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Randy Rhoads

File:RandyRhoads1980.jpg · Wikimedia Commons · See Wikimedia Commons

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Randy Rhoads

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Also known as Randall William Rhoads

American guitarist (1956–1982)

Music · MusicBrainz

Type
Person
Gender
Male
Origin
United States
Active from
1956-12-06
Active to
1982-03-19
heavy metalmetalozzy osbournequiet riot

via MusicBrainz · CC0

Listeners · Last.fm

Listeners
24,777
Total plays
81,671

Tags

heavy metalhard rockguitar virtuosoguitarclassic rock

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. A devoted student of classical guitar, Rhoads often combined his classical music influences with his own heavy metal style. While on tour with Ozzy Osbourne, he would often seek out classical guitar tutors for lessons. <a href="https://www.last.f

via Last.fm · Randy Rhoads

Key facts

Born
Randall William Rhoads , ( 1956-12-06 ) December 6, 1956, Santa Monica, California , U.S.
Died
March 19, 1982 (1982-03-19) (aged 25), Leesburg, Florida , U.S.
Genres
Heavy metal hard rock neoclassical metal
Occupation
Guitarist
Years active
1973–1982
Formerly of
Ozzy Osbourne Quiet Riot

via Wikipedia infobox

Wikidata facts

Official website
randyrhoads.us
Image
Randy Rhoads with Les Paul guitar (1980).jpg
Show 7 more facts
Commons category
Randy Rhoads
date of birth
1956-12-06
date of death
1982-03-19
start of work period
1972-00-00
name in native language
Randall William Rhoads
end of work period
1982-00-00
short name
Randy Rhoads
Sources (2)

via Wikidata · CC0

~40 min read

Article

Randall William Rhoads (December 6, 1956 – March 19, 1982) was an American guitarist. He was the co-founder and original guitarist of the heavy metal band Quiet Riot, and the guitarist and co-songwriter for Ozzy Osbourne's first two solo albums Blizzard of Ozz (1980) and Diary of a Madman (1981). Rhoads was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2021.

Pursuing an interest in classical guitar, Rhoads combined these influences with heavy metal, helping form a sub-genre later known as neoclassical metal. With Quiet Riot, he adopted a black-and-white polka-dot theme which became an emblem for the group. He reached his peak as the guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne's solo career, performing on tracks including "Crazy Train" and "Mr. Crowley" on the Blizzard of Ozz album. "Crazy Train" features one of the most well-known heavy metal guitar riffs.

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