Brad was a bad-ass guitarist with the skills to reproduce the riffs and solos of Randy and Tony while adding some amazing whammy bar techniques to the table.
Ever stop and think about the major undertaking Brad Gillis was tasked with when asked to step into Randy Rhoads' shoes in a matter of only weeks of study? I thought Brad killed it on this tour. Mad respect for him. While his style was certainly prevalent, and he was not a direct RR clone, anyone with an iota of understanding of rock guitar has to tip their hat to what a killer job he did. The show went on largely because of him. Plus, you have to admire his loyalty to the Night Ranger guys. He could have joined Ozzy full time, but Night Ranger just got signed and he didn't want to screw his band mates
freepressright indeed was like the were not even a month behind schedule after Randy died I had my ticket and he died two weeks before our show and was blessed to go see Brad fill his shoes was awesome I did see Randy on diary of a madman tour blew my mind as a player was in awe of both!!
I was a Randy Rhoads worshipper and at 14 years old, I was devastated when he passed. I did not want to like Brad in any way shape or form. A few years later, my band did a mini tour opening for Night Ranger. Brad was absolutely the nicest, most amazing dude. Night Ranger’s manager had a personal philosophy that all opening acts should be abused and beaten down. Brad personally defended us when no one else would. He actually gave my guitar tech access to his guitar tech so he would take care of me onstage when I needed it. All of the members of NR were super nice, but Brad made sure to take care of this 20 year old newbie on the road. - Not to mention what an incredible talent he is! And like me, he believed in keeping things improvisational onstage - always taking chances. What a great man.
Rene Seaver, I am amazed at how many people say things like that, that so-and-so it is the most underrated guitar player, etc. I have seen people say the same thing about other guitar players, but none of them are underrated, and anybody who knows Brad knows he’s amazing. Somebody just said the same thing about Nuno Bettencourt the other day, that he’s highly underrated. But I understand that you’re probably saying you wish Brad had more recognition because he’s so bad ass.
Pretty unbelievable considering how new the whole "shred" style was, how new Randys work was, and there were zero tabs or references other than soundboard tapes for him to transcribe from. And that's without factoring in the tiny ass time frame he had to learn all of Randy's shit plus the Sabbath catalogue AND memorize all of it and play it live with comfort and conviction!!! Hats off to Brad man holy shit
He was playing in a Ozzy cover band at the time. Many of the core Ozzy set list he already could play. Not like the 25 songs he had to learn in total but many of the "classics" he already was fluent in.
I'm pretty sure he'd spent the previous couple of years learning at least some of Randy's songs. Randy was the next Van Halen and of course all the rock guitarists, Gillis included, would have been learning his stuff.
Hey . Huge Randy fan.. but Brad did a great job. Can’t imagine how the group felt not seeing Randy.. troopers all under this sad time . Fans came first.
@@lawrencehardy6809 fuck yeah!! Gillis is one of the most underrated guitarists ever .night ranger is still relevant , 35 yrs later 😍 was a Very hard place to come in and replace Randy. Rip
Lets say this: if anybody will see this exact guitar performance on Randy Rhoads hands they will say "wow, what an amazing night, Randy Killed it" ..... now the idiots that criticizes Brad Gillis can put their words in their ass... Brad killed it...and to have the eyes of the world on him to the high task to replace RR... and with only few days to be ready...this is a HUGE achievement ...respect for Brad Gillis.
Brad did what he did in an era with no TH-cam, no programs or apps to slow down fast solos to learn and he did it in warp speed. While not an RR clone, he did it in a way that had some of Randy's spirit, but with Brad's style. Anyone who speaks ill of this performance is an idiot.
Just because of his short tenure. No Ozzy guitarist is underrated or overrated when it comes to the true fans of Ozzy and his guitarists. All are badasses. I admit I steal Brad's tremolo bar flicker technique.
This is just some incredibly sick playing. Good god he was amazing here. This should be the stuff of legend - I don't remember anyone giving him any credit for this at the time.
@Beard Guy101 You clearly know nothing about guitar playing. He wasn't sloppy at all and played most of Randy's solos note-for-note with great feeling. He just added some of his crazy wang bar shit in there.
I think people were too upset by Randy's death and couldn't appreciate what they were witnessing with Brad.I'm sure Brad knows the importance of time with Ozzy.
Fucking rights he did. I wonder how Bernie torme would have been?? Very talented but I don’t think he would have been a good fit but that’s something I’ll never know.
,@@williamdon3442 he was great in that he changed some of the solos and did it like his own style but the fans weren't having it so he left so brand gillis stepped up after him.
Brad Gillis and Jeff Watson are two of the most underrated guitarist ever. Their dueling solos in Night Ranger were very impressive and melodicly conducted
If you like Brads performance here and If you've never listened to the live Ozzy album Speak of The Devil , it's probably one of the best live albums of all time.
Brad Gillis.... one of the best guitar players I’ve ever met. This guy only had a very short time to learn these difficult songs, and as the video shows, he absolutely NAILS Randy Rhoads stuff!! With his own spin, that’s what we guitarists do, because if we all sounded exactly the same, what fun would that be?!! I saw Brad Gillis with NR when I was 12 years old from the 2nd row. I’d been playing guitar since age 6, but watching Brad that night sparked me, and he’s become one of my influences. His guitar work shows all that needs to be shown, dudes a beast!!
Brad Gillis had balls of brass to step in for RR immediately after his death and learn the songs, finish the tour, and record a live album. Much respect. It is the guitarist equivalent of Brian Johnson stepping in immediately after Bon died to record BIB. Ozzys biggest mistake was not keeping Jake E Lee.
This show was all over MTV at that time in heavy rotation, and I was in my early teens and a guitar player. Needless to say I loved Brad Gillis' playing! He killed it.
Yes... Brad filled in on a last second notice... he knew some of Rhoad's tunes... but still had to learn Randy's parts and leads... had to be real miserably tough for Brad... because Ozzy just lost his closest-best friend and band-mate... and all because Ozzy still had to fulfill his Diary of a Madman tour dates... this move hurt Brad's career in the long run when it came to N.R. and their relationship... not to mention that Brad loved Rhoads...!! ...who didn't???!!!
I was just about to post the same thing. Considering that Brad had very short notice to learn and entire set of difficult solos i think Brad did amazingly well.
Brad killed it and he looks cool as hell when he plays! Love his unique sound and style and use of the bar! you know who it is immediately when he plays!
