Band Rehearsal Game #1 - Sabbath Edition

[gonzilla]

Situation: Your hard rock/heavy metal originals band is run democratically and you're holding rehearsals for a new lead guitarist. After careful consideration, your bandmates cast votes for Randy Rhoads, Zakk Wylde, and Tony Iommi. All are at their peak, alive and well. You, the bassist, get the tie-breaking vote. Who do you pick and how do your explain your selection to your band members?

[gonzilla]

I'd go with Randy Rhoades. Given the needs of the genre currently, I'd argue that he has the right combination of balls and flash required to propel a band to superstardom.

[mike phillips]

tony-dark and heavy.

[Eric Perry]

Agree on RR. I never dug Zakk's style, and Tony can never be anything OTHER than Sabbath!

[xgator4u]

I voted Tony. Randy would not be dependable at gigs being dead and all.

[derekd]

Zakk for me. Never liked Tommy's playing that much, though he is a godfather of metal, and Randy's playing is wonderful, but players like him are fairly commonplace. He was unique when he came out, but not so much now. I think Zakk has a more distinct style. Really though, how could you go wrong with any of them?

[thejrace]

randy takes my vote. I really enjoy his early qr stuff too.

[Schizoid75]

Man, you can't go wrong with any of those guys, but Zakk gets my vote. I love Tony's riffs and I think he's one of the greatest songwriters in metal, but I don't think he's as versatile as Zakk. Plus, Zakk destroys him in the technical ability/chops category. Randy has versatility, great chops, and songwriting that I like almost as much as Tony, but I've always hated his tone. With Zakk, I feel that you get the best package. I love his songwriting probably as much as Randy's. Technically, I think he's phenomenal, yet almost always tasteful. I love his tone. I think he's incredibly versatile. Plus, I think he's a dynamite singer, too.

[Cary713]

RR hadn't even peaked yet IMO. Look at what he had done by age 26...
He would be in it for the long haul, and I'm sure have a lot more innovative stuff to come.

[Truktek2]

Randy Rhoads. There is no comparison.

[DoomandHeavy]

Tony Iommi without a doubt. Every riff this guy writes is classic.

[Snakeman1066]

Zakk annoys the crap out of me.....how many repeated harmonics do we need to hear in a song anyway?

Toni has really impressed me on the latest Heaven and Hell Cd especially his solo on Eating the Cannibals...nobody does melodic slow heavy riffs like Toni

but my vote has to go Randy...classically trained....and i'm sure there were more things like Revelation Mother Earth that were just waiting to bust out....had he the chance...

[mike phillips]

at the time of his death randy was unhappy with the road and the music he was playin. he wanted to go back to school. his real love was classical music. no tellin what would have happened had he not got on that plane. maybe we heard all randy had to offer in this type of music.

[Sartori]

Tony Iommi. I'm not big on shredding. I'd prefer someone who's more of a song-writer.

[Eric Perry]

Originally Posted by Snakeman1066

Zakk annoys the crap out of me.....how many repeated harmonics do we need to hear in a song anyway?...

Agreed.

[Deluge Of Sound]

Tony Iommi wrote every cool riff ever.

If that's not a good enough reason to put him in my band, I'm quitting.

[Sartori]

Originally Posted by Deluge Of Sound

Tony Iommi wrote every cool riff ever.

If that's not a good enough reason to put him in my band, I'm quitting.

Tony Iommi is the master of the cool riff.

[Vic Winters]

Wait are we talking bearded Zakk or clean cut Zakk?