James Durbin (singer)

American singer and guitarist

James Durbin

Durbin performs at Transit Center at Manas, Kyrgyzstan, March 2014

Background information
Birth name| James William Durbin
Born|  (1989-01-06) January 6, 1989 (age 36)
Origin| Santa Cruz, California, US
Genres| Rock, hard rock, pop rock, heavy metal[1][2]
Occupation(s)| Singer, guitarist, songwriter
Instrument(s)| Vocals, guitar
Years active| 2006–present
Labels| Wild Vine Records (Independent)
Member of| Durbin
Formerly of| Quiet Riot
Website| jamesdurbinofficial.com

Musical artist

James William Durbin[3] (born January 6, 1989) is an American singer and guitarist from Santa Cruz, California,[4] who finished in fourth place on the tenth season of American Idol in 2011. Durbin was the lead singer for heavy metal band Quiet Riot from 2017 to 2019.

## Early life

[edit]

Durbin was born in 1989 to Judy Settle-Durbin, a dentist's daughter, and Willy Durbin, a bass player who died of a heroin overdose when James was nine.[5] He stated during his aired audition on American Idol that he was upset he didn't have the chance to know his father well. He was diagnosed with Tourette syndrome and Asperger syndrome shortly after his father died.[5] He attended Musicschool, a music school run by Dale Ockerman in Santa Cruz instead of a traditional school. Durbin never graduated from high school.[6] Durbin cites popular bands My Chemical Romance and Thirty Seconds to Mars as his inspirations for his music.[7]

In 2006, he performed in a Santa Cruz children's theater group called Kids on Broadway and played the lead role in Grease and Beauty and the Beast. In 2007, he played the leading roles of Tony in West Side Story and Oscar in Sweet Charity—both productions produced by All About Theatre, a Santa Cruz community theatre company.[8] In 2008, Durbin appeared in Alan Parsons' "Art & Science of Sound Recording" educational video series, recording a version of Parsons' "We Play The Game" at Ex'pression College for Digital Arts.[9]

He was the lead singer in a band called Hollywood Scars,[10] where he went by the stage name of Jimmy Levox. Influenced by bands such as Metallica, Pantera, Judas Priest, Dream Theater, Guns N' Roses, Iron Maiden and Mötley Crüe,[11] Hollywood Scars drew their inspiration from the glitz, glam, and decadence of Hollywood's Sunset Strip in the 1980s. The band released a single, "Under the Cherry Tree."[citation needed] He was also in a band called Whatever Fits.[12] He has also sung country music.[4]

## Career

[edit]

### American Idol

[edit]

Durbin had previously auditioned for American Idol in the eighth season, but was not chosen.[4]

Durbin was eliminated in the Top 4 on the tenth season, but despite his elimination, he received a homecoming previously reserved for Top 3 contestants,[13] the first time such an exception on the homecoming policy was made by the show.[14] Footage of his homecoming, dubbed the "Durbin Day",[15] was shown briefly on the Top 3 performance show.

He appeared on the American Idol tenth-season finale, singing "Livin' After Midnight" and "Breaking the Law" with Judas Priest.[16]

#### Performances and results

[edit]

Episode  | Theme  | Song choice  | Original artist  | Order #  | Result

|
|
|
|
|

Audition  | Auditioner's Choice  | "You Shook Me"  | Muddy Waters | N/A  | Advanced
"Dream On"  | Aerosmith
Hollywood Round, Part 1  | First Solo  | "Oh! Darling"  | The Beatles | N/A  | Advanced
Hollywood Round, Part 2  | Group Performance  | "Somebody to Love"  | Queen | N/A  | Advanced
Hollywood Round, Part 3  | Second Solo  | "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing"  | Aerosmith  | N/A  | Advanced
Las Vegas Round  | Songs of The Beatles
Group Performance  | "Get Back"  | The Beatles  | N/A  | Advanced
Hollywood Round Final  | Final Solo  | "A Change Is Gonna Come"  | Sam Cooke | N/A  | Advanced
Top 24 (12 Men)  | Personal Choice  | "You've Got Another Thing Comin'"  | Judas Priest | 6  | Advanced
Top 13  | Your Personal Idol  | "Maybe I'm Amazed"  | Paul McCartney | 6  | Safe
Top 12  | Year You Were Born  | "I'll Be There for You"  | Bon Jovi | 4  | Safe
Top 11  | Motown  | "Living for the City"  | Stevie Wonder | 11  | Safe
Top 111 | Elton John | "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting"  | Elton John  | 7  | Safe
Top 9  | Rock & Roll Hall of Fame  | "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"  | The Beatles  | 5  | Safe
Top 8  | Songs from the Movies  | "Heavy Metal" – Heavy Metal | Sammy Hagar | 8  | Safe
Top 7  | Songs from the 21st Century  | "Uprising"  | Muse | 2  | Safe
Top 6  | Carole King | Solo "Will You Love Me Tomorrow"  | The Shirelles | 5  | Safe
Duet "I'm into Something Good" with Jacob Lusk | Earl-Jean | 9
Top 5  | Songs from Now and Then  | "Closer to the Edge"  | Thirty Seconds to Mars | 1  | Safe
"Without You"  | Badfinger | 6
Top 4  | Songs That Inspire  | "Don't Stop Believin'"  | Journey | 1  | Eliminated
Leiber & Stoller Songbook  | "Love Potion No. 9"  | The Clovers | 8

