I've know Randy since the mid 70s. Grew up with him and his brother in West Seattle. I've had the pleasure of not only seeing him play many times but my band has opened for him numerous times. 🤟🤟

I saw Hendrix play 3 times and listening to Randy is giving me a major flashback. It's not just his playing, but it's also his voice. It's eerie. I met Jimi and Buddy Miles before they formed Band of Gypsies. This is as close to Jimi as I have been in over 50 years. I can close my eyes and be 16 again!

Keep in mind, Randy has been doing Hendrix longer than Hendrix did Hendrix.

1st time I saw Randy was in seattle at a small 60 person bar. Randy was playing Beatles and said that he would be right back. My friend who took me there said now dont be shocked.. Randy comes back on stage in Hendrix Drag and started playing.. Blew me away. all of that for 60 people !.. this guys the real thing !! I lived a mile from Hendrix grave so it was special !!

If you never got to see Jimmy Randy is your man. he's got Jimmy's tone and playing down so well it literally raises the hair on my arms in the back of my neck. Not to mention vocally he sounds just like Jimmy.

I've known the guy for decades. A really genuine and sweet guy who plays some killer guitar with the Al Hendrix endorsement

Don't forget Jimi never played any song exactly the same twice so it's almost impossible to "copy". Listening to Randy play is as close to hearing Jimi as many will ever get.

Saw him in a small club in Belgium. Very impressive performance. We had a chat together after the concert. I found this little man very sweet and humble.

Thx so much for introducing this guy. I have played in bands for almost 30 years. Hendrix,SRV, Trower, were my biggest parts of the set list. I have seen a lot of people play Hendrix but now the past few weeks i have been watching Randy Hansen videos. The guy goes beyond just capturing the tone and playing style, but he has captured the soul and vibe of Hendrix that i have not seen any other guitar player reach.

No other musician since Jimmy Hendrix, including mahogany rush, Stevie Ray Vaughn have ever been so exactly the same as jimmy Hendrix. Outstanding guitarist and singer.

Like I always like to say, Randi is not only a tribute of Hendrix but he incarnates Hendrix. Almost as if Hendrix has possessed him! And all this coming from a guy that hates tribute acts. He's truly a lover of music and more specifically Hendrix of course. So glad we have Randi around.

A high point of my life was watch Randy play Machine Gun live. I didn’t think it was possible but he absolutely NAILED it.

Randy has been playing Hendrix, since the records were originally released. He probably embodies it more than anyone else could.

Grew up with Randy in Seattle... We were in a couple bands together. A real great friend and a really great guitarist and showman :)

Randy Hansen, IMO, more than anything captures Hendrix' essence. Virtually anyone can learn to play or sing this song. But to have had the dedication and will to, as Phil so eloquently put it "become a mirror image of Jimi". Just as my appreciation of Jimi increases as my understanding of music grows, so does my respect and admiration for Randy and what he's achieved. And the joy and transcendence they've given and continue to give to so many.

The improvisations that Randy does are so authentic, just how Jimi would play his songs a little differently each time. So “reincarnation” is indeed a way better description than “imitation” or “interpretation” which is what SRV and others did. Also Randy does superb live renditions of songs that even Jimi never attempted live - such as 1983 A Merman I Should Turn To Be and All Along The Watchtower.

Ive seen randy live many times in germany, hes the absolute best at covering hendrix - absolute beast

I’ve seen Randy Hanson several times including my very first concert in 78. That remains the best concert I’ve ever attended. He ran into the audience gave me a high 5. Awesome

Randy not only plays the notes, he gets the SOUND! He is the best there is at giving tribute to Jimi.

I really thought I was watching Hendrix-except right handed. WOW.

Saw him 3 times last 2 years in Holland. Great. I bought his first live album in the early eighties, got now all of his records. Greetings from Utrecht Holland.

Saw Randy at my Hi school in Tacoma Washington in 1978.Got to see him again and talk a bit last year.Dude is amazing.He also writes and performs his own music

We all love Randy Hanson here in the Pacific Northwest. He plays a lot with the original male members Heart. Seen him many times live, always a great show. Great analysis! Going to order your CD, mug, and shirt.

