Randy Hansen tells how he became the worlds first Tribute Artist

[@VilleMaunu]

Randy is great..

[@lynyrdskynyrdtributeband]

Randy is astonishing. Its like hearing Hendrix in modern day high quality audio. I play in a Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band taken years just to get close. Its more than just playing the notes, its capturing the spirit and feel. Randy Nails it.

[@carlomure]

like not being yourself?

[@mikewalsh7318]

I saw him in '79 and it was really good. He really nailed it.

[@michelcyr4232]

When Frank Marino and Mahogany Rush started around 1970-71, they pretty much played all Hendrix and if you know Frank, he played Jimi purty dang good 👍🏼🎸

[@slimturnpike]

​@@michelcyr4232He was great but Randy captures the essence better imo YMMV

[@curbozerboomer1773]

I witnessed Randy at the Aquarius Tavern in N. Seattle, back in 1976...I was skeptical going in, as I was thinking that nobody could look/sound like Jimi!...So he proceeded to blow my mind!...and he even looked a lot like Jimi!...I had my wife take a couple of photos of his performance...and I sent a copy to a major biographer of Hendrix--Caesar Glebbeek--He sent the copy back to me, with a nasty note, telling me to not bother with Hendrix copycats!...Hmmm...a few years later, Caesar was covering Hansen frequently, in his fanzine dedicated to all things Jimi! Say one thing, then do another, I guess!! lol

[@missiontotransition641]

great interview clip. i didnt know about the SRV connection.

[@averychilco]

Did you know SRV started playing guitar at age 4, Jimmy at age 12? Jimmy only played with only a 3 piece band no sound man, SRV travelled with a team of musicians and a sound crew. Hendrix never looked at the fretboard while playing, SRV never took his eyes off the fretboard. SRV died at age 35 had 4 albums and was famous 7 years. Hendrix died at age 27 was famous for 4 years had 4 albums released while living and over 50 after he died. SRV estate is worth just over a half million dollars. Hendrix estate is worth just over 170 million dollars. Best Hendrix cover song, Chuck Berry's "Johnny B. Goode." Best SRV song "Lenny and Raining down in Texas." Best rememberance interview about Hendrix is Pete Townsend.

[@emmyjeanhasacamera]

We love ya, Randy! The way you honor Jimi is beyond admirable. Magical, really.

[@onemoreyear9657]

Nothing but respect for him

[@Deepbluecat]

Saw his Hendrix tribute show in San Jose circa 1979, we ate some shrooms. Randy rose from the floor of the stage in a cloud of blue smoke, guitar cranked....I believe he was on a crucifix or similar...it blew our minds. A few months later we saw Apocalypse Now in widescreen Panavision...we immediately recognized the part where Randy played on the soundtrack. He's right, NO one was even caring about Jimi's music at the time. Love ya Randy!

[@marksvideochannel3592]

Thanks for posting this, Love Randy and nice to hear a bit from him and about himself. I really hope he does well financially from all his hard work and awesome playing. I know it's a bloody hard industry.

[@aloha7003]

Wow great guit arest

[@thiosemicarbizidebenzoylal2921]

Dudes so richly talented that money comes his way because who else on this planet can play like him.

[@pariaheep]

I panicked and said: somebody gotta keep track of this... Randy's story is SO HEARTHWARMING! Randy, my man: you're a wizard, a true star! 🎸🥰😍🤩😗 🎸

[@Hugh_Manitee]

I first saw Randy at the Point East in Lynwood , illinois back in the late 70s. I was 20 something. NOW after raising a family and retiring seeing Randy STILL doing it is amazing. He has to be 70.

[@markblue5375]

Randy is incredible !

[@curbozerboomer1773]

Randy is from Seattle...also my home town...we specialize in providing the world with outstanding artists!

[@jeffbrown7408]

What a cool, humble guy. Amazing guitarist!🎸

[@WayBackNowLetsGo]

I played bass for Randy a few years in the late 80's early 90's. Great fun!!!!

[@homelesshendrix]

Right on

[@kevinshea2097]

I just found out about randy hansen😮 just like about 2 years ago than i hear he has been around since the 70s man where the heck have i been but this guy is absolutely amazing i really want to see him live hopefully he will still be touring and come to connecticut

[@eileenslick7024]

Randy there is no one that plays Hendrix like you bro, you are an incredible player thank you bro

[@williamking8033]

His Apocalypse Now score is captivating!

