Which untimely death took the most away from the metal/rock world?

[SoundMaster]

Which of the following deaths, do you think, left the biggest void in the metal/rock world?

In my view, the loss of Randy hurt the most. His two records with Ozzy were milestones.....the tone, the solos, everything! Without Randy, would Ozzy have even had the chance to be the 'star' he is today?
One can only imagine, but I can see Randy/Ozzy contintuing to release earthshattering records together.

Althouhg I love Led Zep to death, by the time of Bonzo's death, they were clearly burnt out. Page's additction may have ended the band's run, anyway. The one bright spot in Bonzo's death was that the band's legacy was left in tact - honorably, they called it quits and didn't seek a replacement.

As for Bon Scott, I consider him to be the most charismatic, entertaining front-man ever! He rules the roost. But, ironically, as we all know, AC/DC acheived greater success afterwards and released one of the greatest records ever in Back In Black.

 

[TheWhisper]

I voted for RR simply because he was the one on that list that meant more to me. His playing was so influential and he had so much talent, and potential...we'll never know what could've been. There have only been a few guitar players, in the hard rock/metal world, that have made me stop dead in my tracks and take notice the way Randy did. He was cut down before his prime, and his career all too brief, but so influential.

On second thought, maybe I should've voted for Cliff Burton. I have to believe he wouldn't have allowed that turd called 'St. Anger' to be unleashed upon the world.

 

[Mythos Inibri]

I had to say Bon Scott he was just great.funny as hell too as far as lyrics went.i just couldn't put randy there because after sabbath broke up ozzy and black sabbath just weren't the same.cliff burton was great too.especially on the master of puppets album.leper messiah and the thing that should not be were the best songs on that album and cliff wrote them. "Evil Chuck" as he was called when he was with Slaughter ..[the canadian Slaughter].. was great as well..R.I.P.

 

[ElectricWiz]

I agree with the other opinions here, but actually chose Cliff Burton. If you really spend time listening to those early records, especially Master of Puppets, his guiding influence is aaaall over them. I think he had a really psychedelic view on music that brought an X factor to Metallica. And, he played leads on his bass, and he could write, and he was the least likely to be "corrupted," in the keep-it-true sense. Just my take. But it would be interesting to see what would have happened if he lived.

I am a big Bon Scott fan though. And I agree with Soundmaster's take on Bonham, Zeppelin was about to wind down anyway.

Randy Rhoads, I don't know for sure my opinion on that. I love him (and those records), but I remember in pretty much every interview that he was doing at the time he was making it clear that he was pretty close to giving up rock and roll and being a classical guitarist full time.

 

[Wyvern]

I couldn't vote. I need to split mine into three according to my own preference and thus very subjectively:

Randy because I think (want to believe) he'll have a lot more to give musically and he wouldn't let Ozzy stray in sharonisms and ozzpests

Cliff because I also want to believe (probably a fairy tale) he wouldn't let Metallica go astray either

Chuck because I'm sure Control Denied would have been his main project and I love that album, I think is fresh, intelligent and well executed even today.

NP: Cathedral - 'Fields Of Zagara'

 

[Unfaithfully Metalhead]

I voted for RR simply because he was the one on that list that meant more to me. His playing was so influential and he had so much talent, and potential...we'll never know what could've been. There have only been a few guitar players, in the hard rock/metal world, that have made me stop dead in my tracks and take notice the way Randy did. He was cut down before his prime, and his career all too brief, but so influential.

On second thought, maybe I should've voted for Cliff Burton. I have to believe he wouldn't have allowed that turd called 'St. Anger' to be unleashed upon the world.

^^^^ on both randy and cliff...

 

[Unfaithfully Metalhead]

I am a big Bon Scott fan though. And I agree with Soundmaster's take on Bonham, Zeppelin was about to wind down anyway.

I dont know about that.... In Through the Out Door was a great album IMO... Jonesy was starting to have the most input at that point and i think Zep could of still squeezed another great album or two..

 

[SoundMaster]

I dont know about that.... In Through the Out Door was a great album IMO... Jonesy was starting to have the most input at that point and i think Zep could of still squeezed another great album or two..

I, too, really love ITTOD, but you can really see Pagey about to pack it in. Could the band have survived with out him? Or with him absent-in-mind? I dont know. Tough to say, for certain, but I venture to think that he was, ultimately, the band's leader and they wouldn't have.

As for Cliff Burton, it's easy to see why so many miss him. Simply stated Metallica was a master metal machine during his life and were reduced to a slowly decaying shell of their former self after his death, finally dying in the mid 90s. Perhaps HIS loss really is the hardest hit?

As for Rhodes, I too recall interviews where he stated he wanted to pack it in and devote his time to classical playing. But THAT in and of itself, may have been an awesome thing which we'll never hear....
He also appeared to be someone who wasn't after the fame and fortune of it all, so he may really HAVE quit Ozzy....

