Randy Rhoads helped make Quiet Riot and much of Ozzy Osbourne’s early solo ventures as legendary as they are today. We lost him far too young at just 25 years old in 1982 in a tragic plane accident, but his legacy lives on. He’s since been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, but I think he’s a bit underrated when it comes to mainstream audiences’ collective memories. Though, he’s far from underrated among fans of classic heavy metal. Let’s look at just a few songs that prove Randy Rhoads was a guitar genius, especially when it came to the art of crafting a sick solo.
“Mr. Crowley”
This classic metal tune from Ozzy Osbourne’s 1980 record Blizzard Of Ozz might just be the greatest song Randy Rhoads ever worked on. At least, plenty of his fans seem to think so. It’s hard to disagree. It’s on the slow side, but Rhoads’ riff on “Mr. Crowley” seemed to predict the rise of doom metal with its atmospheric, dark vibe. The solo on this song is absolutely incredible, and plenty of metal fans wish they could hear it for the very first time again.
Videos by American Songwriter
“Diary Of A Madman”
This song was the title track of Ozzy Osbourne’s 1981 album, and it’s quite a fine piece of work as a whole. However, Rhoads really steals the show on this one. He whips out some solid acoustic riffs at the beginning of “Diary Of A Madman” before diving into a glittering, distortion-filled riff that absolutely blows the whole mix out of the water. This song is definitely on the experimental side, but that experiment paid off. Rhoads’ riff is dynamic and thrilling from start to finish. Personally, I think this is one of his best works of his career, especially with Ozzy.
“Crazy Train”
Randy Rhoads absolutely killed this song, and it makes sense that it became one of Ozzy Osbourne’s most well-loved tracks. Released on Blizzard Of Ozz in 1980, the intro to this song is a standard among every young rock fan who picks up a guitar for the first time. However, it’s no easy feat to master. Rhoads’ licks are intense with a funk-leaning edge to them. Throughout this song, Rhoads whips out just about every heavy metal trick in the book.
Photo by Fin Costello/Redferns
More The List
-
NAZARETH / Die schottische Rockband NAZARETH, 70er Jahre. Musik, Band, Rock, 70er. (Photo by kpa/United Archives via Getty Images) -
Vancouver-based. Chilliwack – from left; Brain MacLeod; Ab Bryant; Skip Layton; Bill Henderson and Jamie Bowers – were described as taking rock 'n' roll where it's goig back in the San Francisco rock explosion of 1967. but they fizzled because they didn't tour to push record sales. They aren't making that mistake again. -
Maurice Gibb, Robin Gibb, Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees in New York City, New York (Photo by Bobby Bank/WireImage) -
Rock music legend Janis Joplin performs at the free Woodstock Music and Art Fair. The festival took place on Max Yasgur's dairy farm, which he rented to event organizers for $75,000. About 450,000 people attended the three day concert, which turned into chaos due to the crowds, heavy rains, and traffic jams. It is nonetheless romantically remembered as a symbol of the liberal spirit of the hippie generation. (Photo by Henry Diltz/Corbis via Getty Images) -
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ – AUGUST 30: Daryl Hall of Hall & Oates performs in concert at Etess Arena on August 30, 2019 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. (Photo by Donald Kravitz/Getty Images) -
LOS ANGELES – MAY 1999: (EDITORS NOTE: THIS IMAGE WAS CREATED USING COLOR INFRARED FILM) American rock band Smash Mouth (L – R) drummer Kevin Coleman, vocalist Steven Harwell, guitarist Greg Camp and bassist Paul De Lisle pose for a May 1999 portrait in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Bob Berg/Getty Images) -
Left to right: Doug Clifford, Tom Fogerty, John Fogerty and Stu Cook of American rock group, Creedence Clearwater Revival, in New York City, 1970. (Photo by PoPsie Randolph/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) -
Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage