Jani Lane, front man of the popular 1980's band Warrant, was found dead in his room at the Comfort Inn hotel in Woodland Hills, California on Thursday, August 11. He was 47.
Born John Kennedy Oswald, in Akron, Ohio, Lane and Warrant rose to fame thanks to the hits "Down Boys," "Sometimes She Cries," and the band's 1989 signature power-balled smash, "Heaven" that reached No.2 on the Billboard charts and went all the way to No.1 on the Rolling Stone charts.
Hits like "Cherry Pie" and "I Saw Red" would follow.
In the thick of the hair metal band craze that ruled the 1980's until the grunge movement of the 90s took over, Warrant packed stadiums all over the world and lived the dream of every kid that ever picked up a guitar or started a band.
Lane, who played guitar, piano and drums, was also far more skilled behind the mic than people realized as he penned the bulk of the band's songs and was clearly the driving creative force behind Warrant.
Sadly, friends, family and fans may never know what the cause of Lane's death was as the initial autopsy test conducted on Friday was deemed inconclusive.
Jani Lane left an enduring body of work that fans will always remember.
R.I.P. Jani.
I haven't always been the biggest Warrant fan in the world, but I've been bummed out since I heard this news.
ReplyDeleteI was just listening to both old and new Warrant on my iPod midweek while doing my exercising. To hear a couple of days later that Lane was gone was a kick in the guts.
Although I really love the new Warrant album, I've had "Heaven" playing in my head all weekend.
Rest in Peace, Jani.
-Jimmy
I was rather shocked by the news.
ReplyDeleteAW shame ... :(
ReplyDeleteI'm not very familiar with the work of this band although I'm sure I'd recognize their big songs if I heard them. What's really sad about this story is that he died in a Comfort Inn. Not horrible, but not the best of places either. I wonder if he was on tour or living there? Either way it seems like that was sinking pretty low for an artist who had a pretty fair measure of success.
ReplyDeleteLee
Tossing It Out
All-sorry it's taken me so long to respond-hectic week.
ReplyDeleteThis was sad, and such a waste.
While the article I read said an autopsy was inconclusive, I also read quotes from other musicians who spoke of a drug problem.
LC