An official is someone who holds an office (function or mandate, regardless whether it carries an actual working space with it) in an organization or government and participates in the exercise of authority (either his own or that of his superior and/or employer, public or legally private).

A government official or functionary is an official who is involved in public administration or government, through either election, appointment, selection, or employment. A bureaucrat is a member of the bureaucracy. An elected official is a person who is an official by virtue of an election. Officials may also be appointed ''ex officio'' (by virtue of another office, often in a specified capacity, such as presiding, advisory, secretary). Some official positions may be inherited.

A person who currently holds an office is referred to as an incumbent.

The word ''official'' as a noun has been recorded since the Middle English period, first seen in 1314. It comes from the Old French ''official'' (12th century), from the Latin ''officialis'' ("attendant to a magistrate, public official"), the noun use of the original adjective ''officialis'' ("of or belonging to duty, service, or office") from ''officium'' ("office"). The meaning "person in charge of some public work or duty" was first recorded in 1555. The adjective is first attested in English in 1533, via the Old French ''''.

The informal term ''officialese'', the jargon of "officialdom", was first recorded in 1884.

Roman Antiquity

An ''officialis'' (plural ''officiales'') was the official term (somewhat comparable to a modern civil servant) for any member of the officium (staff) of a high dignitary such as a governor.

Ecclesiastical judiciary

In Canon law, the word or its Latin original ''officialis'' is used absolutely as the legal title of a diocesan bishop's judicial vicar who shares the bishop's ordinary judicial power over the diocese and presides over the diocesan ecclesiastical court.

The 1983 Code of Canon Law gives precedence to the title Judicial Vicar, rather than that of Officialis (canon 420). The Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches uses only the title Judicial Vicar (canon 191).

In German, the related noun ''Offizialat'' was also used for an official bureau in a diocese that did much of its administration, comprising the vicariate-general, an adjoined secretariat, a registry office and a chancery.

The title of official principal, together with that of vicar-general, has in Anglicanism? England been merged in that of Diocesan chancellor of a diocese.

Other

In sports, the term official is used to describe a person enforcing playing rules in the capacity of a linesman, referee and umpire; also specified by the discipline, e.g. American football official, Ice hockey official.

The term ''officer'' is close to being a synonym (but has more military connotations). A functionary is someone who carries out a particular role within an organization; this again is quite a close synonym for ''official'', as a noun, but with connotations closer to bureaucrat. Any such person acts in their official capacity, in carrying out the duties of their office; they are also said to officiate, for example in a ceremony. A public official is an official of central or local government.

Max Weber on bureaucratic officials

Max Weber gave as definition of a bureaucratic official :

he is personally free and appointed to his position on the basis of conduct

he exercises the authority delegated to him in accordance with impersonal rules, and his loyalty is enlisted on behalf of the faithful execution of his official duties

his appointment and job placement are dependent upon his technical qualifications

his administrative work is a full-time occupation

his work is rewarded by a regular salary and prospects of advancement in a lifetime career.

An official must exercise his judgment and his skills, but his duty is to place these at the service of a higher authority; ultimately he is responsible only for the impartial execution of assigned tasks and must sacrifice his personal judgment if it runs counter to his official duties.

Adjective

As an adjective, ''official'' often but not always means pertaining to the government, either as state employee or having state recognition, or to analogous governance, or to formal (especially legally regulated) proceeding as opposed to informal business. Some examples:

An official holiday is a public holiday, having national (or regional) recognition.

An official language is a language recognised by a government, for its own use in administration, or for the use of citizens (for example on signposts).

An official spokesperson would be an individual empowered to speak for the government, or some part of it such as a ministry, on a range of issues and on the record for the media.

An official statement is issued by an organisation as an expression of its corporate position or opinion; an official apology is an apology similarly issued by an organisation (as opposed to an apology by an individual).

Official policy is policy publicly acknowledged and defended by an organisation. In these cases unofficial is an antonym, and variously may mean informal, unrecognised, personal or unacknowledged.

An official strike is a strike organised and recognised by a labour union, as opposed to an unofficial strike at grassroots level.

An official school is a school administered by the government or by a local authority, as opposite to a private school or religious school.

An official history, for example of an institution or business, or particularly of a war or military unit, is a history written as a commission, with the assumption of co-operation with access to records and archives; but without necessarily full editorial independence.

An official biography is usually on the same lines, written with access to private papers and the support of the family of the subject.