After Randy tragically died, he learned his catalog in like ZERO TIME.... and was on the road almost instantly. Amazing he was able to pull it off, he was no Randy of course, but he’s a great player and did an amazing job.
He got a call from Sharon and he's hung over thinking its a gag. " I'd better pit Ozzy on. Hello Bradley. This is Ozzy." They flew him out to a hotel suite and he and Ozzy event up the stairs, had no amp, sitting on the bed, Ozzy cross legged on the floor. " Channel me Bradley' uh okay.... then played flying high acoustic on his red Floyd rose guitar. After the song Ozzy opened the doors and screamed at the crowd below. Everyone's clapping and congratulating him and Gillis is thinking "uh , I think I got the job". Some guy who knew Ozzy had been in the crowd weeks earlier and sometimes Brad would do some Ozzy songs. This guy tells Ozzy, gets the ball rolling. Next thing you know the phones ringing. He wasn't even applying for the job. Brad I'd way cool.
No Randy?? Excellent guitarist!! I rate them the same! Let’s see Randy do some Brad stuff. Look at Brad now.. look at Night Ranger solos.. Sister Christian solo.. Don’t tell me you love me solo ...Brad is great!!! So was Jake !!! Then Zack .. not so good.
It wasn't hard for him he really didn't step up his game he could play just as good in night ranger he was a guitar virtuoso he could hear any song one time and play it. No matter what the song, that is how good he is.
What a fantastic job Brad stepping into Randy's shoes. I saw him with Ozzy in Leeds UK 1982, i stood right in front of him so i could see him play. I was disappointed that Randy was not there of course, but what a performance by Brad, he seized the opportunity and gave it his all. Fantastic guitar player.
I was fortunate enough to see this concert in Los Angeles right after Randy died. In fact, he was still alive when I bought the tickets. We are lucky to have this footage of Brad. It's amazing that he was able to "rightfully" fill the void within such a limited time frame. I was lucky to see any show at all. Not sure if anyone else could have done it better.
To think of the pressure he endured He killed it with no tabs or videos just all ear listening and learning the parts all in a week man my hat goes off to him not too many guitarists could of pulled it off! Great musician!!
This was the tour I started paying attention to Ozzy. Brad is a monster player the solos on don’t tell me you love me were absolutely amazing. Think about the guitar playing we had in the 80s what a great generation pretty much pinnacle to the 90s it’s all down hill after that.
Loved the job Brad did. He was true to himself but also did no injustices to TI or RR's guitar work. Speak of the Devil remains one of my favorite live Ozzy releases!
So not only did he play these solos fucking masterfully, he managed to add his own tasteful spin to them. In a short amount of time with a mountain of pressure. AND he personally loved Randy. Just wow. What an incredible guy and guitarist. I fucking love Jake but these are possibly the best rendition of these solos ever..
Brad Gillis totally crushes it baby! No other player at the time had the balls to pull off what he did. His own style shines through on all these tunes.
his work with ozzy highlights his ability --- he has his own signature and it is very crisp and fluid at the same time ---- nobody could have done it but him ....
If Brad played Randy note for note, then guess what? Exactly! You would say he copied him. Brad has said he's not a shredder. He is a whammy-bar player. He was asked to fill in for Randy Rhodes. To the Gillis haters on here, you could've played with Ozzy, but...he didn't ask you, now did he?
I saw this tour and Brad was amazing. Can't remember if it was 6 or 8 days that he had to learn all of that and get on the road, but it was a very, very short period of time. Not only did he pull it off, but he played like he'd been in the band all along. Total professional. Of course he isn't Randy...nobody is, but man, to step into those shoes on that stage in front of all of those people took balls of steel. I've met Brad on several occasions and always thank him for what he did. Just fantastic.
There is no question that Gillis is an absolute beast. Unrated is an understatement. One of the best in a generation that produced so many great guitarists. All respect to Randy but this guy deserves a ton of credit.
Night Ranger was my first band I fell in love with as a young teenager. Years later I ran into him at a bar and he sat with me and we talked about every album in detail but he made me the beers and I was happy to do so. Not many people get to have beers with their first rock and roll hero! He was very cool and told me to just think of him as a plumber !
Amazing guitar player! One of the BEST! Drank with him and the drummer at Yesterday’s one night after the NR Concert in Chattanooga Tn. Halfway into the night they got up and took the stage and tore it up on the band that was playing that nights instruments. I’ll never forget that night and especially how nice and cool he was. Great memory!
Wow man i saw randy right before he passed n then the SPEAK ALBUM comes out and Brad Gillis blew me away in a new way man symptom of the universe is awesome man n wow what a awesome player to come in at the worst time ever n play n rock asses off every night! Thanx BRAD GILLIS.
Brads in the top 30 . If you look at AllTime the list of guitar players is loaded with very stiff competition. Tony I. From Sabbath. Eddie Van Halen. The duo from Iron Maiden and Kk Downing and Glen Tipton from Priest these players were also very good. Going all time you also have to look at older guys like Jimmy Page, Jimmy Hendrix i mean damn man sooo many burners out there its diff to put together acurate rankings but Gillis was Never ranked #1 in Hit Parader or Circus Magazine and the fans voted in those polls! Fans can be biased and subjective but who else is listening to the music more than them. I lend high credibility to those magazines rankings. Even Guitar Player magazine had a poll for a while and Randy got #1 there one year. Gillis was only ever mentioned as an after thought. I like Brad and saw him live with Ozzy. Speak of the Devil tour in New York. Ozz was soo devasted by the loss of his best friend that he sucked! I felt very bad for him and was sad as well! However Brads solo in the concert was his Own and it was Very very good. But when he played Randy’s solos he was all over the place and it was very amature. Its eveidenced here in this video. He hardly got one solo rite And its not cause hes not trying. Perhaps he was preoccupied with upcoming Night Ranger material. This is very possible.....
What? Fan polls, especially in mags like Hit Parader and Circus, were nothing but popularity contests. Guitar Player and Guitar for the Practicing Musician would be more legit representations of actual musicians' opinions. That said, I've always considered Gillis to be one of the best around. He's so damned smooth and accurate, both on the fretboard and with the tremolo bar.