[@KhalsaPalay]

After JIMI HENDRIX 🎸🎙🎶 Brother Randy Hansen is so Great , plays, sounds and sings just like The Great JIMI HENDRIX 🎸🎙🎶 my 2 All Time Greatest Guitarist ♥️🎸🎙🎶🔊Bless Up.

[@JRriffin]

First time I saw Randy was in San Francisco, 1980, he was the best Hendrix tribute player anywhere. SRV was compared to him before SRV got his own songs and fame.

[@1gypsy731]

I remember seeing you back then at clubs in Seattle area. Always knew you'd make it huge. 💜

[@genekersten7165]

Saw Randy 3-4 times in the Bay Area, always a great show. The “Band of Gypsys” shows were incredible. Saw one with Buddy Miles and one with Mitch Mitchell.

[@homelesshendrix]

WOW!

[@karolynforeman7529]

Brilliant..inspirational..educational..and go do it..respect and regards Melbourne Australia

[@toenailtom654]

I am surprised that he started doing this in 75, I remember hearing him play in Apocalypse Now, but I didn't know it was him. I said to myself, that sounds like Hendrix, but at the time I thought maybe it was Robin Trower,

[@johnqpublic2013]

He invited me to audition for bass, after the Seattle Paramount show. Ken Mary was his drummer at the time, after he left Hansen, he went on to drum for Alice Cooper on a world tour. This was all in the early 80's. I live just down the block from his current bassist.

[@dannyhood8857]

Great story. I was in 7th grade the kids at school said they saw this guy who played and looked like Jimi Hendrix this was 1980. They said he jumping on tables. Came up from the fog smoke machine jamming. Cost 5$. These young kids were lucky they went older brothers too show. 10 years ago I chatted with Randys bass player. (It might be same guy lives on you're street?. It was on KZbin I asked questions, told him I just seen uli jon Roth play at club in (Exeter) middle of nowhere. It used to be old train station, turned into bar. Grape orchards surround this club for miles. I wanted to see uli Roth all my life he finally played San Joaquin valley, (Fresno CA) is biggest city. But it sucks musically I don't think Hendrix played Fresno during 60s (Buckethead didn't play Thier until 2013? I waited for years to see him. The bass player told me they knew both uli jon Roth and frank Marino. Said they keep in touch. I asked the bass player, what made randy dedicate his life to become Hendrix devotee. Young Randy seen Hendrix in 69, randy was up front stage standing below Hendrix. Said he felt Hendrix sweat drops. The audition, Did you do the gig with Randy?

[@johnqpublic2013]

@@dannyhood8857 Sadly, no. I had only played for 5 years, but knew he was out of my league.

[@kaweah41]

Love to Randy! Please come to Penn's Peak in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania! Nice room, lots of fans up here! Come bless us!!! Please!!!

[@visionlightlab6094]

Jammed with Randy once in my 25ft Aloha trailer. He played acoustic, I played electric, he didn't out play me on guitar although he easily could have. Definitely a nice guy.

[@joepat2788]

Saw Randy at the Tower Theater in Philly in the 80's, great show.

[@karolynforeman7529]

You are extremely observational..love to you Randy

[@juliusschwencke142]

..wish I could hear more of Randy. The others were getting in the way..

[@dalefromshelby8002]

I was blown away the first time I heard Randy playing Jimi way back in the 80s. He also played with Sam Kinninson. Awesome guitar player 👍👍👍👍🤟🤟🤟🤟

[@wizzybebop]

I remember going to a Kinninson show and seeing Randy there. A lot of people went to the snack and bar area during his show. I didn't because I love the guy. I think I've seen him at least 10 times.

[@bartharmon6536]

This is to Randy, you might remember me , In the 80’s you were playing many venues in Southern California , Golden Bear ,Hollywood Bowl ,Roxy and a small club in garden grove , were you expressed your anger at I think it was Ronny James Dio how he played first to open the show and you played second , you brought a hat that a fan of Dio made and brought it to the garden grove venue and smashed it up, shoved yourguitar thru the ceiling, I got that hat and had you signed if for me at the golden bear when I went back stage to smoke a joint with you. O yeh I was guy who always had a joint lit for you during the shows I went to! Great to see you doing so well!

