Randy Rand, the Autograph’s bassist, died recently. “It is with great sadness and heavy hearts to announce the unexpected demise of our valued friend and founding member of Autograph, Randy Rand,” the band said in a statement on social media.
Randy Rand, the Autograph’s bassist, died recently. “It is with great sadness and heavy hearts to announce the unexpected demise of our valued friend and founding member of Autograph, Randy Rand,” the band said in a statement on social media.
“Collectively throughout the last couple of years with this formation, we spent innumerable hours that developed into something wonderful while developing an unbreakable bond few bands are fortunate enough to ever experience,” the band said in their statement.
Who is Randy Rand?
Rand began his career in the Sunset Strip region in the mid-’70s, playing in several bands. In 1984, he joined forces with Steve Plunkett, Steve Lynch, Steven Isham, and Keni Richards to form Autograph.
Sign in Please, the group’s debut album, debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart in 1985. The band separated in 1989 after two more albums, That’s the Stuff and Loud and Clear.
Randy subsequently moved on to producing leather items, and in a 2012 interview, he stated that when the band disbanded, they realized it was time to move on. He also expressed his dissatisfaction with the pursuit of achievement.
In the early 2000s, Autograph reformed with several new members and released an album called Buzz. They dissolved again, but Rand, Lynch, and Richards decided to resurrect the band in 2013, with vocalist Simon Daniels joining them.
Louder was published in 2016 and Get Off Your A** was released in 2017. At the time of his death, Rand was the sole remaining member of the band after Lynch had left.
Twitter users pay their respects
Randy Rand’s admirers flooded Twitter with tributes as soon as they learned of his death.
RIP – Randy Rand, the creator of the band @AutographBand – he will be missed, commented one person. Today, everyone should crank up the volume on their radio.
Another user said that he is inconsolably sad. His absence will be felt for the rest of time.
Wolfgang was on the same bill as Van Halen in 1976, according to one user. RIP Randy Rand is a character in the film Randy Rand.
It’s a sad day for rock & roll, said another.
As of now, no additional information on the bassist’s job, educational background, or personal life is available in the public domain.