Randy Holden
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Randy Holden | |
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| Background information | |
| Born | July 2, 1945 |
| Origin | Pennsylvania, United States |
| Genre(s) | Hard rock |
| Instrument(s) | Guitar |
| Associated acts | Blue Cheer Population II The Other Half Sons of Adam The Iridescents The Fender IV |
| Website | www.randyholden.com |
Randy Holden is a guitarist best known for his involvement with the West Coast proto-metal group Blue Cheer on their third album, New! Improved! Blue Cheer (1969).
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[edit] Biography
Randy Holden was born on the 2nd of July 1945 in Pennsylvania and grew up on the move. He played in a number of bands including The Iridescents (blues rock), The Fender IV (surf rock) and The Sons of Adam (surf rock/psychedelic rock).[1] While playing in The Sons of Adam Holden opened for the Rolling Stones at their first show at the Long Beach Sports Arena. Holden was heavily influenced by Keith Richard's guitar and amp set up which helped change his own attitude towards equipment and tone.[2] The Sons of Adam (specifically Holden) began experimenting with distortion and feedback which pushed into psychedelic rock. Holden left the band frustrated with the lack of original material.[1]
Holden joined up with The Other Half, a psychedelic garage band from Los Angeles. They recorded one album together before Holden parted ways. He then replaced Leigh Stephens in Blue Cheer and appeared on one side of the album New! Improved! Blue Cheer (1969). Holden toured with Blue Cheer for an entire year before once again parting ways.
Frustrated with lack of control over the bands, Randy formed his own band with drummer Chris Lockheed. At first Lockheed played both drums and keyboard simultaneously, but later decided to stick with just drums. During this time Holden obtained a sponsorship deal with Sunn amplifiers. Through this he received his legendary sixteen 200 Watt amplifiers. His new band was dubbed Population II which was a reference to the fact there were only two members in the band as well as an astronomical term (see metallicity). The band recorded a single album, Population II (1969). Trouble with the release of the album led to Holden going bankrupt, losing all his equipment and quitting music.[1] Population II was eventually released in bootleg forms and official released years later.[2]
After 23 years he began playing music again, reportedly coerced into playing again by a loyal fan.[1] He recorded Guitar God in 1994 and Guitar God 2001.
[edit] Discography
[edit] The Fender IV
- "Mar Gaya"/"You Better Tell Me Now" (1964 Imperial Records)
- "Malibu Run"/"Everybody Up" (1965 Imperial Records)
[edit] The Other Half
- The Other Half (1968)
[edit] Blue Cheer
- New! Improved! Blue Cheer (1969)
[edit] Randy Holden
- Population II (1969 Hobbit Records)
- Guitar God (1996 Captain Trip Records)
- Guitar God 2001 (2001)
- Surf Guitar God 1963/2001 (2007)
