By Larry Dobrow
As a wee bitty shredder of riffmanship raw, I used to wait by the mailbox – literally – for the monthly arrival of Guitar magazine. Back in the 1980s, there weren’t many other places to go for tablature. Unless, that is, you had the dough to spring for Cherry Hill’s $12.95 books of intermittently accurate Billy Idol transcriptions.
The mag did its best to cover a wide range of styles, often to its detriment; Crüe-fixated tin-ears had no more interest in learning about Steve Lukather and his bountiful white-fro than they did in inhaling mountains of lima beans. The one mainstay in its pages that everybody seemed to adore, however, was Ozzy consort Randy Rhoads.
This adoration, at times, seemed to come straight out of the Leif Garrett/David Cassidy handbook. The otherwise finicky and massively, almost disturbingly argumentative readers agreed on Rhoads and Rhoads alone, according him every honor in the mag’s regular polls – I think he made the Guitar Hall of Fame ahead of, like, Jimmy Page. They touted him as the nigh-perfect, barely human amalgam of Jimi Hendrix (see under: sonic innovation) and Eddie Van Halen (see under: semi-classical, feedback-drenched noodlings).
Me? I never “got” Randy Rhoads. Then as now – and this is said with all due respect for the departed – I didn’t understand what made him that much more of a player than the other nü-classical-metalists who flooded the hair-band scene in the late 1970s and early 1980s. He played loud. He played fast. He played with enormous dexterity. So what? So did Vai and Malmsteen and Hammett.
Taking a look back at Rhoads’ recorded oeuvre, what strikes me first is how little of it there is: a few albums with the first incarnation of Quiet Riot, two studio discs with Ozzy Osbourne, and a posthumous “tribute” release. Maybe this isn’t a bad thing, as witnessed by the legacy-diminishing re-re-re-re-re-releases of everything in the Hendrix and Jeff Buckley catalogs.
At the same time, Randy doesn’t give us late-appreciation types a whole lot to work with – and what’s there doesn’t transcend the conventions of the hard-rock genre. The hits (“Flying High Again,” “I Don’t Know,” “Crazy Train”) uniformly kick much tushie and make for a fine pre-kickoff soundtrack to any NFL game. But the riffs, solos and whammy-bar theatrics contained therein don’t strike me as any more inventive than anything on, say, Love at First Sting.
The acoustic jingle-jangle of “Dee” might have prompted hairspray-addled gals to, as the kids today say, “give it up,” but it offers nothing that you can’t find in more melodic form on a Lindsey Buckingham platter. Too, after Eddie V.H. traveled roughly the same look-ma-I’m-playing-really -really-fast-on-a-nylon-stringed-guitar! path on “Spanish Fly,” the song loses whatever it might have scored in novelty points.
There are moments in the Rhoads/Ozzy catalog where you can practically hear the inner guitar hero
pressing up against the constraints of the meat-and-potatoes genre, notably on the live versions of “Children of the Grave” and misguided lawsuit magnet “Suicide Solution.” But that’s all they are: moments. As for Rhoads’ pre-Ozzy work with Quiet Riot, well, good luck finding it. Originally released only in Japan, the records can’t be located even on “non-official” music downloading sites. But gosh, if you want to hear the band’s post-Randy, just-piling-it-on version of “Mama Weer All Crazee Now,” you’re in luck.
