Randy Rhoads played guitar on Ozzy Osbourne’s first two solo albums, Blizzard of Ozz and Diary of a Madman, before his death in 1982.
Rhoads had already helped co-found Quiet Riot in Los Angeles when he auditioned for Osbourne in 1979. His classical-guitar training shaped a highly technical style that blended neoclassical melodies with heavy-metal power, helping define Osbourne’s early solo sound.
On Blizzard of Ozz, released in 1980, Rhoads performed on enduring tracks including “Crazy Train” and “Mr. Crowley.” He also recorded Diary of a Madman, released in 1981. Although later touring and album credits sometimes involve other musicians, Rhoads is the canonical guitarist associated with both records.
Rhoads died in a small-plane accident in Florida on March 19, 1982, while touring with Osbourne. He was only 25. His short career nevertheless made him one of heavy metal’s most influential guitarists, and he was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2021.