Former RIOT Guitarist Lou A. Kouvaris Dies Aged 65
March 28th, 2020
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Lou A. Kouvaris, former guitarist with New York City heavy metal band Riot and member of Riot Act, passed away on March 28th, 2020 following complications related to coronavirus (COVID-19). He was 65 years old.
Riot V, the current version of Riot, issued the following statement: “Lou (LA) Kouvaris (RIP). Riot has lost another brother. Lou played on the very first Riot record Rock City and performed with the current line-up many times as we are Family. We are saddened by his passing and continue in his and the Riot family honour! Rest in Power Lou! Now start working on music with Guy [Speranza], Mark [Reale] and Rhett [Forrester]! Shine on Warrior!”
Meanwhile, Riot Act vocalist Don Chaffin commented: “Words can not express the devastating loss of our dear brother Lou. When I say ‘our’, I mean that in the deepest sense of the word. Not only did I look up to Lou as a friend, family man, musician and band member, I also know that I speak for everyone that knew him as being one of the kindest souls on the planet. His smile and laugh filled the room every time he entered and his generosity was endless. I would call him ‘Uncle Lou’ and we would always say that it felt like we knew each other since we were kids even though we only met last year.
“As I write this, I realize that I’m referring to my friend in the past tense and the emotional shock is overwhelming. I truly love my brother and pray for him to rest in peace as well as send all of our love and prayers to his son, sister, cousin and all of his family and friends of which there are so many. God Bless.”
Kouvaris was born on April 20th, 1954 in Piraeus, Greece. Moving to the United States at an early age, the guitarist played in numerous local rock bands during the early 70s. In 1975 he joined Riot, appearing on the band’s November 1977 debut full-length studio album Rock City. Kouvaris left Riot in 1978 during recording sessions for the band’s new album, and was replaced by Rick Ventura. Second record Narita was released in Ocober 1979 containing several songs credited to their former guitarist.
In late 2019, Kouvaris joined forces with Rick Ventura to create Riot Act, with the intention of performing songs from the first three Riot albums – Rock City, Narita and 1981’s Fire Down Under – as well as recording new material.
