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Randy Coven Dead?
- Thread starter Roy Vogt
- Start date
He was definitely an influence on me and my choice to play the bass.
Taken from NoTreble's site:
"
Rock bassist Randy Coven, who toured and recorded with artists including Yngwie Malmsteen and Steve Vai, passed away on May 20th of undisclosed causes. He was 54.
Born in Great Neck, New York, Coven was introduced to music at a young age. His parents fostered his love of music by taking him to the Beatles concert at Shea Stadium when he was just five years old, and from there his dream was to make music. He started on drums but switched to bass after feeling restricted behind the drum set. According to his biography on the Phil Brodie Band website, Jeff Berlin lived around the corner and overheard him working on a Stanley Clarke song.
“Jeff was actually a neighbor of mine, his younger brother Ross used to beat me up,” Coven admitted. “One day I was sitting in my room desperately trying to learn Vulcan Worlds by Stanley Clarke. My room had a door that opened into the backyard. Jeff was walking by and must of heard me trying to play this thing. He probably felt sorry for me, so he came in and took the time to really show me how this riff was played as well as writing it out on music paper. I couldn’t believe it! He also said he knew and had played with Stanley Clarke. I was blown away. This incident changed my life forever. I decided to go to Berklee to really learn music, especially because I couldn’t read music, and it took me the rest of the summer to learn the damn thing.”
Coven was roommates with guitarist Steve Vai at Berklee, leading to a lifetime friendship. Coven spent the next few years touring with the Canadian band Orpheus before returning to New York and forming his own band. Throughout the 80s and 90s, the bassist worked with musicians ranging from Leslie West to Yngwie Malmsteen to Holy Mother. His more recent projects included the band ARK, MCM, and continuing the Randy Coven Band."
Taken from NoTreble's site:
"
Rock bassist Randy Coven, who toured and recorded with artists including Yngwie Malmsteen and Steve Vai, passed away on May 20th of undisclosed causes. He was 54.
Born in Great Neck, New York, Coven was introduced to music at a young age. His parents fostered his love of music by taking him to the Beatles concert at Shea Stadium when he was just five years old, and from there his dream was to make music. He started on drums but switched to bass after feeling restricted behind the drum set. According to his biography on the Phil Brodie Band website, Jeff Berlin lived around the corner and overheard him working on a Stanley Clarke song.
“Jeff was actually a neighbor of mine, his younger brother Ross used to beat me up,” Coven admitted. “One day I was sitting in my room desperately trying to learn Vulcan Worlds by Stanley Clarke. My room had a door that opened into the backyard. Jeff was walking by and must of heard me trying to play this thing. He probably felt sorry for me, so he came in and took the time to really show me how this riff was played as well as writing it out on music paper. I couldn’t believe it! He also said he knew and had played with Stanley Clarke. I was blown away. This incident changed my life forever. I decided to go to Berklee to really learn music, especially because I couldn’t read music, and it took me the rest of the summer to learn the damn thing.”
Coven was roommates with guitarist Steve Vai at Berklee, leading to a lifetime friendship. Coven spent the next few years touring with the Canadian band Orpheus before returning to New York and forming his own band. Throughout the 80s and 90s, the bassist worked with musicians ranging from Leslie West to Yngwie Malmsteen to Holy Mother. His more recent projects included the band ARK, MCM, and continuing the Randy Coven Band."
Man,severe bummer,have all of his cd's ,what a talent. Met him once at a music store on Long Island.Nice guy. RIP Randy.
- Sep 20, 2000
- 4,433
- 537
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Kiesel Basses, Ampeg Amplification, Hotone Ampero II effects
I drove around all day yesterday with Funk Me Tender in my car CD player. I had forgotten just how good he was. I had that on cassette and had the transcription book on the Road with me in the early 90s and it was part of my practice routine right along with Standing in the Shadows of Motown. I'm sure going to miss him, that's for sure! 
RIP, the dude was my age too. I remember seeing him in magazines back in the Eighties, but I never heard much of his playing.
It's funny, lately I have been thinking that it is time to stop worrying about so much gear because I just don't know how long I will be playing it. I don't want to be morbid, but when someone my own age dies, it makes me think about things beyond this little world of stuff that it is so easy to get caught up in nothing.
I hope his solo albums are re-released.
It's funny, lately I have been thinking that it is time to stop worrying about so much gear because I just don't know how long I will be playing it. I don't want to be morbid, but when someone my own age dies, it makes me think about things beyond this little world of stuff that it is so easy to get caught up in nothing.
I hope his solo albums are re-released.
Wow, this is a real bummer.
I feel very fortunate because when I was a student at Queens College in NY, the Randy Coven band used to play at the Student
Union there! I saw him 3 or 4 times, if my memory serves me (we drank a lot of beer back then, so it's a bit hazy).
It was pretty awe inspiring seeing him play live and up close, in a small room.
I feel very fortunate because when I was a student at Queens College in NY, the Randy Coven band used to play at the Student
Union there! I saw him 3 or 4 times, if my memory serves me (we drank a lot of beer back then, so it's a bit hazy).
It was pretty awe inspiring seeing him play live and up close, in a small room.
I just went to YouTube and listened to a couple of tracks from Funk Me Tender. They are great and I would have played the cassette a lot if I had bought it back in the day.
It is bummer to have waited until Randy died to hear his music.
It is bummer to have waited until Randy died to hear his music.
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I grew up on Long Island and took lessons from Randy for a while in the mid-80's at Focus II in Bellmore, and used to go see his band in the clubs. He was a phenomenal player and could do everything from soloing and walking over insane jazz changes to crazy metal-style tapping stuff, it was just unreal how good he was. So sad that he is gone at such a young age...
mark beem
Wait, how does this song start again??
What's sad is the the guy never got the recognition he deserved. He was right on par with Wooten, Hamm and Sheehan.
The thing we have to remember is that he put in the work, and he pursued his dreams. There is satisfaction in fighting the good fight, regardless of the outcome.
mark beem
Wait, how does this song start again??
I drove around all day yesterday with Funk Me Tender in my car CD player. I had forgotten just how good he was. I had that on cassette and had the transcription book on the Road with me in the early 90s and it was part of my practice routine right along with Standing in the Shadows of Motown. I'm sure going to miss him, that's for sure!
Back in the day before I could go on youtube and see how much I suck for free, I used to buy VHS tapes from great players. I remember some of the better ones being from Randy and some guy named Roy Vogt.
mark beem
Wait, how does this song start again??
I also studied with him at Focus II. Incredible player. Most of my slap technique I learned from Randy. He was truly an innovative player and will be missed.
