Interview by Kris Peters
He may have been taken from us far too soon, but the legacy and memory of guitar great Randy Rhoads will live forever. Rhoads' name is revered in the music world, where, for a period from the late 1970s through to the early 1980s, his playing and presence left a shadow of brilliance that is as strong today as it was back then.
The virtuoso guitarist, who co-founded Quiet Riot and propelled Ozzy Osbourne’s solo career with Blizzard of Ozz (1980) and Diary of a Madman (1981), remains one of heavy metal’s most important figures. Before his untimely death in 1982 at just 25, Rhoads redefined guitar-driven rock, blending classical influences with blistering metal to pioneer the neoclassical metal subgenre. His iconic riffs, featured in timeless songs such as Crazy Train and Mr. Crowley, and innovative techniques, including two-handed tapping, vibrato bar dive bombs, and intricate scales, set a new standard for the 80s metal scene and inspired countless guitarists.
Recognised with a 2021 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, Rhoads’ legacy endures as a cornerstone of heavy metal evolution, with his signature Jackson Rhoads guitar symbolizing his revolutionary impact. To most of this current generation and beyond, the life and music of Randy Rhoads will always be that of past reflection, unable to bear witness to the great man on stage with precious little preserved on camera or film.
But this December, thanks to XMusic, fans can get as close to the glory days of guitar as possible when A TRIBUTE TO RANDY RHOADS - The Stories and Music Behind the Legend - hits this country for a performance that includes live renditions of Rhoads' finest moments as well as an in-depth Q&A session. This is more than just a tribute performance, with Rhoads' long-time friend, confidant and co-founder of Quiet Riot, Kelly Garni, heading the evening alongside Rhoads' first-ever guitar teacher, Scott Shelley.
It promises to be an unforgettable celebration of Randy Rhoads - a true guitar legend - whose influence still resonates in every power chord and soaring solo played today. HEAVY had the pleasure of speaking with Kelly Garni ahead of the tour, and among the topics of conversation was the sheer magnitude of putting together and the need for a performance of this scale.
"I don't pursue these things," he stressed. "People come to me, and they ask me to do them. There's a very, very large fan base for Randy Rhoads, and pretty much I'm the last man standing (laughs). Of course, I don't have Kevin (Dubrow, vocalist), who I sure do miss. Although if you read my book, you wouldn't believe that in a million years, but boy do I miss him. He was a great, great guide for me, and I learned a real lot from Kevin. But anyway, I've been approached several times, and I've been all around the country over the last few years here in America, and now Japan twice. People want anything left of Randy, and I guess I'm what you get. It's an honour to represent my best friend. Of course, anybody would do that for their best friend, if they're any kind of a friend. And so, since people are so excited to hear that music again, I happily oblige and go and do these shows."
Garni had many tales to tell, among them how Alice Cooper shaped much of what was to eventually become the sound of Quiet Riot, albeit without having ever met the two impressionable youths.
"When we saw Cooper, we said we're gonna be rock stars, whether anybody likes it or not," he smiled. "And you know, in my mind, Randy did, but I never really did. And I never really wanted to. And that's okay because things had changed over the years to where I didn't want to be in the music business any more, but because of my association with Randy, I find myself very heavily involved (laughs). And I gotta say, to see and meet all the fans who come to these shows is really, really something that makes you feel good in your heart and your soul."
In the full interview, Kelly addressed the excitement among fans and the importance of celebrating Rhoads' legacy, highlighting the involvement of key figures from Randy's early career to enhance the authenticity of the tribute. He spoke about the rest of the band, including musicians from Snake Bite Whiskey and the Van Halen tribute band Van Hager, along with a Q&A session featuring Scott Shelley, Randy's first guitar teacher. We spoke about the Q&A session and the personal nature of the questions and how emotional it could get.
Reflecting on his and Randy's musical journeys, Kelly shared insights into their early influences and the challenges they faced, including Randy's struggles with confidence and vocal abilities. He recounted the band's evolution, including a misguided image overhaul that led them to adopt a look that felt disconnected from their original sound. We also spoke about important moments of Randy's life and the impression he left on others, including Kelly, the ever-lasting legacy left behind by his untimely death and more.
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