At the time of Rhoads’ tragic death – made all the more tragic by the fact that it happened during what was essentially a prank gone awry – Rhoads was said to be contemplating ditching Ozzy’s band to pursue further education in classical music. Who knows – maybe he would have earned all those plaudits that have since come his way. But without anything more than the music in front of me, I can’t label Randy Rhoads as anything more than a sad case of what-coulda-been – and, as such, one of guitardom’s most overrated players
what about dimebag darrell over rated i haven't really heard that much but what i mean is in the magazines that all you see randy rhodes dimebag darrell
Posted by: william cook | January 10, 2007 at 06:27 AM
OF all the over-rated players out there today, you choose Randy Rhoads? An odd choice, considering he's one of the most beloved players in rock guitar history. He changed my life, he gave me an appreciation of classical guitar and classical music in general that's grown since. Rhoads strayed from the usual happy pentatonics we'd heard in blues-based rock from Page,VH, etc., it was dark and powerful, listen to Mr. Crowley, Revelation Mother Earth, Diary of a Madman, and then decide. You don't appear to have gone much deeper then Crazy Train in your analysis and dismissal of his playing. Over-rated? Let's talk about Kirk Hammett...
Posted by: john mcglasson | January 10, 2007 at 01:48 PM
Do your Randy Rhoads homework.
"Whammy bar"? Crazy Train was
recorded on a 1963 Gibson. No
whammy bar.
Randy Rhoads bent the strings
to make a whammy bar effect.
He fooled you!
You can find Randy Rhoads QR
videos on You Tube.
A "hair band" guitarist named
Brad Gillis tried to finish
the Diary of a Madman tour. He
failed miserably at playing
Randy Rhoads songs.
What you don't "get" is Randy
Rhoads played perfect. Fast
is not as important as perfect.
Kirk Hammet proves my point!
Randy talked only about music.
He talked about chords and technique. He was the perfect
artist.
Obviously, you've never seen
Randy Rhoads live. WHILE HE
WAS ALIVE people swarmed around
him. He attracted more fans
than Ozzy at a show!
Posted by: Panther | February 20, 2007 at 09:29 AM
I think the thing you have to realize is that RR was doing what became the Ozzy albums in '77 and '78. Vai, Malmsteen and the hair-shredder generation came along after Randy Died.
The trailblazer tag is given to him because he started the neo-classical guitar movement, he wasn't just a part of it. And, this was done in EVH clone-valley L.A. in the midst of VH's newfound popularity.
To each his own, I guess. I've not really ever understood the Stevie Ray Vaughan thing either, but it's in a genre that I don't know or much care about.
Posted by: Jon | March 02, 2007 at 09:28 PM
I have Diary of a Madman on now and his playing is good but no way would he be near a top class player...his timing is off Jake E Lee was far better ..Van Halen imo is untouchable :)))
Posted by: Neil Donoghue | December 21, 2007 at 07:33 PM
Sadly, the Internet and Google occaisionally have us self-important twits like Larry, bloviating their articles with whimsical remarks entertaining only to them.
You have to look at the TIME where things took place - the history. The fact you mention Yngwie clinches the fact you don't understand the timeline and will never "get" Randy or his contribution. By the way guys, wasn't Hannibal foolish to cross the alps on foot? He could have simply hopped on an aircraft carrier and landed on the shores of Italy!
Randy's timing was impeccable. This is well documented and recorded. Why not simply call this article, "Gee, I'm still made Randy Rhoads exceeded EVH in popularity in the 90s"?. Being honest can relieve yourself the responsibility of packing your review with such boring fluff.
Posted by: Bug Slayer | March 18, 2008 at 05:59 PM
lolllllllllllllll the guy who wrote this article is a loser!!!
I never heard a solo like the one on Mr crowley from the guys you named...
Posted by: LUc | August 20, 2008 at 02:43 PM
The reason Randy got all the awards he got was for the heart he put into his solos. Unlike Malmsteen or Van-Halen, Rhoads didnt make his solos based on how fased they could be played, or how much "finger-tapping" could be in them. He made them very strucured and using as much technique and classical scaling he could such as "Diminished", and "Hermonic minors and majors". Unlike Malmsteen or Van-Halen...ect. Rhoads spent months at a time strucuring his solos. Just listen to the "Mr. Crowley", "Revelation(Mother Earth)", and his spotlight solos with Quiet Riot. Again it's not of how fast he could play his solos it's of how much time he spent strucuring them to sound amazing, and the heart he put into them. That is why he got all of his awards, and he definatlly deserves them too. Just listen to any of Rhoads solos and you'll get what im saying instanly.
