Autograph‘s founding member and bassist, Randy Rand, died at the age of 62, the band confirmed on Wednesday. An emotional statement was shared by the ‘8os glam metal band on its official social media accounts.
“It is with great sorrow and heavy hearts to announce the unexpected passing of our cherished friend and founding member of Autograph, Randy Rand,” the group wrote. “At the time of death, Randy was surrounded by his beautiful and infinite love, Regina Rand and family.”
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“Although beyond devastated, we find some comfort and solace knowing the last couple of years have been some of his happiest as an artist and as a performer,” the group wrote on Instagram. “Randy was the consummate optimist and was so excited to see the new direction, creativity and renewed energy with the band. You could feel his excitement – as it was quite palpable with his playing abilities, performances and the way he interacted with his beloved fans.”
The group also featured singer Steve Plunkett, guitarist Steve Lynch, drummer Keni Richards and keys player Steven Ishram.
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Rand began his career in the ’70s in California during the Sunset Strip era, later becoming an established and seasoned studio musician, the Billboard reported. He later founded Autograph in Pasadena in 1984.
The band’s debut album, Sign In Please, launched in October of 1984 and gave rise to the band’s signature song, “Turn Up the Radio,” which peaked at No. 29 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album also reached a height of No. 29 on the Billboard 200.
Autograph’s follow-up RCA albums That’s the Stuff (1985) and Loud and Clear (1987) remained in the middle of the Billboard 200. One track, “Blondes in Black Cars,” peaked at No. 38 on the Mainstream Rock chart in 1985.
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The band split with RCA Victor in 1988 and broke up the following year. In 2013, they reunited with original members Rand, Lynch and Richards and continued to record and tour. After Richards’ death in 2017, Autograph released the album Get Off Your Ass and remained active into 2022.
