My Interview with Rock Zone

In this exclusive interview W/Rock Zone Productions Jeff discussed his website www.myspace.com/rememberingrandyrhoads and his efforts to try and get a star for Randy Rhoads on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame.

1. Rock Zone: - Can you briefly give me some background info on yourself such as where you are originally from, what do you do professionally?

JH: - My name is Jeff Hadjikhani and I'm a Hollywood native. I was born in 1964 at Kaiser Hospital on Sunset Blvd. My first school was Vine Street Elementary School and I lived in Hollywood until age 10 when we moved to the San Fernando Valley. I have lived in the valley ever since. Like Randy Rhoads, my Brother and I were raised by a single mom, as my dad was not in the picture then. I currently work in Hollywood, CA. as a Project Coordinator for one of the big 3 TV Networks. I started with the Network back in 1992 and left in 1997 to get into video production. I started as a P.A. (Production Assistant) and worked my way up to Production Manager/Coordinator and had a couple of producing credits as well and A.D. (Assistant Director) credits. I also have worked as a Stage Manager on live productions. I left production in 2005 and have been back with the Network since then.

2. Rock Zone: - Can you briefly tell the story of how you first became a Randy Rhoads fan?

JH: - I was a late bloomer as a Randy Rhoads fan. I first became a Randy fan when he was with Ozzy. I was truely introduced to Quiet Riot when I was managing a band in the mid 80's. My band's guitar player (Mitch Manning) showed me what I was missing when he played me "Slick Black Cadilac" and I was sold.

3. Rock Zone: - How old were you when Randy died? Do you remember where you were, what you were doing when you first learned of Randy's passing?

JH: - I was a Senior in High-School when Randy passed. I was at work at a local skating rink on the night of Randy's passing when I learned of it.

4. Rock Zone: - I was curious if you ever had the opportunity to see Randy Rhoads live in concert w/Ozzy Osbourne?

JH: - I never got to see Randy play live. My older brother and his friends would go to the Ozzy shows, but they were all a few years older than I was and didn't want to have to be responsible for looking after me......Ok they were all going to be as high as kites and didn't want little bro around.

5. Rock Zone: - Did you ever hear any of the music that Randy recorded w/Quiet Riot?

JH: - As I said before, I was a late bloomer with Quiet Riot. I was an Ozzy fan first, then a Randy Rhoads fan and then a Quiet Riot fan.

6. Rock Zone: - I read on your web page that you are currently looking for people to send in Randy/Ozzy cover material....For people interested in doing this can you tell me and my readers what plans you have for any material that they might want to send in to you and how they can go about sending in their cover/tribute tracks to you?

JH: - I want to help showcase tribute bands and artists, because they are true fanatics, I'm also really impressed by the next generation of upcoming guitar players that were inspired by Randy Rhoads and will be adding more covers from these young up and comers soon. I have Randy Rhoads cover songs on MP3 and video on my Myspace page: www.myspace.com/rememberingrandyrhoads . You can view my myspace page even if you are not a Myspace member. I can also be contacted by e-mail. This is the best way to send an Mp3 cover song: rrstar@live.com .

7. Rock Zone: - The main reason for doing this interview is that you've been trying to get a star for Randy Rhoads on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame....Can you tell me how long you have been doing this....and about the efforts you have made to make this happen?

JH: - Back in 1988 Mellisa (Missy) Whitney, who was the Chairman of the Randy Rhoads Fan Club Committee at the time, applied for a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame for Randy Rhoads. I got involved when I overheard Mitch Manning, the guitar player of the band that I managed speaking to Mellisa on the phone. She was telling him that she was applying for a star on HWOF for Randy Rhoads. This spurred my partner and I to put together the "Randy Rhoads Memorial All Star Jam" at the Roxy in effort to remember Randy Rhoads and spread the word of Mellisa Whitney's efforts for the star. Guest Performers included, The Kelle Rhoads Band - Andy Parker (UFO) - Jimmy Bain (Dio) - Jeff Scott Soto (Yngwie Malmsteen/Journey) - Krigger (Guiffria) - C.C. Devile (Poison) - Steve Isham (Autograph) - Stuart Smith (The Sweet). The star was decline by the City of Hollywood in 1988. This year Mellisa has passed the torch to me but she is still involved with getting Randy his star.

8. Rock Zone: - What is the process to try and get a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame?

JH: - Since Randy has passed, I have applied for a Posthumous star on the HWOF. Here are the steps:

A) You must obtain permission of the person in which you are applying for. In Randy's case I needed the written consent of Mrs. Rhoads.

B) Fill out the HWOF Application and turn it into the Hollywood Chamber Of Commerce along with the consent letter, a biography and a photo.

C) Cross our fingers and wait for the Committee to meet. Application deadline each year is June 30th and the committee meets in mid July.

D) If approved the cost of the star is $25,000. I hope to raise about half the monsy from companies like Jackson, Marshall and Gibson who have always been loyal to Randy's name and raise the other half via fan donations. All donations would go direct to the Rhoads family to hold in an account until the funds are totally raised. WE ARE NOT LOOKING FOR DONATIONS AT THIS TIME!!! BTW...........traditionally 12-15 stars are approved each year and of those only 1 posthumous award is given out each year. We applied in 2008 but there was NO Posthumous star approved this year. They did give out a record 25 stars though this year. Since so few stars are approved the first year out, they make your first application good for two years, so the 2009 application for Randy's star has been submitted in advance.