See also

Bureaucrat

Official culture

official trip

Sources and references

(incomplete)

Etymology OnLine

Pauly-Wissowa

Category:Ecclesiastical titles Category:Positions of authority

be-x-old:Службовая асоба bg:Длъжностно лице xal:Йослч it:Ufficiale (funzionario) lt:Valstybės tarnautojas hu:Köztisztviselő nl:Officiaal ja:職員 pl:Funkcjonariusz publiczny ru:Должностное лицо sv:Ämbetsman

name	Vince Neil
background	solo_singer
birth name	Vincent Neil Wharton
born	February 08, 1961Hollywood, California
instrument	Vocals, guitar, harmonica
genre	Heavy metal, hard rock, glam metal
occupation	Musician, songwriter
years active	since 1981
label	Warner Bros.,
associated acts	Mötley Crüe, Hear 'n Aid
website	www.vinceneil.net }}

Vincent Neil Wharton (born February 8, 1961) is an American vocalist and musician, best known as the lead vocalist of heavy metal band Mötley Crüe.

Early life

Neil was born in Hollywood, California to Odie and Shirley Wharton. During the 1960s, his family moved around Southern California from Inglewood to Watts, before finally settling in Glendora attending Sunflower Intermediate School and later Royal Oak High School. As well as having an interest in music while a teenager, Neil was also interested in surfing, basketball, baseball, football and wrestling.

Music career

First stint with Mötley Crüe

Neil was discovered while performing with his band Rock Candy in 1980, and joined Mötley Crüe in 1981. Neil had been friends with Tommy Lee in high school. Mötley Crüe was looking for a lead vocalist at the time and were impressed by Neil after hearing him through Lee. Mötley Crüe released its first album, ''Too Fast for Love'', the same year. In 1983, Mötley Crüe released ''Shout at the Devil'', which established the band as a big act in rock and roll.

In 1985, Neil regrouped with Mötley Crüe to record ''Theatre of Pain''. In 1987, the band recorded the album ''Girls, Girls, Girls''. In 1989, the band released their highest-selling album, ''Dr. Feelgood''.

Going solo

In February 1992, Mötley Crüe parted ways with Vince Neil. Neil had taken up Indy racing a few years earlier, often turning up at celebrity races. Neil enjoyed the sport so much that he eventually formed Vince Neil Racing. He was racing in the Indy Lights open wheel developmental series at the time. Neil retired from racing in 1992 after crashing his car during a race in Long Beach after the third lap.

Exposed

Neil signed a solo deal with Warner Brothers for $4 million. He received a $2 million advance on his first record.

Neil sued Motley Crue for 25% of their future profits and $5 million in damages for being fired.

In 1992, Neil released his first single. He stated that the song was written in twenty minutes with his friends Jack Blades and Tommy Shaw. The single "You're Invited (But Your Friend Can't Come)" was featured on the ''Encino Man'' soundtrack. Neil made a video for the song that featured a cameo by Pauly Shore. The video does not feature guitarist Steve Stevens as Stevens was hired after the song and video had been released. Stevens re-recorded the song for Neil's first solo album. Neil performed the song live on the MTV Movie Awards.

''Exposed'', was Neil's first solo album and was released in 1993. The album debuted at #13 on the ''Billboard'' charts. The album featured Stevens, who subsequently played all bass and guitar tracks on "Exposed", Dave Marshall, Robbie Crane, and Vik Foxx. The band eventually went on tour, opening for Van Halen.

Carved In Stone

In September 1995, Neil released ''Carved in Stone'', an industrial-oriented album produced by the Dust Brothers. The album was recorded and was put on hold while Neil was dealing with the illness of his daughter Skylar. It sold fewer than 100,000 copies in the US, and Neil's contract with Warner Bros. Records eventually came to an end. The album was re-released in 2004.

By 1997, both Neil's solo career and Mötley Crüe's fortunes were declining and he accepted their invitation to rejoin the band. They released the album ''Generation Swine'' which debuted at #4 on the Billboard charts. It wasn't long before tension erupted again, this time prompting Tommy Lee to leave the band. They replaced him with Randy Castillo, who later on recorded New Tattoo with the band in 2000, but things came to a halt when Castillo died from cancer in 2002.

Vince Neil has toured his solo band, which consisted of Slaughter members Jeff Blando and Dana Strum, as well as drummer Zoltan Chaney.

Reunion with Mötley Crüe

The band got back together and released the album ''Generation Swine'' in 1997.

The band came back into the spotlight after their ''Behind the Music'' episode aired on VH1 in December 1998. The episode became the highest rated in the series. The DVD was issued with ten extra minutes of footage in December 1999.

Motley Crue released the studio album "New Tattoo" in 2000 and a brand new studio album "Saints of Los Angeles" in 2008.