Corey Hit Parader and Circus magazine polls were very accurate reflections of who was the best at the time. As far as Brads accuracy. I don’t question how good a guitar player he is. I liked him but if your listening to the playing here it’s shit. He’s playing Randy’s material and doing it horribly. No I don’t believe Jake E Lee would have got the gig. He auditioned and was passed over. He was picked up after the Speak of the Devil tour cause Ozzy was desperate. I’ve seen both Jake and Brad live with Ozzy. Neither were as good as Randy. Randy got the Best new guitar player award. I saw him presented it along side Sharon Osborne. Jake and Brad never won shit. Well maybe a few groupies and sponsored guitar strings. This is true.
Here is an honest reply to Takanori's comment...yes Brad is'one of the best in the world'. He didnt say THE BEST, but one of the best. Guitar players are very subjective and even someone as talented as Yngwie Malmsteen can be hard to listen too. I have always enjoyed Brad's signature sound and he is one of the few you can recongnize his playing style, like Eddie, Vai, Lynch, etc. A pioneer in his style for sure , and still rockin.
I saw this tour, had the tickets before Rhoads was killed, was a huge Randy fan, but Gillis did an admirable job. Whole band had to be in shock, but being pros they carried on. It was a good show, all things considered. I had seen Rhoads the previous year on Blizzard of Ozz tour and he was a tremendous live player, inspired me to practice for decades.
Brad Gillis nailed this :-) To me he is way underrated on guitar, he did excellent for Ozzy after Randy died :-) An Extra "BIG" thumbs up for this Guitar Great :-) Night Ranger is a great band he is in :-) ROCK ON!!!!!!!
I've met Brad on two occasions. The first being backstage at the inaugural performance of Mr. Big and the second at Guitar Center in Concord California. Both times he was a gracious and very approachable man. Super nice guy with a great sense of humor.
I was just reminiscing how when I first started buying Ozzy cassettes as a kid, Speak of the Devil was the first cassette I ever bought new around 1982/1983 (a few years after inheriting a cassette with some old Sabbath Paranoid album songs on it, but not knowing who the band was, and finally someone telling me that it was Ozzy Osbourne). It wasn't until a few years later (around 1985) that I got Blizzard of Ozz, and Diary of a Madman, after having bought some Sabbath tapes, and Bark at the Moon, and it wasn't really until 1987 and I got the Tribute album, that I realized how amazing and talented Randy Rhoads was, and it inspired me to learn to play guitar. So it was Brad Gillis that I first heard really shredding the heck out of those Ozzy years Sabbath songs. I had no idea how well he handled the songs from Blizzard and Diary until today. Brad deserves a lot more recognition.
Brad Gillis is an awesome guitar hero, really fluid. Underrated. He nailed the solos in that tour. He introduced variations, always respecting the originals. It was really hard to replace God, but he respected his memory. Night Ranger is another example of his great work. Inredible twin guitars there!!!!
Thanks Brad, you had a tough job and performed admirably. I know Ozzy got some flack about touring after Randy died, but I believe Randy loved Ozzy and would have wanted him to keep going. Brad is so awesome, he learned all those songs in a few days. I've been trying to play these songs for almost 40 years and can't play half of them correctly.
Simply put for me....It just doesn't get any better then this lineup. These professionals captured lightning in a bottle on this tour. They all stepped up....ALL OF THEM. Thank the Gods they captured it on film for everyone to see the magic today and it will live forever!!
Amazing. I saw Night Range as a trio and he was playing Jeff Watson's parts. Plus his own of course. I met him briefly after the show and he was very kind. Even though I was acting weird because I was awestruck. Thanks, Brad! ❤
Brad is a beast. And this red Fender Strat(which he still plays to this day) is a modded '62 with an original Floyd Rose tremolo which he goes ham on. Extra wood was added to the end of the fretboard to accommodate a 22nd fret and the body was routed out for the bridge humbucker. Also it looks like the fretboard radius has been flattened and jumbo frets were put in. He had his wireless system built inside the guitar. Also the neck has been repainted and refinished. Just a little info for those who wanted to know about his main strat. This was in 1982.
I don't think anyone in rock has used the whammy bar as much and as successfully as Gillis. He's got mad live and inprov skills. Truly a great but underrated rock guitarist.
Brad told me once that there was no way to j ust try and be a Randy clone,because no-one knew exactly what He was doing on guitar ,and his effects,only Randy could be Randy,so I had my thing ,the want bar ,and I played everything like I would ,but kept true to Randys musical parts ,just doing my thing and trying to pay tribute without getting caught up trying to be exactly like him. I said,well he was my teacher and friend ,and it took me years before I could listen to anyone finish a tour that Randy started ,,but someone else finished ! Brad said,believe me, I was getting too much support ,they had George Lynch on the side of the stage until they felt I could do it. And people every night holding up signs, but it wasn't me they were mad at,it was the situation. I said,wowmi need a drink,and he bought me one. Very cool guy,and definatly one of my favorite guitar players ! That was at the Rainbow 1989!
@@chrisclausen4093 It's unclear how many shows Lynch was at ,if any! He is the only one to say he was there,but in fact he was there when Brad left ,Lynch got hired but then they found Jake E. Lee and that is when George was at the side of the stage. I heard it was that his hair was too short ,because he kept his hair shot until he found a band that got signed ,then he would grow his hair! I asked hi myself why he kept it short instead of growing it out,he said he had a job outside the band(Dokken) and when they got signed to a major label ,he started growing his hair.So,he lost the Ozzy gig because he looked like a 12 year old kid with short hair! Bernie played 7 shows before Brad took over,and that is when Lynch said he was there for that gig,but Rudy Sarzos brother Robert was already hired by the band ,but Don Arden had hired and paid for Bernie to play,also it was because it was an easy switch,he was also on Jet records and Don was managing him,so he got pushed into a gig he didn't want ,and it was clear,so they got Brad who is a great player and can play the songs and still make them sound right but doing his own thing and not trying t copy Randy,which is almost impossible ,especially back then. So, that is what I know. Craig Turner ,who took over teaching for Randy at Musonia after George Lynch quit that job,which is good for him,because he was not a good teacher! Anyway,I took lessons from, after Randy left,then lynch,Craig Turner also auditioned for Ozzy and he was third in line after Lynch and Lee,and his hair was almost to his shoulders,and the guy they picked,Jake,had a ton of hair and could get by on guitar! Wow ,that was a long answer! Sorry. That shoud be everything!