[@robertdawson8522]

A real down to earth guy whos very approachable.Local boy.Saw him at my High school in 1979 and saw him again two years ago.Nice talk with him before the show.Puts on a great show.Tabasco

[@curbozerboomer1773]

Had seen him in 1976...and around 40 years later, I saw him again, in a small club in Everett, Washington. He still had it!...Like an idiot, I stood transfixed about 20 feet away from those powerful Marshalls...and ever since then, I have suffered from tinnitus!..It was worth it, I think! However, my ears are slightly ringing as I type this!

[@tomward246]

Randy Hansen is the best guitar player I have ever listened to.

[@curbozerboomer1773]

As Jimi said"You better open your ears!" There are many players who are better with technique, etc. But Hansen is the best impersonator of Jimi.

[@Shira2]

I saw Randy at the agradome in vancouver bc in 1976 when i was 13. It was the first concert id been to it was killer!

[@NYisconstipated]

I really hope i get to meet Randy someday....just talk about his playing and jimi etc

[@homelesshendrix]

so true, for me capturing this was great, check out my other clips. he talks about stevie ray, eddie van halen and floyd rose

[@curbozerboomer1773]

I met him after a gig, several years ago, I shook his hand, and told him I had seen him at the begging, many years earlier!...He smiled and thanked me for showing up!...He is totally not pretentious, and seems to be just a good person!

[@diontillman3132]

Hello you there Dion Tillman here, wow people you don't even know, are some best players ❤❤❤

[@nasticanasta]

ESP necks are like that very thin, the old 70's bullet truss rod Strats and tele's (custom, thinline, deluxe) were very thin also..if you look at pics of Jimi he eventually moves to maple njecks and the large headstocks and bullet truss rods, RIchie Blackmore favored these as Trower does too... I also played a 74 maple Tele Custom neck (not a custom tele) on a 1980 Strat body and all stock hardware, played that for 35+ years

[@toddmitchell7542]

I saw Randy twice at The Old Waldorf in SF, second time I read in the “pink” section that he was playing some of his own music after some Jimi covers, when he asked if we wanted to hear some of “his” music I yelled “go for it, Randy”, of course at that moment you could have heard a pin drop, he looked at me said Thank You, jumped off the stage and stood in front of our table for what seemed like forever, Great Night in SF. 253 represent !

[@Victor-tl5eg]

Love you brother!❤

[@danieldonahue3293]

I really think Randy would be the greatest neighbor \,,/ \,,/ A PURE LIVE ROCK ARTIST !!

[@blackraven283]

Thank you Bro. You do it really well? I follow Hendrix through you.

[@johnmongani5223]

I saw Randy in Berkeley fall of 1979 where Jimi played in 1970, Berkeley Community Theater. Remember him playing All Along the Watchtower.....

[@napomania]

Omg.. Berkeley was my favourite Jimi concert. I have the VHS.. and the Blues cassette with Jonny B. Goode full version

[@jeffreydeuitch2146]

Please come to SW Florida. I am an ultimate Hendrix fan have been since very young.

[@thiosemicarbizidebenzoylal2921]

This man is the most prolific guitarist of our time. His feel for the instrument far exceeds many in the rock crowd. He is beyond humble, but his playing a emulation is the most acrobatic exercise i have ever witnessed post Hendrix. That includes many 80s icons that were talented, but goofy. Hendrix was the guitar to me, but Randy is also the guitar. Such mastery and beauty in his musical direction its astounding.

[@thiosemicarbizidebenzoylal2921]

@@FURDOG1961 His usage of modern techniques combined with Hendrix tricks makes him a unstoppable force because he was the only one that harnessed these powers after Hendrix.

[@thiosemicarbizidebenzoylal2921]

@@FURDOG1961 Frank is great, but Randy really nailed the fluid playing better.