His acrobatics are incredible and he doesn't miss a note. Not so much in this video but some of his other performances you will see.

Just discovered him. Watched about 8-9 KZfaq vids and OMG! It's just shocking how talented Randy is. And what you forgot to mention is how the drummer and bass player were doing as well....

A super amazing reincarnation that goes just a few inches beyond that. Those of us that listen to a lot of Hendrix may have noticed that the sliding octaves section at the end of this clip didn't really belong in Voodoo Child. Jimi did that sliding octaves type of thing in some other places, but Randy synthesizes what Jimi "would" have been playing these days. That's an amazing talent.

probably the best Hendrix tribute band on earth. Was invited to one of their shows in Germany to take photos and of course met them backstage. Can't remember a moment without laughing.

I love Randy's playing. I wish I'd known about him sooner. I hope I get to see him live someday. God bless him!

Randy is from here. Have seen him countless times. One time Hendrix's dad was at a club show (with his nurse, and she wasn't looking), so I shook Hendrix's dad's hand ! (You weren't supposed to.) He smiled... as did I. ;-) In the movie "Apocalypse Now", the guitar you hear the guys in the trenches listening to on a little cassette player IS Randy Hansen. The family wouldn't allow any Hendrix music in the film, so Coppola (the director) hired Randy. And he was paid handsomely.

Jimi Hendrix was so innovative in his way of playing guitar.

He plays amazingly like jimi best ive heard cannot wait to see this guy live 😷🎅✌

I first saw Randy on September 7th, 1979. I was so impressed that I went back the next night. I have been raving about him ever since. He was as good back then. Remember he's been doing Hendrix for 4 decades longer than Hendrix did Hendrix. Randy does a few non-Hendrix tunes and they sound like Hendrix. He adds a lot of his own improvisations that Hendrix never did but they sound like Jimi. To be able to play like Jimi you have to think like Jimi. Randy does this well. Many people don't know this but way back then He wore black face and an afro wig to further capture the illusion. This was by no means to demean Jimi but to honour him. We understood that back then.

Used to see Randy way back in the 70's at the Paramount in Seattle many times and always a killer show

Living in Seattle my wife and I have met Randy a couple of times. For awhile he was also playing with Heart by Heart with former members of the band Heart. There is a Seattle area AC DC tribute band called Problem Child. They have a Bon Scott singer and a Bruce Johnston singer so they cover both eras of AC DC, which takes it to a new level.

I saw him six times in the 1980's when he was in the SF Bay Area and, wow. What a showman. Not only did he play and sing like Hendrix, he also did things like climbing all over the stage rigging while playing. He had an early wireless guitar rig and would take advantage of being cordless by climbing around on the amp stacks and walking on the bar while playing (these were small clubs), picking up someone's bottle of beer in his mouth, flipping his head back and drinking the entire beer while soloing, and not miss a note. More than once I saw him walk right out the front door of the club while playing, go out into the street, and stop traffic; playing all the while. The looks on the faces of motorists was priceless as this Jimi Hendrix lookalike had his foot on their front bumper while soloing with a crowd of people from the bar that came outside with him cheered him on. The drivers typically cheered him on as well. Ultimate respect for this guy. Wish he was still here in the Bay Area. May have to travel to Seattle to see him again at some point.

So happy I found this, glad you did Randy. I have seen him so many times, a class act, another American icon.

Randy is the best and only living guitarist who can play Jimi's music like the master himself...

Such an awesome jam. He's got Jimi's voice down perfectly

Lovely to see your enthusiasm for this guy, Phil. Tributes are frequently scorned, but they can be done in many ways and have a really valuable function in keeping alive the feeling of long-gone live acts. I used to play in a tribute to Free and saw many other tribute acts. Sometimes there’s too much emphasis on the visuals, sometimes bands make a point of looking different but sounding authentic. Randy does a very rare thing, as you bring out. He customises his appearance to resemble Hendrix but manages, by the expressiveness and raw accuracy of his playing and his dazzling showmanship, to seem entirely himself. Great video and commentary. Thank you!