The most underrated. Wow.... simply wow. Who yet could pull the monumental task off that was asked of him . ??. I am a practicer of guitar now for 35yrs. I am floored. Time to rethink my top ten list. Brad The Destroyer Gillis. New nickname.
Speak of the Devil is all old Sabbath material. Where’s Brads touch??? Wheres his originality and creativity. Oh yeah, dont tell me you love me..... Case closed! Yes he was good but never a top 5 or even 10 player. I Can name many better. Fuck even Hendrix would dust his ass. I say this and i like Brad. Ive seen him and appreciate him but wheres his Super album??? There is none!
It is totally fair to say that both Ex Sabbath vocalists shared not only the experience of fronting a legendary band, but were responsible for hiring some utterly fantastic guitar players during their solo careers. Thank you for posting this footage, I have never properly seen Brad Gillis play Ozzy numbers and I am completely blown away.
I'm ashamed to admit that I have never seen nor heard this. I was a huge fan of Ozzy's solo career from the beginning and I cried when Randy died - he was the reason I began playing guitar. I will always remember that I regretted that Brad didn't stay after this tour. After listening to the Speak of the Devil album, I felt like he was a perfect fit with the style that Ozzy played. This was a phenomenal trip down memory lane with material that I had not heard. Thanks for posting.
Blown away at how well Gillis played these parts given the short time frame he had to learn this stuff. Killer technique and precision.
You also forgot he had a unique Killer Vibrato technique that for as you stated was off the charts .
Gillis saved Ozzy's ass after Randy passed. Give this man the respect he deserves!
Ozzy has made a career out of others saving his ass. Starting with RR.
He was offered the job but declined to stay in Night Ranger. Pissed off Ozzy but was that a big career mistake?
Brad was a bad-ass guitarist with the skills to reproduce the riffs and solos of Randy and Tony while adding some amazing whammy bar techniques to the table.
ejamsc starting with his wife, then RR and all other guitarists
@@mikedreucci4236 Ox treated him like shit. POS drunken druggie
Ever stop and think about the major undertaking Brad Gillis was tasked with when asked to step into Randy Rhoads' shoes in a matter of only weeks of study? I thought Brad killed it on this tour. Mad respect for him. While his style was certainly prevalent, and he was not a direct RR clone, anyone with an iota of understanding of rock guitar has to tip their hat to what a killer job he did. The show went on largely because of him. Plus, you have to admire his loyalty to the Night Ranger guys. He could have joined Ozzy full time, but Night Ranger just got signed and he didn't want to screw his band mates
100% correct. But one guy said here Gillis is better than RR. I had to quickly correct him. Gillis doesnt even believe that.
One of my all time favorites and influences.
Mustard!!!!
@freepressright....so true dude....Brad stood in a pair of shoes NO ONE could ever fill but did an amazing job....hats off to him....
freepressright indeed was like the were not even a month behind schedule after Randy died I had my ticket and he died two weeks before our show and was blessed to go see Brad fill his shoes was awesome I did see Randy on diary of a madman tour blew my mind as a player was in awe of both!!
Sounds fresh as hell nearly 40 years later. Unbelievable. Gillis was a monster and his tone was absolutely sick.
Yep….it’s his tone that makes him. Wonderful sound
I was a Randy Rhoads worshipper and at 14 years old, I was devastated when he passed. I did not want to like Brad in any way shape or form. A few years later, my band did a mini tour opening for Night Ranger. Brad was absolutely the nicest, most amazing dude. Night Ranger’s manager had a personal philosophy that all opening acts should be abused and beaten down. Brad personally defended us when no one else would. He actually gave my guitar tech access to his guitar tech so he would take care of me onstage when I needed it. All of the members of NR were super nice, but Brad made sure to take care of this 20 year old newbie on the road. - Not to mention what an incredible talent he is! And like me, he believed in keeping things improvisational onstage - always taking chances. What a great man.
This man is the most underrated guitar player in rock’s history. The man is a beast
Yes, yes, yes!
At this time, call his name right beside Y. J. Malmsteen, P. Gilbert and J. Satriani!
Love Brad, but Jeff Watson was my favorite in Night Ranger.
Rene Seaver, I am amazed at how many people say things like that, that so-and-so it is the most underrated guitar player, etc. I have seen people say the same thing about other guitar players, but none of them are underrated, and anybody who knows Brad knows he’s amazing. Somebody just said the same thing about Nuno Bettencourt the other day, that he’s highly underrated. But I understand that you’re probably saying you wish Brad had more recognition because he’s so bad ass.
Simply amazing. A true gift to us all. Rock on Brad. Thanks for sharing your great playing with the world.
David Bruce They say it because unless you’re a guitar guitar player you probably don’t know who Brad Gillis is.
Pretty unbelievable considering how new the whole "shred" style was, how new Randys work was, and there were zero tabs or references other than soundboard tapes for him to transcribe from. And that's without factoring in the tiny ass time frame he had to learn all of Randy's shit plus the Sabbath catalogue AND memorize all of it and play it live with comfort and conviction!!! Hats off to Brad man holy shit
He was playing in a Ozzy cover band at the time. Many of the core Ozzy set list he already could play. Not like the 25 songs he had to learn in total but many of the "classics" he already was fluent in.
Yeah, incredible guitarist.
@@malmstring I'm pretty sure he was playing in Night Ranger at this time.
@@malmstring
True, he was in a cover band prior to auditioning for Ozzy, but it wasn't an exclusive Ozzy cover (i.e. tribute) band.
I'm pretty sure he'd spent the previous couple of years learning at least some of Randy's songs. Randy was the next Van Halen and of course all the rock guitarists, Gillis included, would have been learning his stuff.
Gillis did one hell of a job while he played with Ozzy. Maybe the most underrated heavy metal solo guitarist of all time.
Hey . Huge Randy fan.. but Brad did a great job. Can’t imagine how the group felt not seeing Randy.. troopers all under this sad time . Fans came first.
Criss Oliva for most underrated heavy metal solo guitarist of all time for me 😁 but Gillis is great too
Hell yeah
@@lawrencehardy6809 fuck yeah!! Gillis is one of the most underrated guitarists ever .night ranger is still relevant , 35 yrs later 😍 was a
Very hard place to come in and replace Randy. Rip
@@michaelpachuau3885 Criss Oliva is def the most underrated guitarist of all time! Brad Gillis could be a close second tho.
