Randy Rhoads was planning to leave Ozzy Osbourne’s band just before his tragic death in 1982. He wanted to pursue a master’s degree in classical music at UCLA. His sister, Kathy Rhoads, revealed that just days before he passed away, Randy told Ozzy he was done with touring and wanted to return home.
Kathy explained that their mother had started the process of getting Randy into UCLA, where his parents had studied years earlier. “He was really looking forward to that,” she said.
Ozzy was shocked by Randy’s decision. “Are you crazy? You’re a rock star!” he exclaimed. When Randy stood his ground, Ozzy responded, “Okay, you could buy your own fucking college by the time you’re done if you keep doing this!”
But for Randy, money wasn’t the main concern. “For Randy, the biggest key was that he was a true musician. It was always about the music for him,” Kathy shared.
After Ozzy left Black Sabbath in 1979, he chose Randy to play guitar for his solo project. Their two albums together changed the face of metal guitar, blending classical elements with hard rock energy.
Sadly, Randy’s life was cut short in a plane crash on March 19, 1982, just one day after his final performance. He was only 25 years old. Randy Rhoads left a lasting legacy in the music world, remembered for his incredible talent and passion for music.