Posted by: Tyler Suehr | January 05, 2010 at 03:23 PM
First of all your a very shallow person to call anyone a what-coulda-been. Just visit Musonia Music school and see my friend Mrs. Rhoads. There you will find the magic behind Randy Rhoads and all he strove for in his life. He was a jewel in the rough and his family kept him strong at heart and mind. His playing was exceptionally first rate and people are still trying to emulate his sound, character and musicianship. It was a pity for his early death as he would have gotten better at his craft. The Malsteem's, Vai's are everywhere playing a million miles an hour while Randy, Eddie, and Tom Sholtz showed style in thier music and raw talent. Get a life and keep practicing till you get it!
Posted by: Wayne Keller | January 22, 2010 at 07:17 PM
EVH was not just about tapping or speed but constant innovation. His use of harmonics, tapping, tremolo picking, exotic scales, whammy bar, volume knob, pickup selector,etc combined with impeccable technique and phrasing alone makes him an all time great. If he would have died in 86 or so he would be considered to be the p4p best today. If Randy Rhoads was alive today after a long career he would not be praised nearly as much.
Posted by: Joel | March 01, 2010 at 12:06 AM
RR died. just like you will some day.
keep looking forward as you practice your craft. inspire the next guy. pass along everything that you create freely to those who can appreciate it. then, only then will they support you, and lift you, and you will be inspired by that, and then you will return it back to them again, one thousand fold.
Posted by: mg | March 11, 2010 at 10:42 PM
As anybody understands respect is one of the most imperative amongst people's existence. Only respect one another to obtain along properly and I feel that leaving one's opinion is often a behavior of respect. Do you feel so?
Posted by: Air Jordan shoes | July 03, 2010 at 03:32 AM
dude...go eat a bag of dicks...there's one name i didn't see appear in any of those lists - yours...if you were a real musician, you would spend more time writing original material than learning other folks tabs anyhow
Posted by: yer daddy | July 25, 2010 at 03:51 AM
Whoever wrote this piece of shit article, is a fucking retard, plain and simple. LOSER!!
Posted by: RR forever | July 25, 2010 at 07:29 AM
I think Mr. Dobrow has penis envy.
Posted by: Yahoo Serious Jr. | July 25, 2010 at 07:42 AM
Seriously man I feel truly truly sorry for you man. Wow. Everyone is entitled to their opinion but do your homework a little better.
Posted by: Jeremy | July 25, 2010 at 08:40 AM
FAIL
Posted by: paul donahue | July 25, 2010 at 09:37 AM
SEIRIOUSLY, FAIL!!! You are ignorant and YES, you DO NOT GET IT!
Posted by: Vince Kirk | July 25, 2010 at 11:05 AM
I refuse to flame anyone for their thesis of something that they so obviously don't understand. In the grand scheme of things, Malmsteen was a GREAT player. Groundbreaking? Maybe not so much so. How many times does one read that Malmsteen is influincing KIDS from JAPAN 25+ years after his last hit record? What exactly is Eddie Van Halens BEST, and I mean BEST work, Eruptiion? LOL
Had it not been for Randy Rhoads, Ozzy's career might not have taken off at all after his ousting from Sabbath, or it might have taken the "generic" turn; compared to the likes of Crue. But instead, with RANDY'S enourmous contribution, Ozzy's solo career took off with a bang. Randy was a musical teacher before he was famous, he was not pompous or arrogant, and he played with the finesse of a CLASSICAL MUSICIAN. An "over-rated player" (as the author so kindly described) is someone like Vai, who is constantly overplaying himself, has had 15+ years to cultivate his style, but guess what? Nobody is fighting over HIM to be on THEIR records, nobody is wondering to themselves "what could have been" and I can't even NAME one Steve Vai song because to ME, Vai isn't interesting. He gets a good melody and plays it over and over, driving it like a race car around the track, never making a NEW turn and always driving the same line.
