This is a continuation of the post I wrote above. I apparently had too many characters to upload the whole thing here. I have been asked by a couple of people to share the rest of it. I still have the manuscript in my personal journal. So, for those who might be interested, here is the rest: "But Randy was always with me. When I carried on the inner discourse we call `thinking,` the critic I was trying to placate in the forum of my mind often spoke to me in Randy Christian`s voice. I have a friend who never met Randy who still says `Hey man` just like Randy did. Why? Because when I was 23 I still said it the way Randy did, and this guy had imitated me, obviously thinking that I, and by extension, Randy, was cool. "Randy Christian, whose purposes in life changed, but whose purposefulness was constant; Randy Christian, who never did anything half-way; Randy Christian, with his meticulous attention to detail, and rigorous adherence to his principles, whatever they happened
Rick Johnson
10/3/2012 |
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It`s been over 10 years since Randy left us. He had no idea what sort of impact that he had on his friends and mostly, our family. Randy left a tremendous ache in our hearts that will never completely heal. Even as he struggled physically, emotionally and spiritually, he made sure that the ones closest to him knew how much he loved them. That was Randy. He really was one of the sweetest guys I will ever know. I was blessed to have him as my big brother. Cindy
Cindy Christian Ramirez
1/19/2011 |
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What memories, Randy`s name and his piture bring to mind. But, the picture of him and I in those tights when we took part in, "Kiss Me Kate" in the 1968 production at LQ! WE laughted, we loved and we lived a lifetime in those few years we spent at La Quinta H.S., I will always remember his joyful spirit and zest for life; and what a band of talented brothers he had in that rock band! WoW, they brought the school to life with every dance they played at! Great memoies with you Randy, may our loving Lord comfort your family and all your many friends with His peace. Miss you, David Rails, class of `68.
David Rails
3/14/2010 |
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hey lil` beatle, its been a long and lonely life without you bro, your on my mind always. i`ve been in touch with cindy n daryl. and we r going to meet soon one day and talk all about the days you tom n i ripped up the world with our music.. as i still play, i think of the days we were rockstars, hahaha. your still number one in my book. rock n roll will NEVER die...
gus pannarale
3/2/2010 |
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Randy,my good friend,and one who I enjoyed backing up on drums. the days we thought we could be the next Beatles. Tom Rocco and I sit a talk about those days often. and we laugh about so much music we did. how we were sure we could make a record. little did I know that our reunion was the last time I ever see you and look back on our crazy music years... our shit didn`t stink. WE WERE GOOD BACK THEN. till this day as I still playing in bands, I think about you. rest Little Beatle...miss u dude...Gus
gus pannarale
6/15/2009 |
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I came across this site quite accidentally, and I couldn`t believe my eyes. In reading Rick Johnson`s comments I was hit with a flood of great memories. I was a Bitter Wind "groupie," in the late 60s, along with my friend Phyllis Hickman. My name then was Pam Black, today it`s Pam Hutchison. I remember so fondly Randy, Rick, and Dave, and Bill Diephof, and Ralph, and think of them quite often. There hasn`t been one time in the past 40 years whenever I hear "Rocky Raccoon, "Why Don`t We Do It In The Road," or anything by Cream that I don`t think of Bitter Wind. I`m so sad to read about Randy`s death .. I wish his family and friends well. pamh251@gmail.com
Pam Hutchison
4/3/2009 |
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I wrote this ode to Randy on April 15, the day of his service. I remember the first time I saw him, when I was a new kid at LQ the last couple of months of our freshman year. I saw this great big pair of brown eyes on a baby face swaddled in wide-waled cords, polka dots, and sweded Beatle boots. Pure Carnaby Street. He always seemed to be at the center of an entourage that consisted mostly of girls. He exuded purposefulness and always seemed to be going somewhere, in pursuit of important business of some kind. I didn`t really get to know him very well for the first couple of years I knew of him. We started to get close at the end of our junior year. He had a party at his dad`s aparment in Garden Grove during the summer of 1967. Ralph was out of town for a couple of days and this was taken advantage of. . .I remember that the kitchen sink was filled almost to the brim with a vile concoction of Red Mountain wine, Bacardi, and 7- Up that Ken Smith called "spooley."
Rick Johnson
8/17/2008 |
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I just visited this website for the first time today and have been smiling and laughing as I scrolled through the photos and memories of old friends and most especially when I came to Randy's photo. You see, I left LQHS in the middle of my freshman year when we moved to Newport Beach...but I went to grade/intermediate school with Randy and he was so special to me...I remember him always smiling and being just a sweet person...so when I saw his senior photo...I was touched and so happy to see how great he looked as a senior. Now I just saw that he passed away. I can't tell you how deeply touched I am - especially when reading Gus's Memorial Comments about their special friendship and the band...and Randy's brother's Memorial...how terribly sad to have lost such a special person. My heart goes out to Randy's family...and to Gus...and to all his friends and loved ones who are left behind. All we have now are memories...Judy
Judy Kanegae-Hommen
10/3/2006 |
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I remember meeting Randy for the first time. We had PE together Freshman year. That's when we both found out we played music instruments and loved being in front of people. With a couple of other classmates we formed our first band called the CUTBACKS a surf band. after that WE wanted to become the next recording artist.We would rehearse in Randy's garage and his dad Ralph would just laugh and tell us ,You boys will go far.Randy had so much talent. We called him The Little Beatle. He would say he was Paul McCartney's twin. Even though Paul played bass, Randy would act like Paul on stage. At the reunion, it was like going back in time, because there was three of the four members together again just talking and laughing about those days. I would have loved to been able to play with Him again before He left Us. I think of him now playing music with John Lennon, George Harrison. and so many of our great musicans we've lost. Randy, Your a great friend still and I miss you. Just enjoy the m
Gus Pannarale
3/10/2006 |
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Randy died on April 6th, 2000. Although I hadn't been terribly close to him for several years, we got to be very close again in the last few months of his life. As most of us have as we've grown older, Randy was really trying to figure out the value of his own life, áan existential crisisá he would have said. By most standards he was very successful with a business that he and Kandi had created together. But he knew there was something missing that always seemed to elude him, even with all the fun, partying, rock-and-roll, and joking that seemed to always surround him. He found peace by taking his own life. Though it has been almost five years since his death, it's taken me this long to be able to forgive him for that and to be able to say again that he was a good, big brother to me and that he is very dearly missed. áCatch 'ya later, man.á -- Darryl.
Darryl Christian
9/16/2004 |
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Randy took his own life not long after the class of 68-69 combined 30 year reunion in 1999. He seemed very happy that night and we spent some time talking about the old days,but I guess was deeply troubled. My visions of Randy are with a guitar in his hand trying hard to sound and look like John Lennon......IMAGINE!!!
John Dacquisto '68
5/4/2002 |
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I am shocked and saddened to learn of Randy's death. I hope someone will let us know how or why he died. We all had such fun in drama and ASB functions. He was a good friend in school, and he is missed.
Sharon (Burke) Mann
5/1/2002 |
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In Memoriam