Tattoos & Tequila

Vince released his third solo album ''Tattoos & Tequila'' in 2010. It is Neil's first solo release in 7 years since the live album ''Live at the Whisky: One Night Only'' in 2003 and the first solo studio album in 15 years. The album is a soundtrack to the book Vince released in the same year ''"Tattoos & Tequila: To Hell and Back with One of Rock's Most Notorious Frontmen"''. Each song on the album corresponds with a chapter in the book.

Other ventures

Business ventures

In 1994, Neil gave up ownership of his "Bar One" club.

In 1998, Mötley Crüe opened a store on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles called, "S’Crüe", which stocks clothes from both Sixx and Neil’s clothing lines (Outlaw and Bad Bones), along with CDs, the Mötley Brüe drink and other items. The store closed in January 1999, with the band deciding to sell the items online.

In 2006, Neil opened his own tattoo parlor called Vince Neil Ink. The shop is located on the Las Vegas Strip.

Neil founded Vince Vineyards, a winemaking venture that produced a 2003 Napa Cabernet Sauvignon and a 2003 Sonoma County Chardonnay. He also produces a limited edition Petite Sirah through EOS Estate Winery.

In 2005, Neil created the "Off The Strip Poker Tournament", which takes place in Las Vegas.

In 2007, Neil launched his own brand of tequila called Tres Rios. Neil debuted the tequila at the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival in February 2007.

Neil opened Dr. Feelgood's Bar and Grill in West Palm Beach. It took over two and a half years for all of the members of Mötley Crüe to agree and sign off on the bar concept and location. It was finally determined that it would be located in downtown West Palm Beach, a stone's throw away from the ocean and within the high rent district of downtown. On January 19, 2008, Neil played a free concert on the streets of downtown West Palm Beach to celebrate the grand opening of Dr Feelgood's. In March 2009, Neil opened another Feelgood's in Miami Beach. Vince also owns a Feelgood's in Las Vegas.

Mötley Crüe were on tour in the U.S. Crue Fest. Mötley Crüe announced that they will play the entire Dr. Feelgood album every night of Crüe Fest 2 to celebrate the album's 20th anniversary.

Television & film

In 1990, Neil had a small part in the film ''The Adventures of Ford Fairlane'' playing the character of Bobby Black, lead vocalist of the fictional rock band that consisted of Carlos Cavazo, Randy Castillo, and Phil Soussan. Opening sequences of the film featured the band playing at Red Rocks Amphitheater, where Neil's character makes a grand entrance by swooping on stage via zip-line. He then proceeds to die onstage under suspicious circumstances. Black's misfortunes continue even in death when at his funeral a mêlée takes place resulting in his cylindrical plexiglass casket rolling down a hill (obviously containing a dummy of Neil).

In 2002, Neil was one of the cast members on the first season of ''The Surreal Life''. In 2004, Neil appeared on the special ''Remaking Vince Neil'', which showed him trying to recharge his solo career. He also recorded the single "Promise Me" produced by Desmond Child. The song was for sale on iTunes for a brief period of time, but a solo album never surfaced.

Mötley Crüe's fortunes got a boost when Neil and Tommy Lee put aside their differences and toured in support of the compilation album ''Red, White and Crüe''. The tour. dubbed ''Carnival of Sins''. featured acrobats, fire breathers and a midget as part of the overall circus atmosphere the band created.

In 2004, Neil played a tattoo artist in an episode of the CBS sitcom ''Still Standing''.

In 2009, Neil worked on a pilot for an A&E reality-TV show. According to Neil, the program would follow the singer and his family after his parents moved in with him. Neil told Eddie Trunk of the "Friday Night Rocks" radio show, "My wife [Lia] hasn't talked to my mom since the wedding," which took place January 9, 2005, in Las Vegas.

In 2010, he was cast on ABC's ''Skating with the Stars'' as a celebrity contestant who skated with professional ice skater Jennifer Wester.

Personal life

name	Vince Neil
birth name	Vincent Neil Wharton
birth date	February 8, 1961
birth place	Hollywood, California
occupation	Musician, songwriter, vocalist, actor
yearsactive	1981-present
spouse	Beth Lynn (1981-1985) (divorced)Sharise Ruddell (1987-1993) (divorced) 1 childHeidi Mark (2000-2001) (divorced)Lia Gerardini (2005-present) (separated) }}

Marriages

Neil married his first wife, Beth Lynn, in 1981; they divorced in 1985. In April 1987, Neil married Sharise Ruddell, a mud wrestler and fashion model. The couple had one daughter, Skylar, before divorcing in 1993.

In early 1993, he began dating actress and Playboy Playmate Heidi Mark after a blind date arranged by her makeup artist. The two were engaged within two months, and married in 2000. After just 15 months of marriage, and several attempts at reconciliation, they divorced in 2001.

