A brilliant guitar virtuoso, Randy's masterful ability of bridgingrock and classical techniques helped him forge a groundbreakingstyle of guitar playing. In 1981, Guitar Player magazine honoredRandy by selecting him as best new talent of the year. Humble andself-effacing, Randy refused to rest on his laurels. Instead, beingbestowed with this prestigious award motivated him to strive forgreater creative heights. Tragically, Randy's life ended much toosoon when on the morning of March 19, 1982 he was killed in a smallprivate plane that careened into the garage of a plantation home inLeesburg, Florida.
Randy Rhoads' ascendancy to super-stardom was inevitable.Tirelessly honing his craft, he was a devoted student of hisinstrument, endlessly practicing and perfecting his skills. Hisdays were spent as a guitar teacher and by night he solidified hisrising reputation as the "next big thing" on the Hollywood clubscene. His big break arrived when he assumed the lead guitar slotin Ozzy Osbourne's solo band. Soon the entire music world would bedazzled by his spectacular flights of fiery fretboard sizzle,swiftly recognizing the merits of this burgeoning guitargenius.
With his dynamic six-string wizardry, Randy Rhoads invented anexciting and technically advanced style of explosive hard rockguitar playing that dominated the '80s music scene. Decades later,his massive influence continues to shape, educate and inspirefirst, second and third generation players and music fans thatmarvel at his extraordinary musicality and stunning instrumentalprowess. Today, Randy's legendary status as a guitar hero isassured, joining the pantheon of rock's Mt. Olympus where he standsproudly alongside such revered guitar heroes as JIMI HENDRIX, ERICCLAPTON, JIMMY PAGE, JEFF BECK and RITCHIE BLACKMORE.
No one trick pony, Randy was well versed in a multitude of musicalgenres seamlessly cross-navigating rock, blues and classical. Infact, his immense love of classical music continued to be a drivingforce in his life. Until his untimely death, he continued to takeclassical guitar lessons in an effort to break new ground as aplayer.
Today, mythologized and immortalized, Randy Rhoads has become averitable pop culture institution. Paying homage to his pioneeringability, Marshall Amplifiers created a custom amplifier that bearsRandy's name and signature sound. Action figures and sculptureswith Randy's likeness have become highly sought after collector'sitems, while Jackson Guitars have sold millions of Randy Rhoadsmodel guitars, pleasing the late guitarist's loyal legion ofdedicated followers. His image graces innumerable music magazinecovers annually.
Finally, after years of anticipation, comes the release of RandyRhoads, a biography written by Steven Rosen and Andrew Klein, whichvividly documents Randy's life and career. Teeming with hundreds ofrare photographs and memorabilia, the book chronicles an oralhistory of Randy's remarkable life through those who knew him best.Packed with countless emotional and poignant stories about theguitar icon, the book weaves a powerful tapestry of colorfulmemories about his life, which help provide deeper insight intoRandy, the man, the myth, the legend. His life is a lastingtestament to his supernatural talent and quiet humility.