Lets say this: if anybody will see this exact guitar performance on Randy Rhoads hands they will say "wow, what an amazing night, Randy Killed it" ..... now the idiots that criticizes Brad Gillis can put their words in their ass... Brad killed it...and to have the eyes of the world on him to the high task to replace RR... and with only few days to be ready...this is a HUGE achievement ...respect for Brad Gillis.
AMEN or LIKEWISE! TO THIS (VERY) DAY, I'M, STILL, FLOORED BY BRAD'S GUITAR PLAYING DURING THIS CONCERT!
Brad did what he did in an era with no TH-cam, no programs or apps to slow down fast solos to learn and he did it in warp speed. While not an RR clone, he did it in a way that had some of Randy's spirit, but with Brad's style. Anyone who speaks ill of this performance is an idiot.
@@freepressright totally!
@@freepressright amen to that.
Very agree
ozzys most underrated guitarist ever
Youre probably right. Zakk most overrated, if there is one.
@@bellmeisterful Zakk can play country style guitar.
Just because of his short tenure. No Ozzy guitarist is underrated or overrated when it comes to the true fans of Ozzy and his guitarists. All are badasses. I admit I steal Brad's tremolo bar flicker technique.
Jake E. Lee
@@bellmeisterful bet u wont tell him that lmao
Brad doesn't get the credit he so rightfully deserves. He kept Ozzy afloat.
This is just some incredibly sick playing. Good god he was amazing here. This should be the stuff of legend - I don't remember anyone giving him any credit for this at the time.
@Beard Guy101 STFU Brad is the best he ever hired after Randy
Knox Harrington this was the reason I gave night ranger a listen !!!
@Beard Guy101
You clearly know nothing about guitar playing. He wasn't sloppy at all and played most of Randy's solos note-for-note with great feeling. He just added some of his crazy wang bar shit in there.
I think people were too upset by Randy's death and couldn't appreciate what they were witnessing with Brad.I'm sure Brad knows the importance of time with Ozzy.
I saw this from right up front in '82 and between each song the chant would go up ..."RAN-DY RAN-DY RAN-DY" Brad would just grin and take it.
Imagine stepping into Randy's shoes with such a short time duration. Brad did a great job.
Fucking rights he did. I wonder how Bernie torme would have been?? Very talented but I don’t think he would have been a good fit but that’s something I’ll never know.
,@@williamdon3442 he was great in that he changed some of the solos and did it like his own style but the fans weren't having it so he left so brand gillis stepped up after him.
Now we know the truth, ozzy owes his career fist and foremost to Randy, then to Brad Gillis, the man saved the act for sure
@kitty lingdon't like it, don't Buy it
a masterfully made guitar man hard to learn all that in short time
Brad Gillis and Jeff Watson are two of the most underrated guitarist ever.
Their dueling solos in Night Ranger were very impressive and melodicly conducted
Two styles so far apart yet fit perfect in Night Ranger.
Thanks Captain Obvious. 😀
Yes! Thank you for including Watson. The man who brought us 8 finger tapping.
Speak of the Devil is one of THE BEST live recording of any band, ever. The energy, the musicianship, the era, everything.
If you like Brads performance here and If you've never listened to the live Ozzy album Speak of The Devil , it's probably one of the best live albums of all time.
100%
Been jamming on it 40 yrs!!!
It is a masterpiece that never gets old. Brad redefined these songs with a modern metal flavor.
The Tribute album it's where it's at. Randy's tone sounds massive!
Speak of the devil is an acgual studio recording
Holy moly holy moly I knew he was good but I had no idea he was this good I am very very impressed. Everybody needs to watch this
Brad Gillis.... one of the best guitar players I’ve ever met. This guy only had a very short time to learn these difficult songs, and as the video shows, he absolutely NAILS Randy Rhoads stuff!! With his own spin, that’s what we guitarists do, because if we all sounded exactly the same, what fun would that be?!! I saw Brad Gillis with NR when I was 12 years old from the 2nd row. I’d been playing guitar since age 6, but watching Brad that night sparked me, and he’s become one of my influences. His guitar work shows all that needs to be shown, dudes a beast!!
Brad Gillis had balls of brass to step in for RR immediately after his death and learn the songs, finish the tour, and record a live album. Much respect. It is the guitarist equivalent of Brian Johnson stepping in immediately after Bon died to record BIB. Ozzys biggest mistake was not keeping Jake E Lee.
Word
This show was all over MTV at that time in heavy rotation, and I was in my early teens and a guitar player. Needless to say I loved Brad Gillis' playing! He killed it.
Ah, the good ol days of MTV. I remember the same.
This was part of the mtv Saturday night concert series or maybe it was Friday night it's hard to remember.
Agreed. This made me buy a red guitar with a black pickguard, humbucker and floyd rose! 😅
Anybody criticizing his performance has clearly never picked up an instrument in their life
lonelydwightfrye well said sir. .
lonelydwightfrye I agree, he wasn’t randy, but a fine guitarist...
Yes... Brad filled in on a last second notice... he knew some of Rhoad's tunes... but still had to learn Randy's parts and leads... had to be real miserably tough for Brad... because Ozzy just lost his closest-best friend and band-mate... and all because Ozzy still had to fulfill his Diary of a Madman tour dates... this move hurt Brad's career in the long run when it came to N.R. and their relationship... not to mention that Brad loved Rhoads...!!
...who didn't???!!!
Amen. Brad took on an impossible task and did a fantastic job.
I was just about to post the same thing. Considering that Brad had very short notice to learn and entire set of difficult solos i think Brad did amazingly well.
Brad Gillis doesn't get nearly enough credit.
I guess it's because he is a curly blondie ass.....
@@RingOfRae woah
So is Jake E Lee
@@RingOfRae Settle down spanky
funkster007 you are right, I should have not mention the curly aspect....
Brad killed it and he looks cool as hell when he plays! Love his unique sound and style and use of the bar! you know who it is immediately when he plays!
I told Brad this in person: he is the most underrated guitarist of his generation
After Randy tragically died, he learned his catalog in like ZERO TIME.... and was on the road almost instantly. Amazing he was able to pull it off, he was no Randy of course, but he’s a great player and did an amazing job.
