Randy Rhoads

Randall William "Randy" Rhoads (December 6, 1956 -- March 19, 1982) was an American heavy metal guitarist who is best known for playing with Ozzy Osbourne. Despite his short career, he is cited as an influence by many contemporary heavy metal guitarists. His unique neo-classical metal style of playing set him apart from other guitarists of the late 1970s and early 1980s. He was a devoted student of classical guitar technique, and his music often combined classical music influences with heavy metal. While on tour with Ozzy Osbourne, he would often seek out classical guitar tutors for lessons.

Death

On March 19, 1982, the band was headed to a festival in Orlando, Florida, when they stopped at the owner of the bus company's house, Jerry Calhoun, in Leesburg, Florida after driving much of the night. The driver, Andrew Aycock, took Rhoads and hairdresser Rachel Youngblood on a flight in a Beechcraft Bonanza he had taken without permission. Apparently, during the flight, an attempt was made to "buzz" the tour bus where the other band members were sleeping. They succeeded three times but the fourth time it went horribly wrong. The right wing clipped the right side of the tour bus by accident and crashed into Jerry Calhoun's nearby mansion completely destroying the front. Nobody in the mansion was hurt. Rhoads, age 25, was killed instantly, as were Aycock, 36, and Youngblood, 58. It was later determined in an autopsy that Aycock had a trace of cocaine in his system at the time; Rhoads's toxicology test revealed no illicit drugs.

Randy's funeral was held at the First Lutheran Church in Burbank, CA, which he attended as a child. He was interred at Mountain View Cemetery in San Bernardino, California where his grandparents are also buried. At the time, Randy's mother was living in Burbank. The Rhoads family and many fans gather there on the anniversary of his death as well as his birthday to pay tribute and celebrate his life.

Discography with Ozzy Osbourne

Singles

* "Crazy Train" (1980)
* "Mr. Crowley" (1980)
* "Over The Mountain" (1981)
* "Flying High Again" (1981)
* "Tonight" (1981)

Albums

* Blizzard of Ozz (1980)
* Mr.Crowley Picture Disc Live Ep (1981) - out of print
* Diary of a Madman (1981)
* Over The Mountain / I Don't Know (Live) (1981) - 45 rpm JET 12017
* Tribute (live, 1981) (1987)
* Ten Commandments (greatest hits) (1990) - out of print
* The Ozzman Cometh (greatest hits) (1997)
* The Essential Ozzy Osbourne (greatest hits) (2003)
* Prince of Darkness (box set) (2005)


Photo from Wikipedia

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Randy Rhoads Guitar Solo