And he wanted further knowledge! Rhoades would have made a very progressive metal sounding sound . But Sharon started to take over as manager so I dont know if she would give him artistic freedom. She already fired Daisley and Kerslake
Arguably the most talented of that ERA, I put his talent above Eddie van Halen who is also an all time great But I am not sure Ed wrote anything this intricate.
This guy nails it. I have said for years this song is a masterpiece. He explains it in a way that I know innately but could never break it down as concisely
I couldn't believe my ears when I bought this album back in the day and gave it a spin ! And after loving all the previous songs on the album, this was the LAST song !! Start to finish it's a classic album !!
When this was out i was 18 and i was jaw-dropped and bulge-eyed about the whole of this song's building up. And that skinny young wizkid on 6-strings really convinced me Ozzy had taken over the Sabs renewed heyday with Dio. Well maybe it's a tie, but i like DOAMM better than the Mob Rules. The Daily Doug unveils it like no other. One has to watch it again. And again. That's learning Music. Incredible rhythm changes this had.
randy's adaptation to a classical fusion(most of it was pure rock and roll exploited to knew avenues) with rock realy is no mean feat as they are both built on the same theory of harmony. just add a beat. one thing that randy and Edward did was exploit the 4th in the bass to great effect. this is not at all classical and is considered a harmony that serves a Transistional function as a smooth motion to the more dynamic dominate with its usual 7th to either in modern music the stable tonic key is left implied or in traditional classical and heavy rock and roll the tonic is sounded letting everyone know its over with a lot of fanfare. oh yeah spoiler...only musicians would ,understand if this was all bs or just wrong
Yeah, I consider much of Randy’s work to be “metal classical fusion”. Or even some kind of prog metal. And in terms of fusing metal and classical, I think it’s some of the most successful fusion music I’ve ever heard. Fusion, experimental, prog music is almost never this successful. Randy took a bunch of musical parts and - along with Bob - created a very appealing, popular, and radio friendly Frankenstein sound that made tons of money. How many other experimental, fusion artists can say that? He was musically gifted, highly knowledgeable, and just down right brilliant.
Revelation (Mother Earth) S.A.T.O. Steal Away the Night No Bone Movies Are definitely notable mentions. In my opinion, both albums are perfect in their entirely.
I hear you. But really. He was the most underrated music writer. Matter of fact the wicked Miss Osborne Sharon has tried to get his name off of any credits and any money any chance she could.
I heard Sharon ripped him off and the guys by not putting their names on the credits for the songwriting titles they would’ve gotten millions of dollars I don’t know if there were settled anything with Sharon
Totally agree .. he did so much for Ozzy's success in his solo career , along with Randy . Bob wrote most of the lyrics for the first 2 solo albums . And i believe later on in Ozzy's career Bob recorded the iconic bass intro to No More Tears . It's awful how Sharon screwed him over .
@@joecummings9662 Sharron did more than that, she re Recorded all the guitar tracks and replaced bobs tracks with someone elses so they didnt have to give him money
Bob Daisley: "The other thing was that Randy [Rhoads] had the rough idea for the song 'Diary of a Madman' and I came up with title. I wrote all of the lyrics as well on the album. Ozzy would come and go from rehearsals. One day he came in and we played him 'Diary of a Madman' and because it had funny timing he couldn't get his head around. He said, 'Who the f--k do you think I am? Frank Zappa?' We said, 'You sing in this part but you don't sing here. This timing goes like this etc.' He started to like it when he got his head around but at first he was like, 'This is not for me'."
That's hilarious, lol. But for certain an Ozzy moment. He was definitely a placeholder in his own band at this point. And for sure he would have been a nobody without Randy.
@antibullshit Yes i did and I can only recommend it. I think "The Blizzard of Ozz" (which was originally a real band project and not only an Ozzy Osbourne album title) stories are closest to what really happened back then in the studio, live and in the band. The "official" stories that Ozzy and Randy wrote all the songs together and Daisley and Kerslake were only "some hired session musicians" is complete nonsense and part of Sharons revisionist Propaganda. Another interesting read is "The Story of the Ozzy Osbourne Band" by Garry Sharpe-Young. The book features interviews with Bob Daisley, Lee Kerslake, Tommy Aldridge, Bernie Tormé, Brad Gillis, Steve Vai, Phil Soussan, Carmine Appice and many more.
