Randy Burns obit

Iconic singer who rose to fame in the 1960s dies at 78: ‘He was a major force’

 He was not on the list.

April 14, 1948 - August 8, 2026

 

Randall “Randy” Robert Burns

Randall “Randy” Burns, son, brother, father, grandfather, musician, songwriter, performer, and

friend, passed away peacefully on August 8, 2026, in Melbourne, Florida, surrounded by love.

Randy was born in Manchester, Connecticut, on April 14, 1948, to Robert Francis Burns and

Mary Fogarty Burns. From an early age, music and performing were part of his world. His

parents were members of the Mark Twain Masquers, and Randy and his older sister, Barbara,

grew up immersed in theater, music, and entertainment.

His father, Robert Francis Burns, also directed musicals at the Oval in the Grove in

Connecticut, including Carousel, which became Randy’s favorite musical of all time. Randy

loved it so much that he could sing complete parts of the musical himself, often better than the

original performer.

At about 14 years old, Randy got his first guitar, and music quickly became an all-consuming

passion. He would spend hours in his bedroom playing guitar and writing songs. His sister

remembers going downstairs to call him for dinner and finding him sprawled across his bed,

surrounded by hundreds of pieces of paper covered with words as he worked on his songs.

Before long, he was playing at fairs, at his high school, and wherever else he could find an

audience.

Randy later attended Riverside Military Academy, which had been intended as something of a

punishment because he was struggling in school. Instead, Randy loved it. He thoroughly

enjoyed the drill exercises and embraced the structure and camaraderie of military life.

Although academics weren’t his focus, he truly enjoyed his time there. He continued to write

music and perform while he was at Riverside, and his roommates and fellow students were

drawn to his outgoing personality and musical spirit.

When Randy was about 16 years old, he began performing at the Exit Coffeehouse in New

Haven. He played there for a couple of years and returned frequently. The Exit became an

important chapter in his development as a musician. It was there, in those early years, that

Randy found his voice as a performer and songwriter and to establish his musical path that

would shape the rest of his life.

At 17, Randy made a life-changing decision. The day before he was to begin his senior year at

Middletown High School, he left home and headed to Greenwich Village in New York City to

pursue his passion. He went there on his own, with no place to stay, and slept in flophouses

as he began making his way in the Greenwich Village music scene. Before long, he became the

permanent opening act at the Gaslight in Greenwich Village.

Despite leaving home at such a young age and embarking on a life of his own, some of

Randy’s most cherished memories were the Christmases spent at his parents’ home in

Higganum, Connecticut. Those family gatherings were among the memories he treasured most

throughout his life.

Randy’s first band was The Morning. Around 1968, the band traveled to California in a refitted

school bus.

During that 1968 trip to California, The Morning performed at the legendary Troubadour, where

Doug Weston managed the band. They also had the opportunity to open for the Smothers

Brothers at the Hollywood Bowl—an extraordinary accomplishment for such a young band.Around 1971, Randy and The Skydog Band made another trip to California on the bus, now

blue with Skydog Band painted in white with wings. They returned to the Troubadour.

After returning east, the Skydog Band continued performing at venues throughout the country

and enjoyed a long life together as a band.

Of all the places the band played, Block Island was particularly dear to Randy’s heart. In his

later years, he continued to perform on Block Island.

During the 90s Randy worked as a security manager at Sports Haven in New Haven. He made

many friends there Those who got to know him often discovered his musical background as

well. Even during those years, music remained part of his life and he continued to play

occasional gigs when the opportunity arose.

From 2004 through 2026, Randy lived in New York City and New Jersey, continuing to follow

his own path and carrying his love of music and performing with him. In 2011 the Skydog Band

reunited and in 2014, The Morning. He especially looked forward to and enjoyed his annual

December shows at The Neverending Bookstore in New Haven.

In the final chapter of his life, he came to Florida from New Jersey to stay with his sister, Sue,

and his brother-in-law, Stan.

Throughout his musical career, Randy recorded several albums, cassettes and CDs, leaving

behind a substantial body of recorded work. His recordings and musical credits are listed

online, preserving an important part of his creative legacy and allowing his music to continue to

reach listeners.

Randy is survived by his daughter, Chaucey Perreault, of Hartford, CT; his grandsons, Gage

Perreault, Portland, CT, Ben Radcliffe, Keene, NH and Noah Radcliffe, Madison, CT; his sister,

Sue; his brother-in-law, Stan, Melbourne, FL his nephew, Keith Snyder, Satellite Beach, FL and

extended family and many friends who knew and cared for him.

He was predeceased by his parents, Robert Francis Burns and Mary Fogarty Burns, and his

sister, Barbara.

His family will memorialize him privately.

Knowing how much his spirit and music will live on is a comfort to all who love and miss him.

A special thank you to Cory Morrison.

Randy lived life in his own way, following his love of music wherever it took him. From a 14-

year-old boy writing songs on hundreds of scraps of paper in his bedroom, to The Exit,

Greenwich Village, the Gaslight, The Morning, the Skydog Band, the Troubadour, the

Hollywood Bowl, Block Island, and the many places he performed throughout the years, music

remained the constant thread running through his life.

He leaves behind songs, recordings, stories, friendships, memories, and a musical legacy that

will continue to be discovered and remembered.

Randy was one of a kind, a true original, and his music lives on.