TMZ is reporting that rocker Jani Lane, former singer of the band Warrant, was found dead this evening at a hotel in Los Angeles. He was 47.

The singer’s body was reportedly discovered at the Comfort Inn hotel in Woodland Hills, CA. So far, no official cause of death has been released or any further details about Lane’s recent activities.

Lane was born John Kennedy Oswald in Akron, Ohio on February 1, 1964. The blond long-haired singer began fronting the hair metal band Warrant in 1986 and wrote some of their biggest hits, like 1990’s “Cherry Pie,” as well as “Heaven” and “Down Boys.” The band enjoyed great success with their first two albums, but eventually their popularity waned and in 1993, Lane left Warrant to pursue a solo career.

In 1991, he married model actress Bobbie Brown, who had appeared in the famous “Cherry Pie” video. The couple had one child together, a daughter, before divorcing in 1993.

In 2005, Lane was a member of VH1’s Celebrity Fit Club 2 reality television series where he competed against other celebrities in a weight-loss competition.

In 2010, he filled in on tour on vocals for Jack Russell for hair metal compatriots Great White.

Lane was known to have a history of substance abuse and was arrested for DUI in May of 2010 — his second DUI in a year — and was ordered to serve 120 days in jail.

While his history of alcohol abuse was well known and while on Celebrity Fit Club 2, it was obvious he had his problems, it’s hard to believe his life would come to an end like this. He was a talented singer, songwriter, and performer who seemed, like many fellow musicians, to have lost his way by first letting fame and fortune overcome him, and later let the lost of those things, along with substance abuse, destroy him.

RIP Jani Lane
February 1, 1964 – August 11, 2011

Warrant – Cherry Pie Video

Warrant – Heaven Video

[Source: TMZ]