I think generally nowdays people are afriad of the unknown. If they can't predict what is going to happen then they are afraid of the outcome. Personally, this is what I love about Randy Rhoads; when I turn on the song "Tonight" I am quickly taken away to a musical paradise, I am reminded that Randy was on his way to becoming a COMPOSER, not a "guitar hero". To say that Randy's guitar lesson in disguse song "Crazytrain" is a "kickoff to a pre-NFL footbal" game communicates to me that the author understands what has been pounded into the public's mentality for the last 20 years at least:
Real creativityis NOT welcome and soundbyte, one hit wonders are welcome to the masses.
Respectfully sir,YOU may call DEE a "jingle Jangle" but that song was written to his MOTHER and until you have something better to offer the musical community I suggest that you do you're homework. Unlike many musicians, the Rhoads family are very kind and sincere people, maybe that's why they don't earn you're respect; and that is truly sad.
I do have one suggestion. Try to play crazytrain without a "whammy bar", LOL!
EJ
Posted by: EJ | July 25, 2010 at 11:08 AM
Oddly sir I agree with you to some degree Rhoads work with QR is dismal ,but the love affair with the story is how in the brief career he had with Ozzy.He stepped up and improved by leaps and bounds.Sure he was fast that came from 8 hours of teaching guitar everyday,sure he did Eddie van halen tricks and hendrix licks,but the really cool thing was Randy could tell you WHY they were played that way.Yes it is common knowledge that Randy was going to leave Ozzy,and we never got to hear what may have become,but perhaps sir he was just as hip as you and wanted to show and tell us what we should be listening to.Who knows maybe after talking to Randy you would have walked saying to Yourself "we get it sir ,your informed....."
Posted by: Davelarm71 | July 25, 2010 at 11:44 AM
there is not too many guitarist that almost 30 years later people are still talking about dead or alive. hendrix yeah rhoads yeah page not so often ace freely not realy. once in a generation someone will come along and change the way people will look at the way music is made and others will follow thier lead. hendrix did it and rhoads did it melding metal style with classical. you may have your opinion and this is mine.
Posted by: jay jay | July 25, 2010 at 12:39 PM
Fuck you asswhole!!! Rhoads was/is the one and only Guitar God, your one fuckin idiot if you dont hear what rhoads did, he was able to mix scales, and play songs with 5 diffrent time signatures while playing the solo off beat!!!! have you heard his classical work you dick!!! rhoads was not human!!!, he was a God!! and if you like eruption by eddie, im sure you'll be glad to know that half the licks were stolen from rhoad's laughing gas! you dont deserve to live you fuckin idiot, your a descrace to all guitarists around the world!
Posted by: james | July 25, 2010 at 02:12 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVJKlOkrgt0
watch and listen, its not always about speed, its emotion mixed with a amount of speed! its to good to be true!!! and if you dont see it then your a fuckin' idiot!!!!!!!!!!!!
R.I.P Randy Rhoads
Posted by: james | July 25, 2010 at 02:17 PM
I feel sorry for you. As someone who was fortunate enough to know Randy Rhoads personally while he was alive, it was plain to see what an exceptional talent he was. For you to not "get it", I pity you. I can only hope that some day you recover from your tin ear.
Posted by: Ace Steele | July 25, 2010 at 07:24 PM
Yes, I'm not at all surprised that you didn't "get" Randy Rhoads... you clearly don't have so much as two neurons to rub together. I suggest that you remove the cocks from your ears and mouth and gave him a listen once again, and I believe you'll finally "get" him. Ok, the cock in your mouth won't make any difference, but at least you'll look a lot less ridiculous.
Posted by: Frank Rizzo | July 25, 2010 at 11:42 PM