[@thiosemicarbizidebenzoylal2921]

@@FURDOG1961 Ive seen Frank two times in the 70s, and they were great shows. Randy was different animal alltogether, he was doing a tribute to the greatest guitar show ever known. To pull it off he had to be on point or the people that knew about Hendrix would have ripped him apart. Frank was doing something entirely different with his tribute songs.

[@thiosemicarbizidebenzoylal2921]

@@FURDOG1961 Im checking it out right now.

[@thiosemicarbizidebenzoylal2921]

@@FURDOG1961 Its awesome.

[@ramsnover3599]

Saw Randy at the Whiskey a go go in fall of 1979, he was great, he had an xtra long chord and walked thru the crowd out the entrance door on to the street (sunset strip) and jammed out on on the curb, then made his way back in and back on the stage, during 3rd stone from the sun...

[@user-qm7nw7vd5s]

Saw him play in person in a club in Northern California back in the late 1970s. AMAZING.

[@rumbashane]

What a great, respectful man. Kudos

[@marcsalzman8082]

Frank Marino of Mahogany Rush; Robin Trower of Procol Harum & then solo SRV

[@SpaceGuitar69]

I started 1988 to play Hendrix here in Finland but still little luck to got others around though I have had many bands to play Jimi Hendrix.

[@amarq1447]

Very cool

[@arjay8tch510]

Hey Randy. Still looking good! Remember all the nights playing at Peter Guy’s cocktail lounge back in the mid/late 70’s? And then at O’Grady’s with Roger Fisher & The Southern Rock Allstars? Our private little sized rock festival back in early 2000’s. Me & Jim hired you. Shit, we hired everybody that played! Lost a few $$, but, man it was fun!😎😜

[@randallhamon5412]

I had older brothers who were JMH fans.....my BIL seen Jimi at Western Reserve College...all my albums are originals...the smash hits album came with a poster of the Experience riding horse dressed like bandits...my dog hewed it up....I remember when Jimi passed...we were going to Ohio and it come across the radio that he had died and they were playing his songs....I remember the first time I heard Hey Joe over a pair of head phones...it was awesome with the vocal harmony......

[@TheMonolake]

Randy the MAN !!!!

[@PabloZadar01]

Great Randy!

[@MrPhotodoc]

Does he use a left handed Strat neck string backwards? It looks like it onstage and it just completes the image so well.

[@CliffBurtonsSkull]

Randy Usually plays Left handed strats, which are restrung. The bridge pickup has to be slanted backwards and the knobs and whammy bar must beabove the strings instead of below them to get Jimi's sounds, feel and technique right.

[@Don77sunset]

Randy!!!-You and Kevin lookin good!

[@jasonmcclelland4506]

Sheri Champagne says same! See ya @ Blue Frog whenever the f-ing border ever reopens. R&R!

[@ronniecorbett6306]

Cool guy, great guitarist. Peace

[@dweebschlemiel4058]

1975 was year midnight lightening album. Could it be this guy on parts of the Album????

[@TheMonolake]

Randys teeth a national treasure

[@LicksoftheLegend]

Lol I like all these guys just casually smoking weed and rocking beers in the background.

[@larryjackson6075]

Darrell Fields was the first Hendrix tribute guitarist..the early 1970s. I held his Echoplex in my apartment.

[@MarshallAmpMan]

The photographer is chomping at the bit to take pictures.....LOL

[@robertgoodwinr6523]

The Best!

[@antrygis1]

Loved Randy on the Spirit of Hendrix video with Uli Jon Roth. Randy had the grist of Hendrix where Uli really covered the later stuff Jimi did like New Rising Sun and Angel so magnificently. Check out/ God bless you Randy.

[@Hugh_Manitee]

Randy plays guitar with his teeth and flosses with his guitar strings. Talent.

[@devin4894]

Love you randy...he the blue wild angel 😇 I can't believe it's not hendrix😅 I love seeing randy pull the tricks out the bag like tossing the pick up bouncing it off the back of his wrist and catching it all while playing.....

[@raymondlugo9960]

I'm also a lefty that plays guitar right-handed.

[@vallancesmillie5734]

The mans a legend

[@DanielLopes-jt8yl]

He has Jimi’s heart he is genuinely sincere unlike Jimi he is unlikely to be taken in. I wish Jimi had had that he would have survived the business.

