A recently discovered chat from 1987 with Ozzy Osbourne reveals his deep feelings about “Tribute,” the live album honoring his late guitarist and friend, Randy Rhoads. Randy tragically passed away at just 24 in a plane crash in 1982.
At the time, Ozzy expressed a desire to release the album sooner after Randy’s death. “I thought it would be sick to release it sooner,” he said, but he was tied to a contract for a double-live album. The conversation took place in a hotel suite, where Ozzy, wearing a leopard-skin robe and sparkling diamond rings, shared his thoughts.
Fans were eager for the album, and so was Randy’s mother. “Randy’s mother called Sharon because she’d been overwhelmed with requests about the live album,” Ozzy explained. They even included a track called “Dee Outtakes,” which highlights Randy’s incredible studio work.
Dana Strum introduced Randy to Ozzy at 4 AM after a night out. Just two minutes of Randy playing guitar was enough to impress Ozzy. This led to the creation of the classic albums “Blizzard of Ozz” and “Diary of a Madman.”
Tragedy struck when a bus driver, who also had a pilot’s license, took Randy for a flight in a small plane. The plane clipped their tour bus during a maneuver and crashed into a nearby house.
Just two weeks later, Ozzy performed at Madison Square Garden with Bernie Torme on guitar. “The kids knew what the deal was, and they carried me through,” he recalled.
Ozzy also spoke fondly of his wife and manager, Sharon. When asked about being managed by her, he said, “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
