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| Images courtesy of MVD Visual |
The story of Randy Rhoads, the legendary wunderkind lead
guitarist behind Quiet Riot and later Ozzy Osbourne, was
tragically cut short at the age of twenty-five during a crash of a routine
private-plane joyride. Called everything
from ‘the James Dean of rock’n’roll’ to a ‘hair raising’ guitarist, the saga of
Randy Rhoads chronicled by NWA & Eazy-E: Kings of Compton documentary
filmmaker Andre Relis comes to blu-ray disc via MVD Visual in the form of Randy
Rhoads: Reflection of a Guitar Icon.
Finished and released in 2022 and penned by the editor of the
documentary series Monsters Across America Michael Bruining, this
extensive biographical film narrated by Guns N’ Roses’ Tracii Guns is as
impassioned of a formal musical education on the tragically late musician’s iconically
short-lived life.
Comprised of newly recorded retrospective interviews
interspersed with preexisting recorded conversations with Randy Rhoads himself,
the documentary film tracks the guitarist’s journey from small time garage rock
band player in the co-founded Quiet Riot to his eventual ascension to
lead guitarist in the professional band Ozzy Osbourne where he achieved
mainstream success. Told with interviews
involving Randy’s parents, former bandmates, managers and ex-colleagues, Randy
Rhoads: Reflections of a Guitar Icon features numerous concert performances
of his time in both respective bands and also paints a rags-to-riches portrait
of the ongoing struggle Quiet Riot experienced in trying to secure a
record deal. By the end of the short
documentary film, you feel as if you’ve attended many a Quiet Riot live
shows yourself.
Utilizing preexisting 8mm, 16mm and video film materials
from Randy’s performances and newly recorded crisp digital video interviews
lensed by Rich Buhrman, the saga of Randy Rhoads is told in
straightforward down-to-Earth terminology anyone affiliated or unaccustomed to
the musical conversation can relate to. The
performances and music are also graciously remixed into 5.1 surround sound,
giving listeners an experience that is as sonically involving as it is
visually. The interviews and mashup of
never-before-seen concert footage from both Quiet Riot and Ozzy
Osbourne are enlightening but most of the film’s intimacy comes from the audio
recorded interviews with the legendary guitarist himself who speaks candidly
and never comes across as arrogant or conceited. A humbling musical talent to be in the same
room with.
Released on streaming platforms and blu-ray disc via MVD
Visual stacked with additional extras such as interviews, music videos and more
performances, Randy Rhoads: Reflections of a Guitar Icon is another important
learning tool in musical education, giving fans and newcomers a top-to-bottom
picture of the late guitarist who finally got his much-deserved induction into
the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. As a
documentary, the film is straightforward, no nonsense and to the point with
more than enough footage and interviews of Randy and his time spent with both
bands to give you a well-rounded picture of the life lived by this major guitar
rock icon. Sadly his life was cut too
short too quickly before the world really got to hear his boundless creative
abilities. But thanks to this
documentary film and the bonus features included, they’ve ensured the story of
Randy Rhoads’ short time on Earth will live on in the hearts and minds of
musicians and music listeners forever.
--Andrew Kotwicki
