Did RANDY RHOADS Do the SABBATH Riffs Justice?

-Did RANDY RHOADS Do the SABBATH Riffs Justice?
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[@XanderPhillips]

When I was much younger I was hugely into RR and I was lucky enough to speak with his brother Kelle. One of the things I particularly remember is when I talked about trying to play songs exactly how he played them. He responded with something along the lines of “My brother would tell you try and put your own flair on other songs, because you need to be the best player that you are. Take influence from others and create your own sound”. Possibly the best musical advice I ever received. 😊

[@teriakamoto]

indeed

[@michael1]

Yeah well when I was much younger, so much younger than today I never needed anybody's help in any way. Possibly the best selling musical advice I ever gave to my student John Linen I think, I can't remember now.

[@kevinsbott]

Randy's bro sounds like a great guy.

[@MetalHead-ks9zq]

That was also what Bruce Lee was trying to teach about martial arts

[@schifrinlopez9952]

Randy's solo on children of the grave is one of the best solos ever.

[@Dave_Wight_The_Rock_Oracle]

I agree I mean listento any of the bootleg shows on youtube, every night slightly different, and hard to choose which one is the best, but the one on tribute is great

[@BOUZOUKI_PETE]

its very similar to the SATO solo

[@ChrisJacksonMusicArt]

I did a very short video on some of the nuance in that solo. Truly amazing. It was totally improvised each time he played it as well. Obviously he had an idea of what and where he wanted play but just let it fly. Randy forever!

[@elijahdoom568]

YES! Yes! yes...

[@stephenwinchester6668]

I came here just to post this!!! Awesome!

[@codymccormick7317]

After hearing the Randy version of paranoid it’s so hard to not play the bassline part and the little trill every time, he made it so damn catchy

[@John3rhoads]

The fact that many people love the Tribute album so much, myself included, should already mean this question is null and void. I think the only reason people even think it's a valid question to ask is because it's a question you'd ask about someone covering a legend status player like Tony. However, Randy is as much of a legend as Tony, which should speak volumes about his skills since we lost him so early in his career.

[@Chadner]

Yeah it's catchy, because that's the catchiness from the bassline! To me it sounds cooler if the guitar does the bread and butter and the bass can do the turnaround, they complement eachother really well.

[@sirkayda7205]

That's how I learned it as a young guitar player.

[@jsr-uz3oj]

@@John3rhoads I agree, I remember the day he died, and he was so talented he was incredible to see live and gone too soon.

[@michael1]

TBH a lot of Randy's stuff contains stuff that would have been better left to the bass player. I get it, it's tempting when you play without a band to try to make a more complete part, but leaving the bass for the bass player to play generally works better in a group setting. Jake E Lee basically did the same flaw when he replaced him - the whole idea of tuning down to C#, baritone guitars et al is the same flaw - guitarists thinking their part doesn't sound heavy enough because they don't have a bass player adding his part yet.

[@williamharding5994]

Randy was not mimicking anything, he was taking Tony's stuff and giving it his own incredible style.

[@MrNeiltonoman]

Absolutely, nothing worse than a note for note perfect copy of someone else's song. When playing someone else's song you should always put something of yourself into it.

[@laughingatyrfuneral]

Tony Iommi, like Bill Ward, was a total master of singular, focused simplicity. He formulated a vision that nobody before him was even close to, and did it by sticking to a pretty spartan toolbox. Randy Rhoads is a legend, he created things with Ozzy that really only he could, but his penchant for flash really comes through on his handling of the Sabbath riffs. The 80s was a time for that.

[@lasombra_br]

Well said!

[@MetalMike87]

I might be biased, but I still find difficult to find guitarists that can sound as HEAVY as Mr.Tony Iommi even in modern day metal.

[@TheDirge69]

Very well said. It is refreshing to read intelligent comments.

[@davesaenz3732]

Tony Iommi created Heavy Metal. 🎸

[@backtoshallabal6662]

Randy did not live up to Tony legacy and knew he was not capable of competing with him so he had to formulate his own way of playing. no one can get hat black sabbath sound.

[@diegolopezlira3267]

I love Randy but in this case I choose Tony's original versions. They are heavier. Randy wings it here because he was forced to play this songs because of Ozzy's background. Maybe it was a little bit boring for him to play Sabbath's catalogue, but he was a total pro and made them justice in the end.

[@zakkmylde1712]

I don't think it was so much Oz's background as it was a lack of material. There was only Blizzard of Oz and Diary of a Madman later to pull a set list from. Diary of a Madman had just come out and St Rhodes passed away on its supporting tour. Between both albums that's only roughly an hour and twenty minutes worth of music, in order to do a longer set some Sabbath tunes were a necessity.

[@schifrinlopez9952]

100% correct my man .