Neil married his fourth wife, Lia Gerardini, in January 2005. The ceremony was officiated by MC Hammer, an ordained minister and fellow cast member on ''The Surreal Life''. In 2010, Neil announced their separation.

Charity work

On August 15, 1995, Neil and Ruddell's daughter, Skylar Neil, died of cancer at the age of 4. He founded the Skylar Neil Memorial Fund in her honor. Since that time, Neil and the foundation have raised awareness and funding for various children’s illnesses. The Skylar Neil Memorial Foundation has donated millions of dollars to The T.J. Martell Foundation, and it sponsors an annual golf tournament to raise money for children with cancer.

On June 6, 2011 Vince Neil host Rockin' The Red Carpet in Dallas Texas benefitting MUSIC for RELIEF as he kicks off the U.S. Tour with Motley Crue, Poison and New York Dolls.

On July 3, 2011 Vince Neil host Rockin' The Red Carpet in Nashville TN benefitting MUSIC for RELIEF and Make-A-Wish Foundation Middle TN as he continues his U.S. Tour with Motley Crue, Poison and New York Dolls.

On July 9, 2011 Vince Neil host Rockin' The Red Carpet in Birmingham AL benefitting MUSIC for RELIEF and Make-A-Wish Georgia/Alabama as he continues his U.S. Tour with Motley Crue, Poison and New York Dolls.

On July 27, 2011 Vince Neil host Rockin' The Red Carpet in Cheyenne WY benefitting MUSIC for RELIEF and Make-A-Wish The event took place after the Motley Crue show on the Frontier Days Fairgrounds.

Legal troubles

In late 1984, Finnish hard rock band Hanoi Rocks was on their second American tour and a first one ever to reach California. The two gigs meant to be held in Los Angeles sold out in twenty minutes. On the day they arrived in Los Angeles, December 8, Hanoi Rocks drummer Nicholas "Razzle" Dingley and the other members of the band (with the exception of singer Michael Monroe, who was recovering from a fractured ankle) visited Neil's home and spent the day at Redondo Beach. After partying for hours, Neil and Razzle decided to take a trip to a local liquor store in Neil's De Tomaso Pantera. Neil, who was drunk, lost control of the car and hit an oncoming vehicle. The two occupants of the other car were seriously injured and suffered brain damage, and Dingley was killed. Neil was charged with vehicular manslaughter and driving under the influence of alcohol in connection with the crash. His blood alcohol level was 0.17, well above the California legal limit at that time of 0.10. In July 1986, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Edward Hinz, Jr. sentenced Neil to 30 days in jail, five years probation, $2.6 million in restitution to the victims of the crash and 200 hours of community service. Neil got out of jail in 15 days for good behavior; Mötley Crüe dedicated their third studio album, ''Theatre of Pain'', to Razzle.

Neil was arrested in 2002 for punching record producer Michael Schuman to the ground in a nightclub parking lot. Neil was ordered to pay restitution and complete community service.

In 2003, Neil was arrested again after accusations that he assaulted a sex worker at the Moonlight BunnyRanch by grabbing her around the throat and throwing her against a wall.

In June 2010, Neil was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving in Las Vegas after having allegedly smashed a fan's camera and was released on $2,000 bond.

Discography

Studio albums

Year	Album details	Peak chart positions
		! style="width:30px;"	! style="width:30px;"	! style="width:30px;"	! style="width:30px;"
1993	style="text-align:left;"	* Release date: April 27, 1993	* Label: Warner Bros. Records	13	—	—	44
1995	style="text-align:left;"	* Release date: September 12, 1995	* Label: Warner Bros. Records	139	—	—	—
2010		* Release date: June 22, 2010	* Label: Eleven Seven Music	57	14	7	—

Live albums

! Year	! Album details
2003		* Release date: May 27, 2003	* Label:

Singles

Year	Single	Peak positions	Album
		! style="width:50px;"
1992		63
		—
	—
	—
1995		—
2005		—
2010		—

