Paul Gilbert Remembers Randy Rhoads’ Angelic Presence at Guitar Clinic
Paul Gilbert, guitarist for MR. BIG, fondly recalls attending a Randy Rhoads guitar clinic on February 2, 1982, in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. At just 15 years old, Gilbert was eager to learn from one of the era’s most influential guitarists.
Gilbert shared his experience with Ultimate-Guitar.com, saying, “Mostly, he didn’t play that much. I think he did, like, I don’t know, six or eight clinics that day. He’d do, like, a half an hour, and then the next group of people would come in.”
“So I think I was in the early group, and he hadn’t really warmed up to playing yet. I think he played more later when I wasn’t there. So, it was mostly just answering questions. And to me, the coolest thing was just being in a room with him and seeing him. He was like a beautiful human, glowing in kind of an angelic way.”
Picking techniques
Gilbert asked Rhoads about picking techniques, but Rhoads’ response was straightforward: “And he told me the truth, which was he just does what he does. Which wasn’t particularly helpful in helping me copy him. But in a way, that’s an honest answer.”
While not immediately helpful, Gilbert appreciated the honesty, noting that many guitarists find what works for them without rigorous practice routines. “I think a lot of players, they stumble upon things that work for them, so they don’t have to go through this painful ‘metronoming thing.’ It’s like, ‘Oh, I found one thing is working, and I just use that.’ So, sometimes that’s good advice.”
