Randy Rhoads Remembered (32 Years Ago Today)

Today marks the 32nd anniversary of the death of one of hard rock’s true guitar heroes, Randy Rhoads.

Randy, who found massive success with Ozzy Osbourne’s solo band back in 1980, after starting his career in an early version of Quiet Riot, died on March 19, 1982.  He was a victim of a plane crash accident in Leesburg, Florida while on tour with Ozzy. His death propelled him into the same vanguard as other legendary guitarists who also had their careers cut short by tragedy.

It wasn’t just the fact that Randy Rhoads dying young cemented his legendary status. He was well on his way to the pantheon of musical genius while still alive.

Randy’s legend runs so deep within the music community, it’s very easy to forget he only recorded two albums with Ozzy (Blizzard of Ozz and Diary of a Madman – both released in 1981). But the influence spread far and wide to burgeoning and established guitarists all across the world.

With a blinding speed and a pyrotechnic sonic fervor, the power of Randy’s work is stunning. He achieved so much success and spread an influence so wide at such a young age, (he was only 25 years old when he died) and with such a small amount of recorded material, is an amazing feat in itself. With his bone-crunching riffs, on top of walls of sound that would shake and rattle one’s teeth and soul, Randy played his guitar like no one before or since. In essence, he led a musical revolution in which he never had a chance to witness.

Randy’s legacy lives on to this day and will continue to do so as he lives on in so many others.

Randy Rhoads performing live during his stint in Quiet Riot (1978-79).  Watch this video and you’ll hear many portions of the solo which would go on to become classic Ozzy tunes.

QUIET RIOT (ft. Randy Rhoads) September 22, 1979 

Remembering Dave Prichard (Armored Saint) 24th Anniversary

Today marks the 24th anniversary of the passing of Armored Saint guitarist Dave Prichard. He was diagnosed with leukemia and on Feb 28, 1990, he passed away from the disease at the early age of 26.

He had made a substantial mark in the music world spanning one EP and four albums [Armored Saint EP (1983), March of the Saint (1984), Delirious Nomad (1985), Raising Fear (1987), Saints Will Conquer – LIVE (1988)].

But Dave lived on even after his untimely death.

1991’s ‘Symbol Of Salvation’ included a demo of Dave’s solo on the song “Tainted Past”.  In 2001, Metal Blade Records released the 2-CD set ‘Nod to the Old School’ which included unreleased tracks, rarities, demos and live material. And in 2003, ‘Symbol of Salvation’ was re-issued/remastered as a 3-disc collection which included all of Dave’s original 1989 4-track demos of every song from that album (except “Half Drawn Bridge”). 2004 saw the DVD re-release of their 1987 VHS “A Trip Thru Red Times” which included video’s (pro and bootleg).

I had the privilege of seeing Dave with the Saint opening for Metallica in ’85 and again in ’86 opening for Saxon. He always had that ‘it’ factor and it would’ve been only a matter of time before he became more well-known.

Enjoy this live Saint concert – Hell On Wheels Tour filmed in Minneapolis, MN (Sept 15, 1987)

We miss ya Dave!

“Give in/Give and take/Taken by mistake/From now on I call the shots/Long before I die, long before I die” – taken from 1986’s ‘Delirious Nomad’…opening track “Long Before I Die”.