According to TMZ.com, former WARRANT singer Jani Lane was found dead earlier this evening (Thursday, August 11) at a Los Angeles-area hotel. He was 47 years old.
Lane was pronounced dead by Fire Department personnel who responded to a call shortly before 5:30 p.m. in the Comfort Inn in the 20100 block of Ventura Boulevard in Woodland Hills, California, the Los Angeles Police Department said.
The cause of death was unknown, and the case was turned over to the Los Angeles county coroner’s office, LAPD officer Sara Faden told the Los Angeles Times.
Lane was married three times and is survived by a wife and four children.
Like ’em or not, Warrant was a pretty big part of the 80’s – 90’s hair metal scene. Warrant was always one of those bands that I didn’t love but there were enough songs that they put out that I didn’t hate. Yeah, I hated “Heaven” and couldn’t stand “Down Boys” or “Cherry Pie” but they did manage to put out some great tunes like “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”, “Ridin’ High” and pretty much the entire “Dog Eat Dog” album which I still say is a terribly underrated album. So whether you like them or not, at some point in time a Warrant song became a small part of the soundtrack for the generation of people my age.
It’s been known for years that Jani had some serious health issues as a result of heavy drug and alcohol use. Jani was a perfect example of someone who did not deal well with “falling star” syndrome. Here he was at one point the singer of band that had hit singles and every woman wanted to be with him. Then all of the sudden his band went from being world famous to being tossed aside and forgotten leaving him playing bowling alleys and wing joints to 20 people. Some artists managed to deal with their fallen status and roll with it but he was one that did not. He went from being this good looking rock singer to being an overweight drunken mess falling down at shows, passing out in cars and missing gigs all together. It’s really sad to see that this guy had so many demons that he lost his life to them leaving behind his children and family. I feel terrible for his family and even worse for him that he felt that life just wasn’t worth living any more to throw it all away. My best wishes go out to his family and friends. Here’s what some artists have been saying about Jani’s passing today.
Nikki Sixx (MÖTLEY CRÜE, SIXX: A.M.): “I just heard the sad news about Jani Lane. So hard to swallow when people have kids. RIP.”
Michael Sweet (STRYPER): “My heart, thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Jani Lane. Had the pleasure of meeting him on ‘That Metal Show’ and he was a great guy.”
Steven Adler (GUNS N’ ROSES, ADLER’S APPETITE): “Jani Lane, you were a great talent. The world will miss you. R.I.P. my brother.”
Slash (GUNS N’ ROSES, VELVET REVOLVER): “Just heard about Jani Lane. What a shame. RIP man.”
Glenn Hughes (DEEP PURPLE, BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION, BLACK SABBATH): “[Rest in peace] Jani Lane… another one lost. . . We must remember that the unlucky ones who lose their life to alcohol and drugs, are those that could not completely surrender. Sad day.”
Tony Harnell (TNT): “RIP Jani. Really getting tired of hearing about my fellow artists falling away. We have to get healthy. Love to his family. Very sad.”
Michael Starr (STEEL PANTHER): “It truly saddens me to lose Jani Lane. You were my inspiration for what I love to do: ROCK!”
Mark Slaughter (SLAUGHTER): “Fly to the angels, Jani. RIP my friend.”
Eddie Trunk (VH1 Classic‘s “That Metal Show”): “My God, Jani Lane found dead. Just saw him and he is in the new season of ‘That Metal Show’. I am stunned. So sad. . . Just had a great time with him in L.A. RIP. Another talent gone way too soon.”
Chris Jericho (FOZZY): “Sad to hear about the passing of Jani Lane. Jani was a good guy and one of the best songwriters in the late ’80s. ‘Dog Eat Dog’ — very underrated.”
Bret Michaels (POISON): “We’d like to offer our deepest condolences to the family of Jani Lane regarding their loss.”
Sebastian Bach (SKID ROW): “So sad about Jani. The death rate in our business seems awful high huh.”
Jamey Jasta (HATEBREED, KINGDOM OF SORROW): “Sad news about Jani Lane. 47 is too young to go.”
Dito Godwin (multi-platinum-award-winning producer who has previously worked with MÖTLEY CRÜE, Peter Criss, Ace Frehley and GREAT WHITE, among others): “I’ve been working with Jani Lane over the last few months putting songs together in an effort to supply some of my clients with his incredible songs as well as putting a record together for him to possibly release on my label. His passing has shocked and saddened me to the point of tears. A great person whose talent was far greater than most people will ever know. I produced a number of songs for his solo project in the late ’90s. My connection with Jani as artist and producer was textbook perfect. Upon completion of those sessions, we both said it was a mind-blowing experience to work together and we would do it again, [and] we did. The world will truly miss Jani Lane. I’m so lucky to have been a small part of his life. RIP Jani. I’m numb!!”
TRIXTER: “Thoughts and prayers for Jani Lane‘s family and friends. Jani will be missed. Heaven isn’t too far away…”
BLACK TIDE: “RIP Jani Lane, you were such a huge inspiration, and you will be missed greatly. It was an honor to meet you.”
Zach Myers (SHINEDOWN): “Terrible news about Jani Lane. Life is fragile, people ….Help somebody every chance you get…”
Wednesday 13 (MURDERDOLLS): “Just heard, so sad…former WARRANT singer Jani Lane dead At 47, R.I.P.”
Stephen Pearcy (RATT): “Sad to hear today. R.I.P. Jani Lane.”
Lzzy Hale (HALESTORM): “RIP Jani Lane…. You will be survived by the music you gave us! Rock dem Angels!”
Robb Rivera (NONPOINT): “Sorry to hear about Jani Lane passing away, always sad to see people in your industry go like that. I did not know him personally but i know the significance and influence WARRANT had on the music community. Rest in peace Jani…”
Kelly Hansen (FOREIGNER): “So very sad about the passing of Jani Lane. We came up at the same time. I’ll remember his voice. My heart goes out to his family & fans.”
SHAI HULUD: “Rest In peace, Jani Lane. Seems like he had quite a struggle for many years. Truly an unfortunate way to live, consequently dying far too young. It’s safe to say we Huluds weren’t necessarily WARRANT fans, but we respect Jani‘s talents, and his honesty about his pursuit of sobriety. Our condolences to his family, friends, and fans.”
DJ Ashba (GUNS N’ ROSES, SIXX: A.M.): “It’s sad that sometimes it takes someone you know to lose their life to put yours into perspective, It’s funny how life is so easily taken for granted sometimes. I think back to all the petty things in my life that I spent hours if not days stressing over, just to look back and realize how it was merely a waste of time and never really mattered in the big picture. Life is so short, so live! Live every day as if it’s your last. No regrets.”
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