The Quiet Riot guitarist – who auditioned for Osbourne in Los Angeles in the months following the singer’s 1979 firing from Black Sabbath after a decade of groundbreaking rock – describes how the two connected and began writing new material that would eventually form the basis for the “Blizzard Of Ozz” album.
“When I first met Ozzy, there was no band yet,” says Rhoads in an archival audio clip. “So I was just staying at his house … and he and I were just sort of knocking ideas around. And then we met (bassist) Bob (Daisley), and the three of us, while we were looking for a drummer, auditioning, we were just sort of messing around with riffs and ideas.”
Former Uriah Heep drummer Lee Kerslake rounded out the lineup by the time the group were set to begin recording in the spring of 1980.
“Crazy Train” launched Osbourne’s solo career and introduced the “Blizzard Of Ozz” album when they were both issued in September 1980 – almost six months after Black Sabbath released “Heaven And Hell” with their new singer Ronnie James Dio.
Set to premiere via Video On Demand on May 6, “Randy Rhoads: Reflections Of A Guitar Icon” is directed by Andre Relis and narrated by L.A. Guns guitarist Tracii Guns.
The project takes a look at the life and legacy of the rocker, who co-founded Quiet Riot before shooting to fame with Osbourne in the early 1980s; Rhoads was tragically killed in a plane crash at the age of 25 while on tour in 1982.
See also:
Ozzy Osbourne tests positive for COVID-19
Eddie Van Halen rivalry leads Randy Rhoads documentary preview
Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler shares autobiography update
Ozzy Osbourne shares new album update
Search Black Sabbath at hennemusic
