Though I don't have access to youtube from work, there is a segment of "Seven Ages of Rock" where Mick Wall basically states that Sharon and Ozzy saw it (the accident) happen.
I thought that was an odd statement to make, given what we've all heard and read before, and that Sharon didn't ask/demand that be changed.
I understand Wall is a journalist first: sensationalism sells, etc. but, it's not as though he doesn't know their history. He wrote the Ozzy bio "Diary of a Madman" back in the 80's, wrote Don Arden's bio with him, and has been a journalist/ editor of Kerrang!/ Classic Rock magazine since the early 80's.
Though he doesn't say in the interview below, I'd guess Jake was standing with Don. I recall Tommy saying he was up and awake, making a cup of tea when the plane hit.
I do believe it was an accident, but what I don't believe is where people say where they were. Why is it that the only eyewitness affadavit we can read, is that of Wanda? We can read those of Ozzy, Sharon and Rudy, too, but they were sleeping.
I find it odd that the statements of Don, Jake and Tommy have never surfaced.
In this interview I've posted before, Don seems to want to talk about that day, but says he doesn't know if he should:
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.
BB: Well, that's exactly why I wanted to talk to you! Plus, you had the eye witness view of what happened the morning of the accident.
Don Airey: I'm lucky to be here. The plane missed me by inches.
BB: Were you right by the bus?
Don Airey: I was by the bus, then decided to move. When I turned around, there was a plane there! I'll never understand it. I saw Ozzy recently.
BB: You know, there's one more Randy thing I wanted to ask. Again, forgive me, but, I've never read anything extensive about it from you.
Don Airey: There is nothing I ever said about it.
BB: Sharon has mentioned you as being the "band photographer" on the road. Aren't there pictures that you took that morning?
Don Airey: Yeah.
BB: Do you still have those?
Don Airey: Of course.
BB: Did you take them just when you went up or were they flying around too?
Don Airey: I took a lot of photos.
BB: Did you take some of the scene afterwards?
Don Airey: I went in the house to see if I could get anyone out. There wasn't much left.
BB: I'm sorry, I know it's a heavy thing.
Don Airey: I don't know what to do. I don't know whether to talk about it or not.
BB: You know, this year is the 20th anniversary.
Don Airey: Oh, I know. March 19th of this year is a very difficult day for me. I send flowers every year. We've got pictures of him in our house. I remember him as best I can.
Whole interview here:
http://www.ballbustermusic.com/hard_tal ... airey.html
I guess the best account would have been from the Dakota doc, as that was claimed to be a 'riveting' interview that ran about four hours, but unfortunately, that trail seems to have gone cold.
Whenever I put on Blizzard or Diary, what a wonderful, delicate furious beast.... I MISS you, man!
