Who is Randy Wolfe, Randy Texas, Randy California? Randy Craig Wolfe, born on February 20, 1951 to January 2, 1997, came from a musical family, his parents owned an entertainment night club at the time.
In Jimi Hendrix's first band, under the name Jimmy James, formed The Blue Flames (originally as The Rainflowers) in June 1966. He was fifteen years old when Hendrix discovered him playing a guitar at Manny's Music in California,both of the men moved to New York in 1966. He played in Hendrix's band Jimmy James & the Blue Flames that summer. Hendrix was blown away when he heard Wolfe playing, he was compelled immediately to invited him to play with him at the Cafe Wha that night. At the Cafe, the guitarists spent a few minutes in the back room, where James taught Wolfe "Hey Joe", "Like a Rolling Stone", "Wild Thing", "Shotgun" and a few other songs.
The Blue Flames' bass player was someone called Randy, who was from Texas. As the second Randy in the band, Jimmy dubbed him Randy Texas, and Wolfe adopted the name Randy California, which he holds to this day. The drummer was one of Texas' friends, known as Danny Palmer.[1] Jeff Baxter (of Steely Dan and The Doobie Brothers fame) was also known to play bass for The Blue Flames on a few occasions.
The Blue Flames ended up playing six nights a week at the Cafe Wha, earning a secure spot on the bill. California recalls that "the band made about $60 a night and Jimmy split it equally four ways", though Carol Shiroky (Jimmy's girlfriend at the time) thinks differently, she claims to be absolutely sure the band used to get paid only $7 per night. The band split as Jimmy was approached by Manager, Chas Chandler, who eventually helped form The Jimi Hendrix Experience. Apparently Jimmy tried to bring Randy California to England with him to form The Experience, but Chandler was against the idea as he believed Hendrix could be the only guitarist in the band, and California was too young anyway.
Eventually Randy Wolfe moved back to California and re-assume his name of Randy California. He lived and played in California from then on, becoming a California icon until his death in January of '97.
Listening is believing in this case. You tube has some great videos of Randy and Imeem has a couple also. Take a listen and see if he doesn't have some chops. You will enjoy. |
