Randy Rhoads Fact Sheet

[Whipper]

This just surfaced on Facebook, thought it was the coolest thing I'd seen in quite some time! A fact sheet that was filled out by Randy himself, that appears to have been done for a Japanese fan club? Some answers really surprised me.

[axeman_12656]

Thats Cool! Thanks for posting.

[Paul Wolfe]

That was from Kelly Garni's scrapbook... Quiet Riot was to be 'the next big thing' in Japan after the release of Quiet Riot, so the fan club would contact the guys and ask abut them... this is cool to see Randy answer questions instead of hearing others answer for him as we do now...

Favorite Group: The Beatles

Favorite Musician: Jeff Beck

This was written in '77 or '78, so I'm guessing Randy was impressed with Blow by Blow and Wired. Interesting, because I don't recall anyone mentioning Beck as an influence of his... Kelly Garni told me about obscure favorites of Randy's like Savage Grace, and I've heard of the usual influences like Grosvenor, Nelson, Buxton, Schenker, Van Halen... I've even heard that Randy could play DiMeola note for note, but I don't recall any reference to Beck other than this.

[rice_pudding]

This was written in '77 or '78, so I'm guessing Randy was impressed with Blow by Blow and Wired. Interesting, because I don't recall anyone mentioning Beck as an influence of his... Kelly Garni told me about obscure favorites of Randy's like Savage Grace, and I've heard of the usual influences like Grosvenor, Nelson, Buxton, Schenker, Van Halen... I've even heard that Randy could play DiMeola note for note, but I don't recall any reference to Beck other than this.

I've heard about Beck a couple of times before (in interviews perhaps), the only real reference I can think of is a music book;

Another guitarist who influenced Rhoads was Jeff Beck. Rhoads admired the way Beck expressed himself using the guitar; while playing even a single note he sounded great. Rhoads actually listened to a wide range of music and was getting more and more interested in the jazz guitar style. Beck's jazz-rock fusion must have been like a porthole into a world with richer harmonies and greater expression, both of which Rhoads was seeking throughout his career.

Rosenbaum, Aaron (2002) Ozzy Osbourne, The Randy Rhoads Years, Cherry Lane

There is no reference for this assertion in the book, but as I say I'm certain I've heard such things from other sources. The author also makes note of Randy enjoying Jazz artists such as Earl Klugh and Jean Luc Ponty, stating that Randy was not so much into heavy fusion but enjoyed melodic music. This would indirectly offer some explanation to a fascination with Beck. The book also draws attention to the Jazz harmonies in S.A.T.O

To be honest I still find some of Randy's other supposed influences more surprising. I think the influence of Schenker is slightly overstated, and I personally see very little link to Blackmore. And while QR were undoubtedly 'copying' VH in some ways I don't really consider EVH an influence.

Rob

[rokket]

This also appears in the March 2006 issue of Guitar World (with Randy on the cover) on page 76.

[Geo Sav]

Yeh I remember that from the guitar magazine. I forgot about this. Thanks for posting.

[Glam Keef]

I personally see very little link to Blackmore.

Ritchie Blackmore often used semitone 'trills' which was unique at the time in a rock context. Something that RR often used to similar effect. I'd say the influence is there.
I'm sure I read a Kelle Rhoads interview somewhere that also mentioned that Blackmore was an ealy influence for RR.

[BowTie29]

Randy says in an interview he like blackmore

[Stiltzkin]

Randy says in an interview he like blackmore

Can't blame him Ritchie Blackmore is a mastermind and a true pioneer
in bringing the aspects of classical music into to rock n roll

[GUITARIDOL5682]

Yeah i remember this being mentioned in this book here which came from the pages of Guitar Player magazine. Its on the bottom link it's the page below Randy with the acoustic guitar, bottom left corner. He mentions people like Andy Summers from The Police who was a very underrated player at the time.
This is a link to Jas Obrecht's interviews in full with Ozzy, Max Norman, Delores Rhoads, Rudy Sarzo, Kelle Rhoads etc. Enjoy
http://jasobrecht.com/?s=randy+rhoads&x=9&y=9
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=4038&hilit=jas+obrecht

[Geo Sav]

Thanks for posiing that.

[rice_pudding]

I personally see very little link to Blackmore.

Ritchie Blackmore often used semitone 'trills' which was unique at the time in a rock context. Something that RR often used to similar effect. I'd say the influence is there.
I'm sure I read a Kelle Rhoads interview somewhere that also mentioned that Blackmore was an ealy influence for RR.

Well... looking purely at the music and the solos, I just don't see any real direct influence, no doubt Blackmore's integration of classical could have been a launchpad for Randy to work off, in the same way Beck's expressive approach may have been influential. But in terms of the actual music I just don't hear it. The lead parts in Stormbringer is the only thing that springs to mind. Maybe I'm just listening to the wrong Blackmore? I listened to Deep Purple a lot in the past but it has been a while.

In all honesty I see a much stronger link between Clapton and Schenker than I do Rhoads and Blackmore. And I don't ever recall the mighty German professing a love of Clapton, but I most certainly could be wrong!

Rob

[Stiltzkin]

And I don't ever recall the mighty German professing a love of Clapton, but I most certinly could be wrong!

I know a certain Dutch guitarist that did

[rice_pudding]

And I don't ever recall the mighty German professing a love of Clapton, but I most certinly could be wrong!

I know a certain Dutch guitarist that did

Dutch? Schenker? Now that would be a surprise!

Rob

[hansolo]

I personally see very little link to Blackmore.

Ritchie Blackmore often used semitone 'trills' which was unique at the time in a rock context. Something that RR often used to similar effect. I'd say the influence is there.
I'm sure I read a Kelle Rhoads interview somewhere that also mentioned that Blackmore was an ealy influence for RR.

Well... looking purely at the music and the solos, I just don't see any real direct influence, no doubt Blackmore's integration of classical could have been a launchpad for Randy to work off, in the same way Beck's expressive approach may have been influential. But in terms of the actual music I just don't hear it. The lead parts in Stormbringer is the only thing that springs to mind. Maybe I'm just listening to the wrong Blackmore? I listened to Deep Purple a lot in the past but it has been a while.

In all honesty I see a much stronger link between Clapton and Schenker than I do Rhoads and Blackmore. And I don't ever recall the mighty German professing a love of Clapton, but I most certainly could be wrong!

Rob

Check out Rainbow live (w/Dio) Sixteenth Century Greensleeves, Man on the silver mountain, etc. Or take Smoke on the water, Richie used 5th chords without the bass root. I don't know has the A pedal with 5th chords with no root.