 

[Unfaithfully Metalhead]

Page still was playing decent on In Through the Outdoor.... less sloppy IMO... loved his playing in the song Hot Dog lol ... as for Cliff... it's true.. Metallica went to shit after Cliff died and Jason came in... i always blamed Jason and Lars for the decline of Metallica and later Hetfield but never Hammett... as for Rhoads.. he only said he was taking classical guitar lessons in the cities they toured in... he said he was uncertain about his future prospects.. but i think he would of stayed with Ozzy and take a break here and there... as for his classical playing.. you can hear him incorporate it in the songs Diary of a Madman and Revelation (mother earth) among others.. and also in his little piece Dee...

 

[DumbAss]

I have to go off the page and say Freddy Mercury. He was a unique genius and his death meant the end of Queen, one of the greatest, most talented and influential bands of all time.

 

[KMADD]

I say Cliff Burton. If he was still alive we wouldn't have Mallrattica.
And did somebody forget someone? Like Mr. Darrell Abbot?

 

[Walter_Langkowski]

Chuck Schuldiner.


When you actually purchase the albums when they are brand new, they tend to mean a lot more to you than older ones. For me, Chuck meant a lot personally and his music really spoke to me. That isn't to take anything away from the other guys as they were great talents as well, but Chuck just was part of a period of time that is now long gone for me.

 

[Fangface]

Randy because I would have loved to hear what he could have done with other singers/bands. Just imagine him replacing Vivian Campbell in 1986 for example...

Also Chuck because he was about to start a "new" career with Control Denied.

They're all truly missed anyway, and let's not forget Phil Lynott.

 

[Bryant]

I voted for Cliff. I love AJFA (though nothing after that) but I could tell Metallica was not the same.
As far as Bon Scott, I much preferred his vocal and charisma over Brian, though AC/DC's masterpiece was easily BiB. I can't imagine Bon really doing justice to that release.
I thought Randy was a huge innovator. He was such an innovator on guitar..... but he was v-e-r-y sloppy.
Jimmy----- see above.
Bonham.... I loved the guy. He was reserved when he needed to be and took over a song when it called for it.
Chuck.... helped define death metal as we know it. Great musician as well. Even those that can't tolerate the vocals could appreciate the guitar and songwriting.
Chris Oliva - What an absolutely amazing guitarist/songwriter. He should have been mentioned. His acoustic work may be the best I have ever heard from a metal guitarist.
Diamond Darrel - yes he might have been out of his "prime" but he was also one of the most respected musicians in metal. Great player.


Bryant

 

[SickBoy]

I voted for Chuck. Since IMO it's not fair to compare rock and metal worlds in terms of loss, I'd stick to metal world only, where Chuck wins hands down...
Out of the remaining five I think the greatest loss for music was in Jimi and Bon. The first was an outstanding innovator, far ahead of his time, while the second had a rarely seen charisma and a true r'n'r attitude in his voice.
The remaining three may have been very talented but I don't see them as such milestones...

 

[SoundMaster]

Chris Oliva - What an absolutely amazing guitarist/songwriter. He should have been mentioned. His acoustic work may be the best I have ever heard from a metal guitarist.

I can't believe I forgot to include him....totally slipped my mind.
For shame...

Yes, he was an awesome writer....his riffs are so unique, there's no mistaking an Oliva riff. Truly a master.

 

[Trans-Siberian Outcast]

Randy Rhoads, hands down for me. I can only imagine the music he'd be making today, a combination of classical and distortion guitar that the world will likely never hear. I also seriously doubt he'd still be with Ozzy, other than the occasional guest appearance. Randy would be on his own now, and would likely be considered a guitar God along with Blackmore, Iommi, etc.

I wouldn't have voted for Criss Oliva, even had he been included in the poll. He would have been my second selection behind Rhoads though. The only reason for this is because Criss was talented, a gifted songwriter particularly in acoustic and solos, (and quite adored by me) but he wasn't necessarily ground-breaking. At least not in the sense that Rhoads was.

Cliffy would've come in third.

 

[SavaRon]

Have to go with Randy on this one. He inspired many to pick up the guitar and with his classical training would have made for some great music.

I think Metallica would still have changed quite a bit if Cliff were alive. Maybe not as bad as they have, but changed in some form. Cliff listened to a lot of different stuff and I think that would have come out in his writing as he got older.

Criss Oliva left a huge void for people that were/are fans of him, myself included. Savatage and Criss never got that huge exposure to become a more recognized name. Sad part is, Savatage actually started to get some commercial success with "Edge Of Thorn's. Then he was killed not to long after that release.

 

[Priest of Evil]

Cliffs got my vote, though no band is immune to change that comes with age, I believe the thrash world would not have suffered the travesties of the Black album and beyond - at least not for another couple of albums!

Rhoads was always dubious as to whether he would continue in the metal world so as wonderful as he was he aint the one.

Chuckie and the others, all accomplished great things, may they rest in peace.

 

[JonnyD]

None of the above for me W/ exception of Cliff and Chuck ... I would have Voted for Criss Oliva His death had more impact on me than any of those other guys ... and and AND Darrell Abbott Hate him as much as you want but his death was Huge