Randy and I hung out a bit racing slot cars. He always won. Our social orbits only crossed periodicaly but when they did we just picked up where we last left off. Kind, well spoken, positive, and conjenial. The world is a lesser place without him. Randy is missed.
I first started playing music with Randy when we were about 14 years old. On and off (mostly on) Randy was the drummer of my band until the day he died. We had gone to the London Olympics shortly before he passed away. It was a fantastic trip. I remember Randy dressed as an over-sized Elvis and me as a crazed leprechaun...playing music and causing havoc in Rynek Square in Krakow, Poland. Randy played drums and sang in my band TAXI for several years. We played throughout Orange County, Japan and various other U.S. venues. Good times, crazy times... for a lot of years. For all those years ... from the 1970s forward... Randy always was there to "back" my crazy musical ideas. He was always there. He always knew his drum parts... his harmonies and lead vocals. Usually had a really upbeat personality... and was kinda goofy and funny. Randy was often times my "set-up" guy... I'd pull pranks on him so often... it should have been against the law. From San Diego to Japan to Europe... the stories of those pranks and the silliness are legion. Many of our friends would comment how it was so amazing that Randy never beat the shit out me for all those pranks. lol lol lol But he was so good-natured I never had to worry too much. Randy and I also had a great trip to Ireland, Scotland and England right after I graduated from law school. Again... a bunch of cRaZy-fun stories. They say you can't go home again. I guess that's true. But I sure do miss my good friend... and wish there was somewhere on this earth I could go for just one more prank and one more musical performance with him.
I appreciate Bill Cheney's current comments... and ditto the ones about Randy's personality. We were mutual drummers at Claremont H.S. with his (what always appreared to be) well-booked band with Bill, and me playing the blues with Farm (Frank Reckard, Pope Firman, Chuck Ralston, and Gil Frazee). I admired Randy's precision and consistency, as Bill mentions.... as well as a nice set of traps he maintained. Randy was definitely a genuinely good fellow, in spite of Bill's attempts to annoy him.
Michael Cranston Jouvenat (1970)
Randy and I hung out a bit racing slot cars. He always won. Our social orbits only crossed periodicaly but when they did we just picked up where we last left off. Kind, well spoken, positive, and conjenial. The world is a lesser place without him. Randy is missed.
Respectfully,
Michael Jouvenat
Douglas Neil Sloan (1972)
Randy and I met when we were young timing lads in little league, He was on my brother's team and I
was the "bat boy" (not old enough to play) but Randy always treated me like I was one of the big boys.
As we went through school I remember how he always seemed to have a smile on his face and would go out of his way to
say hi and talk to me like we were best friends.
In just the last 5 years or so we reconnected when I ran into him at Walmart in Upland. He Told me he had formed a
new band and invited me to see them play. They were great doing the oldies that we grew up with and every I
went to see them he again made me feel like a best friend introducing me to everyone, he just made you feel good
about yourself. I guess I have always thought of Randy as one of my lifetime Hero's.
Randy, may you Rest in Peace.
Douglas Sloan "Class of 1972"
William Monroe Cheney (1969)
I first started playing music with Randy when we were about 14 years old. On and off (mostly on) Randy was the drummer of my band until the day he died. We had gone to the London Olympics shortly before he passed away. It was a fantastic trip. I remember Randy dressed as an over-sized Elvis and me as a crazed leprechaun...playing music and causing havoc in Rynek Square in Krakow, Poland. Randy played drums and sang in my band TAXI for several years. We played throughout Orange County, Japan and various other U.S. venues. Good times, crazy times... for a lot of years. For all those years ... from the 1970s forward... Randy always was there to "back" my crazy musical ideas. He was always there. He always knew his drum parts... his harmonies and lead vocals. Usually had a really upbeat personality... and was kinda goofy and funny. Randy was often times my "set-up" guy... I'd pull pranks on him so often... it should have been against the law. From San Diego to Japan to Europe... the stories of those pranks and the silliness are legion. Many of our friends would comment how it was so amazing that Randy never beat the shit out me for all those pranks. lol lol lol But he was so good-natured I never had to worry too much. Randy and I also had a great trip to Ireland, Scotland and England right after I graduated from law school. Again... a bunch of cRaZy-fun stories. They say you can't go home again. I guess that's true. But I sure do miss my good friend... and wish there was somewhere on this earth I could go for just one more prank and one more musical performance with him.
Lee Dunne (1970)
I appreciate Bill Cheney's current comments... and ditto the ones about Randy's personality. We were mutual drummers at Claremont H.S. with his (what always appreared to be) well-booked band with Bill, and me playing the blues with Farm (Frank Reckard, Pope Firman, Chuck Ralston, and Gil Frazee). I admired Randy's precision and consistency, as Bill mentions.... as well as a nice set of traps he maintained. Randy was definitely a genuinely good fellow, in spite of Bill's attempts to annoy him.
Lee Dunne
Class of 1970
jldunne2@gmail.com
503-871-5416