He got a call from Sharon and he's hung over thinking its a gag. " I'd better pit Ozzy on. Hello Bradley. This is Ozzy." They flew him out to a hotel suite and he and Ozzy event up the stairs, had no amp, sitting on the bed, Ozzy cross legged on the floor. " Channel me Bradley' uh okay.... then played flying high acoustic on his red Floyd rose guitar. After the song Ozzy opened the doors and screamed at the crowd below. Everyone's clapping and congratulating him and Gillis is thinking "uh , I think I got the job". Some guy who knew Ozzy had been in the crowd weeks earlier and sometimes Brad would do some Ozzy songs. This guy tells Ozzy, gets the ball rolling. Next thing you know the phones ringing. He wasn't even applying for the job. Brad I'd way cool.
Yeah, he’s better than Randy was back then.
No Randy?? Excellent guitarist!! I rate them the same! Let’s see Randy do some Brad stuff. Look at Brad now.. look at Night Ranger solos.. Sister Christian solo.. Don’t tell me you love me solo ...Brad is great!!! So was Jake !!! Then Zack .. not so good.
Brad is on randys level for sure!
@@styga1969 zakk was a big mistake. I cant stand his playing at all
Brad Gillis really stepped up his game. He had some big shoes to fill, and didn't dissapoint.🤘🇺🇸
It wasn't hard for him he really didn't step up his game he could play just as good in night ranger he was a guitar virtuoso he could hear any song one time and play it. No matter what the song, that is how good he is.
Brad brought his own shoes baby, and he danced Randy's moves to a T!
He was always in tune with perfect pitch, and played RR's stuff with his own flair and touch!!Great job!!Stellar stuff!!
Dude is a beast. The sound, the style, the intensity.... Damn.
What a fantastic job Brad stepping into Randy's shoes. I saw him with Ozzy in Leeds UK 1982, i stood right in front of him so i could see him play. I was disappointed that Randy was not there of course, but what a performance by Brad, he seized the opportunity and gave it his all. Fantastic guitar player.
Brad Gillis is one of the best Improvisational guitarist I have ever seen.
I was fortunate enough to see this concert in Los Angeles right after Randy died. In fact, he was still alive when I bought the tickets. We are lucky to have this footage of Brad. It's amazing that he was able to "rightfully" fill the void within such a limited time frame. I was lucky to see any show at all. Not sure if anyone else could have done it better.
I was always amazed by his playing in speak of the devil.
Me too. Brad does some cool stuff with the whammy bar.🎸
My favorite album of all time🤘🤘🤘
To think of the pressure he endured He killed it with no tabs or videos just all ear listening and learning the parts all in a week man my hat goes off to him not too many guitarists could of pulled it off! Great musician!!
RIP Randy Rhoads. Great job by Brad filling those enormous shoes
To deliver such class in that short space of time, that's Brad Gillis.
This was the tour I started paying attention to Ozzy. Brad is a monster player the solos on don’t tell me you love me were absolutely amazing. Think about the guitar playing we had in the 80s what a great generation pretty much pinnacle to the 90s it’s all down hill after that.
Loved the job Brad did. He was true to himself but also did no injustices to TI or RR's guitar work. Speak of the Devil remains one of my favorite live Ozzy releases!
Brad Gillis learned the old school way when we had to drop the vinyl record needle down or rewind the cassette tapes to learn the guitar parts!😄
So not only did he play these solos fucking masterfully, he managed to add his own tasteful spin to them. In a short amount of time with a mountain of pressure. AND he personally loved Randy. Just wow. What an incredible guy and guitarist. I fucking love Jake but these are possibly the best rendition of these solos ever..
Yep
Don’t care what people say BRAD was kicking ass
Love him or hate him. Brad got the job done on this tour. I saw it. It ROCKED HARD!!!
If I could express my self as good as him I’d be free . What an amazing creature. You can tell he enjoys every second of his playing.
Brad Gillis was an inspiration when I was a teenager. And his playing stands the test of time.
Brad Gillis totally crushes it baby!
No other player at the time had the balls to pull off what he did.
His own style shines through on all these tunes.
his work with ozzy highlights his ability --- he has his own signature and it is very crisp and fluid at the same time ---- nobody could have done it but him ....
I think Randy would be very proud of Brad
If Brad played Randy note for note, then guess what? Exactly! You would say he copied him. Brad has said he's not a shredder. He is a whammy-bar player. He was asked to fill in for Randy Rhodes. To the Gillis haters on here, you could've played with Ozzy, but...he didn't ask you, now did he?
Maestro...an amazing guitarist,Randy and Tony's stuff played with Brad's signature and style.
I saw this tour and Brad was amazing. Can't remember if it was 6 or 8 days that he had to learn all of that and get on the road, but it was a very, very short period of time. Not only did he pull it off, but he played like he'd been in the band all along. Total professional. Of course he isn't Randy...nobody is, but man, to step into those shoes on that stage in front of all of those people took balls of steel. I've met Brad on several occasions and always thank him for what he did. Just fantastic.
There is no question that Gillis is an absolute beast. Unrated is an understatement. One of the best in a generation that produced so many great guitarists. All respect to Randy but this guy deserves a ton of credit.
Brad Gillis playing is so clean, love his tone. Does a fantastic job of playing Randy's stuff live.
brad gillis is one of the best guitarist who never got the real credit he deserves
Night Ranger was my first band I fell in love with as a young teenager. Years later I ran into him at a bar and he sat with me and we talked about every album in detail but he made me the beers and I was happy to do so. Not many people get to have beers with their first rock and roll hero! He was very cool and told me to just think of him as a plumber !
Amazing guitar player! One of the BEST! Drank with him and the drummer at Yesterday’s one night after the NR Concert in Chattanooga Tn. Halfway into the night they got up and took the stage and tore it up on the band that was playing that nights instruments. I’ll never forget that night and especially how nice and cool he was. Great memory!
I remember watching Brad blowing everyones minds at We Stars
My favorite guitar tone ever is THIS tone, which is the same as on Speak Of The Devil! Massive!!
Wow man i saw randy right before he passed n then the SPEAK ALBUM comes out and Brad Gillis blew me away in a new way man symptom of the universe is awesome man n wow what a awesome player to come in at the worst time ever n play n rock asses off every night!
Thanx BRAD GILLIS.
