Jani Lane
| Jani Lane | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | John Kennedy Oswald |
| Born |
February 1, 1964 Akron, Ohio, United States |
| Died | August 11, 2011 (aged 47) Woodland Hills, California, United States |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter, musician |
| Instruments | Vocals, piano, guitar, drums |
| Years active | 1982–2011 |
| Associated acts | Warrant, Plain Jane, Sean E. River Project, Saints of the Underground, Great White |
| Website | janilane |
Jani Lane (February 1, 1964 – August 11, 2011) was an American recording artist and the lead vocalist, frontman, lyricist and main songwriter for the glam metal band Warrant. From Hollywood, California, the band experienced success from 1989–1996 with five albums reaching international sales of over 10 million. Lane left Warrant in 2004 and again in 2008 after a brief reunion. Lane also released a solo album Back Down to One in 2003 and the album Love the Sin, Hate the Sinner with a new group Saints of the Underground in 2008. Lane contributed his lead vocals and song writing to many various projects throughout his career.
Lane was born John Kennedy Oswald (later changed to John Patrick Oswald), on February 1, 1964 in Akron, Ohio. The youngest of Eileen and Robert Oswald's five children, John grew up just east of Akron in Brimfield, along with his older brother (Eric) and 3 older sisters (Marcine, Michelle and Victoria). Eric was an accomplished guitarist and Lane himself learned to play drums, guitar and piano by ear at age 6 with his brother, Eric and sister, Vicky, guiding, teaching, and participating with him. Lane grew up listening to Cleveland rock station WMMS (100.7 FM, "The Buzzard"), and was introduced to all types of bands and music by his brother, Eric. With his sister Vicky's connections in the music scene with many bands and with his parents Bob and Eileen's aid, he quickly made a name for himself at a very young age. Lane played drums under the name "Mitch Dynamite" in clubs by age 11, again with the prompting of his sister and her boyfriend's band "Pokerface", he started his climb to bigger and better things. ("Mitch Dynamite" 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, always enjoying "jam sessions" at home and in public with his brother and sister as back-ups.
By the time Lane was 11, his siblings had left for college or marriage. He graduated from Field High School in 1982 with many options available to him in the immediate future, including football scholarships at Kent State and Ohio State, drama scholarships, etc. He was an Honor Roll and above-average, intelligent student from kindergarten through high school. He chose his passion much to the chagrin of his parents, who wanted him to continue his education. He idolized his father, and both parents were torn with Jani's decision.
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