I was 14 when Randy died, and he’s the only musician I can think of that makes me get emotional every time I hear him play. We are are so blessed by his short time on this earth, and so robbed at the same time.
Holy cow , I’m wiping my eyes as I was listening and reading comments. Same hear bud , I was blessed to see this tour in Chicago January 24th. My 16th birthday. I remember it well. It was Super Bowl 16 , my 16th birthday , and Randy to top it off. Yup , I’m the same age as the super bowl also. But imagine a day like that. And yes , I was there to see Randy.
I was 15 back in ‘82 but didn’t really appreciate solo Ozzy and Randy Rhoads until some years later in my early 20’s. Now 55 and still wonder what would have been if he hadn’t passed.
Unfortunately this is how people think of it - OZZY’S finest moment. It’s typical of the corruption in the music industry that the real talented people who wrote and performed it get very little credit, or money from it.
@@guanoguy4800 I understand this. Ozzy has had an extensive career and been a part of countless incredible songs. This song to me will always be the best of all those songs. Yes, the brand name always gets the credit, the grunts get a pat on the back then have their names and performances removed from the work. (Randy was left untouched). The music industry is cutthroat. Cheers
Proof that Randy Rhoads was a novel, experimental, compositionally innovative, progressive and fusion musician, who blended genres and pushed musical boundaries, creating Frankenstein creations that blurred the lines between different types of music. You really only see that kind of work in Hendrix. Further, he wasn’t just a modern guitarist in the process; the guy operated more like a classical guitarist or classical composer while blending these genres, which makes him all the more unique and impressive. In my view, Diary showcases Randy’s metal classical fusion. That is, a very fundamental blend between classical and metal ideas. The piece switches from metal to classical and back, over and over. It even has choir and orchestra going on in it. And with the time signature changes and complex chords, it’s even an example of some early prog metal. And imo, the ability to sell music to the masses that is this fundamentally fringe and out of the ordinary is extraordinary. It speaks directly to Randy’s talents and musicianship that he was able, with Ozzy, to sell so many albums, when some of the music is this complex, fused, and progressive. Outstanding musical achievement. The guy made extremely experimental music lucrative. You don’t see that every day. Most successful musicians stick to very mainstream standards. But not Randy. He was a compositional wizard who wasn’t afraid to take musical risks. Upon hearing Randy’s basic theme for the first time, Ozzy said “who do you think I am, Frank Zappa?” And yes. Randy was like Zappa. But imo, a Zappa with a lot more musicianship and popular appeal.
The riff at 9:11 is a brutal, masterpiece of rock history. That guitar riff (E-C-F#-E/B) stands alone in Randy Rhoads brief but genius discography. That riff summons a demon in the sky. It’s fkn epic!
"Diary of a Madman" Actually, thee entire album, especially the side of the record that ends with this song, imo, morphs like a classical masterpiece, that is so intensely dramatic and has always been my personal favorite from day one. Decades later, I read an interview with Ozzy where he stated that on that album they had a little more time and money for Randy to stretch out a bit in the studio. Ozzy stated that Randy didn't come out of the studio for like 3 days straight or something of that sort and Ozzy quote, "Randy had this huge shit eating grin on his face." Imo, this is the pinnacle of Randy's guitar work in the studio in conjunction with a perfect drummer "Lee" and "Bob" on Bass and plenty of the lyrics, is truly a hidden Gem that Ozzy should have kept on permantly. Bob played off and on other album's later on, but this album is beyond anything Ozzy has ever been apart of. Huge, blessed talent and the music, lyrics all of it over shadows any type of gimmicks that were on any other albums, because there really is no gimmick. Just music, truth. Randy, being classically influenced and borrows stuff or as Ozzy often told him "Nic that!" Which didn't set well with Randy while taking lessons or practicing classical pieces from days of old, but Randy lightly did so at times and made it his own. The "Karl Orf" type monk chanting harmonies at the conclusion of the song are so intense that it takes it to the intimate climax. Musically speaking, this particular album is pure gold and what a great thing it would have been to be in the studio just witnessing this being put together, let alone a part of it. When you have a classical composer here, stopping the tape in awe, just to explain the tempos and arrangements? That's pretty amazing. RIP Randy & Lee
@@oliverphilippe4703 Are you serious? While I respect your opinion I strongly disagree. Try listening to You Can’t kill Rock and Roll, Little Dolls, Flying High Again the very underrated guitar masterpiece Tonight. The long fade outro solo should raise the hair on the back of your neck.
