What do you think?
Rate this book
Randy Rhoads
Before his tragic death at the age of 25, Randy Rhoads was on a fast track to being hailed by critics and public alike as the greatest rock guitar player of all time. Over a short two-year period, Randy recorded two seminal multi-platinum albums with Ozzy Osbourne, which are heralded today as among the most noteworthy recordings in hard rock music history. Through his jaw-dropping six-string work on songs such as Crazy Train, Mr. Crowley, and Flying High Again, Randy Rhoads achieved legendary status as a guitar icon and his artistic legacy continues to grow with each passing year. A brilliant guitar virtuoso, Randy s masterful ability of bridging rock and classical techniques, helped him forge a groundbreaking style of guitar playing. In 1981, Guitar Player magazine honored Randy by selecting him as best new talent of the year. Humble and self-effacing, Randy refused to rest on his laurels. Instead, being bestowed with this prestigious award motivated him to strive for greater creative heights. Tragically, Randy s life ended much too soon when on the morning of March 19th 1982 he was killed in a small private plane that careened into the garage of a plantation home in Leesburg, Florida. Randy Rhoads ascendancy to super-stardom was inevitable. Tirelessly honing his craft, he was a devoted student of his instrument, endlessly practicing and perfecting his skills. His days were spent as a guitar teacher and by night he solidified his rising reputation as the next big thing on the Hollywood club scene. His big break arrived when he assumed the lead guitar slot in Ozzy Osbourne s solo band. Soon the entire music world would be dazzled by his spectacular flights of fiery fretboard sizzle, swiftly recognizing the merits of this burgeoning guitar genius. With his dynamic six-string wizardry, Randy Rhoads invented an exciting and technically advanced style of explosive hard rock guitar playing that dominated the 80s music scene. Decades later, his massive influence continues to shape, educate and inspire first, second and third generation players and music fans that marvel at his extraordinary musicality and stunning instrumental prowess. Today, Randy s legendary status as a guitar hero is assured, joining the pantheon of rock s Mt. Olympus where he stands proudly alongside such revered guitar heroes as Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, and Ritchie Blackmore. No one trick pony, Randy was well versed in a multitude of musical genres seamlessly cross-navigating rock, blues and classical. In fact, his immense love of classical music continued to be a driving force in his life. Until his untimely death, he continued to take classical guitar lessons in an effort to break new ground as a player. Today, mythologized and immortalized, Randy Rhoads has become a veritable pop culture institution. Paying homage to his pioneering ability, Marshall Amplifiers created a custom amplifier that bears Randy s name and signature sound. Action figures and sculptures with Randy s likeness have become highly sought after collector s items, while Jackson Guitars have sold millions of Randy Rhoads model guitars, pleasing the late guitarist s loyal legion of dedicated followers. His image graces innumerable music magazine covers annually. Finally, after years of anticipation, comes the release of this biography written by Steven Rosen and Andrew Klein, which vividly documents Randy s life and career. Teeming with hundreds of rare photographs and memorabilia, the book chronicles an oral history of Randy s remarkable life through those who knew him best. Packed with countless emotional and poignant stories about the guitar icon, the book weaves a powerful tapestry of colorful memories about his life, which help provide deeper insight into Randy, the man, the myth, the legend.
420 pages, Hardcover
First published June 29, 2012
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 29, 2014
This book is purely for a fan of Randy Rhoads, the guitarist for Quiet Riot in the seventies and the Blizzard of Oz up to his death in 1982.
He was a bedroom guitarist, like EVH. They both had that shy goofy personality. Rhoads
had a more theoretical and wider musical background than EVH and even continued teaching while with Ozzy. Together they were the top two guitarists in the late seventies LA music scene.
It is pretty comprehensive, but some additional information found in previously released guitar magazine articles are not included. Since his death his image was highly protected. Information has slowly been shared since 82 to paint a much wider picture of just who he was before his death prior to his 26th birthday.
One thing that has been consistent about him is his dedication to the guitar, be it rock, classical and hybrid jazz. Interesting tidbits are included such as he bedroom in hi mother's house was locked after the day he died (he was on tour and still "lived" at home) including blood on the pillow from a recent wisdom teeth extraction. His car was also in the driveway from 1982 to 2010 until it was put in the garage (the tires were flat).
Obviously he was unhappy about the situation in what had a been a band "blizzard of Oz" to a solo act "Ozzy Osbourne" supported by a band. Rhoads and Daisley are the obvious writers of the lyrics and the music for BoO and DoaM. The book reiterates the control that Sharon O. in using the other band members to make Ozzy a success. Rhoads kept up classical guitar lessons and wanted a music degree. He wanted out of his Contract with Ozzy and looked more to be session musician. His mother was looking into obtaining the necessary information from CA schools. It had been reported that Ozzy had punched him when he wanted out.