* ^Note 1 Due to the judges using their one save to save Casey Abrams, the Top 11 remained intact for another week, when two contestants were eliminated.

### Post-Idol

[edit]

After his elimination Durbin appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,[17] Live with Regis and Kelly,[18] Late Night with Jimmy Fallon,[19] and The Ellen DeGeneres Show.[20] Along with the rest of the Top 11 finalists, he participated in the American Idol Tour that season.

He appeared in a documentary, Different Is The New Normal, that focused on a teen's effort to overcome Tourette syndrome.[21]

Durbin is being managed by 19 Entertainment, alongside fellow contestants Pia Toscano and Haley Reinhart.[22] It was announced that he was signed to Wind-up Records on September 5, 2011.[23]

On May 28, 2011, Durbin and the other American Idol top 4 performed at the opening of the new Microsoft Store at Lenox Square Mall in Atlanta, Georgia.

Durbin, along with fellow contestants Scotty McCreery, Lauren Alaina, and Haley Reinhart, released a Walmart Exclusive EP with his highlights from American Idol. The tracks feature "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow", "Uprising" and a previously unreleased recording of "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)".

### Memories of a Beautiful Disaster (2011–2012)

[edit]

Durbin performing on the American Idols Live Tour

Durbin started working on his debut album after appearing on American Idol, and wrote with James Michael and Marti Frederiksen,[24] as well as his favorite band Hardcore Superstar.[25] The album was produced by Howard Benson.[26] He recorded a track entitled "Stand Up" for the album Official Gameday Music of the NFL, Volume 2 which was released for sale on September 27, 2011.[27] The song was also included in his album.

On November 21, 2011, Durbin released the album, titled Memories of a Beautiful Disaster. The album debuted at number 36 on the Billboard 200, at number eight on the Billboard Rock Chart, number 25 on the Digital Album Chart,[28] and sold 28,000 the first week.[29] Two singles were released to radio simultaneously—"Love Me Bad" was released to Top 40 radio stations, while "Stand Up" was released to rock radio.[30]

Durbin released a Christmas single, "Santa Claus Is Back in Town" on November 27, 2012.[31]

Durbin performed "Love Me Bad" on Conan and "Higher Than Heaven" on American Idol in support of his album.

### Celebrate (2013–2014)

[edit]

Durbin's second album, Celebrate, was released April 8, 2014. It was produced by Scott "The Ninja" Stevens and Durbin co wrote songs with Scott Stevens, Ted Bruner, Griffin Boyce and Stevie Aiello. The first single, "Parachute", was released on November 22, 2013.[32]

Durbin performed "Parachute" on Conan in support of his album.

### Riot on Sunset (2015–2016)

[edit]

In 2015, Durbin raised funds for his third album via PledgeMusic.[33] In November 2015, Durbin released a Christmas EP, A Thrill of Hope. He released the video for his first single "Smackdown" in April 2016.[34]

On April 7, 2016, Durbin returned to Idol for the final episode of the fifteenth season.

On Durbin's 28th birthday, he released a stop motion animated music video he made with his son Hunter.

In 2016 Durbin and Alex Grossi of Quiet Riot worked on an album project "Maps to the Hollywood Scars". Volume 1 was released as a 5-song EP in February 2017.[citation needed]

### Quiet Riot (2017–2019)

[edit]

Quiet Riot concert in Dallas, Texas, October 5, 2018

In March 2017, Durbin joined Quiet Riot, as their new lead singer. The band reported that their upcoming album, Road Rage would be re-recorded prior to its release to feature Durbin on lead vocals.[35] After recording a follow-up album, Durbin quit the band in September 2019.[36] The album, Hollywood Cowboys, was released on November 8, 2019.[37]

### The Beast Awakens (2020–2021)

[edit]

In October 2020, Durbin revealed he had signed with Frontiers Records and was working on a "pure heavy metal" album.[1] The Beast Awakens was released on February 12, 2021, under the Durbin moniker.[38] Alongside Durbin, who performs lead vocals and rhythm guitar, the album also features drummer Mike Vanderhule and bassist Barry Sparks.

