Guitar pioneer <a href= "https://www.ridingeasyrecs.com/product-category/bands/randy-holden/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Randy Holden</a> reveals how record label incompetence destroyed his 1970 masterpiece Population II, leading to depression, exile in Hawaii, and eventual vindication through cult status. Get Population II and III at <a href= "https://www.ridingeasyrecs.com/product-category/bands/randy-holden/"> Riding Easy Records</a> or preorder Population II reissue at <a href= "https://www.noblerecordstore.com/product-page/randy-holden-population-ii-noble-exclusive-orange-vinyl" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Noble Records online</a> Topics Include: <ul> <li class="MsoNormal">Randy Holden is surprised Population II remains influential after recording it in 1970</li> <li class="MsoNormal">He knew it would be big—there was nothing like it musically then</li> <li class="MsoNormal">Population II was ready to release with Sun Amplifiers sponsoring monthly magazine ads</li> <li class="MsoNormal">National promoters wanted to book shows but needed the album released first</li> <li class="MsoNormal">Hobbit Records delayed release for eight or nine months, destroying Randy's career</li> <li class="MsoNormal">The label wouldn't release the record or let Randy out of his contract</li> <li class="MsoNormal">Owner Leonard Poncher's background was Latino music and auto parts wholesaling</li> <li class="MsoNormal">Randy was creating a new form of music that became known as heavy metal</li> <li class="MsoNormal">Poncher's lawsuit with MCA distribution completely tied up the album's release</li> <li class="MsoNormal">Recording Population II went smoothly with Randy overdubbing all bass parts himself</li> <li class="MsoNormal">He used four to eight amps recording through a Fender Jazz Bass</li> <li class="MsoNormal">Engineer Hank Cicalo placed three mics at different distances for guitar tone</li> <li class="MsoNormal">Randy pioneered mixing through car speakers instead of massive studio monitors</li> <li class="MsoNormal">His original mix had full dynamics with sweeping highs and lows</li> <li class="MsoNormal">Mastering engineers destroyed the mix, cutting frequencies to prevent needle skips</li> <li class="MsoNormal">Randy joined Blue Cheer replacing Dickie Peterson but left over musical differences</li> <li class="MsoNormal">Blue Cheer wanted shorter songs while Randy pursued extended musical compositions</li> <li class="MsoNormal">He formed Population II with Chris Lockheed on keyboards and organ bass pedals</li> <li class="MsoNormal">The name meant two people creating massive sound usually requiring four musicians</li> <li class="MsoNormal">Randy's guitar journey began with Fender IV, then Sons of Adam</li> <li class="MsoNormal">The Other Half featured Randy's early heavy guitar work before Blue Cheer</li> <li class="MsoNormal">He recorded Guitar God album in 1997 after decades away from music</li> <li class="MsoNormal">Nobody knows the original Population II pressing number</li> <li class="MsoNormal">Recent remasters by engineers in New York and Smokey Taylor improved the sound</li> <li class="MsoNormal">Randy's broken ring finger now prevents him from playing guitar properly</li> <li class="MsoNormal">He manipulated audiences' emotions playing solos through walls of amps for thousands</li> <li class="MsoNormal">Randy considers music like movies—"Land of the Sun" is theatrical drama</li> <li class="MsoNormal">Playing live was his reason for living, creating heavenly musical moments</li> <li class="MsoNormal">His legacy continues through reissues on <a href= "https://www.ridingeasyrecs.com/product-category/bands/randy-holden/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Riding Easy Records</a> reaching new generations</li> </ul> Extended and High resolution version of this podcast is available at: <a href= "http://www.patreon.com/VinylGuide">www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide</a> <ul> <li>Apple: <a href= "https://tinyurl.com/tvg-ios">https://tinyurl.com/tvg-ios</a></li> <li>Spotify: <a href= "https://tinyurl.com/tvg-spot">https://tinyurl.com/tvg-spot</a></li> <li>Amazon Music: <a href= "https://tinyurl.com/tvg-amazon">https://tinyurl.com/tvg-amazon</a></li> <li>Support the show at <a href= "https://patreon.com/vinylguide">Patreon.com/VinylGuide</a></li> </ul>

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Ep524: Population II - Randy Holden's Enduring Legacy

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