Blizzard of Ozz

So, you've been living close to the edge for a few years and manage to P off your mates, who just happen to be one of the biggest rock bands on the planet. They chuck you out for being too over the top and leave you to make your own way. What do you do? Well.........

1. Employ one of the hardest bargaining managers around. Sharon Arden becomes your guide.

2. Find the most exciting young guitarist seen for many years and employ him and work with him to make him the most recognisable name in rock. Enter Randy Rhoads.

It was never going to be easy being Ozzy Osbourne after Black Sabbath decided they'd had enough. Or was it? With the support of the two stars already named and employing Bob Daisley as your bass player, who just happens to be an ace lyricist into the bargain and hot drummer Lee Kerslake to drive the power, something magical was going to happen.

That magic was Ozzy's first solo album, Blizzard of Ozz. It has to be said there is not a single bad track from beginning to end. What we had here was a great sound, great songs all topped off by the flying riffs and solos produced by a name not heard prior, but one that would never be forgotten.

I went around for years saying my favourite guitarist was Randy Rhoads, only to be told " but he's dead!". I knew that, but in my eyes and ears there was no-one to top him. The greatest crime of all was that we were only given 2 albums of studio work before his tragic death in an aeroplane accident. When you have such talent its best to be shown off and it is given free rein to push out on the album. I can't begin to tell you how much the playing thrilled me. Yes, the main attraction was Ozzy, but the album remains today as a tribute to the outstanding talent that Randy had.

I said earlier there wasn't a bad track and I can't pick one as a favourite. Its two! Revelation mother Earth followed by Steal Away The Night are the best tracks and go together just like "peas and carrots" (to steal a quote). Now that's quite a call on my behalf given side 1 has the classic "Crazy Train". But there are so many fantastic riffs on the whole album, all invented by Randy.

I told all my mates at the time that this was something special. I was NOT a fan of Sabbath up to this point, so I still don't understand why this album had such an effect on me .I can only draw the conclusion that it was Randy Rhoads. I hadn't heard the guitar being played like this. I'd yet to hear Van Halen,so this was how it was supposed to be.

An album, released 45 years ago. It still gives me goosebumps, still excites me, still makes me stand up to hear. That is what music should do - it SHOULD move you. This one does. If you can, Lie Back And Enjoy It

I Don't Know

Crazy Train

Goodbye to Romance

Dee (Instrumental)

Suicide Solution

Side two

Mr Crowley

No Bone Movies

Revelation (Mother Earth)

Steal Away (The Night)

Ozzy Osbourne - vocals

Randy Rhoads - guitars

Bob Daisley - bass

Lee Kerslake - drums

Don't Airey - keyboards