See also

List of celebrities who own wineries and vineyards

References

External links

Vince Neil – Official website

Vince Neil Official Fan Club – Official website

Mötley Crüe – Official website

Official Cruefest 2009 Tour website

Category:Living people Category:American heavy metal singers Category:American male singers Category:American racecar drivers Category:Musicians from Los Angeles, California Category:Glam metal musicians Category:Indy Lights drivers Category:Mötley Crüe members Category:The Surreal Life participants Category:Vince Neil Band members Category:1961 births

cs:Vince Neil de:Vince Neil es:Vince Neil fo:Vince Neil fr:Vince Neil it:Vince Neil hu:Vince Neil ja:ヴィンス・ニール no:Vince Neil pl:Vince Neil pt:Vince Neil ru:Винс Нил sk:Vince Neil fi:Vince Neil sv:Vince Neil tr:Vince Neil

name	Joey Allen
background	non_vocal_instrumentalist
birth name	Joseph Alan Cagle
born	June 23, 1964Fort Wayne, Indiana, U.S.
instrument	Guitar
genre	Heavy metal, glam metal, hard rock
occupation	Musician, songwriter
years active	1985–present
associated acts	WarrantKnightmare II
website	http://www.warrantweb.net/
notable instruments	}}

Joey Allen is best known as the lead guitarist from the American glam metal band Warrant.

Allen was born as Joseph Alan Cagle on June 23, 1964 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, but grew up in Irvine, California. His father is a retired electronics executive, while his mother worked for the Irvine Unified School District. He has two older sisters.

Allen played in approximately 20 bands before joining Warrant. He endorses G&L guitars, and according to an interview with them, his influences include guitarists Gary Moore, Eddie Van Halen, and Randy Rhoads. In this same interview, his bandmate and co-guitarist from Warrant Erik Turner states that "Joey is more of a technical player than me. I never really took a lot of lessons or studied. I just learned by jamming with different people, picking up stuff off records, or watching people play live. Joey is a true lead guitarist, and I’m a rhythm guitarist at heart who plays a little bit of lead."

Allen met guitarist Erik Turner in 1979 and they formed the band Knightmare II. Allen left the band to attend trade school and was awarded an associate’s degree in electronic engineering in 1985. In the meantime, Turner had formed Warrant. Allen joined the band in March 1987.

Allen has a daughter, Kylie Jo, who was born to his first wife in 1991. He is married to his second wife Shari.

In 1994, Allen left the band and became a Microsoft Certified Professional and went to work for a software company. During this time, he also played in a band called Joey Allen Project. In an interview in 1999, Joey revealed that it was his decision to leave Warrant. He left as Warrant's style of music was losing popularity because of the Grunge movement and he did not want to go back to playing clubs. He rejoined Warrant in 2004 after ten years away from the band.

RealMedia clips from Knightmare II's ''Death Do Us Part'' EP can be found at http://www.vibrationsofdoom.com/test/KnightmareII.html. Erik Turner says he left the band before the recording of this EP.

Discography

With Knightmare II

''Death Do Us Part'' EP (1985)

With Warrant

''Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich'' (1989)

''Cherry Pie'' (1990)

''Dog Eat Dog'' (1992)

''The Best Of Warrant'' (1996)

''Born Again'' (2006)

''Rockaholic (2011)

References

Category:American heavy metal guitarists Category:Warrant members Category:People from Irvine, California Category:1964 births Category:Living people

Name	Diljit Dosanjh Punjabi : ਦਿਲਜੀਤ ਦੋਸਾਂਝ
Background	solo_singer
Birth date	January 06, 1984
Origin	Jalandhar, Punjab
Genre	Punjabi, Bhangra, Romantic, Pop, Punjabi Rap
associated acts	Bohemia
Occupation	Singer, Actor
Years active	2003–present.
website	Diljit Singh Dosanjh facebook fan page Diljit Dosanjh
notable instruments	}}

Diljit Singh Dosanjh facebook fan page

Diljit Dosanjh (born Diljit Dosanjh on January 6, 1984) is a Punjabi singer. Born in the village of Dosanjh Kalan(near Phagwara) in the Jalandhar District of Punjab, India.

Career

Diljit debuted with his album ''Ishq Da Uda Ada'', released by FineTone. He has come out with six albums so far. His most successful album, ''The Next Level'' is also his most recent.

Diljit's first movie was "Lion of Punjab",which though had good opening,fared bad at critics point of viewNavnnet Nain is a Friend Belonged to Andana His next project was Jihne Mera Dil Luteya,was however successful.

