RANDALL JEFF SEARS
March 29, 1954 – April 14, 2023
Bakersfield – Randy Sears – brilliant musician and drummer, friend, brother, wit and musical mentor – passed away April 14, 2023 after battling a number of health conditions for decades. Randy was one of the most gifted musicians and personalities to ever grace the stages of Bakersfield and the world, and he will be missed by countless fans, friends, and admirers. Randy was born in Bakersfield on March 29, 1954 into a loving family of parents Blanche and Ewell Sears and older brothers Bobby and Jerry.
Randy's brilliant mind and musical gifts were recognized and encouraged from an early age, and he attended accelerated learning classes at local schools, graduating from South High in 1972.
Even in his teens, Randy spent countless hours mentoring other players and sharing his talents and ideas. Music to his marrow, he then embarked on a lifetime of musical journeys and relationships including with such renowned artists as Steve Perry and Tina Turner, joining her on a world tour. Locally his bandmates were a who's who of Bakersfield's best, including Marty Townsend, Bobby Santa Cruz, Rick Troxel, Keith Hall, Billy Haynes and others too numerous to list.
Randy's knowledge of all musical styles and of music history was an encyclopedia: there wasn't a category of song he couldn't play – and hugely improve. Not content to just “keep the beat” his approach to drums and percussion was incredibly creative, tasteful and subtle, as noted, in fact, by legendary drummer Steve Gadd (Steely Dan), who attended one of Randy's performance in Los Angeles and sought him out afterwards to praise his work. He truly knew music. Randy was also a prodigious collector of music, amassing thousands of recordings and concert videos in every style, including world music, and he had a steel trap memory for bands and their members – and most importantly their techniques. His sources of inspiration were vast, but he was anything but a mimic – his playing utterly unique.
In 1988, Randy suffered a catastrophic brain illness that his UCLA doctors didn't expect him to survive. But he not only survived, he continued playing and inspiring listeners and fellow musicians. For 30 plus years he braved countless health setbacks, hospitalizations and neurological challenges with cheerful, self depreciating humor. Throughout these trying times his musical mind produced masterpieces of drumming and percussion that will profoundly missed by many, including his most recent collaborators, Marty Townsend and Nile Kinney.
Randy viewed optimism, generosity, and humor as requirements for his own spiritual and musical survival. Laughter was key. He was a loving person.
Many thanks are owed to Randy's most recent supporters and care givers, including devoted friends Zanne Zarrow, Beverly Williams, and Delores Garza. Randy is survived by his brother Jerry, and will live on through his admirers. A celebration of Randy's life will be scheduled in due course.