Jani Lane memorial show set for 1 year anniversary of singers death.

"I loved Jani Lane" says Billy Morris

 
Jani Lane memorial show set in Ohio for 1 year anniversary of 'Cherry Pie' guy death
Posted By: Metal Sludge

Jani Lane will always be remembered as the "Cherry Pie" guy.

It frustrated Lane in life. It followed him in death. The song was a quick-hit reference point when the Northeast Ohio native passed away a year ago. He was 47. But there was much more to Lane than the 1990 hair-metal anthem that made him a star. And that's what friends and fans of Lane will show at the Jani Lane Memorial show.

At 5 p.m. Saturday, the show will celebrate the life and music of Lane at Ripper Owens Tap House, 491 E. Waterloo Road, Akron. Free. Call 330-785-3500.

"I loved Jani," says Billy Morris, who played with Lane in Warrant. "He moved to Los Angeles to make it in music, but he never left his Ohio roots."

Lane recruited the Cleveland-based Morris to play in Warrant. He also had Morris put together a band with plans to hit the road.

Lane died before the band could even practice. He was found dead from alcohol poisoning in a hotel in Los Angeles. "It's sad. He always battled this demon, and it took its toll on him," says Morris. "He was a regular guy who loved the Browns and playing music."

Morris will perform at the show with his band, Cleveland's Breakfast Club.

"We'll do some Warrant songs," says Morris. "You know, he was just as good of a songwriter as Kurt Cobain, but he got tagged with the whole hair-metal era that MTV and 'Beavis and Butthead' poked fun at, and it really bummed him out."

Lane penned a string of hard-rock pop hits, including "Down Boys," "Sometimes She Cries" and, yes, "Cherry Pie."

" 'Cherry Pie' is an anthem," says Morris. "Unfortunately it's an anthem for an era that is frowned upon."

Morris hopes time will be kind to Lane's memory -- beginning with the memorial.

"He could play any instrument or just sit down with an acoustic guitar and come up with a rock 'n' roll song on the spot," says Morris. "He was a great guy and an amazing musician, and I hope that's what people remember about him."

Article from CLEVELAND.COM 

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