### From the New World (2022)

[edit]

Durbin appeared on Alan Parsons' 2022 album, From the New World, singing "Give 'Em My Love".[citation needed]

### Screaming Steel (2023–present)

[edit]

Durbin's second heavy metal album under his moniker, Screaming Steel, was released on February 16, 2024. He also released the title track to the album along with a music video.[39]

### Cover Bands (present)

[edit]

As of 2024, Durbin consistly performs as a member of 8 different bands. These include the 80’s tribute Tainted Love, the Yacht Rock tribute Mustache Harbor, the 80’s metal tribute Mëtal Strëet Böyz and The Lost Boys, his own 70’s/80’s tribute act.[40]

## Personal life

[edit]

Durbin married Heidi Air Lowe on December 31, 2011. They have a son and two daughters.[4][41][42] Durbin is an avid fan of professional wrestling.[43][44]

## Discography

[edit]

### Solo career

[edit]

Studio albums
Title  | Details  | Peak chart
positions  | Sales

|
|
|

[29] | US
Digital  | US
Rock
Memories of a Beautiful Disaster |

* Release date: November 21, 2011
* Label: Wind-up
* Format: CD, digital download

| 36  | 25  | 8  |

* US: 123,000[45]

Celebrate |

* Release date: April 8, 2014[46]
* Label: Wind-up
* Format: CD, digital download

| 83  | —  | 14  |
Riot on Sunset |

* Release date: July 15, 2016
* Independent Release
* Format: CD, Vinyl, download

| —  | —  | —  |
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Extended plays
Title  | Details  | Peak chart
positions  | Sales

|
|
|

[47] | US
Rock
[48] | CAN
[49]
American Idol Season 10
Highlights: James Durbin |

* Release date: June 28, 2011
* Label: 19, Interscope
* Format: Digital download

| 31  | 7  | 52  |

* US: 71,000[50]

Singles
Year  | Single  | Peak chart positions  | Sales  | Album

|
|
|
|

Adult | US
Main
2011  | "Stand Up"  | —  | 39  |

* US: 12,000[51]

| Memories of a Beautiful Disaster
"Love Me Bad"  | 32  | —  |

* US: 11,000[51]

2012  | "Higher Than Heaven"  | —  | —  |

* US: 13,000[52]

"Santa Claus Is Back in Town"  | —  | —  |  | Non-album single
2013  | "Parachute"  | —  | —  |  | Celebrate
2016  | "Smackdown"  | —  | —  |  | Riot on Sunset
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

### with Quiet Riot

[edit]

Studio albums

* Road Rage (2018)
* Hollywood Cowboys (2019)

Live album

* One Night in Milan (2019)[37]

### with Durbin

[edit]

Studio albums

* The Beast Awakens (2021)
* Screaming Steel (2024)

