Concert Review
Quiet Riot
Rockin’ The Downs 26
Batavia Downs
Batavia, NY
Friday July 10, 2026
Review/Photos: Joseph Suto
It had been two years since Quiet Riot had last played the Buffalo/Niagara region. Friday evening out at the Batavia Downs the band returned for what I deemed to be their best overall show with vocalist Jizzy Pearl. Then a mere four days later we learn that Pearl had submitted his notice and will stay on til his contracted shows are complete through 2026. Not exactly what Quiet Riot was looking for as it seemed over the past five years things have smoothed out with their live show and these guys were just starting to gel.
I must admit I was one of the naysayers when drummer Frankie Banali decided to change his mind about the band returning as a live performing entity as he wanted to honor Kevin (DuBrow) and keep the band’s name alive. As time has gone on, I am glad Banali changed his mind which brings us to the show.
The version of the band that performed on the stage Friday night has now been together for five years and includes Pearl on vocals, drummer Johnny Kelly, guitarist Alex Grossi and bassist Rudy Sarzo. Sarzo at 75 played and ran around the stage like he was half that age. Sarzo is also the lone current member who goes back to the band’s early history as well as the Metal Health era.
The band threw a few wrinkles into their set list by adding the AC/DC cover “Highway To Hell”, the lost track “I Can’t Hold On” and a song that Kevin DuBrow once told me was filler in “Breathless”. Pearl of course included “Blackout In the Red Room” a song from his band Love/Hate.
With Kelly bashing away on the kit, his hard hitting style was reminiscent of Banali’s which is why he was chosen. Pair that with the powerful riffs of Grossi and the prowess of Pearl but the cherry on top was the fabulous Sarzo up there with a three mile smile the whole time. These guys weren’t up on stage going through the motions which was great to see and many Quiet Riot fans appreciated and enjoyed the set.
Where does Quiet Riot go from here after the announcement of Pearl leaving is anybody’s guess? The band posted on their socials that they are looking for a new singer. Sounds like they will be going in a direction where it may be an unknown entity which if the band will be around for years to come may play to their advantage in the long run. The band history is long and will continue to do so after today’s news.
Quiet Riot
Run For Cover
Slick Black Cadillac
Mama Weer All Crazee Now
I Can’t Hold On
Sign of the Times
Love’s A Bitch
Condition Critical
Thunderbird
Party All Night
Breathless
Blackout In The Red Room
The Wild and the Young
Let’s Get Crazy- Medley
Highway To Hell
Cum On Feel The Noize
Metal Health (Bang Your Head)
