Randy Hansen, despite being a virtuoso talented guitarist, was thought by many critics to be a mere JIMI HENDRIX copyist. It certainly didn't help matters that he was a native of HENDRIX's hometown of Seattle, sought to emulate his hero looks wise and built his career in the formative years playing HENDRIX covers in a power trio known as MACHINE GUN. During the mid seventies Hansen had paid his dues with KID CHRYSLER & THE CRUISERS. Whilst learning his craft in bar covers bands Hansen went under the pseudonym of Road Murphy.

The guitarist came to national attention in 1979, scoring a deal with major label Capitol Records, when his music was to grace the Francis Ford Coppola epic 'Apocalypse Now'. The debut, self-titled 1981 studio album saw Hansen joined by ex-STRIKER bassist Scott Rosburg and drummer Charles Tapp. A harshly judged live album 'Astral Projection' was recorded at the Palo Alto Keystone and is a collection of JIMI HENDRIX covers. Hansen's live band at this point comprised of bassist Jeff Pilson and drummer Mark Nelson. Pilson was later to join DOKKEN and DIO whilst Nelson was to appear later on the HARLOW album in 1990. Another of Hansen's former band members, Ken Mary, was poached by TKO and would go on to greater heights in the likes of FIFTH ANGEL, ALICE COOPER and HOUSE OF LORDS.

Hansen was to guest on the SHOUT album 'In Your Face', and was also involved initially with the formation of ex-DOKKEN bassist Jeff Pilson's WAR AND PEACE. In 2005 Lynch contributed his interpretation of 'The Answer' to a FRANK MARINO tribute album though WildMess Records entitled 'Secondhand Smoke'.