Kevin DuBrow

Kevin Mark DuBrow (October 29, 1955 – c. November 19, 2007) was an American singer, best known as the lead vocalist of the heavy metal band Quiet Riot from 1975 until 1987, and again from 1993 until his death in 2007.

Kevin DuBrow was born to Laura and Alvin Dubrow. He was raised in Los Angeles with his younger brother, Terry, who went on to become a plastic surgeon and TV personality. At age 13, Kevin and his family eventually settled in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Van Nuys. DuBrow was raised Jewish and had the nickname "Butch" growing up.

DuBrow learned to play 12-string guitar, and his first band consisted of 11-year-olds who played only one gig, to an audience of senior citizens who were not particularly fond of rock music. By the time he was in his mid-teens, he had developed an appreciation for a number of British rock acts including the Small Faces, Queen, Spooky Tooth, Rod Stewart and Humble Pie. Singer Steve Marriott would leave the biggest impact on DuBrow and act as a compass in his musical career.

DuBrow enjoyed a hobby of photography in his teenage years, often taking photos at rock 'n roll concerts from 1969 to 1975. He became proficient enough as a photographer that he was soon selling his photos to rock magazines for publication, including Rock and Guitar Player magazine. Among the acts he photographed were Jeff Beck, Robin Trower, and Mott the Hoople.

Through his photography work, he became friends with producer Ron Sobol, and the two traded photographs that they shot at concerts. Not long after Dubrow photographed Rod Stewart at a concert in 1970, he said he realized he wanted to be on the other side of the lens. He once commented: "Shooting concerts is what made me become a singer. I saw Rod Stewart in 1970. I was taking pictures, and I thought, 'Wow, I want to be up there! I don't wanna be behind the camera.'"

Biography summary from English Wikipedia, photograph via Wikimedia Commons.