Randy Rhoads - Hardcover

Steven Rosen And Andrew Klein

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1450727212 ISBN 13: 9781450727211

Publisher: Velocity Publishing Group, Inc., 2012

Synopsis

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.

About this title

About the Author

Steven Rosen is a professional music journalist with a career spanning over 37 years. During this period, he has published well over 1,000 articles appearing in major periodicals originating from around the globe. Everywhere from the United States and Canada to Japan, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, England, Australia, Brazil and even Katmandu. Amongst the publications Rosen s work has appeared in are Guitar Player, Guitar World, Guitarist, Rolling Stone, Los Angeles Times, Playboy, Musician, US, Creem, Circus, Player, Total Guitar, Classic Rock, Mojo, Roadie Crew, This Is Rock, Rhythm, Drum! and a myriad of others. He is also a main contributor to the influential music site, Ultimate-Guitar. He was the West Coast correspondent for Guitar World magazine for four years during the seminal mid- 80s when he wrote seven cover stories (three lead features on Edward Van Halen are now recognized as pivotal pieces on that artist). As a contributor to Guitar Player magazine, he wrote a prodigious 16 covers in a six-year span (one out of every four was his). The 1977 Frank Zappa front-cover contribution represented the periodical s biggest selling issue to that date. Additionally, GP, in two special reprint issues, utilized his stories on Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page as cover material (Rock Guitarists published by Guitar Player Productions and Rock Guitarists Vol. II distributed by Guitar Player Books). He served as West Coast Editor for Fachblatt, one of Germany s most respected and highest circulated magazines (during his tenure, more than half of the cover features were Rosen-based compositions). He currently lends his hand to Player, a Japanese periodical employing his services for over 30 years. A recognized authority on the eclectic world of rock, Rosen has been tapped six times to write books on some high-profile individuals (including one book on the history of rock for children). His first book was The Beck Book on guitarist Jeff Beck that required a second printing due to the crazed demand (published in Japan in 1978). The Artist Formerly Known As Prince was part of the Rock Lives series orchestrated by Castle Communications and distributed by The Penguin Group (1995). Bruce Springsteen, an eponymous-titled bio published by Castle Communications was also part of the Rock Lives series (1995). The Story of Black Sabbath: Wheels Of Confusion was a book on the classic metal band that is now in its third printing (1996). Free At Last: The Story of Free and Bad Company was published in 2001. In 2008, he wrote The Story of Rock Music, a book on the history of rock music for children. In 2011, Rosen collaborated with Andrew Klein to pen an extensive biography of the late Randy Rhoads. The iconic Quiet Riot / Ozzy Osbourne guitarist perished in an airplane accident in 1982, just as his star began to shine.

Edition details

• Publisher: Velocity Publishing Group, Inc.
• Publication date: 2012
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1450727212
• ISBN 13: 9781450727211
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Denny Anderson
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 420
• Editor: Peter M. Margolis