Lower the flags and BANG YOUR HEAD

Quiet Riot Lead Singer Kevin Dubrow Dies

Kevin Dubrow, lead singer for the 1980s heavy metal band Quiet Riot that scored a hit with "Cum on Feel the Noize," was found dead in a Las Vegas home. He was 52. The cause was not immediately known.

A neighbor summoned police and paramedics Sunday to the house where he was pronounced dead, police and coroner's officials said.

There was no forced entry, and no suspicious circumstances were reported, police Officer Jose Montoya said Monday.

Quiet Riot was perhaps best known for its 1983 cover of "Cum on Feel the Noize." The song, featuring Dubrow's powerful, gravelly voice, appeared on the band's album "Metal Health" — which was the first by a metal band to reach No. 1 on the Billboard chart.

DuBrow recorded his first solo album in 2004, "In for the Kill," and the band's last studio CD, "Rehab," came out in October 2006.

"I can't even find words to say," Quiet Riot drummer Frank Banali wrote on his Web site. "Please respect my privacy as I mourn the passing and honor the memory of my dearest friend Kevin DuBrow."

Determination of the cause of death was pending an autopsy and toxicology results, Clark County coroner's spokeswoman Samantha Charles said.

Well, fuck. Quiet Riot was one of the good bands, the guys who kept going out of love of the music long after the arena tours and gold records faded into the past. Kevin was just as happy playing clubs as huge festivals as long as it meant he was doing what he loved.

To celebrate Kevin, let's return to the original Heavy Metal Sunday... May 29th, 1983, Glen Helen Regional Park in San Bernardino, California. As you watch, know that somewhere in that crowd of around 375,000 is a 16-year-old gridlore. Metal for LIFE!!

Goodbye, and thank you Kevin.