Discography

! Year	! Album	! Record Label	! Music Director
2005	''Smile''	Finetone	Sukhpal Sukh
2007	''Ishq Ho Gaya''	Finetone	Sachin Ahuja
2008	''Chocolate''	Planet Recordz	Pavneet Birgi
2009	''The Next Level''	T-Series	Honey Singh
2011	''The Lion Of Punjab''(Movie Soundtracks)	Kamlee Records LTD	Honey Singh, Anand Raj Anand

Filmography

! Year	! Film	! Role	! Notes
2010	''Mel Karade Rabba''	Rajveer Dhillon	Special Appearance
2011	''The Lion of Punjab''	Avtar Singh	Debut Film
2011	''Jihne Mera Dil Luteya''	Gurnoor Randhawa	Released 29 July 2011

References

Lion of Punjab Film/Music Release Date

Category:1984 births Category:Living people Category:Indian singers Category:Indian Sikhs Category:People from Punjab (India)

name	Jani Lane
background	solo_singer
birth name	John Kennedy Oswald
birth date	February 01, 1964
birth place	Akron, Ohio, United States
death date	August 11, 2011
death place	Los Angeles, California, United States
instrument	Vocals, piano, guitar, drums
genre	Heavy metal, glam metal, hard rock
occupation	Singer-songwriter, musician
years active	1982 - 2011
associated acts	Warrant, Plain Jane, Sean E. River Project, Saints of the Underground, Great White
website	http://www.janilane.net }}

Jani Lane (February 1, 1964 – August 11, 2011), born John Kennedy Oswald, later changed to John Patrick Oswald, was an American recording artist and the lead vocalist, frontman, lyricist and main songwriter for the glam metal band Warrant.

Childhood and youth

Jani Lane was born John Kennedy Oswald (later changed to John Patrick Oswald) on February 1, 1964 in Akron, Ohio. The youngest of five children to Robert and Eileen Oswald, John grew up just east of Akron in Brimfield Township along with his older brother (Eric); and three older sisters (Marcy, Michelle, and Victoria). Lane's older brother Eric was an accomplished guitarist; Lane himself learned to play drums at the age of 4 with his brother guiding and teaching him. Lane grew up listening to noted Cleveland rock station WMMS (100.7 FM, "The Buzzard"), and was introduced to various bands by his older sister Vicky, and parents Bob and Eileen. Lane played drums under the name "Mitch Dynomite" in clubs by age 11 ("Mitch Dynomite" is listed as the drummer in the credits for Warrant's ''Latest and Greatest'' CD). Throughout the years, Lane would sometimes jump behind the kit to play with his band, and he had played the drums in various formats and gigs.

By age 11, his older siblings had left for college or marriage except Vicky. Between his parents and his sister, he made the rounds as an amateur protege' drummer, making quite a name for himself. Not a shy youngster, he took over the family home inside and out with his drum equipment and fellow musicians until he graduated from Field High School in 1982. Although he chose a path of the most difficult nature, he worked throughout high school to acquire his own drum equipment, setting a fine example to his friends and co-workers that he was not afraid to do anything for his dream of becoming a song writer/entertainer.

It was at this time that Lane realized his true desire was not only to play in the band but to actually sing his own songs up front and not hidden behind a drum kit.

Career

Early years

After graduating from high school, Lane joined the band Cyren, featuring vocalist Skip Hammonds, guitarist John Weakland, bassist Don Hoover (and later, Rusty Fohner), with Lane on drums. After making a name for himself and his band in Ohio, he relocated to Florida in 1983, Lane played drums for Dorian Gray, before forming Plain Jane with future Warrant bandmate Steven (Chamberlin) Sweet. It was at this time that Lane adopted the stage name "Jani Lane." Lane got the name by his German grandparents' pronunciation and spelling of Johnny as "Jani." They said it as ''Yay-nee'' and that stuck. While playing drums with Dorian Gray, Lane began vocal training with Central Florida vocal coach/trainer Ron Feldman (who remained friends with Lane until his death, and remains connected to his immediate family to this day). Feldman introduced Lane to Creative Engineering, Inc. in Orlando where he worked as a programmer of the animatronic character, Dook LaRue, the drummer for the Rock-afire Explosion. His vocal debut was at Fern Park Station in Fern Park, Florida.

Lane and Sweet later relocated to Los Angeles, California, where they took various odd jobs to survive. Struggling to make ends meet as a musician, Lane resorted to working in a pornographic video warehouse.

By 1986, Plain Jane had become a regular feature in the L.A. club circuit. Erik Turner, who had founded Warrant in July 1984, was impressed by Plain Jane's songwriting and vocal performance, and invited Lane and Sweet to join his band.

Early years with Warrant

After generating notoriety on the club circuit, Warrant began to attract the attention of record labels. Following an abortive deal with A&M records over a contribution to the soundtrack for the motion picture ''Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure'', the band signed with Columbia Records. The Columbia deal came via the partnering of Warrant and manager Tom Hullet (known for working with The Beach Boys, Elvis Presley, and others). Tom became Lane's mentor and friend until his death from cancer in 1993.

