Founding AUTOGRAPH Bassist RANDY RAND Dies

Randy Rand, the founding bassist of ’80s exhausting rockers AUTOGRAPH, has handed away.

Previous to his loss of life, Rand was the only real remaining authentic member of AUTOGRAPH, which introduced in February that it had signed a cope with Frontiers Music Srl and was engaged on materials for a brand new studio album.

Earlier as we speak (Tuesday, April 26),AUTOGRAPH issued the next assertion: “It’s with nice sorrow and heavy hearts to announce the sudden passing of our cherished buddy and founding member of AUTOGRAPH, Randy Rand.

“On the time of loss of life, Randy was surrounded by his stunning and infinite love, Regina Rand and household.

“Though past devastated, we discover some consolation and solace understanding the final couple of years have been a few of his happiest as an artist and as a performer. Randy was the consummate optimist and was so excited to see the brand new route, creativity and renewed vitality with the band. You would really feel his excitement- because it was fairly palpable together with his taking part in skills, performances and the way in which he interacted together with his beloved followers.

“As lots of you recognize, Randy arrived within the late 70s Sundown Strip music scene and was an completed musician and seasoned studio musician when he rose to prominence as an authentic member of AUTOGRAPH. Quick ahead 40 years, our brother was nonetheless making an impression within the music area together with his charismatic stage presence, musical contributions, most notably, with our new album launch and collaboration with Frontiers.

“Regrettably, there is just one Randy– a superb bassist band mate, brother, and human being. Collectively within the final couple of years with this formation, we spent quite a few hours that was one thing magical whereas creating an unbreakable bond few bands are lucky sufficient to ever expertise. We had that…and with that, we’ll proceed to honor Randy Rand, as he would need us to and honor our musical commitments and maintain his legacy alive.

“Presently…we ask that you simply respect our privateness and we thanks for the continued love, help and lightweight that every one of you have got proven him and us as we navigate these unhappy days forward of us.”

AUTOGRAPH, whose hit “Flip Up The Radio” was a staple of the exhausting rock soundtrack of the ’80s, disbanded in 1989, however in 2011, founding members Rand and guitarist Steve Lynch determined to satisfy up on the NAMM present in Anaheim, California. They rekindled their friendship first earlier than even fascinated with a musical reunion. With their private relationship rebuilt, they made a collective determination to play once more. “We approached our authentic singer Steve Plunkett a few reunion,” Rand recalled. “He did not have the time to hitch the band once more as a result of his busy schedule. He did give us his blessing to maneuver ahead although, and that was vital. We missed our followers. That is for them.”

Absolutely embracing the longer term, the remaining members started a seek for a brand new singer. They found some movies of singer/guitarist/songwriter Simon Daniels (of JAILHOUSE, FLOOD, 1RKO) on YouTube and immediately they sensed a connection and knew that he was the correct match for the band. “He was excellent to entrance AUTOGRAPH,” mentioned Rand. “His hard-edged, bluesy voice and big riffing sharpen our edge. He is given us a brand new vitality, and he impressed us instantly. All of us had a euphoric feeling after the primary rehearsal,” Rand added.

Rand mentioned that in his long-lived profession, he had solely cherished taking part in with two drummers; one is the good late Randy Castillo, after which there was AUTOGRAPH‘s new drummer Marc Wieland. As Rand put it, “We’re heavier than earlier than. On the identical time, the melodic vocals and catchy hooks are nonetheless an integral a part of our sound.”

In 2019, Lynch determined to go away the group to pursue totally different musical kinds and was changed by worldwide monster shredder guitarist Jimi Bell (HOUSE OF LORDS, MAXX EXPLOSION).

AUTOGRAPH has launched seminal albums akin to “Signal In Please” (1984),“That is The Stuff” (1985) and “Loud And Clear” (1987). Over the course of their profession, they’ve performed exhibits with everyone from MÖTLEY CRÜE and DIO to VAN HALEN and AEROSMITH. Efficiently touring once more because the starting of 2014, AUTOGRAPH has strived and shined at arenas, casinos, main music festivals akin to M3, Monsters Of Rock cruise, Moondance Jam, 80’s In The Park, Grand Rock Tember, Cat Membership competition at Irvine Meadows and Firefest UK, amongst others. In 2017, AUTOGRAPH launched a brand new album on ex-MEGADETH member David Ellefson‘s EMP Label Group, hitting No. 21 on the Billboard Traditional Rock Gross sales chart, in addition to putting two new singles on the highest 10 Exhausting Rock Mediabase radio chart.