Frankie Banali, the drummer for the heavy metal bands Quiet Riot and W.A.S.P has died at 68, losing his battle to pancreatic cancer.

Last November, Banali said he wanted to keep performing life, stating he had “everything to win and everything to lose in this situation. I intend to treat it the way I treat everything, which is to put everything into it and fight it all the way to the end.”

Banali joined Quiet Riot in 1983 after they released mega-hit album Mental Health and would contribute for 12 more of the group’s records, as well as played drums for seven of W.A.S.P’s albums.

In a statement, his family said: “He was a long time advocate for animal rescue, a spokesperson for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, and a sponsor of Children International. Donations in his name are encouraged for Fixnation.org, Pancan.org, Children.org.”

Frankie is survived by his devoted wife Regina, loving daughter Ashley, many dear friends, dedicated fans, and a menagerie of rescue animals, all of whom are family.