As lead vocalist with Warrant, Lane wrote three Top 40 hit singles: "Heaven," "Down Boys" and "Sometimes She Cries" for Warrant's debut album Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich which peaked at number 10 on the Billboard 200. and another three Top 40 hit singles: "Cherry Pie," "I Saw Red," and "Uncle Tom's Cabin" from the second album ''Cherry Pie'', which peaked at number 7 on the Billboard 200. Lane also co-wrote and performed with Warrant the song "The Power" in the 1992 movie ''Gladiator''.

Later years with Warrant

Lane left Warrant in March 1993, following the release of the band's critically acclaimed record ''Dog Eat Dog'' which peaked at number 25 on The Billboard 200. He returned to the band in September 1994, helping the band to secure a new record with Tom Lipsky of CMC International. The band then recorded ''Ultraphobic'' in 1995, ''Belly to Belly'' in 1996, ''Greatest & Latest'' in 1999 and a cover album ''Under the Influence'' in 2001.

Due to personal and business disagreements, Lane left Warrant in 2004. In January 2008, the band's agent, The William Morris Agency issued a new photograph of the band with Lane prominently featured, confirming his return to the band. It was the first time that all original members had been in the band since 1992. The band's first show with all original members was in May 2008 in Nashville. Warrant then performed a series of shows during the summer of 2008, but by September 2008, Warrant and Lane agreed to move forward separately, due to "too much water under the bridge." Warrant and Lane both continued to perform Lane's compositions live and Lane continued to write for himself and other artists.

Solo career

Lane lent his vocals to numerous tribute CDs during the beginning years of 2000 and released his solo effort, Back Down To One in 2003 in Europe and (2006) in the US on Immortal/Sidewinder Records. Lane also had success with the ''VH1 Metal Mania Stripped'' discs where an acoustic version of "I Saw Red" is on disc 1, and an acoustic swinging version of "Cherry Pie" is on disc 2.

Lane became involved in acting in the early 1990s. He made a brief appearance in ''Caged Fear'', and also appeared in ''High Strung'' in 1991.

Between 1997 and 2000, demos of Lane's solo material began surfacing on the Internet, with some bids on eBay reaching an estimated $US100.00 per copy. The project, titled ''Jabberwocky'', represented a significant musical departure from Lane's previous work. The CD has never been officially released.

Lane's official debut solo album, ''Back Down to One'', was released on June 17, 2003 through ''Z Records''. It carried a "power pop" sound which was more closely aligned with the sound of Warrant than the unreleased ''Jabberwocky'' project.

In August 2004, Lane withdrew from the ''Bad Boys of Metal'' tour after only eight shows.

Lane contributed vocals on the track "Bastille Day" and "2112 Overture/Temples Of Syrinx" for the Magna Carta 2005 Rush tribute album ''Subdivisions''.

In Fall 2004, Lane contributed the lead vocals for the first ever theme song to a novel, The Devil of Shakespeare, by author, Billy McCarthy, along with JY from Styx, Ron Flynt 20/20, Chip Z'Nuff of Enuff Z'Nuff.

In 2005, Lane was featured on VH1's ''Celebrity Fit Club 2''.

Keri Kelli and Lane wrote a song for Alice Cooper, titled, "The One That Got Away." It was recorded by Cooper on his 2008 record, ''Along Came a Spider''. Lane also finished work on his side project, Saints of the Underground. This project also consists of Bobby Blotzer and Robbie Crane (both from Ratt), and Keri Kelli (from Alice Cooper). Their album, ''Love the Sin, Hate the Sinner'' was released on April 22, 2008.

In the Summer 2010, Lane went on tour with Great White, filling in for singer Jack Russell, who was recuperating from surgery after suffering internal complications. Also Lane had plans to make a new solo album and tour to support it, but it all got scrapped in early 2011.

Personal life

Lane cited his parents as the "go-to people" in his personal life. In speaking of his parents, he described his mother, who was a 2nd cousin of Clark Gable, as "his most trusted source of advice" and his father, a multilingual author, as having a "significant impact on my creative and spiritually, 'free thinking' side." Lane's parents have both passed away (Robert in 1995 and Eileen in 2004). In speaking of the passing of his mother Lane was quoted saying "I'm still not, and never will be, over my mother's death."

Jani met his mentor and manager, Tom Hulett (who also managed The Beach Boys, Led Zeppelin, Elvis Presley, Jimi Hendrix, Moody Blues), in 1988. Tom was responsible for Lane's first record deal and played an almost "father-like" role in Jani's early career. Tom died of cancer in 1993 leaving Jani in a state of "career limbo" through the rest of the 90's. Jani publicly stated (in referring to his parents and Hulett), "I miss all three of them so much! They were all trusted friends, sources of unconditional love and support and helped keep my moral compass pointed in the right direction!"