[@bryandraughn9830]

"Tony's original versions" live? Cause his recorded stuff was way heavier. Just sayin

[@diegolopezlira3267]

@@bryandraughn9830 I meant the album versions. I agree with you.

[@georgemalley6414]

Randy and Rudy virtually hated playing copy tunes, especially Black Sabbath.

[@johnnymoon]

It’s crazy how heavy Randy got children of the grave to sound in standard. Sabbath actually played it in standard on the never say die tour and it didn’t sound bad, but not great either. Black Sabbath is my favorite band, so nothing will top the original for me, but I really do love Randy’s take on that. Out of all the sabbath songs he played, that was the only one that really felt like he made it his own. It’s cool that there is a tab book for that, cus I could never find any and just learned it by ear.

[@Powermad-bu4em]

Paul Gilbert basically does the Randy version with Racer X. It is amazing. But the original is still one of the heaviest things ever recorded.

[@justinellis9465]

The solo on Children Of The Grave is my favorite by Randy! It's such an epic take on an OG song!

[@mojopin70]

CHildren of the GRave live solo ( tribute) is a gem... there is a guitar cover on my channel lol :)

[@lilmoe4364]

Such a great tune

[@frentzen100]

When Sabbath played it in E on the NSD tour, they didn't bother with transposing, they just played it in the positions where they used to, only that the guitar was tuned to normal E. When Randy did it, he transposed it, so the basic was still C#. He just used the 5th string 4th fret as a base, and he moved everything 3 half steps down. So Randy's version was actually in the correct key (C#), while Sabbath just played it in the key of E. That's why it sounds different, even if both versions were in E tuning.

[@Ceabrus74]

Iommi Is a master riffsmith heavily influenced by blues while Rhoads was a virtuoso shredder type trained in classical music. Completely different styles and both legends. Which I listen to depends on my mood. Can't go wrong with either.

[@mindeloman]

It's a common misconception that Randy's brother Kelle tries to set straight any chance he can: Randy was very much influenced by rock and electric blues of the era. His interest in classical guitar came much later. Late 70s. But it just goes to show that Randy, even at a young age, wasn't going to be pigeonholed into one thing. Sort of like Neil Peart going back and learning a different style of drumming. Randy was definitely working hard and applying himself to be a true classical guitarist. Even scheduling sessions with classical teachers when he had an off day during touring. Ozzy said that had he not died, he likely would've released a classical guitar album. Now that would've been something. Regradless of all of that, Randy was 25 years young when he tragically passed. How many people can claim they influenced millions of people at such a young age? And it warms my heart to see a younger generation playing his music.

[@kingv911]

All I can say is that the Ozzy "Tribute" album is one of the great live albums ever released. The whole band was magic on those tracks. Best version of Mr Crowley ever.

[@nacuda9]

You should check out recent releases of bootlegs found on here. Recordings arent always top notch but RR playing especially nearer the accident is way better than the Tribute album imo. I do love the album though.

[@gilbertp.9851]

Yes sir Randy kicked ass on Children of the grave!

[@kadinkol]

What people don't realize, they didn't go back and retrack any of Randy's live playing.

[@CBolt17]

That album helped take my guitar playing to the "next level".

[@ferox965]

As much as I love the Randy records, especially Diary, I think they don't sound great. Tribute fixed that. Brilliant. That version of Children of the Grave is awesome.

[@chrisb2535]

I always thought Brad Gillis' version of Children Of The Grave was pretty cool. He played a 4th fret natural harmonic rather than fretting the 4th fret (C#), some of the time.

[@whitebeardguitar]

I was going to see Ozzy with Rhodes(had tickets) Randy died....about 6 months later I saw the concert with Gillis, basically the "Speak of the Devil tour...on the sabbath songs gillis slayed the fk out of it,,,I always felt better than Iomi ever did...as far as his Rhodes songs...not so much.

[@phssthpok5075]

Incredibly underrated, criminally so. Sharon is a bitch for making SOTD unavailable.

[@OrkSmegga]

As amazing a guitarist Randy was, less is definitely more with these riffs. The Iommi versions just sound so much darker and heavier 🤘

[@dudeman5303]

100%

[@RJS1874]

That's pretty much the point. Randy had said he wasn't a fan of the doom and gloom of Black Sabbath. He didn't want them dark and heavy, he wanted them to be more in line with Ozzy's current sound of the time. Through his interpretations of the riffs, they sounded like a better fit with songs like Mr. Crowley, Revelation Mother Earth, and so on. Both are great, depending on what mood you're in

[@supernothing77]

@@RJS1874 yeah because diary of a madman isn't doom and gloomy at all. Jk I know what you're saying

[@Kruegernator123]

@@RJS1874 I could understand where Randy was coming from, at the time anyway. Early '70s Sabbath wasn't probably all that popular in the early '80s.

