Randy Castillo Cause of Death: How the Legendary Drummer Lost His Battle with Cancer

Randy Castillo was one of the most influential drummers in the history of heavy metal. He played with Ozzy Osbourne for over a decade, and later joined Mötley Crüe as their replacement for Tommy Lee. He was known for his powerful and energetic style, as well as his charismatic and spiritual personality. However, his life was cut short by a rare form of skin cancer that he fought bravely until his death in 2002. Here is the story of Randy Castillo’s cause of death and how he left a lasting legacy in the music world.

Early Life and Career

Randy Castillo was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on December 18, 1950. He was inspired to take up the drums after seeing The Beatles perform on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964. He started playing in local bands and moved to Los Angeles in the 1970s to pursue his dream of becoming a professional musician. He got his first big break when he was hired by Lita Ford to play drums on her 1984 album Dancin’ on the Edge. Ford introduced him to her boyfriend, Mötley Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx, and his bandmate Tommy Lee. Lee was impressed by Castillo’s skills and recommended him to Ozzy Osbourne, who was looking for a new drummer.

Ozzy Osbourne Era

Castillo joined Osbourne’s band in 1985, despite having a broken leg from a skiing accident. He quickly recovered and proved himself to be a perfect fit for Osbourne’s music. He recorded five albums with Osbourne: The Ultimate Sin (1986), No Rest for the Wicked (1988), Just Say Ozzy (1990), No More Tears (1991), and Live & Loud (1993). He also toured extensively with Osbourne, playing in front of millions of fans around the world. He became a fan favorite and a close friend of Osbourne, who called him “the best drummer I ever had”. Castillo also played drums on several tribute albums during this time, such as Welcome To The Nightmare (An All Star Tribute To Alice Cooper)  and Leppardmania (A Tribute To Def Leppard) .

Mötley Crüe Years

In 1999, after Lee left Mötley Crüe, Osbourne’s wife and manager Sharon Osbourne suggested Castillo join the band. He accepted without auditioning, as he was already familiar with the band and their songs. He recorded one album with Mötley Crüe, New Tattoo (2000), which was a return to their classic sound. However, he was unable to tour with the band due to his illness. He was replaced by former Hole drummer Samantha Maloney for the tour.

Cancer Diagnosis and Death

Castillo had suffered from a ruptured duodenal stomach ulcer in 2000 and underwent emergency surgery. Two months later, while recovering, he discovered a small lump on his jaw that turned out to be cancerous. He was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma, a rare form of skin cancer that affects the head and neck area. He underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatment, and announced in April 2001 that he had won the battle against cancer. However, the cancer returned later that year and spread to his lungs and brain. He died on March 26, 2002, at the age of 51, in Los Angeles. His funeral was attended by many of his friends and colleagues from the music industry, including Osbourne, Sixx, Lee, Ford, Alice Cooper, Slash, Zakk Wylde, and others.

Legacy and Influence

Randy Castillo is widely regarded as one of the greatest drummers of all time. He influenced many other drummers with his style and technique, such as Mike Portnoy, Dave Lombardo, Joey Jordison, Jason Bonham, and others. He is also remembered for his positive attitude and spirituality. He was a mixed-race Apache Native American who practiced Buddhism and meditation. He always had a smile on his face and a kind word for everyone. He was passionate about music and life, and never gave up on his dreams. He is survived by his mother and four sisters.

Randy Castillo’s cause of death was a tragic loss for the music world, but his legacy lives on through his music and his fans. He will always be remembered as a legend of heavy metal and a hero of drumming.

Doms Desk

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