Why was Randy Rhoads' tone so crap?

[Goat]

Accordng to several friends, Randy's live tone was incredible. Though unrelated, they said that Randy wasn't into Ozzy's stage antics, at all. They say that Randy looked like he wanted to be anywhere but on-stage with Ozzy. Between songs, Randy would roll his eyes, shake his head, look at his finger nails, yawn... They said he appeared especially irritated when Ozzy lifted him up. I suppose doing the same show over and over would be irritating to some.

Rudy Sarzo wrote a book called "Off the Rails: Aboard the Crazy Train in the Blizzard of Ozz".. Was a really good read and is mostly about Randy. Randy was done with Ozzy and was supposed to record Speak of the Devil as his last album.

Thanks, I'll check it out.

In regards to the accident... I've seen detailed photos (through a 1st responder) of the aftermath of the plane crash. Chilling! Why did Randy get on that damned plane? From what I've read, he feared flying.

Wait, you've seen THE photos of the plane crash that took Randy's life?? I know curiosity would get the better of me but that can't have been anything other than horrifying. What a car crash looks like let alone a plane crash..yikes. As for Ozzy's stage antics, you can find some bootlegs on YouTube where you see Randy turning away or moving so he doesn't get picked up by Ozzy during his leads. I think he got into the zone for the music but could do without the rest. Imagine dealing with Ozzy out of his mind all day and night on tour.

Yes. It was as bad you can imagine. Really bad. Randy and the pilot were ejected from the plane on impact. The pilot appeared to have rolled forward through the windshield; as his body was in a crouched/sitting position against the garage wall.

I remember reading the autopsy report. The one thing that just sucked beyond suck was that his right hand(?) was completely severed. Was either right or left, I cant quite remember it was so long ago. That hit me hard cause its like man, he was killed, this great musician and didnt even die with both hands intact. His hands were his world.. and..I dunno..just seems to make it worse for me I guess. Turns out the pilot had been doing blow and was going thru a really bad breakup with his wife at the time. Dunno if it matters but they said he was a little unstable.

I believe it was Don Airey that said there appeared to be a struggle going on inside the cockpit, prior to the crash. He was taking pictures before, during, up to the crash. He has not made any of the images public.

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

Well this is bizarre but Airey had this to say as well ( I dug this up as curiosity got the better of me)

----

BB: Which, unfortunately, brings us to the Randy tragedy. Forgive me, as I know this is a sensitive subject, but, I have to ask. As I understand it, you were the main witness to the accident. You were actually up in the plane just before Randy did, right? Didn't you come down just minutes before Randy & Rachel went up?

Don Airey: I think so. We went up and then came down. Then Randy went up with Rachel. That's what happened.

BB: Were you standing outside watching when it happened?

Don Airey: I saw the whole thing.

BB: I've heard so many things about it. I've heard that both Randy and Rachel hated to fly. And recently, I heard Sharon say that they didn't even like each other. So, what put them on a plane together at eight in the morning?

Don Airey: No, it was just one of those things, you know? It was a beautiful morning. You could smell the orange blossom. We trusted the guy who flew the plane. I never talk about it. I've never really talked about this. It was the most awful thing I ever saw. I don't like to talk about it because the ramifications are so awful. What actually happened that day? We'll never know. I'll never know why the plane crashed. It was just an innocent kind of thing.

BB: What was the drivers mindset like when you went up in the plane with him? Did you notice him being a little wacky? I guess they found coke in his system during the autopsy. Sharon and Ozzy seem to believe that because the piolet's ex-wife was standing outside by the bus, that for a split second he saw her and wanted to "off" her and that's why he swooped down. Does that sound even possible to you?

Don Airey: I'll just say this one thing about this and I don't want to say anything more. I had to give a deposition to the FAA and the guy said to me, "If it's any comfort, this wasn't an accident."

BB: This was the head investigator?

Don Airey: Yeah, he said, "but we can't say anything." The thing is, no one will ever know. We'll never know why it happened. All I know is I lost the best guitar player I've ever played with. He was just fantastic. He was just one of those guys who wasn't long for this world. Ozzy used to say about him, "He ain't gonna make old bones!" I was very glad I knew him (Randy). He was something very special, that's all I can tell you. I feel very happy about the fact that I knew him. I feel happy about the fact that I got on very well with him musically and personally. We were planning great things. We had the next "edition" of the Ozzy saga kind of planned. We used to get together and try out different things. I was older than him. It was the first time I had been in a band where I was significantly older than someone. So, he was like a kid to me. He was so fresh, but he understood everything. I could talk about him all night and I never get the chance.

It still is odd that he would get in that plane..especially if they did not like each other. Pilot might of actually just lost his mind for that split second and said fuck it all.. remember that swiss pilot that slowly coasted into the mountain a few years back? People make irrational decisions when they are depressed or not stable.

 

[phil b]

Thats an interesting read to say the least! Thanks for posting that.