I love when more formal musician's recognize rock music. It's not all poppy bubble gum. Randy Rhodes as fans know was classically trained and was a music teacher who was always looking to improve his abilities as a guitar player and musician in general. Thank you so much for the respect. 👍
Aaah, metal masterpieces abound in those days... Sabbaths' Heaven and Hell, Priest's Screaming for Vengeance, Maidens' Number of the Beast, Metallica's Kill 'em All, Accept, Quiet Riot, Motley Crue, Slayer etc etc. All of them classics by now. Great era to be a metalhead.
Mr Crowley is one of the best ozzy's songs musically (intro with church organ) and the solo is one of the greatest ones in metal history check it as soon as you can
Where have you been dude? I was listening to this album since it came out and I knew it was everything that you have said about it because I've lived it my whole life. I'm 65 now and I'm still living it but only to a degree. This whole album is a masterpiece and Randy Rhoads was a genius and this was Ozzies greatest album ever.
Ozzy over his career has written very little, outside of vocal melodies. Bassist Geezer Butler wrote 90% of the lyrics in Black Sabbath, bassist Bob Daisley wrote the lyrics for Ozzy's first four solo albums, and on No More Tears, Motorhead's Lemmy (another bass player!) wrote lyrics for four songs. Bass players writing his lyrics is a pattern!
Zakk Wylde said that he wrote most of the music during his tenure with Ozzy. According to Zakk, Ozzy can't write or read music. He'd hum things to Zakk, who would transcribe it onto sheet music or play it on the piano or guitar for Ozzy to hear back. Zakk has nothing but love for Ozzy, who he calls The Godfather.
@@alexojeda9048 One of the best things about Jake coming back to the public with his Red Dragon Cartel band was getting to see him and the band live and that riff and solo on Bark at the Moon, sooo good. They also do some Bandlands stuff in the set which is also excellent, especially the first album.
Actually his first five albums. Blizzard, Diary, Bark, Ultimate sin, No rest for the wicked, and a portion of No more tears. So as I see this it was his first six albums.
Bob Daisley was the hidden "genius" behind much of Ozzy's early solo work - fantastic bass player and lyricist. He was responsible for the sublime songwriting on this album. He also contributed greatly to Black Sabbath's unfairly maligned Eternal Idol album of the late 80's which features some of their darkest songs (painfully underrated, I love the Ray Gillen and Tony Martin recordings).
I refer to the first two albums as Blizzard of Ozz band, it's laughable that people call them Ozzy solo work, he is nothing without his musicians. Bob is an all time A leaguer, completely underappreciated musician/lyricis and a guy who brought out the best in 3 great guitar players. The Eternal Idol is underappreciated, Bob helped save the lyrics as Ray could not deliver like Tony thought, then Tony Martin was inheriting the melody lines and lyrics
@@Dave_Wight_The_Rock_Oracle Yep, he was fantastic as part of Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow too(which I always seem to forget about), there's an amazing live version of Catch The Rainbow in Munich where he is harmonising perfectly with Dio. Painfully underrated artist who is sadly no longer with us.
The first two albums are the only ones worth listening to. Daisley was as important to Ozzy's solo career as Geezer was to Sabbath. Once Sharon fired Daisley and Kerslake, the songwriting was never as good as it was on those first two albums
@@christheghostwriter They were a great band. Randy's songwriting skills and guitar playing made these albums. What has Daisley written since, that goes to that level? I think Bob D. gets too much credit because he gave all the credit to himself.
