The day I met Randy Rhoads
Posted: Mon May 16, 2011 11:41 pm
This story has been posted elsewhere on the net in slightly different forms so I apologise to anyone who has already read it but I hope you find it of interest. Enjoy the read.
On Oct 9th 1980, I saw Blizzard Of Ozz at one of their first ever shows in Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, UK. My home town. Bob Daisley and Lee Kerslake were in the band at the time. Having already heard the album - it was already a favourite of mine (and still is) I knew is was going to be a great gig - and it was! I remember paying particular attention to Randy's palying, lead breaks etc. and he was spot on - clear and in your face! Due to my starting a new job that week job, I had a hearing test the next day when I was told I was deaf in my right ear. I let the Doc know I was at a gig the night before, on the right hand side of the stage and my ear was side-on to the PA. Yep, it was loud.
As an aside, I bought a "Blizzard" T-shirt at that gig and I was wearing it the night I met my wife!! (We're still together 30 years later).
Those were the days when I used to get as close to the front as I could. The following year on August 1st 1981 I travelled with my pals and a few coachloads of other Welsh rock fans to the Port Vale Heavy Metal Holocaust where Ozzy, with Randy, had been added to the bill due to Black Sabbath's cancellation. It was a short, but great, open air gig. A great atmosphere, but the best was yet to come.
On Nov 30th 1981, I saw the band on the Diary Of A Madman tour (I still have the sweat shirt) and again, I got within a few rows of the front of the stage, on the right hand side, of course. Once again. for the third time, Randy Rhoads guitar work was fantastic and he was right there in front of me. In my pocket, I had a backstage pass which was given to me by a friend who only went along to see the support act, Girl - featuring Phil Collen, now of Def Leppard.
After the show I tried to get back stage only to be confronted by Sharon Osbourne (yes, really!!) who yelled - "Only people with Madman passes are allowed past this point". I waved my "Madman Pass" in her face and it was swiped from me by a security guard. I managed to see her bundling Ozzy in to a waiting black Range Rover outside the stage door. The security guys then directed me back to the main auditorium, which was basically empty. To my surprise, as the roadies were packing away the gear and on the stage were Tommy Aldridge, Rudy Sarzo and Randy Rhoads. Now, you must understand that at this point, most of the publicity around the band was about Ozzy and his "wild" antics and very little was known about the band personalities. I approached Randy only knowing him as an absolute Monster of a guitarist on stage - blowing the roof off every time I'd seen him. Imagine my surprise when he crouched down at the edge of the stage to have a chat with me and sign my Tour Programme. I was amazed to find he was friendly, quietly spoken and seemed genuinely interested in what I thought of the show. I guess I'm one of the lucky ones who actually got to meet him and tell him what a fantastic guitarist I thought he was. Whilst those few minutes are a precious memory - what I'd give now to do it again!!
After only a few dates (3 I think), the European Tour was cancelled the very next day, which only adds to the value of my encounter as we all now know that this line up of the band would never again return to Europe.
I framed my 'Diary Of A Madman' tour programme, folded so as Randy's photo/autograph is visible. This programme is also signed by Rudy and Tommy on their respective pages. It proudly hangs on my wall in my home in Australia. I often glance across at it when practicing my guitar playing and it never fails to inspire - nearly 30 years on. Magic...pure magic!
On Oct 9th 1980, I saw Blizzard Of Ozz at one of their first ever shows in Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, UK. My home town. Bob Daisley and Lee Kerslake were in the band at the time. Having already heard the album - it was already a favourite of mine (and still is) I knew is was going to be a great gig - and it was! I remember paying particular attention to Randy's palying, lead breaks etc. and he was spot on - clear and in your face! Due to my starting a new job that week job, I had a hearing test the next day when I was told I was deaf in my right ear. I let the Doc know I was at a gig the night before, on the right hand side of the stage and my ear was side-on to the PA. Yep, it was loud.
As an aside, I bought a "Blizzard" T-shirt at that gig and I was wearing it the night I met my wife!! (We're still together 30 years later).
Those were the days when I used to get as close to the front as I could. The following year on August 1st 1981 I travelled with my pals and a few coachloads of other Welsh rock fans to the Port Vale Heavy Metal Holocaust where Ozzy, with Randy, had been added to the bill due to Black Sabbath's cancellation. It was a short, but great, open air gig. A great atmosphere, but the best was yet to come.
On Nov 30th 1981, I saw the band on the Diary Of A Madman tour (I still have the sweat shirt) and again, I got within a few rows of the front of the stage, on the right hand side, of course. Once again. for the third time, Randy Rhoads guitar work was fantastic and he was right there in front of me. In my pocket, I had a backstage pass which was given to me by a friend who only went along to see the support act, Girl - featuring Phil Collen, now of Def Leppard.
After the show I tried to get back stage only to be confronted by Sharon Osbourne (yes, really!!) who yelled - "Only people with Madman passes are allowed past this point". I waved my "Madman Pass" in her face and it was swiped from me by a security guard. I managed to see her bundling Ozzy in to a waiting black Range Rover outside the stage door. The security guys then directed me back to the main auditorium, which was basically empty. To my surprise, as the roadies were packing away the gear and on the stage were Tommy Aldridge, Rudy Sarzo and Randy Rhoads. Now, you must understand that at this point, most of the publicity around the band was about Ozzy and his "wild" antics and very little was known about the band personalities. I approached Randy only knowing him as an absolute Monster of a guitarist on stage - blowing the roof off every time I'd seen him. Imagine my surprise when he crouched down at the edge of the stage to have a chat with me and sign my Tour Programme. I was amazed to find he was friendly, quietly spoken and seemed genuinely interested in what I thought of the show. I guess I'm one of the lucky ones who actually got to meet him and tell him what a fantastic guitarist I thought he was. Whilst those few minutes are a precious memory - what I'd give now to do it again!!
After only a few dates (3 I think), the European Tour was cancelled the very next day, which only adds to the value of my encounter as we all now know that this line up of the band would never again return to Europe.
I framed my 'Diary Of A Madman' tour programme, folded so as Randy's photo/autograph is visible. This programme is also signed by Rudy and Tommy on their respective pages. It proudly hangs on my wall in my home in Australia. I often glance across at it when practicing my guitar playing and it never fails to inspire - nearly 30 years on. Magic...pure magic!
A couple of passes i have from the 1981 UK tour.