My favorite guitarist Mr. Brad Gillis is one of the best in the world .
he is not consider one of the best... he is just lucky
Brads in the top 30 . If you look at AllTime the list of guitar players is loaded with very stiff competition. Tony I. From Sabbath. Eddie Van Halen. The duo from Iron Maiden and Kk Downing and Glen Tipton from Priest these players were also very good. Going all time you also have to look at older guys like Jimmy Page, Jimmy Hendrix i mean damn man sooo many burners out there its diff to put together acurate rankings but Gillis was Never ranked #1 in Hit Parader or Circus Magazine and the fans voted in those polls! Fans can be biased and subjective but who else is listening to the music more than them. I lend high credibility to those magazines rankings. Even Guitar Player magazine had a poll for a while and Randy got #1 there one year. Gillis was only ever mentioned as an after thought. I like Brad and saw him live with Ozzy. Speak of the Devil tour in New York. Ozz was soo devasted by the loss of his best friend that he sucked! I felt very bad for him and was sad as well! However Brads solo in the concert was his Own and it was Very very good. But when he played Randy’s solos he was all over the place and it was very amature. Its eveidenced here in this video. He hardly got one solo rite And its not cause hes not trying. Perhaps he was preoccupied with upcoming Night Ranger material. This is very possible.....
What? Fan polls, especially in mags like Hit Parader and Circus, were nothing but popularity contests. Guitar Player and Guitar for the Practicing Musician would be more legit representations of actual musicians' opinions. That said, I've always considered Gillis to be one of the best around. He's so damned smooth and accurate, both on the fretboard and with the tremolo bar.
Corey Hit Parader and Circus magazine polls were very accurate reflections of who was the best at the time. As far as Brads accuracy. I don’t question how good a guitar player he is. I liked him but if your listening to the playing here it’s shit. He’s playing Randy’s material and doing it horribly. No I don’t believe Jake E Lee would have got the gig. He auditioned and was passed over. He was picked up after the Speak of the Devil tour cause Ozzy was desperate. I’ve seen both Jake and Brad live with Ozzy. Neither were as good as Randy. Randy got the Best new guitar player award. I saw him presented it along side Sharon Osborne. Jake and Brad never won shit. Well maybe a few groupies and sponsored guitar strings. This is true.
Here is an honest reply to Takanori's comment...yes Brad is'one of the best in the world'. He didnt say THE BEST, but one of the best. Guitar players are very subjective and even someone as talented as Yngwie Malmsteen can be hard to listen too. I have always enjoyed Brad's signature sound and he is one of the few you can recongnize his playing style, like Eddie, Vai, Lynch, etc. A pioneer in his style for sure , and still rockin.
Still in my top 5...the dude deserves legend status.....
Holy shit, his movement while playing is incredible. How have I not heard of this guy until now? Time to watch everything he's ever played!
He played in Night Ranger
Jungchen,Du hast keine Ahnung
I was so fortunate to see the Blizzard of Ozz tour and this tour with Brad Gillis. Great guitarist and had some heavy shoes to fill on short notice!
Brad Gillis is a whammy bar master. Love his work in Night Ranger. He did a great job filling in after RR's tragic death. Great guitar player.
Absolute legend. Brad did an amazing job of covering Randy’s leads note-for-note. Total respect 🙌
God damn Brad was unbelievably good. His sound is off the charts.
Gostei da roupa nova que colocou nas músicas do sabbath. Brad é fora da curva ainda nos dias atuais. Imagina pra aquela época. Não estavam preparados.
I saw this tour, had the tickets before Rhoads was killed, was a huge Randy fan, but Gillis did an admirable job. Whole band had to be in shock, but being pros they carried on. It was a good show, all things considered. I had seen Rhoads the previous year on Blizzard of Ozz tour and he was a tremendous live player, inspired me to practice for decades.
I got stuck with Bernie Torme for the Buffalo show, was so looking to see and hear Randy, I just couldn't enjoy the show.
@@michaelkeudel8770 Bernie was more of a ‘70s British blues player from what I remember. How did he handle this new shredding ‘80s heavy metal?
@@TheSteveSteele I barely remember it, was 40 hard years ago, I'm lucky if I remember what I did this morning.
Brad Gillis is a great guitarist and I love the name Night Ranger, I don't know why but I love it
Brad Gillis nailed this :-) To me he is way underrated on guitar, he did excellent for Ozzy after Randy died :-) An Extra "BIG" thumbs up for this Guitar Great :-) Night Ranger is a great band he is in :-) ROCK ON!!!!!!!
I've met Brad on two occasions. The first being backstage at the inaugural performance of Mr. Big and the second at Guitar Center in Concord California. Both times he was a gracious and very approachable man. Super nice guy with a great sense of humor.
This was a superb band. Aldridge, Zarzo,. Don Airey & Brad Gillis
I was just reminiscing how when I first started buying Ozzy cassettes as a kid, Speak of the Devil was the first cassette I ever bought new around 1982/1983 (a few years after inheriting a cassette with some old Sabbath Paranoid album songs on it, but not knowing who the band was, and finally someone telling me that it was Ozzy Osbourne).
It wasn't until a few years later (around 1985) that I got Blizzard of Ozz, and Diary of a Madman, after having bought some Sabbath tapes, and Bark at the Moon, and it wasn't really until 1987 and I got the Tribute album, that I realized how amazing and talented Randy Rhoads was, and it inspired me to learn to play guitar.
So it was Brad Gillis that I first heard really shredding the heck out of those Ozzy years Sabbath songs.
I had no idea how well he handled the songs from Blizzard and Diary until today. Brad deserves a lot more recognition.
Brad Gillis is an awesome guitar hero, really fluid. Underrated. He nailed the solos in that tour. He introduced variations, always respecting the originals. It was really hard to replace God, but he respected his memory. Night Ranger is another example of his great work. Inredible twin guitars there!!!!
Brad is just brilliant. He inspired me massively, and so did Jeff Watson!
I saw Brad at Irvine Meadows and he was very good! The live album with Ozz doing Black Sabbath is FN wonderful!! Brad you ROCK brother!!
Positively a rock and roll guitar god perfectly plays his part of the show with spot on professional flare!
Thanks Brad, you had a tough job and performed admirably. I know Ozzy got some flack about touring after Randy died, but I believe Randy loved Ozzy and would have wanted him to keep going. Brad is so awesome, he learned all those songs in a few days. I've been trying to play these songs for almost 40 years and can't play half of them correctly.
My friends had no idea Brad Gillis from night ranger could play like this !!
No ozzy punched randy in the face for wanting to leave the band randy said hed never play for ozzy again and was killed that day
Brad Gillis - ahead of the curve!
Brad Gillis my hero !!
Bandit666 mine as well!!
Mine too!
