Quiet Riot singer found dead in Las Vegas

By Dan Whitcomb

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Kevin DuBrow, lead singer of the popular 1980s U.S. heavy metal band Quiet Riot, has been found dead from unknown causes at his home in Las Vegas, authorities said on Monday.

The body of DuBrow, 52, was discovered on Sunday afternoon, a spokeswoman for the Clark County Coroner's Office said. An autopsy conducted on Monday was inconclusive and more forensic tests were scheduled to establish a cause of death, she said.

Police confirmed DuBrow's body was found at his home after they were summoned by friends and neighbors who could not find the rocker.

A Las Vegas police spokeswoman declined to say whether there were signs of foul play or violence.

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

Founded in Los Angeles in the mid-1970s, Quiet Riot shot to the top of the Billboard charts with their 1983 album "Metal Health."

It sold more than 6 million copies and is considered by many to be the first heavy metal record to top the pop charts.

The album's sales were spurred by the quartet's monster hit, "Cum on Feel the Noize," featuring DuBrow's powerhouse vocals, and the song's video, which was played in heavy rotation on MTV.

Quiet Riot's subsequent albums did not sell nearly as well and DuBrow was essentially fired from the band amid the ensuing rancor.

DuBrow regrouped Quiet Riot in the 1990s and the band has played sporadically, last releasing an album in October 2006.

(Editing by Xavier Briand)