 

[Goat]

Since the autopsy reports are posted online, I will tell you what I saw, as respectfully as I can. Randy was ejected from the plane, where he came to rest on the hood of a vehicle that was parked in the garage. The autopsy report is consistent with what I recall in the photos. Andrew Aycock's body was in a slumped sitting position against the inner wall, below where the plane hit. Reports read that Aycock was found against the outside wall, but that's not what it looked like to me. It looked like he was inside the garage. I suppose I could be recalling incorrectly, but I don't think so. I don't recall seeing any pics of the makeup artist.

 

[311splawndude]

That was hard to read guys but thanks for posting it nonetheless.

 

[Goat]

Since we're on the topic, I recently read the NTSB final report on the Lynyrd Skynyrd plane crash. According to the NTSB, there is no-way the engine problem could have leaked the amount of fuel that should have been in the tank, nor was the fuel dumped. Years ago, there were rumors circulating that two members of management had used the plane to pick-up a load of dope, and neglected to top-off the tanks before leaving. I don't see how anyone could take-off from an airport without being detected, so I never bought into the rumor. The band was being watched by the DEA, in regards to what was an ongoing investigation into a southern drug ring. Linda Blair was questioned in federal court over it, but I don't know what ever became of it. Some think Linda Blair may have been working as an informant, others say no. Some have spectualted that the plane was sabotaged; as a response to Ronnie's unwillingness to drop the Confederate flag stage prop. Who knows? Point is, there are 200 +/- gallons of fuel that are unaccounted for.

 

[metalmaniac93]

His live tone was killer. Seen him live February 8, 1982 at Cobo Hall in Detroit. I recorded the KBFH Montreal 81 show off the radio and that was my introduction to his live tone before I saw him. I wore that tape out.

 

[LP Freak]

 

[phil b]

Funny.. I had some video from Kevin DuBrows bday bash when they played I think it was the Whiskey. It was really bad quality but Randy was basically playing the same live solo that he played in Ozzy. I was surprised and a little disappointed to be honest but he still sounded great!

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

I hear you on the live solo from the QR days..but the same goes for the recycled riffs that became the blizzard album. Thing is, those riffs sound wayyyy better with Ozzy. It just feels like the whole thing got dialed in and more refined with Ozzy. Small planes and helicopters..I don't get in them for a reason.

 

[Mr. Willy]

I hear you on the live solo from the QR days..but the same goes for the recycled riffs that became the blizzard album. Thing is, those riffs sound wayyyy better with Ozzy. It just feels like the whole thing got dialed in and more refined with Ozzy.

Bob Daisley is the reason for that. As brilliant a guitarist/writer as Randy was, even he owes a debt to Daisley’s involvement in the construction of all those songs.

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

I hear you on the live solo from the QR days..but the same goes for the recycled riffs that became the blizzard album. Thing is, those riffs sound wayyyy better with Ozzy. It just feels like the whole thing got dialed in and more refined with Ozzy.

Bob Daisley is the reason for that. As brilliant a guitarist/writer as Randy was, even he owes a debt to Daisley’s involvement in the construction of all those songs.

Agreed. He's another tragedy in all of this. Poor guy was like an abused wife who kept going back for more. I believe he also had a hand on BATM and some material on Ultimate Sin?

 

[Mr. Willy]

I hear you on the live solo from the QR days..but the same goes for the recycled riffs that became the blizzard album. Thing is, those riffs sound wayyyy better with Ozzy. It just feels like the whole thing got dialed in and more refined with Ozzy.

Bob Daisley is the reason for that. As brilliant a guitarist/writer as Randy was, even he owes a debt to Daisley’s involvement in the construction of all those songs.

Agreed. He's another tragedy in all of this. Poor guy was like an abused wife who kept going back for more. I believe he also had a hand on BATM and some material on Ultimate Sin?

As far as I know, he had his hand in every album up to and including No More Tears. That’s him playing the bass riff on the title track of NMT. Ozzy owes his carrier more to Daisley than any other person, IMHO.

 

[nightflameauto]

I hear you on the live solo from the QR days..but the same goes for the recycled riffs that became the blizzard album. Thing is, those riffs sound wayyyy better with Ozzy. It just feels like the whole thing got dialed in and more refined with Ozzy.

Bob Daisley is the reason for that. As brilliant a guitarist/writer as Randy was, even he owes a debt to Daisley’s involvement in the construction of all those songs.

Agreed. He's another tragedy in all of this. Poor guy was like an abused wife who kept going back for more. I believe he also had a hand on BATM and some material on Ultimate Sin?

As far as I know, he had his hand in every album up to and including No More Tears. That’s him playing the bass riff on the title track of NMT. Ozzy owes his carrier more to Daisley than any other person, IMHO.

Don't let Sharon catch wind of that.

 

[Mr. Willy]

I hear you on the live solo from the QR days..but the same goes for the recycled riffs that became the blizzard album. Thing is, those riffs sound wayyyy better with Ozzy. It just feels like the whole thing got dialed in and more refined with Ozzy.

Bob Daisley is the reason for that. As brilliant a guitarist/writer as Randy was, even he owes a debt to Daisley’s involvement in the construction of all those songs.