[@michaelskooma8537]

Loved what he said about SRV. My 2 favorite guitar players

[@alfredo4485]

Falta vir ao Brasil!!!!

[@johnwattdotca]

I saw The Jimi Hendrix Experience at Maple Leaf Gardens and began playing professionally two years later, losing my trumpet and violin. As far as Randy saying he started in 1975, I can say I never heard a band play a Hendrix song at that time. Show-bands would feature me, but that wasn't doing a Hendrix song, just doing Hendrix moves and making sounds with the guitar for a few minutes.

[@dannyhood7433]

I love this guy. Nobody plays 1983 electric landlady like the record as Randy hanson. He was getting recognized like 1980 people said this guy was Hendrix like hendrix with experience, jumping on tables chicks getting humped on stage, I mean tearing it up. No overindulged personality conflicts like fad gadgets now.

[@curbozerboomer1773]

"ElectricLandlady"? Never heard of that recording!

[@Chadp.]

Most off the greats are gone Would love nothing more than a hour to jam please let me know ill fly for that.

[@michaelross1339]

I saw Randy decades ago at the Rainbow in Denver. He rips. Ross

[@jaycodina]

It's me Randy!

[@DiveBarVideos]

Hi, Randy!

[@bigtay522]

My son is the same way. I play right but my son is ambidextrous lefty. Writes left, plays bass right handed and is ambidextrous with his throwing and golfing.

[@homelesshendrix]

yes, as I say in the video, I saw a photo of Randy signing something with his left hand, then it struck me, he is left handed, so I had to ask him. I do everything left=handed except play guitar.

[@magnuslilleengen]

Randy Hansen is such a nice humanbeing

[@ilovefridays999]

I tried to get you to the Vevay indiana wine festival Randy Hansen ask Kevin fillo

[@TheMonolake]

Thx Y T

[@bandpassmess]

I was in a theater watching Apocalypse Now That part of the movie I thought it was Hendrix because my brother told me , I was probably 10 only after the internet it was RH SCARY GUITAR PLAYER HE CHANNELS THAT VIBE .

[@delfinastral]

es un simple imitador...que importancia puede tener...el arte es ser tu mismo, no una copia de nadie...

[@richardareed3512]

The clowns in the background distraction especially the full that cracks open a beer

[@toenailtom654]

Is that Ranier beer on the table??? Yall must be in WA... haaaa

[@DiveBarVideos]

We are in Tacoma

[@Vincent-fo7xp]

I loved his solo album of original material..

[@keithmccaslyn2527]

I cant change it but I really wish that those dude would STFU and LET the Man speak/share/give what he came to give. he's an elder and there is soooo much one can learn...with two ears and a CLOSED mouth. Play on Randy Hansen your hearts always been in the right place. I KNow these duded were excited but dayuummm cross talkin out da ying yang!!

[@bigjim9719]

The guy in the background, just make no noise with the can of beer. Ha Ha Only the best play stratocaster. i have seen these artists play with them live in germany. gary moore , eric clapton , stevie ray vaughan , rory gallagher , randy hansen

[@expectthebow6871]

I don't know what's worse an artist in Hellfire gnashing his teeth or a tribute artist in Hellfire gnashing his teeth

[@delfinastral]

sorry my tribute was in 82 in Stereo Monterrey N.L...dosnt matter Hendrix only one...imitadores hay miles...no genios...

[@allesvertig]

Wow I heared only from Randy that Jimi is actually ambidextrous both hands can play great

[@jacestephenweatherall1732]

I had no clue the randy and Stevie were friends.

[@major-Mihailo-Madzarevic]

*Boycie laughter at **8:50*

[@nimitz1739]

At the beginning of the video the DJ didn’t recognize he met nobody knew the songs, as in “Knew how to play them” Not that they didn’t know the Jimi Hendrix songs. Lol

[@Nigelperyman]

Hendrix is very hard to copy same as Angus young

[@dwreal1717]

This guy looks like Tom Petty and Dave Grohl's half brother

[@cree8vision]

Not really the first one, what about the 1950s, or Elvis tributes. Not to take away from Randy who is phenomenal.