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "Ex-QUIET RIOT Singer JAMES DURBIN Is Working On 'Pure Heavy Metal' Album For FRONTIERS MUSIC SRL". Blabbermouth.net. October 28, 2020. Retrieved December 10, 2020.
2. ^ Victoria Miller (March 6, 2017). "James Durbin Joins Quiet Riot, Terry DuBrow Says Brother's Band Got It Right". Yahoo! News. Retrieved December 10, 2020.
3. ^ "Free Family Tree, Genealogy and Family History". Familytreelegends.com.
4. ^ a b c d "'Idol' threat: Santa Cruz's James Durbin talks about music, fame and his life-changing experience at the eye of the "American Idol" hurricane". Santa Cruz Sentinel. March 13, 2011. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved March 13, 2011.
5. ^ a b "How James Durbin Overcame Tourette's and Asperger's to Enter the Top 24". Wetpaint. Archived from the original on July 22, 2011. Retrieved March 10, 2011.
6. ^ "Santa Cruz Fans Try to Reach Out to American Idol Contender James Durbin". Santa Cruz Patch. February 16, 2011. Archived from the original on August 31, 2011. Retrieved April 18, 2011.
7. ^ "Wind-Up Records – Official Website". Archived from the original on June 18, 2012. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
8. ^ "The book of James: The amazing journey of James Durbin to 'American Idol". Santa Cruz Sentinel. February 17, 2011. Archived from the original on August 31, 2011. Retrieved March 10, 2011.
9. ^ "Go James! ASSR featured singer James Durbin rocks American Idol". ArtAndScienceOfSound.com. February 10, 2011. Retrieved May 25, 2011.
10. ^ "American Idol 2011: James Durbin likes to sing about 'sex with women'". Unrealitytv.com. February 20, 2011. Retrieved March 10, 2011.
11. ^ "Hollywood Scars MySpace Page". MySpace.
12. ^ "James Durbin's Bio". American Idol Contestants. April 24, 2011. Retrieved May 5, 2011.
13. ^ MacDonald, Brady (May 17, 2011). "'American Idol' rocker James Durbin returns home for Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk concert". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 31, 2011.
14. ^ "'American Idol' will let James Durbin homecoming in Santa Cruz go on". Priyo Internet Life. May 14, 2011. Retrieved August 31, 2011.
15. ^ "Durbinomics gives Santa Cruz businesses a boost". Santa Cruz Sentinel. May 18, 2011. Archived from the original on August 31, 2011. Retrieved August 31, 2011.
16. ^ "James Durbin's Judas Priest Performance On 'Idol' Causes Steven Tyler To Yell Expletives". Popcrush. March 1, 2011. Retrieved August 31, 2011.
17. ^ "Eliminated 'American Idol' Contestant James Durbin Performs Judas Priest Classic On 'Leno'". Blabbermouth.net. May 15, 2011. Archived from the original on August 24, 2011. Retrieved August 31, 2011.
18. ^ "'Idol' James Durbin: 'Tour is most special part'". Digital spy. May 17, 2011. Retrieved August 31, 2011.
19. ^ "Watch James Durbin, Jimmy Fallon & Randy Jackson Jam Out to Journey!". OK Magazine. May 18, 2011. Retrieved August 31, 2011.
20. ^ "Ellen Tells James Durbin She Had Him Pegged As The 'Idol' Winner". Idolator. May 19, 2011. Retrieved August 31, 2011.
21. ^ "New York City Viewers Tune in Thursday, September 15 for a new documentary about Tourette Syndrome "Different is the New Normal" on WNET Thirteen at 8:00 pm". Tourette Syndrome Association. Archived from the original on October 13, 2011. Retrieved September 21, 2011.
22. ^ Mansfield, Brian (June 24, 2011). "Four for Friday: Idols get management deals and more". Idol Chatter. USA Today. Retrieved August 31, 2011.
23. ^ Halperin, Shirley (September 6, 2011). "'American Idol' Finalist James Durbin Signs With Wind-Up Records". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 6, 2011.
24. ^ "James Durbin Rocks It with James Michael and Marti Frederiksen". Wetpaint. May 13, 2011. Retrieved September 2, 2011.
25. ^ "Exclusive! James Durbin on Tour Life and Having His Fave Band Write for Him". Wetpaint Entertainment. August 26, 2011. Retrieved August 31, 2011.
26. ^ "'American Idol' Alum James Durbin Sets Album Release Date, Title". Hollywood Reporter. September 27, 2011. Retrieved September 28, 2011.
27. ^ "James Durbin, Jordin Sparks place tracks on NFL compilation". USATODAY.COM.
28. ^ Billboard Charts week ending December 10, 2011
29. ^ a b Mansfield, Brian (November 30, 2011). "Daughtry's 129,000 sales 'Spell' a top-ten debut". Idol Chatter. USA Today. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
30. ^ "James Durbin Love Me Bad Video Preview (a top story)::James Durbin News". Antimusic.com.
31. ^ "James Durbin's "Santa Claus Is Back In Town": Exclusive Audio Premiere!". Music.yahoo.com. November 12, 2012.
32. ^ "James Durbin – New Single Artwork – "Parachute"". Archived from the original on December 2, 2013. Retrieved November 17, 2013.
33. ^ "James Durbin: New album pre-order!". Pledgemusic.com.
34. ^ "James Durbin, 'Smackdown'- Exclusive Video Premiere". Loudwire. April 2016.
35. ^ "Quiet Riot to rerecord Road Rage album with new singer James Durbin". blabbermouth.net. March 10, 2017. Retrieved March 12, 2017.
36. ^ "FRANKIE BANALI Says JAMES DURBIN 'Quit' QUIET RIOT 'To Follow His Own Path'". Blabbermouth.net. September 9, 2019.
37. ^ a b "QUIET RIOT to Release 'Hollywood Cowboys' Album in November". Blabbermouth.net. July 16, 2019.
38. ^ "Ex-QUIET RIOT Singer JAMES DURBIN Taps CHRIS JERICHO, PHIL DEMMEL For 'Kings Before You' Single; 'The Beast Awakens' Album Announced". Blabbermouth.net. November 19, 2020. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
39. ^ "JAMES DURBIN Draws Inspiration From JUDAS PRIEST, DIO, BLACK SABBATH On Upcoming DURBIN Album, Screaming Steel; Title Track Music Video Posted". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. December 18, 2023. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
40. ^ Gaudiosi, Jeff (October 8, 2024). "A Conversation With Cleanbreak Singer James Durbin". MisplacedStraws. Retrieved April 12, 2025.
41. ^ "James Durbin Welcomes Daughter Kinzee Cruz – Moms & Babies – Celebrity Babies and Kids - Moms & Babies - People.com". People. Archived from the original on January 21, 2015. Retrieved January 21, 2015.
42. ^ "James Durbin's Rock 'N Roll Wedding Video". People. January 9, 2012.
43. ^ "Hulk Hogan Poses with James Durbin, Jericho Puts Over Hulk's "American Idol" Gig". Headline Planet. March 25, 2011. Retrieved August 31, 2011.
44. ^ ColoradoSprings.com. "Idol Rocker James Durbin Getting Married". People. Archived from the original on May 18, 2011. Retrieved June 16, 2011.
45. ^ "'American Idol' Finalist JAMES DURBIN's Collaboration With QUIET RIOT Guitarist ALEX GROSSI: 'Roads' Lyric Video". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. February 2, 2017.
46. ^ "'American Idol': James Durbin Announces New Single". The Hollywood Reporter.
47. ^ Mansfield, Brian (July 6, 2011). "David Cook, Scotty McCreery get Top 10 debuts". Idol Chatter. USA Today. Retrieved August 31, 2011.
48. ^ "'American Idol' and Billboard: James Durbin, Haley Reinhart Become 55th and 56th Finalists on Charts". Billboard. July 7, 2011. Archived from the original on September 3, 2011. Retrieved August 31, 2011.
49. ^ "Nielsen SoundScan Charts". Jam! Showbiz. Archived from the original on December 26, 2004. Retrieved August 31, 2011.
50. ^ Rutherford, Kevin (January 19, 2012). "'American Idol' Season 10: Where Are They Now?". Billboard. Retrieved January 19, 2012.
51. ^ a b "Kelly Clarkson's track sales get 'Stronger' by the week". USATODAY.COM.
52. ^ "Clarkson, Underwood dominate 'Idol' track sales". USATODAY.COM.

