Ultimate Rhoads

I've always wondered how much of an impression Randy left on other guitarists who could play well. He would of met some of the best while on tour and i'm sure everyone who he jammed with had a fun time. I seen this mentioned in the 'Saxon 1984' tour programme. Graham Oliver who played with Randy on tour in 1981 gives him much kudos here.

Great topic! I'd like to hear 'Fast' Eddie Clarke's opinion... I've heard Lemmy's comments, but not Eddie's.

Randy mentioned Phil Collen being a good player, but I don't recall ever hearing Phil's words on Randy.

I have read that Randy and Paul 'Tonka' Chapman (UFO) became fast friends during the Diary tour. Paul had just entered an endorsement deal with Washburn guitars at the time, and reportedly Randy and Paul shared many hours trying out his new guitars and trading licks. Listen to bootlegs of UFO circa 82-83 and you can hear some Randyisms in Tonka's playing.

Tonka was also involved in getting RR to a dentist during this time frame, as Randy was having wisdom teeth issues.

Chapman is a favorite of mine. Excellent guitar player.

shred1 wrote:Chapman is a favorite of mine. Excellent guitar player.

It had to be tough following Schenker in UFO.

Paul Wolfe wrote:

shred1 wrote:Chapman is a favorite of mine. Excellent guitar player.

It had to be tough following Schenker in UFO.

that would've been impossible
I'm not even sure Randy could've pulled it off

Stiltzkin wrote:

Paul Wolfe wrote:

shred1 wrote:Chapman is a favorite of mine. Excellent guitar player.

It had to be tough following Schenker in UFO.

that would've been impossible
I'm not even sure Randy could've pulled it off

Gotta agree there.

Paul Wolfe wrote:
Gotta agree there.

Perhaps randy would have suffered the insults that brad and Zak have received?

It is easy to attack someone who is filling somebody else's shoes whilst trying to inject something of themselves into it. Randy created two truly great albums and what everyone always wants is that exact experience even when the band is different.

Trigger wrote:

Paul Wolfe wrote:
Gotta agree there.

Perhaps randy would have suffered the insults that brad and Zak have received?

It is easy to attack someone who is filling somebody else's shoes whilst trying to inject something of themselves into it. Randy created two truly great albums and what everyone always wants is that exact experience even when the band is different.

I never really had an issue with the guys who followed Randy and their versions of his tunes. My main complaint would be the excessive keyboards (which I hate in that context) and Zakk's incessant squeals - but that goes for Zakk in 99% of anything he plays.

I don't think I've ever listened to anything by UFO post Schenker, I'll have to look into that.

Paul Wolfe wrote:

Trigger wrote:

Paul Wolfe wrote:
Gotta agree there.

Perhaps randy would have suffered the insults that brad and Zak have received?

It is easy to attack someone who is filling somebody else's shoes whilst trying to inject something of themselves into it. Randy created two truly great albums and what everyone always wants is that exact experience even when the band is different.

I never really had an issue with the guys who followed Randy and their versions of his tunes. My main complaint would be the excessive keyboards (which I hate in that context) and Zakk's incessant squeals - but that goes for Zakk in 99% of anything he plays.

I don't think I've ever listened to anything by UFO post Schenker, I'll have to look into that.

Agreed about the keyboards. As I've mentioned elsewhere, I think this was just a product of the times, though. Everyone and their dog were throwing keyboards into their music anyway they could shoehorn it in. Today, the music sounds dated.

Also agree about Zakk's pinch harmonics. He's a good guitar player, but the pinch harmonics are the musical equivalent of a nervous tic. He just can't quit doing that shit in his music, and to me, it takes away from the overall product. Your mileage may vary, though.

I personally think that everyone that that followed Randy did a great job, and stepped up to the plate impressively. None of them were Randy, obviously, but they each put their stamp on playing his music.

what ive heard of live diary stuff is too much and loud keys.
whatever happened to all that electronic krap like synclavier guitars,simmons drums,roland dx7???hahaha

oth wrote:what ive heard of live diary stuff is too much and loud keys.
whatever happened to all that electronic krap like synclavier guitars,simmons drums,roland dx7???hahaha

Thankfully, it went the way of the dinosaurs. It used to be in the 80's that was all you'd hear there for a while.

Now we have autotune and other abominations against music to take their place.

This photo is from a couple of years ago when i had the chance to talk to Graham Oliver and Steve Dawson from Saxon. Graham was very vocal about Randy and Ozzy and still holds him in high status as being up there with the best. Nice guys and still out there gigging to this day. Oliver / Dawson Saxon ODS

Paul Wolfe wrote:Great topic! I'd like to hear 'Fast' Eddie Clarke's opinion... I've heard Lemmy's comments, but not Eddie's.

Randy mentioned Phil Collen being a good player, but I don't recall ever hearing Phil's words on Randy.

It's a shame that Eddie has sadly died as he was cool for sending messages too. He would of been very easy to tallk to during that 1981 tour with Motorhead but as far as technique and being well above the standard of Ed. I think Randy would of been cool to meet but at the same time i could imagine on meeting him for the first time he would of been very shy and a little bit timid with the likes of the guys from MH.
Phil collen would of been more up his street ..when he was playing in 'Girl', shit man! the guy wore make up on stage. He reminds me of John5 for some reason and another very talented guitarist ...just imagine them two in a room trading licks..