9. Rock Zone: - Have you thought about making any kind of doccumentary about the efforts you will continue to make in trying to get a star for Randy on the HWOF?

JH: - The only documentary that I'm interested in seeing being made, is the one about Randy's life. So to answer your question no.

10. Rock Zone: - For people who would like to help you try to get a star for Randy is there any way they can get involved and help you in your efforts?

JH: - If they are on Myspace, then people can add me to their top friends, but just spreading the word of our efforts is the best way of helping out at this stage. www.myspace.com/rememberingrandyrhoads.

11. Rock Zone: - Do you believe because Randy is a celebrity who has passed on will make it any easier in getting him a star?

JH: - Being that typically only 1 posthumous star is approved each year (and in 2008 having No Posthumous star approved) I would have to say that it could stack the odds against us.

12. Rock Zone: - Do you believe the fact that Randy was a heavy metal musician has played a role in why he has not been given a star yet?

JH: - No, not at all. Both Ozzy and Van Halen have their stars. You have to be a pretty huge name to get a star the first year applying and we fully expected not to have the star approved this year. This year is all about getting the attention of Randy faithful and letting them know of our efforts. Face it Heavy Metal is as big now as it ever has been and I feel that we are at the right place at the right time.

13. Rock Zone: - You of course have a Myspace page to try and help promote the efforts you have made so far and will continue to make.....What kind of feedback have you and your site received?

JH: - Most of the feedback comes in the way of Myspace comments. The comments are from Randy Rhoads faithful that are simply showing their love for Randy Rhoads and letting me know that they are in support of our efforts.

14. Rock Zone: - Have you had any kind of contact w/The Rhoads family and if so what was that like for you?

JH: - My first contact with the Rhoads family was back in 1988 at the Randy Rhoads All Star Jam, at The Roxy. My only interaction with Kelle Rhoads was when he walked into The Roxy and said "Kelle Rhoads, with The Kelle Rhoads Band". I said, "Thanks you so much for being here." and showed him to the dressing rooms. We were never even actually introduced to one another. I did get to meet and speak with Mrs. Rhoads that night. She's such a delight. She was so touched by all of our efforts. We all got a bit emotional when Mrs. Rhoads was thanking Mellisa and I. Now in 2008, The Rhoads family is completely behind us in our efforts for getting Randy his star. Earlier this year I met with Mrs. Rhoads and Kelle Rhoads for the first time in 20 years. I met them at the Musonia School to ask for their blessing on applying for Randy's star and let me tell you, even though Mrs. Rhoads is small in stature, she can be very intimidating when it comes to protecting her son's memory. Kelle told me from the get go that his mom was going to be the tough sell. Mellisa Whitney joined me for that meeting and really seemed to put the Rhoads family at ease. They remembered Mellisa but of course did not know me well enough to remember me. I still speak with Kelle on the phone once or twice a month. The last time that I had the pleassure of speaking to Mrs. Rhoads about two weeks ago, just before Randy's birthday. They are truly a wonderful family, with huge hearts. I'm blessed to know them.

15. Rock Zone: - I understand that you recently met Ozzy Osboure.......what was that experience like for you?

JH: - It was after the taping of the new "Osbournes Reloaded". We only spoke briefly and I told Ozzy of our efforts to get Randy his star and Ozzy told me that he thinks that it is a fantastic idea. He actually told me to call him at the end of our conversation. I'm sure that he expected me to get his number from Kelle Rhoads but he and his Wife are out of the country right now. I have contacts that are working on the "Osbournes Reloaded" show and have passed on all my contact info to Ozzy's people. Hopefully I will hear back from them. I see Ozzy as being a big star supporter in the near future and believe me that he and his family will be one of the keys to our success.

16. Rock Zone: - Have you contacted any of the people involved w/the film that is being made about Randy?

JH: - We do communicate on Myspace but that is about all right now. I know that the Rhoads family is completely behind the documentary, therefore I'm behind the documentary. Peter Morgolis is highly respected here in Hollywood so I'm looking forward to the Documentary's release next summer.

17. Rock Zone: - Is there anything left that you'd like to mention to me and my readers?

JH: - Happy 60th anniversary to the Musonia School of Music. Congratulations to the Rhoads family. To all you Randy faithful, Musonia was established in 1948 and not 1949 as you will read in most Randy bios. This was pointed out to me earlier this year by Mrs. Rhoads, so I know that is accurate.

I would just like to thank you and everyone else who are supporting our efforts for Randy's star and are helping to spread the word. Randy Rhoads' fans are truly the most dedicated and loyal fans on the face of the earth and I'm proud to be one of the faitful. Thank you Jason with Rock Zone, for the interview and helping to keep Randy's memory alive. We Randy Rhoads faithful are all in this together. R.I.P. Randy Rhoads. God Bless the Rhoads Family.