American Idol season 10 alum James Durbin has left heavy metal band Quiet Riot after singing lead with the band for over two years.
James joined the veteran band in March 2017 and made his recorded debut on the band’s Road Rage a few months later. Formed in 1973, Quiet Riot’s biggest hit was “C*m on Feel the Noize” in 1983.
“I’m proud and grateful for my time in Quiet Riot,” James told Billboard. “But I’m really looking forward to releasing a new EP in early 2020 and working on various new projects as well as any new opportunities that come my way.”
Jizzy Pearl will return to the band after a 2013-2016 stint. After the death of co-founding member Kevin DuBrow in 2007, drummer Frankie Banali brought the band back in 2010 with various lead singers.
Band members announced the line-up change statements over the weekend, according to Loudwire. Drummer Frankie Banali posted an announcement on Facebook Sunday (Sept. 8): “THE RETURN OF THE COOL DARK ONE TO QUIET RIOT. LADIES & GENTS WELCOME BACK …. JIZZY PEARL!”
Guitarist Alex Grossi wrote on Facebook: “…The more things change, The more they stay the same – Welcome back to QUIET RIOT KIng JIZZO !!”
Interestingly, these various announcements are pretty vague. And tellingly, the Quiet Riot members don’t thank James or even mention his departure or time spent in the band in their announcements. I wonder if we’ll ever find out what happened?
