Jani Lane Memorial Concert: A Celebration for a Fallen Star

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By Vin Ruiz, August 29th 2011, Key Club, Hollywood CA: "Tomorrow is a gift", so read the front of the Jani Lane Memorial Program handed out to everyone at the show. That short but powerful statement reminds us all, that life can end at any moment and we should cherish each "tomorrow" as a wonderful present. The evening was co-hosted by Jani Lane's manager and friend Obi Steinman and Paul Gargano, former editor of now defunct Metal Edge magazine.

The show opened with Obi and Paul welcoming everyone and reminding us that the show was to celebrate the life and times of Jani Lane. It was noted that the show was for FREE because that's the way Jani would've wanted it.

The first to hit the stage were two members of Enuff Z'Nuff who played an acoustic version of their biggest hit "Fly High Michelle". Since Jani was a huge Beatles fan, they also played a slow haunting solo piano version of one of Jani's favorite Beatles songs, "Let it Be". Next up was Slammin' Gladys whose one and only album, released in 1992, was produced by Jani Lane. Not being aware of who Slammin' Gladys was, I was impressed by their strong acoustic set with solid vocals and well done harmonies on the Warrant songs, "Stronger Now" and "Sad Theresa". Lead singer, Dave Brooks, told a story of seeing a young 16 year old Jani Lane playing drums for a band in which Jani sang one song in the set. Dave approached Jani after the show and told him, "You are the singer." Jane said, "No, I'm the drummer." Dave then told him, "No, YOU are the singer." From then on Jani realized his destiny was to be a front man and lead singer.

Next was someone named Dario, who played a slow piano song called "Man in the Moon". I never heard the song before but it was appropriate for the occasion. Dario was followed by Jani's friend, James Kottak. Mostly known for playing drums for Scorpions since 1999, James also played drums for Warrant on their 1995 release Ultraphobic. Kottak said some very nice things about Jani and then played guitar on a song he wrote called "Time To Say Goodbye". Then an acoustic version of "I Saw Red" was played by a band called Sweet. Great singer, but obviously not the original singer of Sweet, Brian Connelly, who died back in 1997.

Then a heart rendering moment of the evening followed with Jani's older brother and sister taking the stage. Jani's older brother Eric recounted a story of when he was thirteen years old and Jani was three. Eric would constantly play Beatles songs on his guitar around the house with his sisters singing harmony vocals. And Jani would pick up pencils and play drum beats on books and would even sing harmony vocals. Eric knew then that Jani was special. Jani's older sister then read a beautiful poem that silenced the crowd as she cried. This was followed by Jani's brother Eric playing acoustic guitar versions of "I am the Walrus" and "Eight Days a Week", songs he and Jani would play together.

It was at this point in the evening that the rock show began with L.A. Guns taking the stage for a short but powerful three song set, with the highlight being "The Ballad of LANE" instead of Jayne. Lead singer Phil Lewis mentioned how he did not like Warrant at all in the beginning until he met Jani Lane. That all changed as they became good friends and fellow road dogs.

Following L.A. Guns was Quiet Riot featuring Frankie Banali who asked for a moment of silence in the crowd to reflect on Jani's life. Then they played only one Quiet Riot song, "Thunderbird". Originally written as a tribute to guitar legend and former member of Quiet Riot, Randy Rhoads, Frankie re-dedicated the song "Thunderbird" to Jani Lane for this special night.

Next it was sad to see a feeble Jack Russell, lead singer of Great White, take the stage walking with a cane. Jack recently had major surgery for a perforated bowel and nearly died but has been recovering in the hospital for the last few weeks. He apologized that he could not sing but would not miss this occasion to pay tribute to his friend Jani. Last year Jani finished out 31 shows of Great White's 25th anniversary tour due to Jack Russell's health problems, of which Jack and the band were very grateful to Jani. Terry Ilous, who has officially been the vocalist for Great White since December 2010, was awesome in his performance tonight. He really nailed Jack Russell's vocal tonality which is not easy. Great White, with Mark Kendall on guitar, really stole the show as the most polished band playing their hits, "Lady Red Light", "Mista Bone", "Save Your Love" and the mighty anthem, "Rock Me".

The night ended with an all star band featuring some members of Warrant on "Down Boys" and "Cherry Pie". Jani's brother Eric once again came up on stage and played the acoustic intro to "Uncle Tom's Cabin" (Eric actually played the acoustic intro on the album) as the band took over and cranked it up. The most poignant moment of the evening ended the show as an empty chair was placed center stage with a microphone in front. The band played "Heaven" with only the audience singing. As I scanned the crowd, I noted several people in tears.

Jani Lane wrote nearly every Warrant song and took the band to the heights of stardom selling over 20 million albums worldwide. Whether you liked Warrant or not, as fans of heavy metal, it is always sad when a musician dies, especially under apparently clichŽ circumstances. As Sebastian Bach recently stated, "The solitude of the empty hotel room becomes the diametric parallel of the adulation of strangers." However, millions of "strangers" will continue to listen to Warrant's music and remember Jani for many years to come.

Jani Lane: February 1, 1964 - August 11, 2011. R.I.P.

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