• Wed. Oct 9th, 2024

Quiet Riot I and II – The Oft-Forgotten Quiet Riot Albums with Guitar Virtuoso Randy Rhoads!

Prior to joining the Ozzy Osbourne Band, Randy Rhoads appeared on Quiet Riot's first two records, released only in japan. This photo comes from the back sleeve of the Quiet Riot II LP, though that outfit is not exactly doing him any favors.
Prior to joining the Ozzy Osbourne Band, Randy Rhoads appeared on Quiet Riot’s first two records, released only in Japan. This photo comes from the back sleeve of the Quiet Riot II LP.

 

 

In the 1980s, Quiet Riot became one of the biggest hard rock bands in the world. In fact, they were the first heavy metal band to ever top the pop charts! With countless hit albums, singles, and MTV videos, it seemed like for a brief period in the mid 1980s, this was the band that could do no wrong. Of course, every story has to start somewhere, and the Quiet Riot story begins longer ago than one might think. Though 1983’s Metal Health was the band’s first international release and their worldwide breakthrough, the story does not start there. And it started with one of rock’s greatest guitarists.

The group actually began in the mid 1970s, with its earliest incarnation featuring vocalist Kevin DuBrow (who would sing on nearly all of the band’s subsequent material), guitarist Randy Rhoads, bassist Kelly Garni, and drummer Drew Forsyth. This lineup actually recorded two studio albums that were only released in Japan. Following the recording of the second album, Garni was replaced on bass by Rudy Sarzo (later a key figure in the band’s breakthrough years; Sarzo does not actually play on the second album despite being pictured on it). This version of the band was fairly short lived, but it did pave the way for two of the most important phenomena in rock and roll – The international rise of the later version of Quiet Riot, as well as serving as the springboard for Randy Rhoads’ jump to Ozzy Osbourne’s band, where he played on the classic heavy metal legend’s first two studio solo albums. Tragically, Rhoads’ life was cut short out on the road with the Osbourne camp in a plane crash; he was just 25 years old at the time of his death. Even long after his passing, Rhoads’ name regularly appears on “Greatest Guitarist” lists.

So, what about those much fabled Quiet Riot albums that Randy Rhoads played on? Per the wishes of the Rhoads family (and Randy himself during his lifetime) they were never released in America. Kevin DuBrow, prior to his 2007 death, released a “Randy Rhoads Years” CD in 1993, combining some remixed/partially rerecorded songs from those releases along with a few previously unreleased ones, but much of this material remains without an official release in America. So how are these albums, actually? Are they lost classics that show off the prowess of one of rock’s greatest guitarists to be, who was taken before his time? Or are they dismal efforts that should stay in Japan and not see a release on American shores?

First thing is first. These albums are definitely a far cry from the later, commercial breakthrough Quiet Riot material; there is more of a power pop sound on display here. Kevin DuBrow’s voice is unmistakable, but the overall sound of these two releases might catch the unexpected off guard! That said, fans are going to find a lot to enjoy about these records, and will likely agree that they deserve to get an international release. Both albums feel very raw and underproduced, but in a way this contributes to the charm of the releases themselves.

 

The self-titled debut from Quiet Riot was released in Japan in 1977. As to what is going on in the background on that album cover, your guess is as good as mine. From left to right: Drew Forsyth (drums), Kevin DuBrow (vocals, RIP), Randy Rhoads (guitar, RIP), and Kelly Garni (bass).
The self-titled debut from Quiet Riot was released in Japan in 1977. As to what is going on in the background on that album cover, your guess is as good as mine. From left to right: Drew Forsyth (drums), Kevin DuBrow (vocals, RIP), Randy Rhoads (guitar, RIP), and Kelly Garni (bass).

 

The 1977 debut album is the first of the two with Rhoads, and tends to be more straightforward hard rocking power pop, which definitely leaves an impression on the listener. There are a few cringe worthy moments here and there, but overall it is a strong release that captures the energy of the young band. A few of the highlights include Mama’s Little Angels, a great rocker about trouble causing youths who act innocent when their parents are around, and a fantastic Small Faces cover, Tin Soldier, which gets new life thanks to Rhoads’ guitar skills. The Dave Clark Five’s Glad All Over was an unusual choice of cover tune, and admittedly, does not really stand as one of the better ones on here. Fortunately, the youthful energy and enthusiasm on every track here more than makes up for what few shortcomings there are. Quiet Riot’s debut is a well-made first effort that is worth rediscovering.

 

Quiet Riot II was the band's sophomore album, released in Japan in 1978. The album cover here is an even more "WTF" moment than the debut cover! Rudy Sarzo is pictured but actually joined the band after Kelly Garni had recorded all of the bass parts, prior to his being fired from the group.
Quiet Riot II was the band’s sophomore album, released in Japan in 1978. The album cover here is an even more “WTF” moment than the debut! Rudy Sarzo is pictured but actually joined the band after Kelly Garni had recorded all of the bass parts, prior to Garni’s being fired from the group.

