Tom Morello was granted access to examine a historic instrument…

Tom Morello had the chance to handle one of the metal world’s most revered instruments. That would be the famous Flying V-inspired Jackson Concorde guitar that the late great guitarist Randy Rhoads used to play with Ozzy Osbourne. Although the guitar has previously been on display for fans to view at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame museum, only a very small number of people had the opportunity to actually hold the instrument. Morello acknowledged holding the fabled instrument in an interview with Classic Rock magazine, but he did so on one requirement. The late guitarist was the last person to play the guitar, according to Morello, because Randy’s mother had asked that it never be played again after Rhoads passed away. In actuality, the instrument was rarely available to anyone other than family. 

His sister, who’s lovely, is very protective of all the stuff. It’s sealed away somewhere in a secret vault and no one knows where it is. I’d asked her if I could see it, and she said: ‘Nobody sees it.’ You gotta respect that.

But then she texts me one day and says: ‘Randy’s guitar is on its way to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and it’s going to be at my house this afternoon if you’d like to come by and see it.’ But I was away on tour, so I couldn’t go. Cut to about a year later and she texts me saying the guitar is at her house that afternoon, on its way back from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and now would I like to go see it?

I got to hold it, That was pretty emotional for me. The crazy thing was that the leather guitar strap still smelled of cigarette smoke. He was performing up until the day he died, so the strap had smoke from 1982 left in it.

Upcoming shows by Tom Morello:

• Sunday, November 01, 2026 – Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles, CA, US
• Monday, March 01, 2027 – Jack Singer Concert Hall, Calgary, AB, Canada
• Tuesday, March 02, 2027 – The Esplanade, Medicine Hat, AB, Canada
• Wednesday, March 03, 2027 – Jeanne & Peter Lougheed Performing Arts Centre, Camrose, AB, Canada
• Friday, March 05, 2027 – Vic Juba Community Theatre, Lloydminster, AB, Canada
• Saturday, March 06, 2027 – Dow Centennial Centre Shell Theatre, Fort Saskatchewan, AB, Canada
• Monday, March 08, 2027 – E.A. Rawlinson Centre For The Arts, Prince Albert, SK, Canada
• Wednesday, March 10, 2027 – Casino Regina, Regina, SK, Canada
• Thursday, March 11, 2027 – Club Regent Event Centre, Winnipeg, MB, Canada