Randy has been a guest artist on all the rock 'n' roll cruises headlined by the Moody Blues, so I've had the privilege of hearing and seeing him play several times. Not to be missed.

Saw him in the late 70’s at the Bijou Cafe in Philadelphia (sadly it went out of business). My wife and I were at a table that was about 10 feet from the stage. After a couple of Hendrix songs, he jumped off the stage and played Voodoo Child right in front of us! I screamed “let me have your pick!”. He gave it to me, while never missing a beat. Immediately afterwards, he ran down the entrance hallway and out the door to the sidewalk, where people were lined up to get into the next show. He stayed there for several minutes, playing his heart out. It was the most amazing live performance I’d ever seen.

Hi Fil, i think i requested Randy Hansen, a couple weeks ago, i see you analysed him last summer, and you were RIGHT ON , with this one ! I always enjoy Randy's videos, he's FABULOUS!

Damnit , Randy is a national treasure! Sorely underrated and overlooked but i dare you to find another living guitarist who captures the Hendrix spirit like Randy Hansen does. There was only one Jimi, but damned it Randy doesn't hit it with full force

Just like Jimi, Randy was Born and raised in Seattle as well. I lived down the street from Randy, and there is not a better guy to pay tribute to Jimi. He has played with members of "The Jimi Hendrix Experience." Randy loves Jimi so much, it's hard to explain. He's not Psycho about what he does, but he is passionate. Thanks Fil

The Man Randy Hansen is a Wizard on the guitar. He is channeling Jimi Hendrix Spirit.... Note the voice, sounds like Jimi Hendrix voice....🎸🎶🎵

Randy is the real deal. Since 1978. Some FAQs: when Randy started his solo career he would open for Heart and I believe on the first tour in 80’ SRV was an opener for him! side note, I saw Randy for the first time with "Machine Gun" in 1978. I was his first website creator back in the mid 90's.

Saw him in 1978 for $1. I was totally into Hendrix at 15. When he played 3rd stone, I was completely mesmerized. I was in total disbelief he could do all those sound effects so accurately. Totally convincing performance.

He sure has the Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughn vibe going on.

Randy started out in Kid Chrysler & the Cruisers.. 50's show band.. Part of their show was a few Hendrix songs.. Randy Tim & Larry decided to branch off and just do Hendrix.. They were Machine Gun.. 1978.. My band Blue Sky opened up for them at their big Seattle debut at the Aquarius Tavern.. 50 ft guitar cable dancing on the tables.. I have a mixing board tape of the show.. He was killer right from the get go.. He was meant to do this.. Plus he is a SUPER sweet person... We are blessed to have him in our world...

I have never seen this. Amazing... I think I have learned more from you pointing things out that I just wouldn’t think about than I ever have from classes

Randy doing a great job here with Voodoo Chile, his voice and guitar strokes and playing is 100% Hendrix!

I saw Randy in a little bar on Long Island in 1979. Maybe 50 people there. Forgot all about him till he popped up on KZfaq. He is a total badass. Good show as usual Phil.

Personally my family and him go way back! My dad is always telling me stories and stories about how cool this guy is. My family went to see him 2 years ago here in Seattle, awesome person!

If I'm not mistaken, Randy's playing is heard playing on the radio in a scene in "Apocalypse Now". "Go get The Roach"

saw him several times when I lived in Seattle. Dude was totally tuned in. On stage. Bang. He's there 100%, no need to warm up.