I was fortunate enough to have seen Randy with Ozzy in concert just six weeks before his death. He was simply mesmerizing to watch. So into his instrument. He's still missed.
I remember hearing the news on the radio about him being killed, gone way too soon! Just some years later I heard the same about SRV. I was fortunate to see SRV a few months before he was taken. I wish I would have gotten a chance to see Randy, that's awesome that you got to see him.
Ha Ha, I got to see Zac with Ozzy when Zac was a skinny kid, Zac threw his guitar 10 feet up, Sen around caught it with the strap over his neck and began to play like nothing happened, it was amazing, and an amazing memory 😃😃😃
This song "Diary of a Madman" is my favorite song by Ozz/Randy. I am a guitar player and love everything Randy does on this song. He weaves in lots of classical style guitar playing throughout the song and in the background. When I learned this song I remember learning chords I had never used before. I remember where I was when I heard the news that Randy had died and I still have a newspaper clipping of the article about his death. The solo sounds like it might be Harmonic Minor but I am not positive and do not have my guitar on my hands yet. At one time I played the majority of this solo / lead but not 100% note for note. This song has so many twists and turns covering many genres. I still wonder what Randy would have done if he did not die so young. If my memory still works I think he was 25 when he died so he was still quite young. What a tragedy and loss of talent. Thanks for showcasing this song and giving your opinion on it while also pointing out some of the timing and music theory along the way. This is my first time here at your channel and I subscribed because I enjoyed the way you go about explaining the song. Have a great evening, take care and greetings from the east coast
RIP Randy Rhoads he was very talented, and he known to put in his playing a composition in a composition and into another composition. Know one yet has been able to figure out on how he did it. The back up singers was the band except RIP RR he couldn't sing. PLEASE PLAY MORE RR. Much love 💘to you and your family.
Tragedy was it was drugs and alcohol that killed him. But not his using them. The band had stopped for the night with a friend who was a pilot. Randy was sleeping in the bus when the pilot was doing stunts buzzing the bus. Came too close. Crashed into the bus Randy died and one woman I think crew also died that day. The age old debate of who was the superior guitarist Him or Alex Van Halen, tells you what you need to know. Best we have is his then 18 yo student Zakk Wylde as lead guitar for OZZY now as well as doing his own project Black Label Society. Lead vocals as well.
Every track off of Diary is killer, superb album track after track. Randy on guitar & the great chemistry with Bob Daisley & the late great Lee Kerslake.
Before his untimely death, Randy was about to get his master's degree in classical music. Comparing Randy to Eddie Van Halen is like comparing apples to oranges as Eddie's style is more swing. Both incredible musicians and will always be missed but never forgotten.
EVH was a virtuoso and did his unique thing very well. However none of Van Halen’s music as a band ever stuck with me. It always sounded like frat boy party music. Ozzy’s music with Randy was compositional and very moving and deep.
@@wastrel09 listen to some swing music. Then go back and listen to the first two albums of Van Halen. Remember that Eddie and Alex's dad used to play in a swing band. He was their influence growing up. Like I said about Randy about to get his Master's, that is why you hear more composition in his music.
It’s a weird place for me when talking about both EVH and RHoads..I always thought that EVH always the most natural talent sounding rock guitarist. He would make stuff up that sounded like it was just flowing through his body when playing. Randy was technically “play by the book” perfect type of guitarist . So, naturally I would choose EVH as my first choice ..then I hear “ DIARY OF A MADMAN” and it just doesn’t make it so clearcut for me anymore. Randy was a genius..
The Classical Intro was taken by Randy from Leo Bouwers Estudios Sencillos#6/ At the time Randy being into classical guitar was practicing Estudio Sencillo #6 and Ozzy passed by and said that needs to be a song..and there you have it- history. Lyrics that's all Bob Daisley-master of bass and words..! Long Live Randy, Bob, Lee- Long Live The Blizzard of Ozz !