[@Nissardpertugiu]

​@@RJS1874 wzll i think there s dark heavy stuff in Diary Of Madman

[@teoleoni]

Super interesting, especially now seeing the Pantera tribute and Zakk Wylde being the center of attention for not trying to mimic Dimebag 100% and still being himself. In my opinion is very cool to see Randy's style transpire in these songs

[@ThailandXpress]

The bigger issue with Zakk is he uses the pinched harmonics relentlessly. There was point in time during his first two albums with Ozzy where he used them very tastefully. Somewhere along the line obsession got the best of him.

[@jamesfriend481]

Okay, after more than 40 years of first hearing Randy Rhoads and trying to learn how to play guitar,( and still learning), I still am always amazed and astounded by his playing, he may not of liked playing the Sabbath songs but that didn’t stop him from being the awesome musician that he was. What a shame it is he died so young.

[@HocusPocusFocus69]

Rhoads elevated the songs IMO. Children Of The Grave in particular. His solo on that song is just unbelievable!

[@michaelzilkowsky2936]

I always thought that it sounds as though he runs out of ideas towards the end of the solo.

[@lrm215]

Agree

[@stevenhowes530]

pretty much exactly what I was going to say. that solo is probably my favourite solo.

[@composerdave68]

Im sure Randy didn’t want to strictly play in someone else’s style so he simply adapted the riffs to his (In addition to not wanting to retune). He was a very different player than Tony so the riffs are Tony’s music filtered through Randy’s technique and aesthetic. Neither is better nor worse. One version sounds like Tony and the other sounds like Randy. Personally I love both ways. One is the source material and the other is an interpretation.

[@scottricci5063]

I think with Iommi's riffs, it is all about the tone. Rhoads thought he was just kind of modernizing them. In the end , it's all about the deep richness of Iommi's tone that makes the riffs badass!

[@Dave_Wight_The_Rock_Oracle]

yes of course, they were Sabbath dark ominous, tone was huge, but that does not distract from songwriting, I mean Sabbath started off a blues based band. Iommi wrote many great riffs, but here Randy is showing when a more learned musician comes into the fold

[@Scottiej41]

Randys tribute stuff was what made me love Randy so much when i began playing. When i play paranoid live it's a mix of Randy's and Zakk's.

[@Thinkforwardnow]

Tribute is Ozzy’s best

[@zakkmylde1712]

I do the same thing, love that bass line run and the pinch Zakk throws in it. So much fun to play.

[@rangle187]

Randy made Children of the Grave sound insane on the Tribute album.

[@markbrooks8623]

He converted Sabbath riffs to SoCal metal style. His concentration on the 5th string as the root is the key to understanding. That's classic 80s LA Metal.

[@HocusPocusFocus69]

Rhoads pretty much set the standard for the 80s metal guitar player.

[@AJEDDY97]

@@HocusPocusFocus69 him and Eddie, I'd say.

[@stenic2]

And they sound better!

[@gngrblls2thwall]

Randy's version of Paranoid is the best version. That was a good one for him because it's high energy. But since Sabbath's specialty is heavy, Randy tended to have too much ADHD to let it breath the way heavy ish needs to breath.

[@stevecaststringtheory8691]

The Tribute album was my gateway to getting into Sabbath. I loved the Sabbath songs on there but once I got Paranoid and Master of Reality there was no competition, you can’t top the originals. Randy did what he had to do to get through songs he didn’t care for but still give fans what they wanted and found a great middle ground. Of note Exhorder does a great cover of Into the Void

[@trentonmooneyham1231]

Both are amazing. Randy could turn any song into a guitar masterpiece.

[@Musicsports]

Randy was a Master. I can't criticize anything Randy did. He was a musical genius. As far as the Sabbath songs he covered, he found them simplistic. He needed to add his own flair to keep interest. History notes that Randy didn't love covering the songs. He wanted to create his own music.

[@MrBelmontcain]

I love what randy did. I think it's natural for any guitar player to want to add their own style to riffs. In study I always go for the most accurate note for note, I can get a riff as a learning exercise, but I always play riffs my own way when performing.

[@darrenedwards9562]

That's how it should be unless you're a note for note tribute act . Be like Randy and give your covers your own spin, I say.

[@MrBelmontcain]

@@darrenedwards9562 totally!

[@matcoffidis1135]

It's a totally different style and feel. I will say it's definitely interesting. Crazy how huge of a difference it is playing riffs based on the low E string compared to ones on the A string. Same thing with de-tuning vs standard.

