RANDY RAND OF AUTOGRAPH – A LOVING TRIBUTE

Randy Rand, it has been nearly a month since you left this Mother Earth, yet your light has not diminished. Beloved fans, family and friends are taking this time to uniquely remember what you meant to them. Today, we constantly celebrate the legacies of musical artists, and now Randy Rand, you are one of them. Today, we honor you, but know that your perpetual absence is felt and mourned throughout the music industry and those close to home, especially your beautiful loving wife, Regina, immediate family and closest friends. We keep them in our hearts and prayers.

There’s no play book when it comes to grief. The emotion is so absorbing and immense that it’s hard to pinpoint why it manifests in the ways it does. Your music touched all those you met along your storied career and we all felt that we were part of your extended family . When we lost you, it felt like losing a beloved family member. Randy, music fans across the globe, especially those of an adult generation, recall your colorful and electrifying history and the notable contributions you made as an artist.

Rand got his start as a professional musician playing in the 1970’s band Wolfgang along with future Autograph lead singer Steve Plunkett and opened for the notable Runaways. Shortly thereafter, he would be asked by Lita Ford to join her. Your start as a professional bassist in the ’70’s in California during the Sunset Strip era was a blazing time for you. With legendary skills and “true-grit”, you soon became an established and seasoned studio musician before later forming Autograph in Los Angeles in 1984 with Steve Plunkett (Vocals), Keni Richards (Drums), Steve Lynch (Guitar) and Steven Ishram (Keyboards).

The band’s debut album, Sign In Please, arrived in October of 1984. It was nothing short of spectacular and set off the band’s signature song, “Turn Up the Radio,” which peaked at No. 29 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album also reached a height of No. 29 on the Billboard 200 and enjoyed 29 weeks on the all-genre chart. Randy’s Cheshire-grin could be seen splatted all over television as the “Turn Up The Radio” music video received heavy rotation on MTV.

Over the course of his career, Randy had played shows with everybody from Mötley Crüe and Ronnie James Dio to Van Halen and Aerosmith. As many bands can relate, musically, Autograph did predictably experience some highs and lows. On the heels of the success from 1984, Autograph’s follow-up single “Send Her to Me” although a likeable tune, did not receive the same success of their first hit. Autograph then released another two records, 1985’s That’s the Stuff and 1987’s Loud and Clear before eventually breaking up in 1989.

After bidding adieu to his rock star life in the late 80’s, Randy debuted another skill and pursued a career in leather making. He owned and operated a successful international importing/exporting business that sold his hand-crafted leather goods and even working with Harley-Davidson for over 2 decades. Often catering to the most recognized names in rock history, he kept these friends and connections close. Like a moth drawn to a flame, music was always in the background. In 2013 there was an extraordinary impetus that thrust Randy back on the big stage and into the limelight.

Randy received an invite to the 2013 NAMM show for an appearance and was reunited with Lynch. It must have been quite the reunion as 3 out of the 4 of the original line-up fully embraced the next chapter in their lives, and began a search for a new singer. Collectively, they discovered some videos of singer/guitarist/songwriter Simon Daniels (Jailhouse, Flood, 1RKO) on YouTube and instantly they sensed a connection and knew that he was the right fit for the band.

“He was perfect to front Autograph” said Rand. “His hard-edged, bluesy voice and massive riffing sharpen our edge. He’s given us a new energy, and he impressed us immediately. We all had a euphoric feeling after the first rehearsal”,  Rand added.

Unfortunately, Richards didn’t last long and was replaced by monster drummer and producer, Marc Weiland in 2014. This formation of Autograph released two new albums, Louder (2016) and Get Off Your Ass (2017). Guitarist Steve Lynch left Autograph in 2019 to pursue other musical interests. Leaving a big void in a group he created. The band then enlisted House of Lords’ guitarist Jimi Bell to fill
that void. Randy and Randy’s beloved wife, Regina Rand were the first to endorse Jimi as a replacement for Steve Lynch…and the rest was history.

The 2019 to present line up of Autograph would again go through some exciting musical transformations. Anyone who had the opportunity to witness this formation and their collective stage performance bared witness to a chemistry that is a rarity in the rock and roll industry. This brotherhood fostered new and innovative approaches to music that could be heard in their new singlet, “Souls On Fire”; released via the EMP Label Group during the height of the Coronavirus Pandemic.

Most recently, the iconic Frontiers Music Srl welcomed Autograph to their elite roster in early 2022. The signing of the band was a key milestone, especially for Randy. As Rand put it, “we’re heavier than before. At the same time, the melodic vocals and catchy hooks are still an integral part of our sound“. The band, featuring vocalist Simon Daniels, guitarist Jimi Bell, bassist Randy Rand and drummer Marc Wieland had been working on the newest collection of hard rock music and material for their new studio album under Frontiers Music Srl, which they completed prior to Randy’s untimely passing.

Prior to his death, Rand was the sole remaining original member of Autograph, which again, announced in February that it had signed a deal with Frontiers Music Srl and was working on material for a new studio album. Randy’s legacy will be remembered for his professional musical contributions that spanned throughout his life and through the release of the new record.

We mourn yesterday, today and tomorrow, as YOU are gone too soon. There are over several hundred thousand social media comments from your fans that have been influenced and inspired by you and express how extremely fortunate and grateful that you touched their life through music. Having your
music to relate to, whether as a driving bass line, song or album is a privilege as music is eternal. The legacy you leave behind will remain forever. Your name will never be forgotten, and your individuality and uniqueness will forever be engraved into the music industry and the lives of those who love you.

Simon, Marc and Jimi will dedicate the new Frontier’s album release in memory of you, as this new generation of Autograph’s music will shape and mold today’s listeners in who they will eventually become. We love you Randy, farewell and thank you- but never goodbye.

Born: May 18th,1949 – Died April 26th, 2022

Notable quote

“You know how everyone in their life says, ‘If I had a wish list, this is what I would want.’ In my life, I wanted to get to be on American Bandstand and got to do that. I wanted to play Madison Square Garden, got signed there as part of the Van Halen tour. I wanted to get a song in the top 20. It’s like, ‘Whoa. How many times do you really get everything you wanted as a kid?’ It’s kind of cool.” —from a 2020 interview for Antihero

Mandy Reid is an AMP contributor and wife to Autograph guitarist Jimi Bell

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