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OnDaFence 36M/44M
44267 posts
3/18/2017 7:17 pm

Last Read:
4/3/2017 10:45 am

35 Years Ago



One of classic rock’s enduring legends passed from us on March 19, 1982, when 25-year-old Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Randy Rhoads — despite having a reported fear of flying — perished in a fiery crash at Leesburg, Fla., after a joy ride in a Beechcraft Bonanza.



Rhoads’ shooting-star of a career had lasted less than 10 years, first as a co-founder of Quiet Riot (at just 16) and then as a spark for Osbourne’s initial foray in solo work after leaving Black Sabbath — a brief but important period that included both 1980’s Blizzard of Ozz and 1981’s Diary of a Madman.


( Tommy Aldridge, Randy Rhoads, Ozzy Osbourne, Rudy Sarzo )

Fans have had an uncommon struggle coming to terms with Rhoads’ sudden end, despite the fact that similarly sized Beechcraft planes have been involved over the years with the deaths of several famous musicians — including country music star Jim Reeves and, in what’s become known as the Day the Music Died, Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper.


(this one is very similar)

Aycock had, according to a report from the National Transportation Safety Board, commandeered the 1955 single-engine aircraft from the nearby Flying Baron Estates after deciding to stay the night at plane owner Jerry Calhoun’s home — a Georgian-style mansion adjacent to the airstrip. Aycock, who lived nearby, was reportedly friends with Calhoun, a country singer.



Osbourne, his manager and future wife Sharon, bassist Rudy Sarzo, drummer Tommy Aldridge and keyboardist Don Airey were asleep in an adjacent tour bus. Aycock made as many as three passes over the home, apparently in a joy-riding attempt to buzz over the other band members. On the final pass, the plane clipped the tour bus, spun out of control, hit a nearby pine tree and then nose dived into the house. The ensuing fireball killed all three passengers, who were left unrecognizable by the flames. Rhoads had to be identified by his jewelry. Remarkably, no one was injured in Calhoun’s home.



The report issued from the NTSB, which investigates plane crashes like Rhoads’, said this tragedy was the result of of poor judgment: “The pilot, who was a rock group driver, took an aircraft from the hangar without permission to joy ride members of the group,” the report states. The FAA conducted toxicology tests on the plane’s occupants, concluding that Rhoads had only nicotine in his system. Aycock reportedly tested positive for trace amounts of cocaine.



Raised by a single mother, Rhoads’ training in classical music gave him a cliche-free sound unique to rock. He was buried in San Bernardino, California, where a yearly vigil has followed on the guitarist’s Dec. 6 birthday.



May 31, 2011 marked the 30-year anniversary and re-master/release of Blizzard of Ozz and Diary of a Madman. Both albums were remastered and restored to their original state with Bob Daisley's bass and Lee Kerslake's drums intact. Blizzard has three bonus tracks – "You, Looking at Me, Looking at You", "Goodbye to Romance" (2010 Vocal & Guitar Mix), and "RR" (Randy Rhoads in-studio guitar solo). Originally, Diary was to include long fade out versions of "You Can't Kill Rock and Roll", "Tonight", and "Diary of a Madman" (2010 Re-mix version), but were not included in the re-issue.



The Legacy version of Diary of a Madman includes a second CD called Ozzy Live, a live album pulled together from multiple performances on the 1981 Blizzard of Ozz tour. This performance features the same line up as the Tribute album. Also included exclusively in the special box set are the 180 gram vinyl versions of the original albums, an expansive 100-page coffee table book and the DVD – Thirty Years After the Blizzard, which includes unreleased Rhoads video footage.



OnDaFence 36M/44M

3/18/2017 7:22 pm

Crazy Train was never the same.


OnDaFence 36M/44M

3/18/2017 7:25 pm

He strived for perfection in everything he did


OnDaFence 36M/44M

3/18/2017 7:26 pm

practicing on his guitar while the rest of the band was out partying.


OnDaFence 36M/44M

3/18/2017 7:28 pm

His lost talent has not been replicated.


Hungr4Yungr 75M
5766 posts
3/18/2017 8:48 pm

This Randy look like somebody I know who lives in N Iowa.


OnDaFence 36M/44M

3/18/2017 8:57 pm

    Quoting Hungr4Yungr:
    This Randy look like somebody I know who lives in N Iowa.
it's the hair dryer pic that JD says is ME!


OnDaFence 36M/44M

3/18/2017 10:30 pm

    Quoting sweetone09:
    wow you really do look like him a lot but I need to see your face
Just in the email Sweet... not in here.


OnDaFence 36M/44M

3/18/2017 10:32 pm

    Quoting sweetone09:
    the 10 pic down really look just like you
sure does!


OnDaFence 36M/44M

3/18/2017 11:11 pm

JD swears I am his reincarnation


OnDaFence 36M/44M

3/19/2017 7:27 am

    Quoting  :

and it still works.... unless it is windy


OnDaFence 36M/44M

3/20/2017 1:09 am

I started this blog over a month ago gathering pictures and data... and only 3 guys could be bothered to comment.... guess what. I am spending my time with JD for a few evenings and not bothering entertaining in here. You blew it... Had MORE bothered to comment you could have guessed just which picture was ME and which one was Rhoads....


newboy69 69M
162 posts
3/20/2017 7:43 am

Sounds like an "Eddie and The Cruisers" type story to me.


boux601 75M
682 posts
3/20/2017 9:57 am

yo look very much alike, and in any case it is a travesty to loose such a talent at such a young age


Spicy_D69 61M
514 posts
3/20/2017 10:34 pm

Randy Rhoads was a great guitarist I remember when that happy... too bad...


jrodd 65M
4396 posts
3/21/2017 12:25 am

Young guys have tendancy to look more alike but I thinks he looks sorta boney n pale like someone who dood speed?


OnDaFence 36M/44M

3/21/2017 8:09 pm

    Quoting newboy69:
    Sounds like an "Eddie and The Cruisers" type story to me.
ok.... you caught me at a loss.... I don't know who they are.


OnDaFence 36M/44M

3/21/2017 8:11 pm

    Quoting boux601:
    yo look very much alike, and in any case it is a travesty to loose such a talent at such a young age
One can only speculate as to where his unique style would have taken him had his career not been cut shy.


OnDaFence 36M/44M

3/21/2017 8:13 pm

    Quoting  :

JD is the classic rock fan and says I look so much like Rhoads.


OnDaFence 36M/44M

3/21/2017 8:15 pm

    Quoting Spicy_D69:
    Randy Rhoads was a great guitarist I remember when that happy... too bad...
His guitar riff intro to Crazy Train is a classic example of his skills. It hits me out of nowhere and get reminded of it.


OnDaFence 36M/44M

3/21/2017 8:18 pm

    Quoting jrodd:
    Young guys have tendancy to look more alike but I thinks he looks sorta boney n pale like someone who dood speed?
Boney and pale come with cold winters and having to hide inside.... or sleep during the day when the sun's out because you had a late concert. Rhoads never did drugs... while the band went out to party he stayed back to practice on his guitar.


newboy69 69M
162 posts
3/22/2017 7:24 am

It was a movie from the 80's. At the time, it was believed by many to be inspired by ( based on?) the rumours of Jim Morrison (The Doors) not dying in Paris in 1971.


OnDaFence 36M/44M

3/22/2017 4:35 pm

    Quoting newboy69:
    It was a movie from the 80's. At the time, it was believed by many to be inspired by ( based on?) the rumours of Jim Morrison (The Doors) not dying in Paris in 1971.
Oh ok... We have the Doors movie with Val Kilmer as Morrison.


newboy69 69M
162 posts
3/23/2017 7:19 am

    Quoting OnDaFence:
    Oh ok... We have the Doors movie with Val Kilmer as Morrison.
That was biographical. "The Cruisers" was total fiction. Just used the rumours of Morrison not being dead as a hook to get people to watch it.


OnDaFence 36M/44M

3/23/2017 7:54 pm

    Quoting newboy69:
    That was biographical. "The Cruisers" was total fiction. Just used the rumours of Morrison not being dead as a hook to get people to watch it.
It probably didn't last long in the theaters and went into a dismal DVD sales right away.


newboy69 69M
162 posts
3/24/2017 7:28 am

    Quoting OnDaFence:
    It probably didn't last long in the theaters and went into a dismal DVD sales right away.
You're right about the theatres. It bombed at the box office, but was shown on HBO about a year later and became a cult hit. Good premise, bad movie. Great sound track.


OnDaFence 36M/44M

3/24/2017 10:00 am

    Quoting newboy69:
    You're right about the theatres. It bombed at the box office, but was shown on HBO about a year later and became a cult hit. Good premise, bad movie. Great sound track.
The Val Kilmer Doors is worth re-watching on a cold rainy Friday night from time to time.


newboy69 69M
162 posts
3/24/2017 10:45 am

    Quoting OnDaFence:
    The Val Kilmer Doors is worth re-watching on a cold rainy Friday night from time to time.
I think I would prefer just listening to a Doors album and curling up on the sofa with a good friend.


OnDaFence 36M/44M

3/24/2017 5:41 pm

    Quoting newboy69:
    I think I would prefer just listening to a Doors album and curling up on the sofa with a good friend.
Love the Doors intro to "Lost Boys" and always look for the guy with the Ronnie Reagan mask on the Sky line.