Playing the Blizzard of Ozz records,you can't escape Randy's song-writing talents and sparkling musical abilities.Reading the old Sounds magazine features you become filled with sadness for the rare talent we've all lost.
Quoting my own review from the December 1981 issue of Sounds; 'Randy will soon be recognised as the HM guitarist.His playing is confident and versatile-as savage as a bull terrier,as pain-wracked as a tormented soul or as tender as an angel's kiss.Sometimes fluent and free flowing, other times ferocious and frenzied.And his soaring spluttering guitar breaks add a whole new dimensions to set-closer Paranoid;
But on reflection i don't think anyone in the press ever paid Randy enough attention.I suppose that was because he was so modest and unpushy that he was ultimately over-shadowed by the flamboyance of his comrade Ozzy.He was just happy to take a backseat to the wonderful over the top totality of the Blizzard experience.
The touring might have been a strain but to Randy it made everything worthwhile:'I was so proud when we played Los Angeles,' he said 'I've never seen anything like it.The kids were standing all the way through the show.That meant a helluva lot to me.Ozzy told me we were gonna be huge here but i never thought we'd go down as good at home as we had done in England because English audiences are phenomenal.
But it's been standing ovations every night.And i was really proud of the gold records.Even though it's all been real hard work,that was the real reward.
'Everybody's so crazy,every night's like insanity.I'm always looking to find a spark from the audience.Most of the time you can't avoid it and even if you can't get it some nights you just have to try and grab what you can.A bad show for Ozzy is still great from what i've seen,crowdwise;
But he never appreciated the attentions of the inevitable groupies. 'I find that scene really intimidating,I like talking to people,but i don't know what to say to a lot of these girls.In a way it's great that they're there,but it's not for me.I enjoy more getting to know people.I've got a bit of self-respect and pride...I've seen chicks who've been with every band i've toured with-I'd be embarresed to show my face.'He was plainly a lot happier discussing his guitars,his Les Paul's,his polka dot V and his own ever improving style.'Ive become much more moody in my playing.In between the two albums my style has changed alot.I think it's getting stronger and more self-confident.I enjoy just playing what i feel,and with the new band being so tight now,it gives me a lot of scope to try out new ideas,new feelings.
'Teaching guitar changed my whole attitude to playing.It made me think about what i was playing more...and,of course i had to force myself to learn more and more all the time to keep ahead of the kids i was teaching.I really enjoyed it .i'll probably go back to teaching some day,but i know i'm gonna love being with Ozzy for at least the next four years.
'It's very easy to get jaded and forget who you are in this business,but that's impossible with Ozzy because i don't think he's ever lost touch with the people.He's a real genuine person,besides being a lunatic!!.
Typically one of Randy's greatest pleasures on the long US tours was stopping off at obscure clubs and jamming with whatever band were playing.'Its great just to walk in and play with a young band.It's even better when, as has happened a few times, you walk in and they're playing one of our songs.I really get a big kick out of that.'
And as for his ambitions;'Someday,i'd like to do a solo album with lots of different styles.Get a few great musicians to work with and let myself go as far as i can..But at the moment i'm having such a real good time i'm not even thinking ahead.It's all happening so quick...it all keeps rolling.It's totally great.There's nothing i'd rather be doing'
Randy Rhoads was a rare talent;a maestro behind the mayhem.With his death rock n roll has lost a gentle man of considerable ability.Everyone who loves rock music will mourn his passing.
Garry Bushell 1985
These words are a comfort to us all, don't you agree
i remember Frank's postcard that was a massive exclusive at the time. 