[@GordonHeaney]

Classic riffs in their simplicity.........and it's not unusual for someone who isn't that keen on them embellishing them to keep things interesting for themselves

[@MadAlhazred]

I absolutely hate listening to Randy playing Sabbath, he butchers it in my opinion. Ozzys solo stuff, yeah he's one of the greats.

[@TheTerrorBeyond]

Tony Iommi's versions were far far far better.

[@Duke_de_Plata]

Randy's version of Children of the Grave on that tribute album is one of my all time favorite songs.

[@michaeleaster1815]

the solo is amazing!

[@dwaynestjohn5324]

I agree that solo is just mind blowing.

[@blainethemono19]

In my opinion, that and Sea of Madness by Iron Maiden (bad song) are the two best solos of all time. Just so melodic and structured.

[@ltsmash1200]

Same. The solo is the definition of scorching.

[@atteljas]

You should check other childern of the grave RR live versions on youtube. Different solo on all of them

[@topher4677]

The way Tony Iommi plays is more in line with 70s heavy metal playing. It's also heavier and doomier and has that signature Sabbath sound. Randy's playing is more indicative of 80s metal playing. He has more fancy flourishes here and there, he plays on the fifth string as opposed to the sixth which gives it a brighter sound, and is sort of how you'd imagine a shredder playing these riffs. I think his versions are cool and ooze his playing style and personality, but also I love the simple elegance and doominess of Tony's playing.

[@david_4246]

Might be cool if you took the best elements from both versions and make a hybrid cover of the two players

[@roymauler]

Tony wrote those songs. The original is better usually, and certainly in this case. Randy's sounds like a guy doing another guy's song.

[@donakahorse]

I love Randy, but Tony Iommi is Black Sabbath. I chose to see the songs as unique to each player so I can enjoy both without messing with my head. lol

[@HighOnFire1997]

Noone does Iommi better than Iommi himself. The Rhandy version of the heavy riff on Children sounds like something Accept would play haha

[@WheelsWithinCosmicWheels]

And Wolf is a better player and would probably do more justice to the sound

[@skaldlouiscyphre2453]

White Zombie knew how to cover that song.

[@randyrhoads4737]

Randy coming from Quiet Riot definitely wasn't going for super heavy, doomy riffs. And I'd also say no one does Randy better than Randy.

[@JuhaniPaasikangas]

Iommi best

[@KamikazeAdam]

i love Randy’s cover, he gives it that extra bite and closes it with the harmonic. Who can forget his shredtastic solo on paranoid

[@wilrodzslayer]

does not matter, its RANDY FREAKING RHOADS!!!! 🤘

[@henkestenke]

I love every single player that has been with Ozzy. Iommi invented everything, Randy perfected it, Jake took it all and shuffled it up and Zakk frankensteined them all. Not to forget Gus who is an amazing technical guitarist and in my opinion made Ozzy interesting again after his cover album and sadly pretty mediocre Black Rain album. Thank you for the video!

[@jaseshade6512]

The original is definitely heavier but I prefer Randy’s version. I had that same book when I first started playing in the late 80’s!! And that solo Randy did on Children of the Grave was absolutely amazing

[@pedrogutierrez3407]

Randy was an awesome player, but Iommi's sound and riffs are what got me into metal.

[@metalheadbill]

Brad Gillis certainly did those riffs justice on Speak of the Devil!

[@Levelheadd]

I agree, he did them justice and played his versions, like most guitarist I think would. Great riffs from both. ✌🏼

[@wadew3623]

Not trying to diss Randy too much here, but I really think he represents the emergence of 1980s flash, where so many riffs had to have needless ornamentation to them. To be fair, guitarists often will be flashier live, just to do something different and maybe not get bored playing the songs if they've played them a billion times. I'm sure even Tony does this, and sometimes it can get in the way of the power of the riffs in question.

[@donkarnage6032]

One of my favorite versions is Paul Gilbert's(Racer X) cover of Children of the Grave. Paul's version is based off of Randy's interpretation.

[@Drummerjeffkazee]

Randy was Paul's major influence, watch the podcast he did for Sweetwater and its all about Paul freaking out over Randy.

[@illiniheel67]

Tony DOES add that harmonic to Children of the Grave when he plays live. He has since before the Live Evil (82) album. I first heard it on a bootleg Black Sabbath (Live at Last) when Ozzy was still with them....around 78 or 79....an odd...evil tone...listen to the Live Evil version....spooky cool.

[@jlm4855]

I think Randy just played things the way he wants them , which is awesome. Having said that , Tony made Sabbath sound dark and ominous. Where Randy put some flare into them. I love Randy but , I myself love the way Tony did Sabbath.

[@babylemonade2868]

I love the way he plays the iron man riff on tribute. Also the tribute version of children of the grave on tribute is amazing,the solo is amazing and he’s got so much gain in the middle section the guitar is feeding back beautifully.

