I first met Randy in 1988. I was a senior in High School, just about to turn 18. I had an after school job working at Drum World in San Francisco, where we hosted Randy in a drum clinic. I remember that day because it was senior cut day at my high school, and all of my class mates were going to beach in Santa Cruz for the day, but I had to work. I was, however, very excited to host a drum clinic. Randy was the first famous drummer I had met, and the first drum clinic I ever saw. There I was at 17, helping him set up the drum set he was to use for the clinic.

A year or so later, I won tickets off the radio to go see Ozzy, with Randy in the drummers chair. I would go to see Randy perform with Ozzy on all the following tours he did, and buy all the albums Randy did with Ozzy. Last summer, I finally replaced my tape copy of "Just Say Ozzy" with the CD because I had worn out that tape by playing it constantly.

I saw Randy again around LA a few times. Right after he got the gig with Motley Crue, he came into the drum store I was working at the time to purchase some equipment he needed for the tour. I was happy he was able to get another big time gig.

I heard was sick, but the rumors all seemed to contradict each other. I was hoping I would run into him again soon so I could tell him to get well soon, and that he still at least one fan who thought he rocked. I heard from a reliable source that he had been getting better, and had beaten the cancer, which fueled my hope I would run into him again somewhere just to say hi. But then just two weeks later, the cancer returned, and Randy past away.

A sad day in the drumming world.

~Ian


Return to DrumEatDrum.com


Randy Castillo.com