[@nsc217]

Randy thinks Jimi was right handed, he was left handed 😬... His father made him do things right handed because lefty’s were “the devil”

[@jasonmcclelland4506]

You DO know that Randy & Al Hendrix, (Jimi's Dad) were VERY CLOSE, right? Also is with Jimi's Brother, Leon, who guest appears w/ Randy occasionally. Leon has had his own bands & also guest appears w/ other Jimi associates, such as Nathaniel Peterson ("Detroit", Savoy Brown", "Twin Dragons", many more! And is also left handed, btw), Billy Cox, Hendrix bass player, & Nathaniel are very tight to this day. Randy is the only Artist to have ever played with Every member of Jimi's Bands. Randy is an Awesome Artist in his own right far beyond sharing his ability to continue bringing the music & legend of Jimi to music fans around the globe for more than a half of a century after Jimi ascended this planet. When Jimi handed the keys to fellow Seattleite Randy Hansen it wasn't an accident. Jimi was left handed, & even his military records indicate that this is so. So What? And who cares anyway? Isn't about which hand, it's about the heart & soul within that guides it. Music is Magic - yet many claim it's "the devils" too.

[@douglasfuerst9363]

Jimi hendrix wrote and ate right handed. Look at the pictures. That's all.

[@curbozerboomer1773]

@@douglasfuerst9363 It is likely that he was forced to learn how to do that...I was told to try to write with my right hand, but could not do it!..I always got a low grade in that class, because of that. And his Dad-a stern guy-likely made Jimi eat with his right hand too! Some folks back then actually did see the left hand as being of the Devil!...lol..idiots.

[@michaelbingham4505]

Thing is Hendrix is a Original Player,if 6 was 9,had his on world ain't gonna copy you. Sit with Original Black guitar men like muddy, BB,Elmore,Wes,Robert Johnson,those are no copy legends. I see it but just don't understand why?

[@junkcarsinc9467]

Cool guy not talented ,he practiced since from 1970 this is love to jimi’s music and he is left handed!!! Cool guy very cool!!!!

[@tedhunt6048]

A poor interviewer that fills the need to interject themselves into the story

[@edwaaard46]

Dude, this is so false! The best way for an artist, is, to let inspire you from different artists, and then lern from the rules that you earned, but not be ruled by the rules! So that one can create his/her own world/style. Would be that not be more authentic than just copy an already existing legend? Steve Ray was also a big jimi hendrix fan, and ,im sure, because he was a fan, he also was heavily influenced by him, but he never became a 1 - 1 of Jimi. He did his own thing, and thank god he did, otherwise we would have a next Jimi copy. So Mr. Randy, i appreciate your point, but im think this has nothing to do of with being an artist. It has more to do with being a hobby musician that loves to cover.

[@edwaaard46]

He copied some technical stuff, yes, but not the whole personality. I think as a artist, you always copie something from your influences. But the major difference is, that you integrate that in your own unexpected self, true unique being. So that it’s authentic and not cliche. Mr. Randy is a really good actor. He plays Jimi really good, like no one before. And that is really remarkable.

[@edwaaard46]

@@FURDOG1961 of course he did, because he loves the song. Many artist do stuff like this. Kurt did it with „Where did you sleep last night“, Jim Morrison did it. The most artist have covered some songs from other artist. But they implemented something truly authentic from their minds into the cover. So that it sounds similar but not 100% like the original. And why should it sound exact the same? That’s boring, when I want to listen to the original song, then I listen to the artist who made the song, and to the cover. Listen, my point is, that SRV had also a lot of truly authentic songs, that he created from his mind, with his artistic creativity. Even like I said the covers sounds different. Compare SRV Voodoo Child and Jimis Voodoo Child, you will notice a major difference between this two versions.

[@edwaaard46]

@@FURDOG1961 yes i agree on That. I also love covers from other artists. It’s amazing how the artists can make the cover songs sounding so special/unique, different like the original. Sometimes I really like the covers more than the originals. :D Love to hear both.

[@Stereostupid]

Randy chose to be a cover band artist there's nothing wrong with it the Hendrix estate allows it and Randy pays royalty's.. he also is good friends with jimis brother.. randy does have his own originals and songs and does cover other people... And at this caliber on guitar Randy could play anything the guy is literally a fucking monster guitarist.. you don't have to like the guy I got used to him over time