Randy Rhoads
Randy Rhoads, a member of Quiet Riot and Ozzy Osbourne’s bands, had a big influence on neoclassical metal. Hundreds of well-known guitarists mention him as an influence. At the age of 25, he died unexpectedly while on tour with Ozzy Osbourne in 1982. A single-engine plane carrying a few members of the band, including Rhoads, collided with the top of the tour bus, spun out of control and killed everyone on board.
Gary Moore
Another member of John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, Gary Moore, has been dubbed a true virtuoso. He was a solo performer and a member of several bands. As a recording artist, he had eleven solo Top 40 songs in the United Kingdom. He recorded an album with former Cream members Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker in 1993. Moore, who was 58 at the time, died of a heart attack in his sleep in 2011.