This trip was the realization of something I had longed to do since 1982. I've always wanted to see the crash site to make peace about it all and to perhaps have a sense of "closure" on the whole thing (even though I hate that term "closure").
I have been down to the Orlando area many times on business this year and this Saturday finally afforded me the opportunity to go to Leesburg. We were heading back to Tampa and the route to Leesburg takes you on out to 75 so we decided to do just that as we had some time to kill.
The manager at our Apopka plant was very familiar with the area so he gave us great directions. Took us about 45 minutes from the warehouse.
The route I look up on Google Earth took us to Casteen road which is the main entrance to Entertainment Coaches of America (ECA). Some old country roads took us to:
where I was crushed to see:
I could easily see Jerry Calhoun's house across the field as was excited to just see that. I did feel terrible to come this close to only be denied. We had already come through a few "No Trespassing" and "Private" signs so my co-worker was already a bit nervous. I resigned myself to the fact this was as close as I'd ever get. I was crushed.
I headed us back out to SR-44 and on to 75 for Tampa. We drove about a half mile when I noticed a road named Flatwoods. I had remembered seeing it and how it also came into the ECA compound. I hung a U-turn and asked my co-worker to indulge me for a few more minutes. He was real cool about it and could sense my need to see this place.
We turned onto Flatwoods and soon came to the intersection with Casteen again! Damn! But Flatwoods keeps going a bit so I took off down that way. It dead-ended so instinct told me to turn to the right and soon we were going through a few more "Private" signs, causing my co-worker to express concern. I had to see though and was positive if the owners only met me and knew why I was there they'd welcome me. It was worth being arrested to me.
We pulled through the compound which is a few homes and a main leasing office and a bunch of large hangars. Very nice touring buses were parked all about. We parked the car and I got out just as a worker passed by. I asked him to see the "boss man" and he pointed to a man (60 years old maybe?) getting out of a golf cart just then. I made my way over and waited as he discussed business with some of his employees. He finally turned his attention to me and I introduced myself and said I was down on business and that my main reason for coming here was "I am a big fan of the late Randy Rhoads". I prepared to see him roll his eyes and have me thrown out right then. He was a very, very busy man. To my astonishment he immediately says "I am too son. Randy is my favorite guitarist. His plane crashed into my house right there". I was relieved yet still very jittery - I could not believe I was standing right in front of Jerry Calhoun, whose name I'd read a hundred times before in articles about Randy. Unbelievable.
Jerry just opened up to me. The first thing I noticed was how it affected him to talk about it. He wanted to answer any questions I had but you could see it still tore him up what had happened. He could sense how important this all was to me and I'm sure he has tons of Randy fans coming by. He treated me like I was the first to ever inquire. As gracious and friendly a gentleman as you'd ever want to meet. There was a lot of activity going on all around and yet Jerry seemed pleased to talk with me. He is one of those special breed of people you want to talk about any and everything with. A kindred soul if ever there was one.
He mentioned Andrew ("Andy") Aycock and said he was a good guy. I didn't press him on the subject but the loss of Andrew hurt him bad too. Of Randy he said "Oh, he was a great guy. Just really nice and man he could play that guitar. He didn't do drugs or any of that stuff". It turns out that Jerry had met him before on one or more occaisions - an earlier gig in the Tampa area was one. He could not say enough nice things about him and that he really admired his talent. He said Randy was his favorite or one of his favorite guitarists and I thought "well, he is just being nice and considering the history of what happened he's just saying that". Then I remembered Jerry himself was in a touring country band years back and he still gigs locally. He's also been around every big name act (he just got back from delievering a coach to Neil Young at FarmAid). He wasn't just saying it to be nice. The man knows music and talent and he meant what he said. He loves Randy and he respects those that love Randy as well. Again, he could not have been nicer. This exceeded my expectations by leaps and bounds.
I wanted to let Jerry get back to his work (actually I wanted to talk with him for another couple of hours, take him to lunch, and spend the afternoon touring the shop area with him - facinating place) and asked if he'd mind me taking his picture. He did better than that. He called an assistant over and had him take a few of us together in front of one of his amazing coaches. I was blown away.
Jerry drives around in his golf cart with three Boykin spaniels. They are a very nice breed and are such sweet and amazing dogs. One of them kept licking my ankle the whole time we talked. Too funny! I'd love to have one of these.
Jerry shook my hand again and asked my name once more. I was falling all over myself I'm sure but I thanked him as well. He told me to head over to his house and feel free to walk around and get some pictures. Unbelievable - remember I was "trespassing" here and should have been thrown out on my ass.
My knees felt like rubber as I made my way over to the Calhoun residence. The first thing you notice is how beautiful it is. That area of Florida can be brutal just on a warm day and shade can be hard to find let alone a cool spot. This place is an oasis in the middle of it all - very peaceful and serene. Flowers line his sidewalk and Spanish moss hangs overhead from the shady trees. You can't believe something so tragic happened here. How could it? It does not make sense.
Other than that the house is situated exactly how I pictured it. Kind of funny because things usually are not. It is a little smaller perhaps but still a large and grand house.
I tried to take pictures from all angles to give everyone a sense of what it is like. Seeing the garage was something - I was sad and all kinds of emotions at once. Jerry had shared a few facts with me and I was satisfied that Randy did not suffer.
I took a few more shots of the area for everyone.
From the front of the house looking out...
Some of Jerry's fantastic coaches...
I headed to the car feeling drained. I had almost not gotten to see the place. I did that and more - much more than I ever imagined. This is huge for me to say the least. I hope no one takes this as "morbid" curiosity because it's not. I just want to know everything about my hero is all.
Thank you Mr. Jerry Calhoun for being such a welcoming gentleman to this 39 year old "16 year old" who just wanted to see this for himself after 23 years. You could not have been more kind or respectful. May it return to you tenfold sir.
Thank you Mr. Randy Rhoads for inspiring me to live life as full as possible - make the most of each and every day. You continue to show yourself in the lives of those you touched in your short time here. Thank you friend.
Always a place ive wanted to go along with the cemetary and musonia 