I met Randy at an Alki Beach House in Seattle in the summer of 74 we were both 19 , 2 years later a friend says you got to check out this guy doing Hendrix , so me and my girlfriend go to a bar called the Flight Line the guy doing Hendrix was great but he kept jumping on our table and playing right in front of us to the point where my girlfriend asked me do you know this guy? I replied I don't think so after the set he comes up to me says John it's Randy he had dark makeup and a wig I did not recognize him so cool to see how far this is taking him doing Hendrix traveling the world, he absolutely does Jimi justice that's for sure ✌🏽❤ my Mom Dad & guitar playing brother are all buried at the same cemetery as Jimi , miss you all 💔

Many years ago Randy came to my small town & played a local bar. Had not heard of him in a long time. He has really put a great deal of work into his Hendrix tribute. Gotta give the guy a salute, he does an awesome job. Thanks for covering him.

As a gitarist who plays Jimi for 40 years i am totally awestruck. Never heard this Jimi quality.

Impressive. Even a white strat like Jimi used. Voodoo Child is a tune I always strove to play.....something about that song.....perhaps chopping that mountain down with the edge of my hand maybe.....

I don't think this is one of Randy's finest performances, but he's better than 99% of guitarists alive today. He didn't get this good by reading tabs😂

I'm a great fan of Hendrix, especially when he had Mitchell and Redding with him, this guy Hansen is brilliant, I would love to see his take on Wild Thing...

I saw Randy at the Paladium in Dallas in 1978. I was blown away! The other band that played was a band called Budgie. Great show!

Randy's live performance of Voodoo Child is just amazing. He is truly a masterful guitarist.

I am no Hendrix afficianado but he sounded a LOT like Jimi.

Randy is a local Cat from here in the Seattle/Tacoma area, and has been around forever. A really classy guy, nice as can be. We love him. Always has a Crackerjack band behind him too.

Great to see you post a video about Randy. I won't get into all the specifics as it was a long time ago, but I played some shows in the early 80s opening up for him. Not sure if you noticed the speaker cabinets. Those are Marshall 8x10 cabs. They have a very unique sound. I used to use a Marshall 4x15 cab w/a Yamaha 4x10 cab a long time ago; a bone crunching combo. Lol. In any event, nice seeing Randy again.

Tributes make the original all that more impressive. The creativity of the original becomes even more legendary when a talented guy like this pays tribute.

I agree about your take on Stevie's Hendrix covers, they're great, and he keeps the body of the song, and enough licks and nuances for it to remain what it is, but then does his thing. Whereas Randy I think intends to give you as much Jimi as he can, they're both great, and I don't like to compare people who are doing what they love, honoring who they love, not trying to win trophies. I can always hear that Texas swing with Stevie, even if he's not playing that way, you can feel it in the mix wanting to come out. Old post I know, but I wasn't even hip to Randy until after I'd subbed to you a couple yrs ago.

I actually saw Randy perform in person in the late 1970s in a small club in Northern California, a friend recommended I check it out. The performance was absolutely flawless, without any of the tacky audience engagement stuff I guess he developed later. He kept the sense of mystery going. Non of the KZfaq vids I have seen, even including this one, stand up to the live show he did when he was actively figuring it out. When you consider Hendrix was in full bloom for only a few years, while Randy has managed to freeze that moment in time with no new material to draw on, no more stylistic development to tap into, for decades, that’s quite a feat in itself.

Fil, Your as spot on as you can be but the only thing you forgot to mention is how good Randy's band is as well as himself. They give him the backing so good that he can release all this showmanship & awesome playing with the ease of Jimi's Band of Gypsy's. One hell of a player & band indeed. .

Wow. How have I not heard of this guy?! It's as if he's channeling Hendrix. Yeah great showman to boot. Love it.

Saw him live a few years ago; he really put up a complete Hendrix show. There's a vid where he goes into the crowd while playing Foxy Lady, then grabs a glass from a fan and plays the riffs using the glass as a slide, then goes back to the stage, 'rolls' back up while still playing the foxy riff. Full out showman.

went to one of his shows in 1979 in bremerton washington... and i met jimmy hendrix's dad who stopped by to check him out.... what a trip....randy is from the seattle area..

Randy is the only one Al Hendrix endorsed to play his sons music. Noel, Mitch and Buddy have all played with Randy and say this is as close as anyone was ever gonna get to Jimi. Randy also did the sounds of the bombs in Apocalypse Now

Dude's awesome!

