Randy Hansen
Randy Hansen (born December 8, 1954 in Seattle, Washington) is a U.S. guitarist, best known for his "Rock Tribute Act" honoring Jimi Hendrix. Hansen performs such signatures of Hendrix's style as playing a guitar with his teeth or behind his back. He composed 17 minutes of the soundtrack for the 1979 movie Apocalypse Now,(1980 Academy Award Winner for Best Sound). His debut album was released in 1980 on Capitol Records and was recorded at the Automatt Studios in San Francisco, CA. with Scott Rosburg on bass and vocals and Charles Tapp on drums and vocals. That group played two North American tours which included several coliseum shows with Bob Seger, Sammy Hagar, REO Speedwagon, Head East, Triumph, Poco and Blue Öyster Cult.
In 1984, Randy impersonated Jimi Hendrix in the music video for Devo's cover of Are You Experienced. Randy also played in Family Entertainment comedy show with the late Sam Kinison in 1991. Hansen's high energy guitar work has earned praise from fellow Dutch-American guitarist, Eddie Van Halen (in Guitar Player magazine), among others. He also was a good friend of Stevie Ray Vaughan (writing a song about him called "Texas Twister" from his Old Dogs New Tricks CD). He has toured and played with hundreds of famous musicians and groups.