Simply put for me....It just doesn't get any better then this lineup. These professionals captured lightning in a bottle on this tour. They all stepped up....ALL OF THEM. Thank the Gods they captured it on film for everyone to see the magic today and it will live forever!!
Gillis was putting in hard work in 1982 🎸
Brad tore it up !!! Short notice learned all these songs !!!!!! 🤘🏻
Brad Gillis kicks ass!! He's definitely in my top ten favorite guitarists.
Amazing. I saw Night Range as a trio and he was playing Jeff Watson's parts. Plus his own of course. I met him briefly after the show and he was very kind. Even though I was acting weird because I was awestruck. Thanks, Brad! ❤
Brad is a beast. And this red Fender Strat(which he still plays to this day) is a modded '62 with an original Floyd Rose tremolo which he goes ham on. Extra wood was added to the end of the fretboard to accommodate a 22nd fret and the body was routed out for the bridge humbucker. Also it looks like the fretboard radius has been flattened and jumbo frets were put in. He had his wireless system built inside the guitar. Also the neck has been repainted and refinished. Just a little info for those who wanted to know about his main strat.
This was in 1982.
The guitar player magazine , brad Gillis. Keith Richards on cover
Brad has explained all that on youtube. The red orange paint was chosen because it was the color of his brothers datsun 240z.
@@patrickthometz6365 he had some laquer left.
@@tonymctony4551 yes he did.
I don't think anyone in rock has used the whammy bar as much and as successfully as Gillis. He's got mad live and inprov skills. Truly a great but underrated rock guitarist.
Brad told me once that there was no way to j ust try and be a Randy clone,because no-one knew exactly what He was doing on guitar ,and his effects,only Randy could be Randy,so I had my thing ,the want bar ,and I played everything like I would ,but kept true to Randys musical parts ,just doing my thing and trying to pay tribute without getting caught up trying to be exactly like him. I said,well he was my teacher and friend ,and it took me years before I could listen to anyone finish a tour that Randy started ,,but someone else finished ! Brad said,believe me, I was getting too much support ,they had George Lynch on the side of the stage until they felt I could do it. And people every night holding up signs, but it wasn't me they were mad at,it was the situation. I said,wowmi need a drink,and he bought me one. Very cool guy,and definatly one of my favorite guitar players ! That was at the Rainbow 1989!
@@chrisclausen4093 It's unclear how many shows Lynch was at ,if any! He is the only one to say he was there,but in fact he was there when Brad left ,Lynch got hired but then they found Jake E. Lee and that is when George was at the side of the stage. I heard it was that his hair was too short ,because he kept his hair shot until he found a band that got signed ,then he would grow his hair! I asked hi myself why he kept it short instead of growing it out,he said he had a job outside the band(Dokken) and when they got signed to a major label ,he started growing his hair.So,he lost the Ozzy gig because he looked like a 12 year old kid with short hair! Bernie played 7 shows before Brad took over,and that is when Lynch said he was there for that gig,but Rudy Sarzos brother Robert was already hired by the band ,but Don Arden had hired and paid for Bernie to play,also it was because it was an easy switch,he was also on Jet records and Don was managing him,so he got pushed into a gig he didn't want ,and it was clear,so they got Brad who is a great player and can play the songs and still make them sound right but doing his own thing and not trying t copy Randy,which is almost impossible ,especially back then. So, that is what I know. Craig Turner ,who took over teaching for Randy at Musonia after George Lynch quit that job,which is good for him,because he was not a good teacher! Anyway,I took lessons from, after Randy left,then lynch,Craig Turner also auditioned for Ozzy and he was third in line after Lynch and Lee,and his hair was almost to his shoulders,and the guy they picked,Jake,had a ton of hair and could get by on guitar! Wow ,that was a long answer! Sorry. That shoud be everything!
The most underrated. Wow.... simply wow. Who yet could pull the monumental task off that was asked of him . ??. I am a practicer of guitar now for 35yrs. I am floored. Time to rethink my top ten list. Brad The Destroyer Gillis. New nickname.
Loved him on speak of the devil.he put hiz own touch on it .
Speak of the Devil is all old Sabbath material. Where’s Brads touch??? Wheres his originality and creativity. Oh yeah, dont tell me you love me..... Case closed! Yes he was good but never a top 5 or even 10 player. I Can name many better. Fuck even Hendrix would dust his ass. I say this and i like Brad. Ive seen him and appreciate him but wheres his Super album??? There is none!
@@HappyFoxSuperSTAR where's Brads touch??? Its all over every solo he played on speak of the devil!
He was loyal to his band Ozzy gave him the job know your shit man why so damn salty
It is totally fair to say that both Ex Sabbath vocalists shared not only the experience of fronting a legendary band, but were responsible for hiring some utterly fantastic guitar players during their solo careers. Thank you for posting this footage, I have never properly seen Brad Gillis play Ozzy numbers and I am completely blown away.
My hats off to you Mr Gillis!,, you have my respects
Love the guitar tone, love the entire guitar solo jam and drum solo, Sarzo head banging is bad ass
The complete masters guitars that era.
Gotta have respect for Brad, that was a very difficult spot to fill, but he did it really well. Thanks Brad.
Brad Gillis had his own style especially these floyd rose trick , a excellent guitar player that had big shoes to fill
It’s great, to finally hear some positive feedback and acknowledgment for Brad’s amazing playing while with Ozzy.
Incredible guitarrist and u could see he put a lot of passion on it!
I'm ashamed to admit that I have never seen nor heard this. I was a huge fan of Ozzy's solo career from the beginning and I cried when Randy died - he was the reason I began playing guitar. I will always remember that I regretted that Brad didn't stay after this tour. After listening to the Speak of the Devil album, I felt like he was a perfect fit with the style that Ozzy played. This was a phenomenal trip down memory lane with material that I had not heard. Thanks for posting.
Bradd is also an exciting player there. He enjoys it man! That's the Rockin' is all about!
Given that Brad had like 2 days to learn a whole bunch of Randy's material to go on a world tour shows just how much of a badass he is. \m/
Gillis was already playing some of these songs, look into it...
The one song he failed to properly learn (at first) was *_Revelation (Mother Earth)._* Messed up the first performance.
Brad is bad ass. Filled Big ass shoe's that we're maybe size 9s.
I think you've done a great job Brad learned all of this decades before TH-cam was out he had to figure these solos out no way to cheat