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DARK SECRETS: 3 | Vintage Vibes

“I was all over the place. But when I first heard Randy play, it was poetry in motion. I thought, ‘Wow, I’m onto a good thing here’”: Ozzy Osbourne couldn’t play guitar. Yet he changed the guitar world by introducing some of its greatest heroes

The late heavy-metal icon did not, could not, play guitar. Yet his contribution to the scene – whether giving a platform to fledgling gunslingers or igniting their talents – was inestimable

Guitar World

“Learned the solo the other day – it’s not perfect, but I’ll be damned if it wasn’t fun to play”: Grace Bowers channels her inner shredder with a searing tribute to Ozzy Osbourne and Randy Rhoads

The guitarist’s solo was flawless, and she says she only just picked it up recently

Guitar World

“He triple-tracked his solos. Ozzy told him, ‘Nobody can do that!’ Well, he could. That was just his genius”: Randy Rhoads’ sister Kathy is keeping his legacy alive with a new pedal and old memories

Kathy Rhoads recalls the young guitarist’s diary entry about the Prince of Darkness, his thoughts on the Eddie Van Halen comparisons, and touches on moments so painful she still can’t discuss them

Guitar World

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“Ozzy said, ‘Are you crazy? You’re a rock star. You could buy your own college by the time you’re done if you keep doing this!’” Just before his passing, Randy Rhoads was ready to leave the rock star life behind – and go back to school

His sister, Kathy Rhoads, reveals that their mom was already scouting schools before Randy broke the news to Ozzy

Guitar World

“I was gonna look like I was trying to be Randy. It was meant to look like the poster for Vertigo”: Zakk Wylde on how his iconic “Grail” Les Paul Custom got its bullseye finish – and gave him his signature style

Wylde says it was love at first sight with the Grail, but worried that people might see him as a Randy Rhoads clone, it needed a new look

Guitar World

“I always wanted to reconcile, tell him there weren’t any hard feelings and end things on a friendly note. I got to do that”: Jake E. Lee had a hero’s welcome at Back to the Beginning – but mending his rift with Ozzy Osbourne was what meant the most

Lee reflects on Ozzy’s final show, explains why he never bore a grudge over being fired, and recalls how the late Prince of Darkness made him a better guitarist with a single comment

Guitar World

“Ozzy looked well. He did not look like he was two weeks away from passing… The feeling was similar to when Randy passed away – that dead void, that emptiness”: Rudy Sarzo on the lifelong kindness of Ozzy Osbourne – and the miracle of his final weeks

The bassist stood shoulder to shoulder with Ozzy and Randy Rhoads at the height of Osbourne’s 1980s success. Now, in an exclusive interview, he recalls how the Black Sabbath icon changed his fortunesand earned his loyalty for life

Guitar World

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“I’m, like, ‘Why are they calling me? Did every rock guitar player in Los Angeles disappear spontaneously at the same time?’” When Joe Bonamassa guested on an Ozzy Osbourne album – and couldn't quite believe it

The blues hero has reflected on their unlikely union in 2005, and why he sees Ozzy as heavy metal’s John Mayall

Guitar World

Motörhead legend Lemmy Kilmister was asked to review Ozzy Osbourne’s first solo album in 2011 – this is what he said

One late metal legend looks back on the masterwork that launched the solo career of another late metal legend

Metal Hammer

“We love you, Ozzy!” Nuno Bettencourt covers three Ozzy Osbourne classics with Extreme – and nails Randy Rhoads and Jake E. Lee’s iconic solos

Fresh from his spot at Back to the Beginning, Bettencourt is continuing to doff his cap to the Prince of Darkness’ legacy

Guitar World

Fans line streets of Birmingham to say farewell to Ozzy Osbourne

Sharon Osbourne and couple’s children join mourners as singer’s hearse is driven through birthplace of heavy metal

The Guardian - UK

“The last text I got from Oz said, ‘Zakky, sorry, it was like a madhouse back there. I didn’t see you. Thanks for everything’”: Zakk Wylde looks back on his closer-than-close relationship with Ozzy Osbourne, and their final moments together onstage

