Randy Rhoads and the Feedback Factor

I think most of us who've been listening to hardrock and metal long enough realize what an impact Randall Rhoads had on rock guitar playing during his brief time with us, in certain ways practically inventing the modern approach to metal rhythm methods and certainly contributing to the growth of Progressive Metal, particularly with an album as Diary of a Madman.

After many years of listening and viewing Rhoads play and rehearse with Ozzy, I come to wonder if one of the reasons he began filling his rhythm playing with his distinctive up/down strumming, as well as his inspired lead fills, might be because of the incredible power of the amps he was using and volume he set in order to achieve that big foamy sound and ample sustain.  I mean the feedback and extraneous noise must've been almost uncontrollable and this is quite evident in the rehearsal footage seen of the band in a small studio space between the first two albums.  The only real way for him at that time to have such a huge sound and also prevent feedback would've been by keeping in hand contact with the guitar, or better yet actually playing it.

So my question is do our guitarists here think it's possible that a major factor in Randy Rhoads' innovative technique and playing style was born of necessity with the reality of having monster amps and an MXR Distortion+ box ?

I reckon he was trying to fill out the sound because there was no rhythm guitarist, using fills, etc.... he was a superb guitarist IMO regardless, unfortunately I never got the chance to see him live.

clarkpegasus4001 wrote: I reckon he was trying to fill out the sound because there was no rhythm guitarist, using fills, etc.

to be sure, but it sounds like more than that