Former W.A.S.P. guitarist Chris Holmes recently addressed longstanding rumors about his alleged animosity toward the late Randy Rhoads. He clarified his actual feelings about the legendary guitarist in an interview with The Metal Voice.
Holmes directly confronted the speculation that has circulated online about his supposed hatred for the former Ozzy Osbourne and Quiet Riot guitarist.
“You know, there’s a lot of people say that I hate Randy Rhoads. No, I don’t hate the guy. I like the guy actually,” Holmes said. “I think he’s a good guitar player. I’ve read on the internet a lot of people say I hate him. I don’t hate him. He comes from my era, from my age of playing guitar and stuff. I’m never saying I hate the guy.”
Holmes went on to explain his musical preferences and how they shaped his perspective on different guitarists from that era.
“I grew up with Van Halen, so I look at him. Who’s better to me? Van Halen smokes him. So I go with the Van Halen side of the track,” he continued. “Van Halen didn’t wear little bow tie and polka dots, Quiet Riot did. I didn’t like that. I’d rather go to a Van Halen party, drink slit small liquor, get your teeth knocked out in the mud than go to a Quiet Riot party and smoke Sherman cigarettes and drink carrier. It ain’t my bag, you know.”
Holmes concluded with respect for Rhoads’ talent despite his preference for Van Halen’s style. He acknowledged the tragedy of Rhoads’ early death.
“So, it’s different whatever sides of the thing. But anyway, yeah, I don’t hate Randy Rhoads. He played some good stuff. It’s sad that he died,” Holmes said.
Holmes’ comments provide insight into the complex relationships and rivalries that existed within the 1980s metal scene. Personal preferences often shaped public perceptions of fellow musicians during this era.
First Order Historians reported that Holmes was actually involved in the filming of a Randy Rhoads documentary directed by Peter M. Margolis in 2007. The documentary remains unreleased to this day. This involvement suggests a level of respect and engagement with Rhoads’ legacy that contradicts the rumors of hatred that have circulated online.
Holmes’ own career trajectory has been marked by both triumph and struggle. Guitar World documented his battles with addiction and his tumultuous relationship with the music industry. His appearances in projects like The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years painted a picture of an artist whose focus was often on survival and authenticity within the rock scene.
The guitarist’s perspective on his contemporaries appears to be shaped by his own experiences navigating the competitive landscape of 1980s heavy metal. Wikipedia noted that Holmes joined W.A.S.P. in 1983 and became known for his aggressive playing style and controversial stage presence. This often put him at odds with the more polished image that some bands of the era cultivated.
These details provide additional context to Holmes’ nuanced view of Randy Rhoads. They highlight how personal experiences and musical preferences can influence public statements about fellow musicians, even decades after the fact.