[@mitchellwells1021]

He did what he had to do to get paid, I love his versions of a band he really wasn’t into. That being said I love Sabbath too. Randy took over played songs and made us kids in the 80s get into Sabbath. Thank you Randy

[@randallrhoads3271]

the COTG solo is sheer proof of what separates Rhoads from all the others...what you are hearing is an extremely advanced player doing something that just can NOT be taught...playing with such emotion and feeling. That was in Randys DNA...you either got it or you dont. To take someone elses material, and to just wing it ...all the while its being recorded "live"...and to have it come out so beautiful....never heard anybody before or since do that. Some parts of the solo are so simple, yet he drops it right where it needs to be to "fit" what hes playing. Its not just a billion notes or crazy finger taps...its just flowing out of the guy and you end up with a beautiful COMPOSITION. Theres never been anybody like him before or since....ive been looking and waiting since the day he died and it just never happened.....and its NOT gonna happen, at least in my life time. Shame what happened to the greatest guitar player ever...oh, what could have been...

[@mikej70]

He put feeling in with technical playing this version proves it live !! I wish more performances would come out even quiet riot stuff when he was more bluesy love when guitarist make crying wailing sounds page hendrix SRV. Malmsteen Randy and others im sure have done this live! Like a voice gives you chills

[@kurtk8076]

Love the original riffs and feel but also from a player perspective some of the RR variations are just more fun to play and adds a bit of his style in there

[@WheelsWithinCosmicWheels]

Randy is a legend, but nobody plays those riffs like Tony.

[@teresathomley3703]

Randy Rhoads did justice to Tony Iommi's riffs. And you don't have to play an absolute note-for-note copy to do a riff justice!! Rhoads was never going to play those riffs just like Iommi. His technical facility and creativity would have never allowed for that sort of thing. If Randy Rhoads played "London Bridges" it would be full of pick scrapes and artificial harmonics and pick tapping and harmonic minor runs. Interesting video for sure, Mike. 👏👍

[@saulmorris9639]

I mean you can't hate Randy Rhoads, he is just a legend he gave his own spin on tonys awesome work, you tell tony is more beefy and full, while randy is a lot more 5th fret i guess

[@sgt.grinch3299]

Randy plays in a mid tones sound to sound better with Ozzy’s voice. Playing in the mids goes over very well live too. Randy will always be my favorite Guitarist. RIP Randy! A true Master.

[@Dave_Wight_The_Rock_Oracle]

correct Randy was mapping to Ozzy;s voice.....I thought Ozzy, who never sounded great live he was always flat, his voice sounded more raw and BETTER with Randy on guitar.

[@thedr.zeroultrazone984]

I'm getting addicted to commenting your videos - hope it doesn't seem like I'm overdoing it, but you keep making videos I have interest in commenting on. I remember Randy saying that. I like his versions more. One thing is for sure - the solo on Children of the Grave from Tribute is one of his all time best solos - Kevin DuBrow told him that once and then played the recording for Randy and Randy said 'wow, I don't remember playing it that well.' But you know hat's really funny though - he made a mistake n the Paranoid solo - that lick about midway through the solo where he starts it on the 18th fret I think was off by one fret. It sounded so awkward - I mean he could have done it on purpose but it sounds too weird I think - so what I think what he did was jump up really quick and landed one fret off because if you play the same lick 1/2 step higher it would have been in key. He also improvised the Sabbath solos - I know because I've heard a lot of live recordings of them and they are all different and some of them show how even a master like Randy can't play a masterpiece every time they wing a solo because some of them weren't that great - you could hear him just trying to search for notes and find something to play in some of them. By the way, of all days, today the day of my nephew's band concert, the commercial titled '2022 INFINITI QX60 - Beautiful Mess' popped up on a video. A laughed so hard I was tearing.

[@JD-vj4go]

I love both versions but prefer the heavier Sabbath style.

[@bentierney5315]

GREAT QUESTION So obviously this will be lots of opinions rather than factual statements that can be proven. Both guitarists have been properly tested by time and both are amazing in their own ways. It is in my thinking that very few musicians can ever do something with a song that is better than the original. This is true even with the amazing Randy Rhodes. If we ever heard Tony play the leads in Mr Crowley or Revelation Mother Earth we would be surprised at the level of creativity he would show but I still have doubts he would play anything that most of us would consider "better". Just my opinion, great mental exercise.

[@TopCatOadby]

I love both versions.....they're Tony's riffs, but with Randy's take. Also makes more sense to root off the 5th string on a Les Paul. I loved the old tab book, I can remember when magazines like Guitar For The Practising Musician came out....the tabs really changed things for beginners.