Agreed. He's another tragedy in all of this. Poor guy was like an abused wife who kept going back for more. I believe he also had a hand on BATM and some material on Ultimate Sin?

As far as I know, he had his hand in every album up to and including No More Tears. That’s him playing the bass riff on the title track of NMT. Ozzy owes his carrier more to Daisley than any other person, IMHO.

Don't let Sharon catch wind of that.

You got that right! ?

 

[GreatRedDragon]

I hear you on the live solo from the QR days..but the same goes for the recycled riffs that became the blizzard album. Thing is, those riffs sound wayyyy better with Ozzy. It just feels like the whole thing got dialed in and more refined with Ozzy.

Bob Daisley is the reason for that. As brilliant a guitarist/writer as Randy was, even he owes a debt to Daisley’s involvement in the construction of all those songs.

Agreed. He's another tragedy in all of this. Poor guy was like an abused wife who kept going back for more. I believe he also had a hand on BATM and some material on Ultimate Sin?

As far as I know, he had his hand in every album up to and including No More Tears. That’s him playing the bass riff on the title track of NMT. Ozzy owes his carrier more to Daisley than any other person, IMHO.

Bob played bass on the entire No More Tears album. Mike Inez wrote the NMT bass riff but Bob played it.

Bob wrote the lyrics for Ozzy's first five solo albums and he played bass on every album from Blizzard to Tears with the exception of The Ultimate Sin, which he wrote and rehearsed but he quit the band before recording. Ozzy brought in Phil Soussan to replace him, and Soussan brought with him Shot in the Dark which Ozzy rewrote (to an unknown extent). According to Daisley, his involvement in No More Tears ended after recording his parts but before writing lyrics, when he asked for publishing rights instead of taking a buy out. That was the end of his involvement with Ozzy.

More than any other musician, Bob Daisley defined Ozzy in the 80s in the same way Geezer Butler did in the 70s. He was the constant thread through the Randy era, the Jake era and the beginning of the Zakk era. Once Daisley was out of the picture Ozzy's albums were forever after written by outside writers and producers.

 

[Beyond Black]

I hear you on the live solo from the QR days..but the same goes for the recycled riffs that became the blizzard album. Thing is, those riffs sound wayyyy better with Ozzy. It just feels like the whole thing got dialed in and more refined with Ozzy.

Bob Daisley is the reason for that. As brilliant a guitarist/writer as Randy was, even he owes a debt to Daisley’s involvement in the construction of all those songs.

Agreed. He's another tragedy in all of this. Poor guy was like an abused wife who kept going back for more. I believe he also had a hand on BATM and some material on Ultimate Sin?

As far as I know, he had his hand in every album up to and including No More Tears. That’s him playing the bass riff on the title track of NMT. Ozzy owes his carrier more to Daisley than any other person, IMHO.

And the O$bournes screwed him and many others over time and time again. Between that and re-recording Blizzard and Diary with a different drummer and bass player to avoid paying royalties to Daisley and Kerslake, I have no use for O$$Y and $haron. Scumbags both.

 

[controlled_voltage]

the tone in this video can put any doubt about RR's tone being "crap' to rest forever

 

[sytharnia1560]

I hear you on the live solo from the QR days..but the same goes for the recycled riffs that became the blizzard album. Thing is, those riffs sound wayyyy better with Ozzy. It just feels like the whole thing got dialed in and more refined with Ozzy.

Bob Daisley is the reason for that. As brilliant a guitarist/writer as Randy was, even he owes a debt to Daisley’s involvement in the construction of all those songs.

Agreed. He's another tragedy in all of this. Poor guy was like an abused wife who kept going back for more. I believe he also had a hand on BATM and some material on Ultimate Sin?

As far as I know, he had his hand in every album up to and including No More Tears. That’s him playing the bass riff on the title track of NMT. Ozzy owes his carrier more to Daisley than any other person, IMHO.

And the O$bournes screwed him and many others over time and time again. Between that and re-recording Blizzard and Diary with a different drummer and bass player to avoid paying royalties to Daisley and Kerslake, I have no use for O$$Y and $haron. Scumbags both.

The terrible re-recordings weren't to screw Bob and Lee out of royalties as they don't get performance royalties anyway (which is what all the lawsuits have been about). It was just a big middle finger to them from Sharon. Bob still gets writing royalties from both Blizzard and Diary and has from day 1 (again it is the performance royalties he doesn't get)

 

[Goat]

The terrible re-recordings weren't to screw Bob and Lee out of royalties as they don't get performance royalties anyway (which is what all the lawsuits have been about). It was just a big middle finger to them from Sharon. Bob still gets writing royalties from both Blizzard and Diary and has from day 1 (again it is the performance royalties he doesn't get)

I don't believe this is correct. I was told by a very well-known musician who once worked with Ozzy and Sharon, that Bob and Lee were getting performance royalties. When the songs were re-recorded, those royalties stopped... hence, the lawsuit. Bob continued to receive writing royalties, as he was the chief lyricist.