The day I met Randy Rhoads

[Glam Keef]

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!

[SLAGER]

Wow, thats an awesome story. You are one very lucky guy. Thanks for posting it.

[Geo Sav]

Are you kidden me! Thats awsome. Great story.

[dasboot]

Great story. Felt like I was there. Very lucky to have seen Randy three times and of course meet him. Ive heard those shows were really loud.

[AeolianMad]

Wow. Incredible story, man...I would have loved to seen him!

[dinomite]

That is awesome! Thanks so much for posting this. You're so lucky to have seen the original Blizzard of Ozz as well as seeing the band play on a Diary show and meet Randy. What I would give to be in your position...
Once again mate, thanks for sharing!

[hansolo]

It always seems the least talented want to talk about the gig. It reminds me of the treatment of various jobs I've had and still have. Today, I talked to my big boss or my bosses boss. I had one item I wanted to get across which had to do with a someone on 1st shift inventing or doing things different then the rest. It was investigated and the big man said, there is already a procedure in place. He pulled out a procedure that I've never seen that matched the point I was trying to make! OK great, but then he said there has to be a meeting, a consensus reached even though it IS a policy already! Then my other suggestions about training and and troubleshooting (I'm an electronic tech) went over their heads. They said a person will take over the job soon and I can address the issues with that guy. F U - figure out your own job DOUCHER! I'm not telling anyone how to do their job. F them if they don't promote those that know! F' up and move up. America has it's head up it's own ass with nepotism and favoritism. United we stand divided we fall. divide and conquer. 4 year degrees are about putting "nice" people in nice salaries, not what they do. It's class-ism at the worst. It is about judging people - what they will take before they break...

[The Flying Dutchman]

Great story GK, thnx for sharing!
How did it end with your right ear?

[Glam Keef]

My ear test was done at the start of my apprenticeship and at the end of it, some 4 years later, I had to have an identical test with the same guy using the same eqiupment. That way the comparison between before and after could be analysed.
I have no idea what they do about the results if your hearing is shot!
The guy who did both tests was amazed and stated "it's incredible - you were profoundly deaf in the right ear when I tested you 4 years ago and now your hearing is perfect". He was blown away. I did explain that this is normal after a gig - a few days of partial deafness and then everything seems to get back to normal - but he was having none of it. I remember him saying "you can't recover from that degree of deafness!"
Ha, ha, ha!

[The Flying Dutchman]

Guess he never went to concerts!

[Glam Keef]

Here are some photos of my autographed programme.

[dinomite]

Ha Ha! What a ripper! I always love the feeling of coming home late from a good gig and hearing the ring. Helps reflect on the moment.

What a great Autograph! Amazing! Thanks for sharing.

[GUITARIDOL5682]

Yeah we older folk have been lucky to see Ozzy and Randy in concert. But you seen him 3 times which is even better. I posted a couple of pics up from the 1981 Cardiff gig, i don't know if you've seen these ?. I was well pissed off when Ozzy was suppose to play my home town (Newcastle upon Tyne UK) during the '81 UK tour. It would of been on Randy's birthday 5th Dec then the 6th Dec 2 nights cancelled. A couple of passes i have from the 1981 UK tour.

[Glam Keef]

I posted a couple of pics up from the 1981 Cardiff gig, i don't know if you've seen these ?.

Great stuff - where can I find them?

[GUITARIDOL5682]

I posted a couple of pics up from the 1981 Cardiff gig, i don't know if you've seen these ?.

Great stuff - where can I find them?

I've just had a search for them i cannot find them, hang on and i''l check my posts ok. They are not the best pics in the world but they are from the mentioned gig.
Found the link to the thread

viewtopic.php?f=41&t=5663&hilit=+Sophia+gardens