[@LicksOfTheBeast]

Cool video! I think the changes Randy made to the riffs were more about making the songs fit cohesively with the rest of the set as much as possible. Those three tracks are a great lesson in covering a song in a way that is perfectly recognizable, yet fits your band's sound.

[@outlaw_adam]

Awesome video. The Paranoid riffs are played differently. The Randy one has two pairs of hammer ons whereas the Tony one has a pair of hammer ons and then a skip back to the A string.

[@NelsonMontana1234]

Learning a part is such a different process from coming up with it. Some people are great at recreating what someone else did but I get the feeling Rhoads was more of an artist than a craftsman so, yeah...I think he got the gist of it and took it from there. He wasn't auditioning to be in a Sabbtah tribute band. He already got the Ozzy gig.

[@patriotpizzaman]

Randy was spicing things up to keep from been bored with those riffs. As much as I love them, I started out playing Sabbath because they were the easiest riffs to pull off. It took me some hours of practicing to get Randy's versions down. Forget about pulling off Randy's solos for those tunes too. He's the best for a reason.

[@yourguitarist]

Great video ...I appreciate the work that you put into this. 👍 IMHO there is way too much "you're playing it wrong" out there. Most people that heard the Randy versions just heard Ozzy singing the songs that he made famous with his old band and they loved it. Most people in the moment wouldn't have even noticed the differences that you pointed out. Also... no one will ever know Randy's motivation behind how he approached these riffs. If he was alive today he'd probably be telling us to do our own thing and stop being obsessed with the past.

[@Paul_LaSalle]

I have that same book from the 80s and was my first tab book… to this day the Randy versions are the only ones I know…I feel like Randy elevated those songs and added his twist … he did them his way… could you imagine what those riffs would have sounded like played by EVH? sounds like we had similar beginnings!

[@2216sammy]

Would of been out of this world if they were played by Eddie. Back when VH was blowing Sabbath off the stage in 1978, Tony and Eddie became super tight friends .

[@ctcards2636]

Randy didnt really want to play the Sabbath songs, so for someone who didnt want to play the songs, he did a killer job. I like Children of the Grave with him. Not a fan of the Paranoid with Randy tho. And as others have said, Tribute album is one of the best live albums ever. Its my favorite Ozzy album. I never get sick of it. Wish we'd gotten to hear more songs off Diary of a Madman live with Randy.

[@skateebee]

I grew up with this book too! All of this years later I never realized there was that much difference in what Randy was doing. This is a very insightful video and really highlights how talented and creative Randy was. He definitely made these his own! Thanks again Mike for another fantastic video and a walk down memory lane!! 👍👍👍😁🎸🎸🎸

[@harrychapin808]

I saw both TONY & RANDY in concert within a year ( approximately), of each other. Like comparing apples 2 oranges. IOMMI had a VERY UNIQUE style and sound. THAT STYLE & SOUND DEFINED, " DARK HEAVY METAL!" BLACK SABBATH is THE GODFATHER of the ORIGINAL HEAVY METAL SOUND and STYLE!! And IT'S NOT that, V-SHAPED EQ with MIDS cut out, sound!! I'm familar with all 3 songs. "RANDY'S" embellishment with his NEOCLASSICAL approach and style, CAN'T DO THESE SONGS "PROPER" JUSTICE!! He was a phenomenal GROUND-BREAKING player WITHOUT question, but those songs really have 2 B played as deliberately DARK and SLUGGISH as recorded- they exude a feeling of HEAVY, LANGUID, OMINOUS FOREBODING that's viscerally POWERFUL!! It's the SOUND, and FEELING of the bowels of the ABYSS thru THICK guitar 🎸 distortion... with the "MIDS" and VOLUME cranked!! IOMMI DIGS DEEP into DARKNESS!! I could actually FEEL AIR BEING PUSHED THRU MY MIDSECTION at the SABBATH concert and my ears BUZZED for 2 days!! AND IOMMI's string bends R signature!! Listening to SABBATH can put one in a TRANCE- LIKE state of mind. RANDY was a neoclassical, heavy metal speed player!! SABBATH is HAUNTING and DARK!!! IF U wanna BURN OUT with a FATTY of high quality deeply resinous BUD ( in darkness- physically and/or mentally), SABBATH's MUZIK is the music of choice!!

[@DSmith-iw7fs]

As sacrilegious as this sounds, Randy made them his own riffs. Growing up in the 80's the Tribute album was one of my favs, as well. I knew the backstory of Black Sabbath and Ozzy but had no idea how big some of these songs were in the Sabbath catalogue (eg. Children of the Grave) so I thought it was Randy's riff. lol Years later I was schooled by a huge Sabbath fan.

[@JimXalive]

Yeah , siempre me gustaron mucho las versiones de Randy de los temas de Sabbath , a lot , los refrescó y enriqueció , en mi opinión . greetings

[@runabout76]

I love that book. I've had my copy for almost 30 years now. It's no secret that Randy wasn't a Sabbath fan. I think he did the songs justice and gave them a fresh, vibrant make-over that reflected and fit well with the solo Ozzy songs they were performing at that time.

[@ChristianCMC]

It's hard to believe Randy died at 25 years old in 1982, and we are still talking about him. RIP Randy, Vinnie Paul, Dime, SRV, EVH, Cliff, and so many others.

[@DeviantmindOG]

Zak Wylde doesn’t do crazy train justice with all his stupid squeals

[@dudeman5303]

Straight up

[@2760ade]

Zakk does like a squeal doesn't he! He ruins a lot of Ozzy's songs with his overuse of pinch harmonics in my opinion!

[@Dirkschneider]

No. It's funny though. These really talented guitarists seem totally incapable of playing certain types of music. I once watched Marty Friedman show play the riff to Ace of Spades. He is obviously a more technical guitarist than Eddie Clarke but it just sounded awful. He could not deliver that Motörhead sound if his life depended on it.

[@twobarsfourstars]

Sounds like he best of both worlds it, honored the comp while being himself. Awesome way to show off their strengths, great video!!

[@davidpaul6656]

I love Randy, but I also love Black Sabbath and it seems like Randy couldn't be bothered with playing them correctly. His version of Iron Man sounds like he wasn't taking it very seriously

[@seanmetal4138]

Randy totally did these riffs more than justice. He made them his own, and in doing so further cemented himself as legend! In the early 80s when EVH was all the rage, Randy stood out and this video proves it.💯

[@jonnydavies6968]

The first time I ever heard Children of the Grave was on the Tribute album and I loved it. Took me a while to get into the sludge-iness of the Sabbath version but now I love both versions. But i will always kinda prefer the Tribute version cos Randy's solo is fantastic and I don't have to tune down.

[@rocktopuss9279]

Randy absolutely did those songs justice! I am sure you noticed that Randy comes up with all kinds of things that deviate from the studio recordings for nearly the whole album. It's part of his genius. Guys like him and Stevie Ray Vaughan have this incredible musical and creative energy flowing through them. As a huge Sabbath fan I absolutely loved hearing his version. I also love what Brad Gillis did with the Sabbath songs on Speak of the Devil.

[@davesaenz3732]

Wish Randy played War Pigs, Symptom of the Universe, and Fairies wear boots!! Into the void !!! Just imagine!!

[@thebluesrockers]

Brad killed it. That was a mind blowing approach to those old Sabbath tunes. I wish someone would go back to those old Sabbath albums and mix them in the studio with the same care & love that has went into those old Ozzy albums. Sabbath's recording were awful. I love listening to them, but the recording quality is shit.

[@deanpangelinan505]

I think that, by default, Randy "did the riffs justice" because whatever he played had to pass the sniff test from "the Boss", namely, Ozzy. If Ozzy wasn't happy, he'd let him know.

[@monoideal3592]

5:00 Randy made the verse riff very fun to play. Maybe the songs were not that menacing anymore but fun to play and suited Randy's style. Such a talent to turn these iconic riffs to your own unique style.

[@zakkmylde1712]

It also fit Oz more at that point in time as well as the newer directions he was going in to make a name without Sabbath.

[@NoirL.A.]

RANDY was an amazing guitarist but the 80's hair metal versions of the SABBATH tunes were pretty lame imo. but still i fully understand both OZZY and RANDY did n't want to just rehash the originals and i respect that even if i personally didn't care fer how it turned out.

[@XxLinguinexXPwnzXx]

I like that he added his own touch to the riffs shows how creative he was

[@craigcotter7476]

yes, but those touches lost what was so menacing about the riffs in the first place.

[@dustinendicott3286]

Randy wasn’t a fan of Sabbath, however I’d almost guarantee that he was a fan of artists who were heavily influenced by Sabbath. I’m biased because Sabbath is my favorite band of all time, so I greatly prefer the originals. That said, it’s awesome how RR was able to give the tunes his own touch. A true artist he was.

[@zw_ncfc]

It sounds like exactly what it is, a hair metal guitarist playing Sabbath

[@mikemph7779]

Randy is my forever favorite !!! Even though some of his surviving band mates described him as being “not a very happy camper.” He was very driven too, he wanted to re-do some of his Diary of a Madman solos but couldn’t because Ozzy said they were out of studio time.

[@mattlastnamehere6403]

I've been a huge Black Sabbath and Ozzy fan, I never noticed the difference when the Sabbath songs were played by Randy until you pointed them out. I can't say I prefer one over the other, but I appreciate that Randy did it different to put his own spin/flavor/signature on it. I'd really enjoy if you did a video on Sabbath songs Zakk Wylde vs Iommi, or Randy era Ozzy songs Randy vs Zakk Wylde. Either would be an interesting video.

