This article is about the guitarist. For the radio talk show host, see Randi Rhodes.
Randy Rhoads
Rhoads performing with Ozzy Osbourne in 1980
Background information
Birth name
Randall William Rhoads
Born
(1956-12-06)December 6, 1956 Santa Monica, California, U.S.
Died
March 19, 1982(1982-03-19) (aged 25) Leesburg, Florida, U.S.
Genres
Heavy metal
hard rock
neoclassical metal
Occupation(s)
Guitarist
Years active
1972–1982
Formerly of
Ozzy Osbourne
Quiet Riot
Musical artist
Randall William Rhoads (December 6, 1956 – March 19, 1982) was an American guitarist. He was the co-founder and original guitarist of the heavy metal band Quiet Riot, and the guitarist and co-songwriter for Ozzy Osbourne's first two solo albums Blizzard of Ozz (1980) and Diary of a Madman (1981). Rhoads was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2021.[1]
Originally educated in classical guitar, Rhoads combined these early influences with heavy metal, helping form a sub-genre later known as neoclassical metal. With Quiet Riot, he adopted a black-and-white polka-dot theme which became an emblem for the group. He reached his peak as the guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne's solo career, performing on tracks including "Crazy Train" and "Mr. Crowley" on the Blizzard of Ozz album. "Crazy Train" features one of the most well-known heavy metal guitar riffs.
He died in a plane crash while on tour with Osbourne in Florida in 1982. Despite his short career, Rhoads is regarded as a pivotal figure in metal music, credited with pioneering a fast and technical style of guitar soloing that largely defined the metal scene of the 1980s. He helped popularize various guitar techniques now common in heavy metal music, including two-handed tapping, tremolo bar dive bombs, and intricate scale patterns, drawing comparisons to his contemporary, Eddie Van Halen. The Jackson Rhoads model guitar was originally commissioned by him. He has been included in several published "Greatest Guitarist" lists, and has been cited by other prominent guitarists as a major influence.
^"ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES 2021 INDUCTEES | Rock & Roll Hall of Fame". www.rockhall.com. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
Madman (1981). Rhoads was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2021. Originally educated in classical guitar, Rhoads combined these...
The RandyRhoads Years is a 1993 compilation album from American heavy metal band Quiet Riot. It features previously unreleased and remixed material recorded...
Jackson Rhoads is a model of electric guitar, originally commissioned by guitarist RandyRhoads and produced by Jackson Guitars. RandyRhoads' first Jackson...
founded in Los Angeles in 1973 by guitarist RandyRhoads and bassist Kelly Garni. The original lineup featured Rhoads and Garni with lead vocalist Kevin DuBrow...
(initially known as Blizzard of Ozz) in November of that year with guitarist RandyRhoads, bassist Bob Daisley and drummer Lee Kerslake. Since its inception, the...
DuBrow, guitarist RandyRhoads, bassist Kelly Garni and drummer Drew Forsyth. Garni left in late 1978, after an altercation with Rhoads in which he reportedly...
Guitarist Greg Leon, who initially took RandyRhoads's place in Quiet Riot, has claimed that he helped Rhoads write what would become the iconic "Crazy...
Daisley and Rhoads, it brought Osbourne considerable success on his first solo effort. Though it is generally accepted that Osbourne and Rhoads started the...
first of two studio albums Osbourne recorded with guitarist RandyRhoads prior to Rhoads' death in 1982. In 2017, it was ranked 9th on Rolling Stone's...
when guitarist RandyRhoads approached the company with an idea for an individualized guitar. The collaborative design effort between Rhoads, Grover Jackson...
the legendary guitarist RandyRhoads to Ozzy Osbourne, as well as bringing Jake E. Lee to Ozzy's solo band following Rhoads's death. Strum has worked...
is the final Quiet Riot album to feature lead guitarist and founder RandyRhoads, who departed the following year to join former Black Sabbath vocalist...
original on 24 June 2015. Retrieved 12 July 2015. "RandyRhoads on tour 1973 - 1982 - Ultimate Rhoads". "1980 - Ozzy Central". Archived from the original...
guitarists such as Chuck Schuldiner, Yngwie Malmsteen, Ritchie Blackmore, and RandyRhoads employing it in their music. The scale is called the harmonic minor scale...
Wumblies," which later moved to Denver, Colorado before breaking up in 1980. Randy Castillo was a mixed-race Apache Native American. In 1984, Castillo was...
went back to Jackson guitars. He was seen using custom made Soloist and RandyRhoads guitars during the 2009 Sonisphere Festival. On March 27, 2010, Ian announced...
they form a band. They were soon joined by former Quiet Riot guitarist RandyRhoads, whom Osbourne had recently met in Los Angeles. The trio hired ex-Uriah...
band without Rhoads. While still a member of Osbourne's band, Sarzo had been helping his former band Quiet Riot by recording the RandyRhoads tribute song...
original on 24 June 2015. Retrieved 12 July 2015. "RandyRhoads on tour 1973 - 1982 - Ultimate Rhoads". "www.randyrhoads.tk • View topic - RR Ozzy ticket...
Originally created by luthier Karl Sandoval of California (used by RandyRhoads), the guitar is often mistaken as a custom Flying V. Wylde has a custom...
suicide and the subsequent lawsuit over his death. Ozzy Osbourne – vocals RandyRhoads – guitars Bob Daisley – bass guitar Lee Kerslake – drums Don Airey –...
drumming in the band Rhoads featuring singer Kelle Rhoads, brother of the late RandyRhoads, Menza released his first record with Rhoads, titled Into the...
development of the style in the 1980s. Other notable players in the genre are RandyRhoads, Michael Romeo, Jason Becker, Tony MacAlpine, Vinnie Moore, Alexi Laiho...
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