LONDON, September 26, 2023 — A recently unearthed recording from January 1980 offers a rare glimpse into the early days of Ozzy Osbourne’s post-Black Sabbath band, featuring the late Randy Rhoads and Bob Daisley, the only surviving original member.
Early Ozzy Jam Session Unearthed, Offers a ‘Destined’ Look Back
A newly discovered tape reveals a raw, formative moment for the band that would become a heavy metal institution.
- The recording, made in a rural farmhouse in Ilketshall, England, predates the addition of drummer Lee Kerslake.
- Daisley recalls a feeling of inevitability about working with Osbourne, despite warnings about his lifestyle.
- The sessions took place just months before the release of their iconic debut album, “Blizzard of Ozz.”
Daisley, now based in Australia, listened to the tape—recorded by a friend named Chabby—over the phone and immediately recognized Osbourne’s voice. “As soon as I heard it, I thought, yes, that’s us, that’s Ozzy’s voice,” he said. The band spent several weeks in the remote location beginning in January 1980, experimenting with ideas before Kerslake joined the lineup.
What was the atmosphere like during these early rehearsals? The sessions were a mix of experimentation and casual jamming. “I don’t know if we were auditioning a drummer and just loosening up a bit, or we’re just clowning about… but it wasn’t a song we were working on because we had definite songs by then, we had several songs,” Daisley explained.
Bob Daisley pictured at Ridge Farm Studio, Surrey, where Blizzard Of Ozz was recorded a few months after their rehearsal sessions in Suffolk
Bob Daisley pictured at Ridge Farm Studio, Surrey, where Blizzard Of Ozz was recorded a few months after their rehearsal sessions in Suffolk
These early explorations ultimately led to “Blizzard of Ozz,” released just nine months later in September 1980. Daisley meticulously documented his musical journey in a diary, including recordings of rehearsals and writing sessions, though he doesn’t possess a copy of the specific jamming session captured on Chabby’s tape.
He detailed their time in Ilketshall in his book, “For Fact’s Sake,” and vividly remembers the experience. The band even played a small, impromptu concert for locals. “I think we had a small audience one night, we went down to the local pub and just invited a few people… to try out our writing and our songs to see what the reaction would be,” Daisley recalled. “When we did play the songs that we’d had up to that point, it felt good and we thought yep, yeah, this is working.”
The Blizzard Of Ozz cover photoshoot
The Blizzard Of Ozz cover photoshoot
The area was idyllic, “nice place, nice countryside, nice people,” Daisley said. A recurring memory is the low ceiling beams of the farmhouse. “It was a very old house, I don’t know, 15th or 16th Century. And every night you’d hear, Doof – ‘Oh!’; Doof –’Oh!’. People forgetting how low the beams were.”
He also recounted a humorous incident where Osbourne playfully drew a black eye on himself with eyeliner after a minor disagreement with some locals. “It just looked so funny.”
L-R: Bob Daisley, Ozzy Osbourne and Randy Rhoads at Ridge Farm
L-R: Bob Daisley, Ozzy Osbourne and Randy Rhoads at Ridge Farm
Official photographs from this period are scarce, with most taken at Ridge Farm Studio after Kerslake’s recruitment and the start of album recording. Chabby has no photos from Ilketshall, while Daisley shared a few images of Osbourne and Rhoads from that time.
Daisley has a few photos of Ozzy and Randy Rhoads (below) during their time in Ilketshall
Daisley has a few photos of Ozzy and Randy Rhoads (below) during their time in Ilketshall
Daisley admitted he was initially hesitant to work with Osbourne, given his well-known struggles with substance abuse. “But something in me told me, it felt sort of destined… I really felt like, you know, this didn’t just happen. It was meant to happen.” He acknowledged Osbourne was facing personal difficulties, but emphasized the laughter and camaraderie they shared.
“Being kicked out of Black Sabbath, it felt like a divorce to him… So I felt for him.” However, with the new lineup, “there was a magic there,” Daisley said.
That harmony proved short-lived. Daisley has publicly discussed disputes over songwriting credits and the band’s name, believing it should have been “Blizzard of Ozz” rather than presented as a solo Ozzy Osbourne project. Osbourne offered a differing account in his autobiography.
Daisley and Kerslake were dismissed from the band in 1981, but Daisley later rejoined Osbourne to work on the album “Bark at the Moon” and other projects. Their professional relationship was also marked by legal challenges.
Daisley, who hadn’t seen Osbourne in years, said he “shed tears” upon hearing of his recent health struggles. “What came flooding back was all the good memories and the good times and the creativity, what we did achieve, and how many people we reached by being together.”
He often revisits their music, sometimes years apart. “It’s great to hear that stuff, to think, wow, we were good – because you forget.”