Wylde was the Black Sabbath icon's guitarist and friend for decades. He reflects on his instant connection with the Prince of Darkness, how their relationship evolved both on and offstage, and that emotional final show at Back to the Beginning

Guitar World

“Bears clear indication of its historical significance”: Randy Rhoads’ Quiet Riot Les Paul – which features on the back cover of their debut record – expected to sell for up to $200,000 at auction

His heavily worn pre-Ozzy axe is expected to fetch $200K when it sells next month

Guitar World

“We were doing that riff and cracking up laughing the whole time”: Zakk Wylde on how a “joke” riff won Ozzy Osbourne his first ever Grammy

The No More Tears sessions found the Ozzy camp in high spirits and ready to lay down a record that would take the Prince of Darkness' solo career to new heights

MusicRadar

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The Guardian - UK

‘He spoke up for me when I was in prison’: Anthrax, Lamb of God, Rick Wakeman and more share memories of Ozzy Osbourne

After Osbourne’s death at 76, the heavy metal greats he inspired remember his pranks, generosity and quadruple brandies – and relive the tears at his farewell show

The Guardian - UK

‘Laughing and out of breath, he thanked us for the snowball fight’: fans on the magic of Ozzy Osbourne

The Prince of Darkness was unexpectedly self-effacing, hilarious and generous, say lovers of Black Sabbath

Guitar World

“I look over at Zakk and he can’t work the fretboard. I’m screaming at him, ‘It’s from liftin’ them weights!’ I didn’t realize he’d taken all the antibiotics in the bottle”: How Ozzy Osbourne and Zakk Wylde became metal’s most beloved partnership

In this GW interview from 2018, the two metal greats sat down on the eve of Ozzy’s farewell tour to reflect on their three-decade partnership, from Wylde’s audition to their wildest stage story

Space

Ozzy Osbourne's journey through space, time and sci-fi: A Tribute to the 'Prince of Darkness'

A Space.com obituary for the ‘Prince of Darkness' Ozzy Osbourne.

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Guitar World

Ozzy Osbourne’s guitarists through the years: the players who served the Prince of Darkness for his classic albums and tours, in pictures

The Black Sabbath frontman shared stage and studio with a pantheon of guitar greats, and made household names out of many of his six-string sideman

Metal Hammer

From drugs, despondency and dead bats to celebrity status and heavy metal godfather, the rollercoaster story of Ozzy Osbourne's solo career

After his turbulent exit from Black Sabbath, it turned out Ozzy's wild story was only just beginning

International Business Times UK

Randy Rhoads Death Remembered Along With Ozzy Osbourne: Who Is He And What Role Did He Play In The Rockstar's Career?

Randy Rhoads's tragic death is remembered as Ozzy Osbourne reflects on the guitarist's legacy and how he shaped his solo career.

The Guardian - UK

Sabbath, Satanism and solo stunners: Ozzy Osbourne’s 10 best recordings

From his desolate wail on Black Sabbath’s doomy 70s masterpieces, to the twisted self-awareness of his huge-selling solo albums, Osbourne’s vocal style influenced generations of heavy metal

The Guardian - UK

Ozzy Osbourne obituary

Heavy metal singer who found fame with Black Sabbath, launched the Ozzfest rock festival and became a reality TV star

Guitar World

“I want someone that’s hungry. I want someone who wants to go out and kick Eddie Van Halen’s ass”: Ozzy Osbourne rates his guitarists – and reflects on the highs and lows of Black Sabbath

In this classic interview from the GW archives, the Prince of Darkness speaks candidly about bandmates past and present – from Randy Rhoads to Zakk Wylde – and what he looks for in a guitarist

Guitar World

“I'm no superman, no person from another planet – I'm just a lucky guy”: Ozzy Osbourne was an extraordinary frontman and working class hero with great taste in guitar players

The Black Sabbath icon has died at the age of 76, and leaves behind a legacy of game-changing music and guitar talent

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