a collection of greates hits. News * Tour Dates * Biography * Discography * Archives* Fans Follow us on Like us on



The Making of "GOLGOTHA". Click here to read... Visit the Official W.A.S.P. Store!!!





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For Show and Festival Bookings Contact: Rockworx Inc. Management

RockworxInc@aol.com



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