Randy Hansen

Randy Hansen - Topic

Randy Hansen is an American guitarist best known for his "Rock Tribute Act" honoring Jimi Hendrix. He composed 17 minutes of the soundtrack for the 1979 movie Apocalypse Now. His debut album was released in 1980 on Capitol Records and was recorded at the Automatt Studios in San Francisco with Scott Rosburg on bass and vocals and Charles Tapp on drums and vocals. That group played two North American tours which included several coliseum shows with Bob Seger, Sammy Hagar, REO Speedwagon, Head East, Triumph, Poco and Blue Öyster Cult.
In 1984, Hansen impersonated Jimi Hendrix in the music video for Devo's cover of "Are You Experienced?". He is credited with co-writing the song "State of Shock" with Michael Jackson, also in 1984. He played with comedian Sam Kinison in 1991.
Hansen's Hendrix act first came to prominence with Randy Hansen's Machine Gun, with Larry Epperly on bass guitar and Tim Kelliher on drums. All three had previously been in a band called Kid Chrysler and the Cruisers. Hansen's Machine Gun performed on bills with Heart, The Kinks, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and others, and were written up by Rolling Stone and Guitar Player.