 

In 1978, Quiet Riot II was released as the group’s second album, and the last to feature Randy Rhoads prior to his departure for the Ozzy Osbourne Band. The songwriting and performances are arguably more mature and professional on this sophomore effort, though it still retains the youthful energy of the debut. Opening cut Slick Black Cadillac was later remade by the breakthrough incarnation of the band several years later, but it is interesting to hear this earlier, rawer version of the cut. The true standout track on the record, surprisingly, is a cover of the Small Faces’ Afterglow (of Your Love), which the band makes their own perfectly, staying true to the melodic, balladic sound on the original, but putting their own spin on it in a few places as well. Kevin DuBrow’s vocals are perfect on this track, and with Rhoads on guitar, it is a song that makes us all the more sorrowful that we have since lost both of them. It may be heresy, but I enjoy this version of the song more than the Small Faces original! Trouble is another choice cut from this earlier incarnation of the band, and Killer Girls, with its catchy lyrics in verses and chorus alike, remains one of the strongest cuts from Quiet Riot’s all too brief Randy Rhoads heyday. There really are no weak cuts here, and the second album is arguably superior to the first.

 

The Randy Rhoads Years was a CD released in America in 1993, containing some tracks from the two Rhoads Riot records (with rerecordings and remixings) plus some unreleased material.
The Randy Rhoads Years was a CD released in America in 1993, containing some tracks from the two Rhoads Riot records (with rerecordings and remixings) plus some unreleased material.

 

In America, the only release that actually saw the light of day from these sessions was the Randy Rhoads Years CD that was released in 1993. For the tracks on this CD, Kevin DuBrow remastered and remixed the recordings, and rerecorded his vocals. This is a nice sampler of songs from the two albums as well as some previously unreleased outtakes and such that have gotten this treatment. One of the real surprises here is the unreleased Laughing Gas jam, which lets Randy Rhoads showcase his guitar skills; you can hear parts of what would become some of his future Ozzy Osbourne hits! With a solid mixture of unreleased cuts and revamped ones from the original Japanese albums, it is an interesting sampler to listen to. However, it does not serve as a substitute for actually listening to the real albums.

 

Both of the Randy Rhoads Quiet Riot albums are essential listening, both to see where Quiet Riot got their start, as well as where to see Randy Rhoads’ first professional recordings, which helped launch him to the all too brief Ozzy Osbourne gig prior to his unfortunate death. Sadly, the albums are next to impossible to find since they were never officially released in America (and as far as I know, never even released on CD). If you get the chance to hear these songs (most of them are up for listening on sites like YouTube) give them a listen. They might not quite be what you are expecting them to be, but provide an interesting look back in time at some future rock legends. Highly recommend that you hear them at least once!

 

By Taylor T Carlson

Taylor T Carlson Assistant Editor/Senior Staff Writer Taylor T. Carlson was born August 17, 1984, and has called the Vegas Valley home his entire life. A die-hard fan of classic rock and metal music, Taylor has been writing album and concert reviews since he was 16 years old, and continues to do so, having done well over 1,000 reviews. He is also a fan of video gaming and cinema, and has reviewed a number of games and films as well, old and new alike. His thorough and honest (some would say brutally honest) reviewing style has won him the respect of hundreds of music fans and musicians alike, both local and abroad, and the ire of just as many others. Despite being one of the youngest attendees at classic hard rock/metal shows around Vegas, he is also one of the most knowledgeable, having gained the unofficial nickname of “The Eddie Trunk of Las Vegas.” In addition to reviews, Taylor has written and self-published three books on classic hard rock bands, and is a regular participant in rock and roll trivia contests. Taylor also holds a masters degree in special education from the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV), and has appeared on the hit History Channel television series Pawn Stars. His dream is to be able to one day make a living from writing music books and reviews.

3 thoughts on “Quiet Riot I and II – The Oft-Forgotten Quiet Riot Albums with Guitar Virtuoso Randy Rhoads!”
  1. Great review Taylor! I was fortunate enough to get my hands on I & II on vinyl, really solid condition and for far less that one might imagine. Strangely my copy of QRI is all black and white, label printed as We Are the Ravers. Any significance to that?

    1. I have a bootleg copy of the first album that Kelly Garni signed for me. The label on it says “We Are the Ravers” as well. Kelly told me there’s supposedly some guy somewhere who bootlegs the albums; maybe ours came from the same bootlegger.

  2. These are not that hard to get. Epic Records Europe reissued them sometime in the 2000’s. I got them on amazon still in cellophane! The inlet booklets really are nothing more than just the lyrics. The reviews are correct, QRII really could have made an impact in the states if Sony/Epic would just really have believed in them.
    There is simply no way you could compare this Van Halen. Different feel, style, influences. This is not “Cock Rock” so to speak. I have a live boot of them on DVD from shortly before Randy’s departure for England. They smoked on stage. Sorry EVH, Never was a fan of you guys. Randy fly free. We lost you too soon. I was only 14. Brother you are alive and well in my heart and mind. Had these records been released in England at the time, the history of hard rock would have been altered.

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