## External links

[edit]

* DurbinRock Official website –  Archived from the original September 27, 2020
* James Durbin says goodbye[dead link‍] on American Idol – Archived from the original June 5, 2012 (includes some messages left by fans)

* v
* t
* e

American Idol season 10

Finalists|

* Scotty McCreery
* Lauren Alaina
* Haley Reinhart
* James Durbin
* Jacob Lusk
* Casey Abrams
* Stefano Langone
* Paul McDonald
* Pia Toscano
* Naima Adedapo
* Thia Megia
* Karen Rodriguez
* Ashthon Jones

Other sources|

* Episode list
* Tour
* "I Love You This Big"
* "Like My Mother Does"

* v
* t
* e

Quiet Riot

* Rudy Sarzo
* Alex Grossi
* Jizzy Pearl
* Johnny Kelly

* Kevin DuBrow
* Randy Rhoads
* Greg Leon
* Kelly Garni
* Frankie Banali
* Carlos Cavazo
* Chuck Wright
* Paul Shortino
* Sean McNabb
* Bobby Rondinelli
* Bjorn Englen
* Tracii Guns
* Neil Citron
* Tony Franklin
* Billy Morris
* Keith St. John
* Seann Nicols
* James Durbin
* Mike Dupke

Studio albums|

* Quiet Riot
* Quiet Riot II
* Metal Health
* Condition Critical
* QR III
* QR
* Terrified
* Down to the Bone
* Alive and Well
* Guilty Pleasures
* Rehab
* Quiet Riot 10
* Road Rage
* Hollywood Cowboys

Singles|

* "Metal Health"
* "Cum On Feel the Noize"
* "Mama Weer All Crazee Now"
* "The Wild and the Young"
* "Itchycoo Park"

Live albums|

* Live & Rare Volume 1

Compilation albums|

* Winners Take All
* The Randy Rhoads Years
* Greatest Hits
* The Collection

Video albums|

* '89 Live in Japan

Related articles|

* Hear 'n Aid
* House of Lords
* List of Ozzy Osbourne members
* Ratt
* Tony Franklin

Authority control databases

International|

* ISNI
* VIAF
* WorldCat

National|

* United States

Artists|

* MusicBrainz

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