Metal Reigns Supreme!
Celebrating the album “Metal Health” by Quiet Riot…
This breakthrough album reached the top of the Billboard 200 chart for the week of November 26, 1983.
This is the cover art for Metal Health. The cover art copyright is believed to belong to the record label or the graphic artist(s).
“Metal Health” was the first Heavy Metal album to reach number one on the Billboard 200 chart.
It replaced the Police’s “Synchronicity” at number one. The album was released on March 11 of that year and took 32 weeks to reach the top of the charts. Metal Health, along with Motley Crue’s “Shout At The Devil” and “Bark At The Moon” by Ozzy Osbourne, blared from our radios and tape decks during the latter part of ‘83.
Well, I'm an axe grinder
Piledriver
Mama says that I never, never mind her
Got no brains
I'm insane
The teacher says that I'm one big pain
I'm like a laser
Six-string razor
I got a mouth like an alligator
I want it louder
More power
I'm gonna rock it till it strikes the hour
Lyrics from “Bang Your Head (Metal Health)” by Quiet Riot
Due to its commercial success, Metal Health is regarded by some as the catalyst that opened the door for hair metal’s immense popularity throughout the next several years. The album went on to sell more than ten million copies worldwide.
Source: Wikipedia.org
Metal Health and the resurrection of Quiet Riot
Formed in 1973 by guitarist Randy Rhoads and bassist Kelly Garni, Quiet Riot became one of the more successful hard rock acts in Los Angeles in the mid-to-late 1970s. The original lineup featured Rhoads and Garni with lead vocalist Kevin DuBrow and drummer Drew Forsyth. Rhoads became the focal point of the band, both musically and visually. The "polka-dot theme" he incorporated onstage became Quiet Riot's visual signature during their time on the L.A. club circuit, with many fans showing up at the band's shows wearing polka-dot bow-ties and vests in emulation of what the guitarist wore on stage. Due to their contract with Sony, Quiet Riot's first two albums were released only in Japan, albums that to this day have never been released in the United States.
As their second album was being recorded, the relationship between Garni and DuBrow finally reached its breaking point. After robbing a bar the previous night and stealing liquor, a drunken Garni unsuccessfully attempted to convince Rhoads to replace the vocalist. Garni drunkenly fired a handgun through the ceiling and a fistfight between him and Rhoads ensued. Garni then hatched a plan to drive across town to the Record Plant and kill DuBrow, who was there recording vocals for Quiet Riot II. Garni was arrested for drunk driving before he reached the studio, and the plan to kill his bandmate waned after he sobered up. Nonetheless, Garni's time in Quiet Riot came to a swift end. He was replaced by bassist Rudy Sarzo.
Rhoads performing with Quiet Riot circa 1979. Photo Credit: Unknown; Source: guitarplayer.com
By 1979, Rhoads began to tire of the turmoil within Quiet Riot as well as their failure to sign a U.S. recording deal. Late that year he auditioned for and ultimately joined Ozzy Osbourne's new band. Rudy Sarzo followed soon after. Quiet Riot ended with the departure of Rhoads and Sarzo. However, the band was later resurrected by DuBrow and began to work on a new album. Quiet Riot parted ways with bassist Chuck Wright early in the recording process, and replacement Gary Van Dyke was not working out. Vocalist Kevin DuBrow asked former bassist Rudy Sarzo to take part in the recording of "Thunderbird", written as a tribute to the band's founder Randy Rhoads, who died in a 1982 plane crash. While DuBrow began writing the song while Rhoads was still alive, it wasn't completed until after the guitarist's death. The partnership was quite fruitful and Sarzo ended up recording several songs with the band, and he ultimately left his spot with Ozzy Osbourne to re-join Quiet Riot as a permanent member.
Coming so soon after Rhoads' death, there was some question over the appropriateness of the new band using the “Quiet Riot” name. Rhoads' mother Delores encouraged the band, and in the end it was decided that "although Randy wouldn't be in it, the original spirit of the band was back," according to Sarzo.
In support of the album, Quiet Riot toured North America as the opening act for ZZ Top on their Eliminator Tour for selected dates in June, July, and September 1983 and opened for Black Sabbath on their Born Again tour in the U.S. They also managed to secure a spot on the 1983 US Festival alongside established acts such as Ozzy Osbourne and Judas Priest. Prior to Quiet Riot's US Festival performance, Rudy Sarzo was punched in the face backstage by a drunken Osbourne, still bitter over the bassist leaving him to rejoin Quiet Riot several months prior.
Source: Wikipedia.org
Quiet Riot’s lineup in ‘83 (L to R: Sarzo, Cavazo, DuBrow, Banali)
As a guitarist, I am sonically drawn to Carlos Cavazo’s solo “Battle Axe”. Carlos’ playing, tone, and the piece itself, were reminiscent of the late, legendary Randy Rhoads, especially his use of the toggle switch and the chunky, overdriven arpeggiated chords that begin at around the 53-second mark. Like Randy, Carlos even used a Jackson “Flying V” model guitar when he played the riff in a 1984 “Star Licks” instructional video.
Along with the late Eddie Van Halen and the legendary Steve Vai, Randy Rhoads will always be part of my “guitar virtuoso triumvirate”; a primary influence.
“Next up was the main riff to “Iron Man” by Black Sabbath (although at the time, I was listening to the Randy Rhoads’ version from the “Tribute” album by Ozzy Osbourne). It was happening...”
- Woodard, Anthony. “For Those About to Rock…”. Feb. 16, 2023
Unfortunately, Kevin DuBrow passed away in November 2007. I was fortunate to see Quiet Riot in concert a couple of months before his passing, as they once again joined ZZ Top to celebrate the 33rd birthday of one of our city’s all-time greatest radio stations, KY-102 (KYYS). Sadly, drummer Frankie Banali died in August of 2020, following a battle with pancreatic cancer. His widow Regina wrote, “He put up an inspiringly brave and courageous 16-month battle to the end and continued playing live as long as he could. He lived for playing live and performed for millions of fans around the world throughout his career. His wish for everyone is that you be your own health advocate for early detection so you may live long and rescue many animals.” Requiescat in pace (Rest in peace).
Warranty Disclaimer
This Site (becomingarockstar.net and its author/contributors; together “Site”) does not warrant, endorse, guarantee, or assume responsibility for any product or service advertised or offered by a third party through this Site, including the YouTube, LLC, or any hyperlinked website or service. This Site is not affiliated with YouTube, LLC.
Limitation of Liability
You expressly understand and agree that this Site shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or exemplary damages, including but not limited to, damages for loss of profits, goodwill, use, data or other intangible losses (even if this Site has been advised of the possibility of such damages), resulting from: (i) the use or the inability to use this Site or any hyperlinked website or service; (ii) the cost of procurement of substitute goods and services resulting from any goods, data, information or services purchased or obtained or messages received or transactions entered into through or from this Site or any hyperlinked website or service; (iii) unauthorized access to or alteration of your transmissions or data; (iv) statements or conduct of any third party on this Site or any hyperlinked website or service; or (v) any other matter relating to this Site or any hyperlinked website or service.