Yeah same chord progression for what the first 20 secs of the song but let’s foget about the main riff, spooky mid section completely unheard of atonal guitar solo that Dimebag said sounded “like it fell from the heavens”, genre leading musical composition by Randy, and overall groundbreaking musicianship by Randy. But then again Randy never did anything that Eddie hadn’t done according to EVH. Jesus, give me a break so the guy borrowed some ideas here and there who the hell doesn’t.
@@josephgurtler9674 why so defensive ! As a composer, give where credit is due. Another known fact brother man, Leo Bouwer started legal proceedings when he heard the intro. Known fact, when Mr Bouwer heard that Randy passed away. He dropped the proceedings. Yeah, that intro is priceless, and Randy knew and loved classical guitar and loved Bouwers music..As far as EVH, well that's another long post.
@@josephgurtler9674 Yeah, let's totally ignore where Randy got the inspiration for the intro and verses of the song (voicings, chordal ideas and rhythms) because... uh... wait, gimm a sec here... because... let's NOT give credit to Leo Brouwer because... uh... hmm... help us out here... why should we NOT give credit to the piece that inspired Randy?
@@josephgurtler9674 Maybe switch to decaffeinated? It is totally fair to note that the intro is heavily influenced by Brouwer, without taking away from the majesty of the song. No one here even mentioned EVH, btw.
I talked with Kathy yesterday and we talked about this, you going over the song and Randy' guitar playing. She was blown away in what you had to say. Said if Randy was still alive that he would have loved to have talked and picked your brain going over music
Randy's masterpiece...the guitar solo is like nothing else...this is what neo classical music should be, well though out compositions....not mindless shredding as fast as you can...I'll always love this
One of the greatest compositions in metal history. Stairway to heaven can’t hold this song’s guitar case. Rhoades was a virtuoso that every metal guitarist either worships or is influenced by somebody that worships Rhoades. And yet, he is still under appreciated IMO. Never picked up on the moody blues influence in this track, but it’s definitely there. Anyway… Great video. Thanks for analytically confirming something I’ve felt for decades.
The very first rock concert I got to go to. My Dad took my brother and I to see Ozzy in February 1982. I was 11. Nobody could have predicted Randy would be dead just a month later.
I remember learning Dee when I was 15, transcribed in the old Guitar for the Practicing Musician magazine when Ozzy’s Tribute album came out. As someone who later played more advanced classical guitar, Dee is certainly pretty and was quite a shock to hear on a metal record. I’m certain it is responsible for getting a lot of rock guys into classical guitar. But Dee is pretty basic compared to the more advanced pieces in a classical guitarist’s repertoire. If still new to classical guitar, check out La Catedral by Barrios, specifically the 3rd movement called Allegro Solemne. Also Vals Venezolano No 3 by Laurio. But I’ll still play Dee till the day I die, still remember Randy’s voice in the Dee outtakes that were included on the Tribute album.
Tears come to my eyes as you unearth the greatness of this piece from your highly educated vantage point which I could not verbalize as well as you all these years. All I knew was this was one the great rock songs of that era.
Blizzard of Oz and Diary of a Madman are 2 of the best albums there will ever be. Supposedly Bob Daisley has some recordings from band practices that hopefully he will release some day.
I think the stars aligned when Randy and Bob met. Randy was pure lighting and Bob helped bottled it. Bob to me was like a Experienced musician by this point and Randy was in beast mode. The way they worked together well just listen to blizzard and Diary. I would think Randy being heartbroken when they canned Bob and Lee. I imagine they hired Rudy as part of damage control to keep Randy somewhat happy.
The Diary of a Madman Lp I bought the day it was released on November 7 ,1981 and I remember March 20,1982 the day Randy died. I heard the news on WMMS over my friends house on the radio. It seems liked yesterday....One of the best rock lps ever made. I also remember the cd was released years later on August 22,1995
This is my favorite Randy era Ozzy song. This is Randy at his best. I think you should listen to "leave the door open" by Silk Sonic. Lyrically, it's sexy, yet funny at the same time. Musically it's clever with its chord progressions and sneaky key changes. I've seen jazz musicians geek out over this song. I think it'll be a nice change of pace that'll leave you surprised.