Rhoads finally agreed to do a live album of Black Sabbath covers on the stipulation he would be be released from his contract. It was something he was against for a long time being more interested in creating new music, but it presented itself as a way out.
He was on the second half of the tour. Completing it he would be free. He had joined the band in Texas after having his wisdom teeth taken out in CA and spending time at home. It was a time of change for him. The tour bus stopped in Florida in the early morning. The driver also flew planes, and they had stopped at a business friend of the driver who allowed him to fly any plane on the compound. Rhoads was an avid train fan and always disliked planes - to the point he had looked into how long it would take for a train to take him from FL back to CA after the show. For a reason everyone can't fathom, Rhoads agreed to take an early am flight with the driver and the band seamstress. That plane crashed and the three died. Perhaps Rhoads felt empowered by his soon to change future and he accepted to go. Perhaps he felt powerless and that he wanted to leave, but knew he wouldn't - either for the fame or the fact that he had succeeded with Ozzy in a way Quiet Riot didn't.
The authors did offer up an interesting scenario of how the crash could have happened. Despite that, the outcome is the same. How Rhoads would have progressed and the music he would have created is a lost thread in time. I for one believe it would have been melodic, rhythmic, and balanced between bold intense energy and quiet emotional playing - such in the vein as Tchaikovsky, but with less of a self-indulgence.
A positive CA 70's happiness can be heard on the BoO album. That was the shot that propelled a solo Ozzy back in to popularity. DoaM was darker, but still in line with Rhoads due to the classical approach. "Tonight" helped balance that darkness, especially the solo.
He was a bedroom guitarist, like EVH. They both had that shy goofy personality. Rhoads
had a more theoretical and wider musical background than EVH and even continued teaching while with Ozzy. Together they were the top two guitarists in the late seventies LA music scene.
It is pretty comprehensive, but some additional information found in previously released guitar magazine articles are not included. Since his death his image was highly protected. Information has slowly been shared since 82 to paint a much wider picture of just who he was before his death prior to his 26th birthday.
One thing that has been consistent about him is his dedication to the guitar, be it rock, classical and hybrid jazz. Interesting tidbits are included such as he bedroom in hi mother's house was locked after the day he died (he was on tour and still "lived" at home) including blood on the pillow from a recent wisdom teeth extraction. His car was also in the driveway from 1982 to 2010 until it was put in the garage (the tires were flat).
Obviously he was unhappy about the situation in what had a been a band "blizzard of Oz" to a solo act "Ozzy Osbourne" supported by a band. Rhoads and Daisley are the obvious writers of the lyrics and the music for BoO and DoaM. The book reiterates the control that Sharon O. in using the other band members to make Ozzy a success. Rhoads kept up classical guitar lessons and wanted a music degree. He wanted out of his Contract with Ozzy and looked more to be session musician. His mother was looking into obtaining the necessary information from CA schools. It had been reported that Ozzy had punched him when he wanted out.
Rhoads finally agreed to do a live album of Black Sabbath covers on the stipulation he would be be released from his contract. It was something he was against for a long time being more interested in creating new music, but it presented itself as a way out.
He was on the second half of the tour. Completing it he would be free. He had joined the band in Texas after having his wisdom teeth taken out in CA and spending time at home. It was a time of change for him. The tour bus stopped in Florida in the early morning. The driver also flew planes, and they had stopped at a business friend of the driver who allowed him to fly any plane on the compound. Rhoads was an avid train fan and always disliked planes - to the point he had looked into how long it would take for a train to take him from FL back to CA after the show. For a reason everyone can't fathom, Rhoads agreed to take an early am flight with the driver and the band seamstress. That plane crashed and the three died. Perhaps Rhoads felt empowered by his soon to change future and he accepted to go. Perhaps he felt powerless and that he wanted to leave, but knew he wouldn't - either for the fame or the fact that he had succeeded with Ozzy in a way Quiet Riot didn't.
The authors did offer up an interesting scenario of how the crash could have happened. Despite that, the outcome is the same. How Rhoads would have progressed and the music he would have created is a lost thread in time. I for one believe it would have been melodic, rhythmic, and balanced between bold intense energy and quiet emotional playing - such in the vein as Tchaikovsky, but with less of a self-indulgence.
A positive CA 70's happiness can be heard on the BoO album. That was the shot that propelled a solo Ozzy back in to popularity. DoaM was darker, but still in line with Rhoads due to the classical approach. "Tonight" helped balance that darkness, especially the solo.
July 8, 2014
If you even know this book exists, chances are you're going to like it. It's not the most well written book, but it does contain tons of pictures and some interesting stories. If you can ignore all of the controversy surrounding this book (the lawsuit, the failed documentary, etc.) you will enjoy it for what it is; one of the few decent books about RR.
April 4, 2025
Super cool book. Wish it could have been made into the documentary
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews