Randy Rhoads’ guitar riffs re-shaped rock ‘n roll and raised the stakes for guitarists around the world. Known primarily as the lead guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne and for his groundbreaking guitar work on the albums “Blizzard of Ozz” and “Diary of a Madman”, Randy spent most of his life playing in a small band known at the time, Quiet Riot. After leaving Quiet Riot to play, record and tour with Ozzy, Randy died at the young age of 25 in a tragic plane crash in Florida. His body died that day, but his soul and music live on forever.
For over five decades, Ozzy Osbourne has personified rock and roll, from his childhood in poverty and time in prison, to fronting metal band Black Sabbath, a successful solo career and a lovable 21st century television dad.
Randall William Rhoads (December 6, 1956 – March 19, 1982) was an American heavy metal guitarist who played with Quiet Riot and Ozzy Osbourne. A devoted student of classical guitar, Rhoads combined his classical music influences with his own heavy metal style. He died in a plane accident while on tour with Osbourne in Florida in 1982. Despite his short career, Rhoads, who was a major influence on neoclassical metal, is cited as an influence by many guitarists and is included in several "Greatest Guitarist" lists.