In 1990, during the filming of the videoclip for the Warrant single "Cherry Pie," Lane met model Bobbie Brown. By July 1991, the couple were married and in January 1992, they welcomed their first child, a daughter, Taylar Jayne Lane. In 1994, in the midst of band troubles, Jani and Bobbie divorced. Lane married his second wife, Rowanne Brewer, in 1996. In 1997, the couple welcomed their daughter, Madison Michelle Lane. Brewer and Lane later divorced. Jani married his third wife, Kimberly Nash, on March 13, 2010. In Jani's own words he described Kimberly as follows: "What makes Kimberly different is everything. She is … I say no matter what I have, no matter how many houses, cars, what was in the bank account, what was going on with the band and songwriting, something was always missing. I truly believe it was that, I hate to use a corny term like “soul mate,” but it really is. When you have a connection with somebody and you can come to them and they have a good idea of the difference between tough love and being mean, it’s very good for me. This is a person who is very in control of her life, is her own person and, fortunately for me, is not into the party scene. It’s hard enough to get her to take a Tylenol when she has a fever. That’s an absolutely great person for me to be around at this point in my life. The last year, I’ve suffered some consequences from drinking that I’ve never suffered in my entire life. It’s really made me take a step back and go, “Is this how you want to continue? Is this how you want to finish up?” The answer is no. That’s where the song “Changes” came from."

Death

On August 11, 2011, Lane was found dead, with half a bottle of Vodka and a prescription medication at a Comfort Inn hotel in Woodland Hills, California. He was 47 years old. Lane is survived by his wife, Kimberly; a brother, Eric; three sisters, Marcine Williams, Michelle Robinson and Victoria Oswald-Ley; a daughter from his first marriage, Taylar Lane; a daughter from his second marriage, Madison Lane; and two stepdaughters, Ryan and Brittany.

Discography

With Warrant

1989 ''Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich''

1990 ''Cherry Pie''

1992 ''Dog Eat Dog''

1995 ''Ultraphobic''

1996 ''Belly to Belly''

1997 ''Warrant Live 86-97''

1999 ''Greatest & Latest'' (New versions)

2001 ''Under the Influence''

Solo

2002 ''Back Down to One''

With Saints of the Underground

2008 ''Love the Sin, Hate the Sinner''

Soundtracks

1992 ''Gladiator OST'': "We Will Rock You" (Queen cover)

1992 ''Gladiator OST'': The Power

2001 ''Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure OST '': "Game Of War"

Songwriting

2008 ''Alice Cooper'' Along Came a Spider

Other Work

1998 ''Forever Mod: Portrait of a Storyteller - Tribute to Rod Steward'': "I Was Only Joking"

1999 ''Not The Same Old Song And Dance - A Tribute to Aerosmith'': "No Surprise"

2000 ''Tribute to Van Halen 2000'': "Panama"

2000 ''Cheap Dream: Cheap Trick Tribute'': "I Want You to Want Me" (The Mission UK Remix)

2000 ''Leppardmania- A tribute to Def Leppard'': "Photograph"

2005 ''Hell Bent Forever - A tribute to Judas Priest'': "Electric Eye"

2005 ''Metal Mania Stripped VH1'': "I Saw Red"

2005 ''VH1 Classic Metal Mania Stripped 2: Anthems'' "Cherry Pie"

2005 ''Subdivisions: A Tribute to Rush'': "2112 Overture/Templos of Syrinx"

2006 ''A Tribute to Bon Jovi'': "Lay Your Hands on Me"

2007 ''Monster Ballads Xmas'' : "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"

2008 ''Led Box - The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Tribute'': "The Ocean"

2010 ''Siam Shade Tribute'': "1/3 no Junjou na Kanjou"

2011 ''SIN-ATRA: A Metal Tribute To Frank Sinatra'': "That's Life"

Singles

As Jani Lane

1991 ''Voices That Care'' (Various) U.S. #11, U.S. AC #6 CAN #61 non-album song

Music videos

! Year	! Video	! Director
1991	''Voices That Care'' (As Jani Lane) (Various)	David S. Jackson

Notes

External links

Jani Lane, Warrant, And The Tribute That Wasn't

Photos Of Jani Lane

Jani Lane Interview

Jani Lane Tribute Song by Providence, RI band The Yummy Cakes

Category:1964 births Category:2011 deaths Category:American male singer-songwriters Category:American rock singer-songwriters Category:English-language singers Category:Celebrity Fit Club participants Category:Musicians from Ohio Category:People from Akron, Ohio Category:People from Portage County, Ohio Category:Songwriters from Ohio Category:Warrant members

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