Jerry Dixon

The bass player for Los Angeles-based heavy metal group Warrant since the mid-'80s, Jerry Dixon continues to unleash demons with his thunderous playing. Together with fellow '80s rockers Dokken, Ratt, Firehouse, and the L.A. Guns, Dixon and Warrant participated in the Rockfest 2002 tour. Dixon began playing with Warrant in September 1984, three months after the group was founded by guitarist Erik Turner. Establishing itself as one of the hardest hitting bands in southern California, the group took a leap forward in 1986 with the arrival of vocalist Jani Lane and drummer Steve Sweet. The group recorded several tracks in Prince's Paisley Park Studios in October 1987. Signed to a three-album contract with Columbia, Dixon and Warrant released their debut CD, Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich, in 1989. While the first two singles, "Down Boys" and "Sometimes She Cries" showed hints of the band's dynamic approach, the third release, "Heaven", reached the second position on the Billboard charts and solidified the band's reputation. Appearing on the soundtrack of the 1989 film Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, they continued their success with their 1990 album, Cherry Pie, which included two Top 20 hits -- "I Saw Red" and the title track. Despite their early triumphs, Dixon and Warrant found their popularity waning as grunge became the dominant heavy metal form. When their 1992 album, Dog Eat Dog, failed to match sales of previous albums, Columbia elected to not renew their contract. ~ Craig Harris