In Memoriam... Randy Rhoads, 30 Years Later
For fans of heavy metal and guitar virtuosity who are old enough to remember, it was 30 years ago today that the senselessly tragic passing of guitarist Randy Rhoads occurred. If the story is new to you, it wasn't an event, as is with so many extremely talented musicians of a case of "death by misadventure", but of a tragic accident caused by the hand of another.On the morning of Friday, March 19th, 1982, Randy Rhoads was killed in a airplane crash while on tour with Ozzy Osbourne in Florida. Unlike aircraft accidents which have befallen many other musicians, this one did not have to occur. Tour bus driver Andrew Aycock was at the controls of a borrowed 1955 Beechcraft Bonanza, giving members of the tour entourage short joyride flights around the large property of the plane's owner. In an attempt to buzz the tour bus and awaken sleeping members of the band, the plane clipped the bus which led to a fiery crash into a nearby garage, killing Rhoads, Aycock and 58-year old tour seamstress and hairdresser Rachel Youngblood, instantly. Aycock's autopsy reportedly showed he had trace amounts of cocaine in his system at the time, though I've not been able to independently confirm that fact, despite much research. Randy Rhoads was only 25.
Film of Randy Rhoads sound checking in February 1982
Randy Rhoads' contribution to the recorded lexicon of rock music is all too small, consisting of two Japan-only releases by Quiet Riot (prior to their popularity which didn't begin until 1983) and the legendary opening salvo of Ozzy Osbourne's post-Black Sabbath solo career, "Blizzard of Ozz" and "Diary of a Madman". These, combined with several live Ozzy releases, represent the only ways to appreciate the genius of Randy Rhoads.
But his legacy and impact on the guitar world is undisputed. His classical guitar training evoked a wholly different style of playing when applied to the heavy metal music he is known for with both Ozzy and Quiet Riot. His guitar tone and use of distortion was utterly unique and has yet to be appropriated or replicated by another guitarist. You know the opening riff of the song "Crazy Train" that has become a staple of sporting events and commercials? That's Randy. Truly, he ushered in the era of the "guitar virtuoso" of the 1980's.
If you've never experienced "Blizzard of Ozz" or "Diary of a Madman" (especially beyond the hits and commercialized riffs) consider them required listening, if only for the pleasure of hearing what Rhoads creates with his Gibson and Jackson guitars. The new remasters of both albums offer the absolute best way to hear this, with special attention pad to bringing out the best possible sound in all the players involved, but most effectively, to Randy's guitars. To fully appreciate his playing, opt for disc or vinyl and not in download form (legal or otherwise).
Randy Rhoads would have been 56 this year. He was without a doubt one of the greatest guitarists to have picked up a six-string, and like most other brilliant-but-gone-too-soon musicians, it sets the mind wandering as to what the world never got to hear from him. Continued Rest in Peace, Randy.
Photo credit: Rudy Sarzo, used under the Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication
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