Oz Fox

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Oz Fox, born Richard Alfonso Martinez, is the lead guitarist of the Christian metal band Stryper. Martinez claimed the name Oz Fox in honor of Ozzy Osbourne. He joined Stryper in 1983 and recorded and toured with them until their break-up in 1993.

Heavily influenced by Eddie Van Halen, Fox's playing style is primarly in shredder category. He performed the majority of the guitar solos while in Stryper in addition to his being the primary back-ground vocalist for the group. Fox took up the main vocal duties for a periord of four months in 1992 after founding member Michael Sweet decided to leave the band and pursue a solo career.

After Stryper, Fox played in several projects, including his own band, Sindizzy where he played rythm guitar and sang lead vocals. SinDizzy, which released an album in 1998titled "He's Not Dead",included former Stryper bassist Tim Gaines, drummer John Bocanegra and LA guitarist Bobby MacNeil. SinDizzy was a departure for Fox as it allowed him to explore his writing and playing from a much different perspective than in his prior work. SinDizzy would be put on hiatus however due to Fox and Gaines being asked to rejoin Stryper for their reunion in 2003 in support of the album '7' after the widespread accpetance and excitement generated by the first 'Stryper Expo'. Though Gaines would elect to leave the band, Fox, together with brothers Robert and Michael Sweet and new comer bassist Tracie Ferrie, is still recording and touring with the group.