Rock drummer Frankie Banali, the only original member remaining in Quiet Riot, shared news Monday that he is battling cancer.
In a statement posted on Facebook, the 67-year-old said he was diagnosed in April with stage four pancreatic cancer.
“The original prognosis was very scary,” said Banali. “I had quite a battle on my hands and it took a lot, but I am thankful to say that after several rounds of chemo and other treatments I am on the mend.
“The road ahead is not going to be easy but cancer has met its match and I plan to continue fighting.”
Banali said the cancer caused him to miss Quiet Riot performances for the first time in nearly four decades. (Danzig’s Johnny Kelly has filled in.) “Please know that if I had been able to fly on a plane and play a show nothing else would have stopped me,” he explained.
Banali, who has also played drums for W.A.S.P., Billy Idol and Steppenwolf, insisted he is currently feeling strong and intends to play a Quiet Riot gig in L.A. on Saturday.
“I appreciate all the fans that support Quiet Riot by coming to shows and I hope you will all continue that support as well as keeping me in your thoughts and prayers,” he said.