He was recruited to join Warrant in 1986 and the band released their major-label debut, Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich, in 1989, spawning the hits "Heaven" and "Down Boys." But it was 1990's Cherry Pie that really put them on the map, selling three million copies and making them hair-metal superstars. The title tune was written on the back of a pizza box, which can reportedly be seen on display at the Hard Rock Café in Destin, Florida.
The following years, though, proved tumultuous for Lane, who left the band several times as their fortunes faded and album sales dried up in the wake of the rise of the darker, more aggressive grunge rock sound. He rejoined the band in 2008, only to leave again that same year.Lane released a solo album, Back Down to One, in 2003. He dabbled in acting, appeared on VH1's "Celebrity Fit Club" in 2005 and toured with Great White in 2010 as a fill-in lead vocalist.
Jani, the golden-haired former lead singer of 1980s hair-metal band Warrant, was found dead on Thursday in a hotel room in Woodland Hills, California.
His death is being investigated as a possible accidental overdose but may also have been from natural causes.
An autopsy was performed by the L.A. County Coroner's office Friday, but an official said it did not reveal what caused the musician's death. Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter said the cause of death will be determined after results from toxicology and other tests are received. Winter says that process may take up to two months.
"His family will convene Sunday for a private memorial service", Lane's manager and longtime friend Obi Steinman said. A public memorial with performances by fellow metal rock bands including Great White and L.A. Guns will be held in Hollywood on Aug. 24 at a venue to be announced later, he said.
Steinman also told "He lost his battle over alcohol," who noted that Lane had struggled with alcoholism for years and had racked up at least two DUI arrests. "He was one of the great rock-and-roll frontmen and singers of all time,". "His music helped shape the '80s."
His sister, Vicky Oswald-Ley, told RadarOnline.com that Lane had battled alcoholism for a decade but he "did not do drugs." She also told the site that although the family hasn't seen the autopsy report yet, "he was a heavy drinker and I can only guess that alcoholism has a lot to do with it."
Oswald-Ley also told the site that she believed the death of their mother seven years ago affected Lane's battles against alcohol. "She would always talk him into going to rehab and hospitals," she said. "I think when she passed, that desire to stay healthy died too."
She told Radar she believed Lane had gone to the hotel purely to drink, and said the family had not been contacted by Lane's manager or his wife of a year, Kimberley.
The band released a statement on its website, warrantrocks.com, saying, "We are deeply saddened to hear the news of Jani's passing. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family. Jani was a very important part of our lives for a long time. We will always be incredibly proud of the music we created together. He was a true talent and will be missed by all of us."
The current members of Warrant plan on dedicating tonight's performance of "Heaven" at their scheduled show in North Dakota to their onetime frontman.
Lane's fellow artists—of the heavy metal variety and otherwise—have also been offering up a wave of thoughts and prayers since hearing the news that the 47-year-old was found dead yesterday afternoon in a San Fernando Valley hotel room.
"We'd like to offer our deepest condolences to the family of Jani Lane regarding their loss. Respectfully, Bret and all at MEGI," Bret Michaels tweeted.
"R.I.P. Jani Lane, a true songwriter and one of the most underrated voices in rock n roll, unfairly looked over because of hair metal tag," added Mark "Sugar Ray" McGrath.
"Jani Lane's is yet another sad story of a boy who attained his dreams of greatness, only to be blindsided by the pressures, temptations and disappointments of those same dreams," wrote Twisted Sister's Dee Snider.
"We all watched over the years, as he soared, stumbled, fell, then got up again and again. Tragically, he will get up no more. RIP Jani."