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Randy Rhodes rock guitarist

Over the course of the life of rock ‘n’ roll, the tragedies that unfolded in the skies have cast a long shadow over our beloved genre. Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and Big Bopper. John Denver. Rick Nelson.

And then there’s one story that’s etched in the hearts of those who remember – the 1982 plane crash that claimed the life of the guitar virtuoso, Randy Rhoads. 

At just 25 years old, he was the fresh face in Ozzy Osbourne’s band, and he had an aversion to flying. But on that fateful day, he decided to take a ride in a private plane, aiming to snap some aerial photos for his mom. Little did he know that this would be his last flight.

Directed by Andre Relis, the documentary “Randy Rhoads: Reflections of a Guitar Icon” unearths the layers of this tragic tale. Rhoads, a name synonymous with both brilliance and brevity, carved his legacy in a mere two years as Ozzy’s axe-wielder, crafting sonic masterpieces on albums like “Blizzard of Ozz” and “Diary of a Madman.” 

Prior to that, he had been a founding force in the enigmatic band Quiet Riot. Relis’s film delves deep into those pre-superstar years, where the narrative takes a peculiar turn, reminiscent of the bizarre escapades chronicled in “This Is Spinal Tap.”

Now, as we embark on this journey to understand what made Rhoads a guitar deity, we find ourselves at a crossroads. His eclectic, sometimes classically-infused style left an indelible mark on the Osbourne records. 

Who could forget the riff that echoed through the ages in the iconic “Crazy Train”? Yet, the attempts to dissect Randy Rhoads’s greatness yield varying perspectives. A friend marvels at his ability to traverse the realms of “fast,” “slow,” “crunchy,” and “blues.” On the other hand, the guitar tech, Brian Reason, offers a delightfully offbeat breakdown of Rhoads’s showstopping solo style. He unravels the mysteries of his effects, volume control, and the magic woven into each note.

Beyond the strings and scales, Rhoads emerges as a genuinely affable soul – not one to revel in the excesses of the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle. In fact, he tried to steer Ozzy away from his own excessive drinking. The documentary paints a picture of an ax-slinging savant, tragically cut down in his prime, leaving behind a legacy with countless unwritten chapters.

In the end, “Randy Rhoads: Reflections of a Guitar Icon” takes us on a bittersweet journey, shedding light on a talent that burned brightly and briefly in the annals of rock history. Rhoads may have left us too soon, but his music lives on, a testament to the untamed spirit of rock ‘n’ roll.

Szul