RANDY RHOADS - THE ARGUMENT

Inspired by the news that Ozzy Osbourne's first two solo albums are going to finally be reissued in remastered, and original form, I've been thinking about Randy Rhoads. (Here's my post on those albums.) A friend of mine (Noa from the blog Metal Injection) asked me why Randy isn't in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I think he should be.

But, he can't be voted in as a regular artist, as he never released a record under his own name. They used to have a "sideman" category, which they replaced this year, with the Award for Recording Excellence, which went to the very deserving Leon Russell. I think Randy Rhoads should get it next year.

Whatever you think of heavy metal, the guy was one of the most influential guitarists of the '80s, along with Eddie Van Halen. Did he inspire a lot of pointy guitar fretboard tapping speed demon guitarists who forgot about the song in the quest for flash? Sure. But he also played on two of the greatest metal albums ever, 1980's Blizzard of Ozz and 1981's Diary of a Madman. I actually think that Ozzy deserves to be inducted for his solo career based on those albums - but I don't mind if that doesn't happen, Oz is already a Hall of Famer as a member of Black Sabbath.  I just think Randy deserves his due for his incredible playing on these albums, and the influence he's had.