Randy Hansen was my first concert when I was in high school around 1983.

I literally just became aware of Randy. Great cover artist and great guitarist 👍

The man blew me away he is amazing at covering Jimi's tunes

He has been doing this since the 1st year after Jimi's death. In Seattle. At the Moore theater, I was there.

Hansen picked up where Hendrix left off. He actually improves it. I've heard this song SO MANY times and the nuances Hansen adds are actually refreshing. It is a cover to be sure but it's a ground breaking cover... I've heard his "Experienced" cover and I'm looking to go to a live show of this guy if I can find one. I'd risk the dreaded covids to see this guy. He is amazing.

Randy is a sweetheart of a guy. I've met him a few times. I saw him at the Paramount in Seattle in ?83?, and I went to his rehearsal studio. He currently lives in Auburn Washington.

good on Randy for making his life of music based on the great Jimi Hendrix'' three cheers for him and his well oiled band

Saw Randy at the Youngstown OH, Agora in late '79 and again in '80 for the solo LP release and he did half Hendrix and half promoting the LP. and it was packed for both. Randy channels Jimi Hendrix the way Jimmy Sakurai channels Jimmy Page.

I saw Randy live at a large bar in '79 I think it was and if you let yourself drift off, you thought it was Hendrix! Funny part is, he stood up on the table next to me and started whaling away on the guitar - exceptional talent and impersonation!

I recently posted to one of your reactions to SRV, to check out Randy Hansen and give him his due. I had missed this. Thank you. Randy has mastered live what Jimi did in the studio. Love Randy Hansen, he is keeping Jimi's music alive. He even sounds like Jimi when he sings. The mood, he is channeling Jimi if that is a thang.

Randy has an interesting story about being "anointed" by Jimi at a concert when Randy was a kid. Randy said he wished he would originally learned to play left handed as well :)

I been listening to Randy for years. Great player.

He's the real deal friend of me in Seattle in the 80"at the underground in Ballard he took my cousin's finger and did the intro to star spangled baner from the stage and we were the only ones on the floor,after that the place self destructed into the best show anyone's ever ever witnessed.

He is got that wah wah down. Love it

Awesome stuff Fil.. Never heard of this fine talent 🤘🏼☮️

The only reason this isn't Hendrix is that he's right handed.

It was said that once Hendrix was asked what it feels like to be the greatest guitarist and he replied I'll asked Johnny (Winter) when I see him. He did talk about how he loved Terry Kath of Chicago.

My father went to his house in West Seattle decades ago, he said Randy was really good at playing acoustic guitar

Hard to be a showman without showing off but Randy is no showoff but is very much a showman.Excellent ,It's what the people want..

You should have taken his 1983. Oh ,man! Randy plays it so greatly. Then there is the Rainy day with the talking guitar! Randy is the real Deal, for sure!

jimi said the kids are doing my songs so good they even make my mistakes but this guy is spot on bless him

Some friends of Roy Buchanan took Roy to a Hendrix concert. Afterwards Roy was asked if he could do that. Roy replied....oh no..not for me. The friend then asked "you mean you cant play like that?" Roy's response was "oh you mean play like that? I was doing that ten years ago. I cant dance around like that." Roy didnt need all the new things like whammy bars that Hendrix had. He preferred to stand quietly off stage almost in dark and let the guitar rage from inside. You know Roy could duplicate tone for tone any guitarist but a real artist has his own thing which is what your bad ass website shows. Your comments were right on the C note

Pretty bad ass man. Most players don't know how hard it is to pull this off. As usual thanks FIL. Hey man if you want to mix it up how about Dick Dale or Link Ray

I feel lucky to have seen Randy Hansen, at the Austin Opera House, in 1980. a one Stevie Ray Vaughan opened the show. I recently commented on one of his vids so i won't repeat everything here. I like your commentary tho Wingman! Just wanted to mention it. :) Dennis 62 years Austin Tx Music Aficionado

Randy is BEYOND underrated.