Guitarist, Composer, Instructor
A fitting way to kick off the blog on GuitarGuys.com with a tribute to guitar legend Randy Rhoads. Today marks 32 years side he was killed in a plane crash. Impossible not to wonder what music he would have offered up. With only two huge releases as Ozzy Osbourne’s guitarist there was not a lot of material. However, what an impact he had on all the guitarists of my generation and those who have followed.
RIP RR
Fell asleep on the couch last night. Woke up to head up to bed but checked my iPad first and saw the extremely sad news. One of the guitar world’s heroes has passed away.
Paco De Lucia IS an amazing legendary guitarist. A flamenco guitarist who crossed many boundaries which furthered the genre’s cause. He played with Al Di Meola and John McLaughlin in THE Guitar Trio, marking his crossover into the jazz/fusion world. His long hair and rock look, coupled with his amazing guitar chops, piqued the interest of the heavy metal and rocker guitarists. And his association with greats like Los Romeros gave him notice in the classical realm.
I was lucky enough to see him in the 90s in San Diego. We had front row seats(directly in front of the Romeros) and will never forget that show!
RIP the guitar world has lost a giant…
(Paco is not the one pictured in the video capture below, he is on the left of your screen)
Click here for previous Better Than Coffee posts.
I think most of you who read this blog would agree music is the best ‘drug’ of all time…including our beloved morning coffee.
This series has been and will continue to be a public service for those of you trying to cut your caffeine intake, by enjoying some fast/energetic music…. 
…Or for those of you looking to enhance that morning cup.
This song is not particularly fast, but, energetic… absolutely! Great solo from the legendary, and taken too soon from us, Stevie Ray Vaughan. RIP Aug 27, 1990
Enjoy!
There are many iconic personalities in pop/rock culture. 
Very few true Icons!
RIP to Elvis died 36 years ago today
I never met Deacon Jones. I never really saw him play…I was too young. He was, however, one of the characters of the game of football, as well as, one of the best defenders of all time. I was really sad to hear the news that he passed away on Monday.
A member of the Fearsome Foursome, Deacon Jones was a larger than life celebrity off the field, an American Icon in my opinion.
Rest in Peace, my friend
So sad to hear that Ray Manzarek, keyboardist for the Doors passed away today.
They were one of my earliest Rock influences.
Peace to Ray and his family, friends & fans!
Sad day in the music world even sadder in the percussion community!
Robert Zildjian an iconic figure in the world of percussion, most notably all things cymbals, passed away at age 89, just a couple months before his 90th birthday in July.
Perhaps as big a loss to the percussion world as 2012’s loss of Jim Marshall to the guitar world. Maybe even bigger if you figure the genres Zildjian products crossed from Metal, Rock, Classical, Jazz, Marching Band….on & on!
When musicians die we always say, ‘The band in heaven just got better!’ …Think about all the quality instruments they are now going to have!
RIP Robert Zildjian
The first concert I ever went to was Ozzy Osbourne, January 4, 1982 at the San Diego Sports Arena. I remember it like it was yesterday. The only bummer about this show was that it was right after Christmas vacation from school. Since I was counting down the days until the show I was in essence counting down my vacation….
But, not only was it an Ozzy show, it was Ozzy with Randy Rhoads. Randy Rhoads the guitar legend who would tragically be killed in an airplane crash just over two months after this show. I can still picture the crushed students at my Junior High School wearing black armbands. That was the cool way to pay tribute to a fallen rock idol in those days. John Bonham and Bon Scott were two others so honored, I recall. I always cherish the fact I was lucky enough to see Randy live and my first concert!!
Randy was the first guitar hero to blend a classical approach with heavy metal. Most guitarists at the time were more blues/rock influenced. With only two studio recordings, “Blizzards of Ozz,” and “Diary of a Madman,” to his credit, Randy has left a huge legacy regardless. His influence still reaches out today 31 years after his death to new generations of guitarists.
RIP RR
“SATO,” is a cool song, maybe not one of Randy’s classics. I picked this video as it does a great job featuring him!
Sad to hear the news that former Iron Maiden drummer Clive Burr passed away on March 12. He had been living with Multiple Sclerosis since the mid 90’s.
Wether you get Iron Maiden and their crypt keeper looking mascot Eddie, there is no denying their influence on Heavy Metal music. Clive was a big part of their early success.
Here’s to you Clive, RIP!
A sad note this Christmas, on the 24th actor Jack Klugman passed away at age 90. Some may remember him as Quincy, M.E. but, to me he will always be Oscar Madison, the slob from the Odd Couple.
I loved this show as a kid, good clean fun. However, I have to say it was the theme music that I could not wait for each episode. Remember back in the day all TV shows had a theme song, not just a 10 second clip like shows get today. Each show was identified by its theme. Before I knew any rock bands, my love for music as a kid was fueled by what my parents listened to and TV…so the connection was there. Some other favorite theme songs were, Happy Days, Barney Miller, Sanford & Son…the list goes on…..
RIP Mr. Klugman thanks for being a part of my early music influences!
Mike Slayen ~ Guitarist 