[@patstuker]

I feel like Randy Rhoads did do justice to Tony Iommi but he clearly just changed the riffs around to try and avoid copyright (PS: also Mike you should do a video on if Vivian Campbell from Dio did justice to Sabbath riffs when Dio was in the band)

[@richardyoung4405]

I like both. But, on topic, RR's versions are a master class of how to add your own interpretation. His version of Children of the Grave is immense and really show cases his knack of adding licks and flash but not turning it into a lick-fest - he still has space and a groove. And his pinch harmonics are just off the scale - well timed and the tone is alien good. Contrast him with Zakk. Damn good player but he seems to fill every space with licks and his harmonics became just a thing and they sound rubbish, IMHO.

[@philipbeasley72]

Randy is more of a technical player too. He blows it out the water with style and incorporates his flare. Toni iomi was a breakthrough sound of heavy British metal. His sound was straightforward in your face. But Randy's sound takes the cake!

[@riangarianga]

He definitely does them justice. Nowadays people mistakenly say «covers» when they refer to copycat interpretations. No, those are recreations. A cover is when you take a song, extract its essence and give it your own twist. Hence Randy Rhoads played covers, like all those guys back in the day (including Tony Iommi). And he played some damn good ones, I love them as much as I love the Sabbath originals.

[@maxxgraphix]

I've played rifs from Toni and Randy for over 40 years. Honestly for that Black Sabbath sound, Toni does it right. The simple deep tones set the mood. It doesn't need those funky harmonics or more complex cords. Randy was like a savant and you can see this if you have ever seen the ONE interview he did. He studied classical music where Toni was a blues player. So Randy likes more complex tones and could not resist adding his own flare. Basically, he was bored, but had to play the songs, so why not add some flare. It still worked, but I never liked the Tribute album.

[@2216sammy]

The Tribute album had God awful tone and way too much distortion . I like Randy's studio work 1000X better.

[@anabidingdude8079]

Actually, there are a lot of classical influences on Sabbath's stuff. Think the interlude pieces on "Master of Reality" such as "Orchid" or "Embryo" or even the song "Solitude," the outro to "Symptom of the Universe," etc. When Tony had his accident and chopped off the tips of two of his fretting fingers he was despondent and his former boss gave him a Django Reinhardt album and it gave Tony hope because Reinhardt only had two usable fretting fingers to work with yet he was playing this complex gypsy flavored jazz stuff.

[@JoeR203]

COTG has the best solo on the album. Randy channels Chuck Berry for a few seconds.

[@JimmyJamZ12321]

Randy was a musical genius. A master of his craft and yet still a student. I'm always amazed at how good he really was. Randy was.. and is.. the best IMO. RIP Randy. Your legend lives on.

[@Dreamwheel81]

Sorry - but stop calling them “Black Sabbath’s version of…” it’s the original song, not a version 🤦‍♂️

[@williambelford9661]

Tony Iommi wrote those riffs, playing them any other way is butchery of classic metal.

[@Huracangaming01]

So tony butchers metal when he plays them differently live🤷🤦‍♂️

[@ImYourOverlord]

Randy did for the Sabbath songs what Mark Hamill did with Luke Skywalker in the last three installments of Star Wars.

[@XxLinguinexXPwnzXx]

I like that he added his own touch to the riffs shows how creative he was

[@briangisler1981]

I love Tony to death. He will go down as the the greatest riff master ever in music history. Period!! But Randy brought a new light to his songs in his one style even though he did not enjoy playing them. But listening to him play them, you cannot tell..

[@chrisharper2535]

I personally believe Randy did do justice , however , he has a completely different style than Tony. However , as Robert Johnson said " take the music beyond where you found it !" I am also a massive Randy fan , Tony showed us the path , however, Randy turned it into a road ( pun intended ) They are both legendary guitarist . I love the interpretation that Randy shared with us 😎🤘

[@HannahCope88]

Love that Robert Johnson quote, haven't heard it before.

[@chrisharper2535]

@@HannahCope88 its from the movie "Crossroads"

[@maxbeale8186]

St. Rhoads is one of the greatest players of all time, no question about that. However, no one can touch Lord Iommi, I have seen so many people cover Black Sabbath’s guitar riffs and usually a lot are really good but no one will ever match Lord Iommi

[@michaellrakes5521]

Don't care how much hate this gets: Randy Rhoads' covers of Sabbath are abysmal, I'm sorry. He had an amazing style and revolutionized the guitar but could NOT cover Iommi by any measure and even admitted to never listening to them, which is hilarious since he was a metal guitarist