March 19,1982
-For Randy Rhoads fans this date marks the end of an extremely talented musician but the beginning of a legend that is sure to grow for many years to come. This piece is designed to capture the essence of the surreal circumstances by which Randy died. None of us could have imagined a plane crash; especially one that should never have happened. The shear “craziness” of this event can only be imagined through the sounds that probably occurred that day. While the events that transpired that day can never be changed, fans often wonder what it might be like if Randy were still alive today. What kind of music would Ozzy and Randy write together in this new millennium? My belief is that Ozzy and Randy would have written a concept album together. Electric Angel is my way of imagining what issues that concept album might have tackled in the new millennium. I dedicate it to YOU, the believers of Randy and Ozzy’s music. Remember, this concept album can only tell a story but it can never be the whole story.
Please Don’t Go
-It is never easy to say goodbye to the loved ones we lose in death or tragedy. Oftentimes we feel that the best thing in our life was taken away before we ever got a chance to truly appreciate it. In a sense we feel cheated because our dreams may have suffered a permanent setback or the best times in our lives may have been stolen from us. Like a child desperately needing love to grow, tragedy can starve our inner ability to trust others and create a deep resentment towards the world around us; a world which seems to be cold, dark and malicious. This piece is about those feelings and a desire to set things right.
Jimmy Jimmy Bang Bang
-In childhood we often see movies or TV shows which express the ideal family life which we never experience. Whether it is Leave It To Beaver or The Brady Bunch the kindness and love shared by these characters in one 30 minute program might be more than one experiences in a lifetime. This piece tells the story of an orphaned teenage boy that grows up being a fierce soldier. Without the guidance of a loving family he struggles against the moral flexibility of fighting against a foe he doesn’t even know. He is told by his commanders to shoot first and ask questions later. Jimmy has to face the dilemma of either shooting a child and her mother or be killed himself. What he decides to do at this critical moment in his life will change his life forever. These situations are quite common in warfare where fighting becomes increasingly brutal and humanity becomes less important in any effort to survive.
Angel On Earth
-In life there are people which seem like angels placed here on Earth to help us through our darkest hours when all hope appears to be lost. Like a whirlwind they come into our lives to lift us up and make us better than we ever thought we could be. They make us better human beings. They are wise beings which are at peace with themselves. Their helpful nature is often mesmerizing for us to watch. Whenever they are around us we shine and feel at ease. Their work inspires others and is what all of us aspire to become. This piece can be related to how Randy came in Ozzy’s life to help him become a better musician and person. This brief time is immeasurable to the amazing affect Randy’s work has had on future guitarists.
War Of The Worlds
-Religious wars are fought over the interpretation of what God’s will means in various denominations. Today’s hostilities are between the two major belief systems, the Muslim Crescent and the Christian Cross. Extremists believe their religious convictions tell them to hate others if it contradicts their own belief system. It is perception which clouds one’s own judgment in this very volatile game. How many of us have ever been suckered into an argument only to find that neither side was playing fairly? Throughout history poor countries have been the pawns of richer countries. Whether it is for oil or for land, one tells lies about their foe in order to gain power for more control. They are the masters of deception. Inflaming emotions is their primary tool of choice. Only when we choose not to follow such crazy ideologies will we ever conquer our lust for fighting. This does not mean that we do not fight for what is right but rather we shouldn’t choose fighting as the only means to a resolution whenever there is conflict. This piece is concerned with those different ideologies in the world which never seem to find any type of common ground and fight one another for religious reasons to the death. A fight which always continues without resolution.
Undying Love
-Once in a lifetime we meet someone that overlooks our flaws and sees the real person underneath. They are our soul mates throughout life. They are hopelessly devoted and loyal. They keep us grounded when our lives get turned upside down and keep us motivated when life has us on the ropes. Without them we are like a ship traveling through murky waters without a compass. This piece is about those special to us which keep us afloat in a sea that is full of danger. For Ozzy this is his wife Sharon.
Toxic Wasteland
-In 2005, New Orleans was devastated by Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita. The levies which broke allowed the Gulf of Mexico to flood the city with salt water on two separate occasions. This led to sewage and toxic chemicals to permeate into every home. The slow response by our U.S. government allowed over a thousand people to unnecessarily parish. Some believe that our lack of conscious effort to recognize the warning signs of such a disaster will lead to our eventual extinction. If using the Greek alphabet to name hurricanes is the new norm then maybe we do not deserve the right to be called “human” beings. This piece is about what the consequences of such natural disasters will have on future generations. Should we hold those in power accountable for the thousands of lives lost when the magnitude of such a disaster was not known until days later? When tragedy occurs no one wins in the blame game.
A Doorway In Time
-Most of us never pay any attention to the subtle changes occurring around us on a daily basis. How many of us would like to change some tragic event in our lives which could have been prevented? While time travel is still only a theoretical possibility it cautions us against changing something that was going to happen no matter what we tried to do to prevent it. Randy’s death has inspired many musicians to take their craft more seriously and that one should never stop learning or seeking out a deeper understanding in their sense of musical expression. This piece looks at those rare moments when Randy was being interviewed and discussing his opinions on teaching and performing.
Resurrection
-We live in an age where pharmaceutical drugs are the solution to every physical ailment. Depression, weight loss, anxiety, high cholesterol and acid reflux all have a specially designed pill. America is becoming ever more addicted to prescription drugs. Got a problem, take a pill. Like zombies we walk through life in a kind of haze. It is no wonder that diseases are not being cured but rather tamed through medication. Should we be surprised that the last cure for any disease was for polio in the 1950’s? This piece is a cry for change in the quality of life we are slowly losing. A lifestyle change which can only come from learning the truth about companies profiting from a lack of consumer health.
Always
-We must never forget the loved ones that pass on. They are always part of us no matter how many years may pass by. Remembering them is vital to keeping their spirit alive. Whether we light a candle in their memory or leave flowers by their final resting place, acknowledging their life here helps us to cope with the finality of this existence. This piece is a personal message honoring Randy and his brief life here on Earth. He has become to many an “Electric Angel.”
