Randy Hansen

Raised in Seattle, Washington, USA, guitarist Hansen first drew notice while performing with the nightclub ensemble Kid Chrysler And The Cruisers. That band’s ironic song selections spanned multiple strains of popular music, yet remained defined by his unflappable emulation of Jimi Hendrix. After assembling the power trio Machine Gun in 1977, Hansen carried the homage on the road, gaining wider recognition once he supplied guitar textures modeled on Hendrix for the Apocalypse Now soundtrack. The exposure produced a management contract with San Francisco entrepreneur David Rubinson, who began presenting the musician as a standalone artist. Hansen’s self-titled album of original songs, however, fell short of his mentor’s standard. Hendrix material continued to dominate the guitarist’s concerts, and in 1984 he returned fully to the role of interpreter by teaming with drummer Buddy Miles in a reconstituted Band Of Gypsies. During the 90s Hansen appeared in a tribute production alongside original Hendrix bassist Noel Redding.