Doug, consider reviewing Ozzy's song "Tonight" from Diary of A Madman. IMO the most expressive/emotive/awe-inducing guitar solo by any guitarist at the end of that song. Simply mind-blowing. If you haven't heard it, you haven't heard Randy at the absolute peak of his game. He went full-on God-mode on that solo. Would love to have access to the full studio outtakes of that song...
You cannot turn the volume up loud enough on that outro to do it justice and enjoy just how great of a player Randy was. While it's very cool that he will forever be known for Crazy Train, this is easily his best work.
Seen Ozzy in Chicago 81. Mr Crowley nearly knocked me over. The intro pounded right through my chest. Great show. Motorhead opened then Ozzy blew the ceiling off the place.
Well Chris, I just mentioned to another commenter about the greatness of the outro on "Tonight" ( a shame the tape had to stop) but that second solo in Mr. Crowley is by far my favorite piece of work that Randy did and suffice to say of all time. I have many boots of it, saw him live four times myself and couldn't agree more with your comment.
Randy Rhodes had such profound influence on my teenage years in the sense of how and why I wanted to play guitar. When I hear this song I still get emotional even after 35 to 40 years of listening to it. Rhodes was so brilliant.
Great Doug, you got this unblocked! The next Ozzy to do is Revelation (Mother Earth). Others I'd recommend - You Can't Kill Rock and Roll, Tonight, See You on the Other Side, and Dreamer.
I remember buying the record when it came out. Sitting in front of my stereo, jaw dropped when I heard this song. Listen to it 100 times after. Spectacular song.
Doug. I have literally been waiting for you to react to this composition since the beginning of your channel. Absolutely anything on the (first) two Ozzy/Randy albums are absolute gold. Randy had a classical composer’s sensibility. “Revelation Mother Earth” next, please. Then “Mr. Crowley” live. (One of the very few pieces of clear footage of Randy performing) He was absolutely ahead of his time. 80’s metal owes a great deal of debt to Randy. They all tried to incorporate classical/baroque themes into their music to darken the tone, but always fell short of Randy’s accomplishments and his masterpieces spoke for themselves. May he never be forgotten and yes, glad the R&R Hall of Fame is recognizing his excellence. On a related issue, May Sharon “Yoko” Osbourne burn in hell for what she did to Bob Daisley and Lee Kerslake. She and Ozzy have been riding the coattails of those first two records for forty years now. Randy wrote “Crazy Train” along with Bob Daisley for crying out loud!!! Not your husband, sorry.
All the beautiful things you said about this composition on one hand, on the other hand putting it in the context of time when not too many people were doing this kind of music.
Not to mention the time when people (most adults at the time) despised this kind of music and never gave it a chance. We fans were considered to be outcasts for the most part because the stigma this music placed upon us by the majority. Really it is sad that so many people never gave it a fair listen back then.
Ozzy's bass player Bob Daisley wrote this song. Said Daisley: "I really wrote that one about myself. When I was 16 I had my first nervous breakdown and it really f---ed me up. I was a sensitive kid and I have always been a sensitive person. I suppose you have to be sensitive being in the arts. I wrote the words about myself. Quite often we have problems and we are our own worst enemies and that is why 'Enemies fill up the pages one by one in the diary. Are they me?' I am my own worst enemy. The other thing was that Randy [Rhoads] had the rough idea for the song 'Diary of a Madman' and I came up with title. I wrote all of the lyrics as well on the album. Ozzy would come and go from rehearsals. One day he came in and we played him 'Diary of a Madman' and because it had funny timing he couldn't get his head around. He said, 'Who the f--k do you think I am? Frank Zappa!' We said, 'You sing in this part but you don't sing here. This timing goes like this etc.' He started to like it when he got his head around but at first he was like, 'This is not for me'." Source Songfacts
Randy is my personal guitar hero, just loved the guy. Now, this wouldn't make for a very long video but I would LOVE it if you would do maybe a mini-video on his solo, classical guitar track, "Dee" which he wrote for his mother. It's just lovely.
I remember those days; I was hanging out with the guys from the classical guitar course at Joliette, and you wouldn't believe the number of metal heads in that course. Everybody aimed getting as good as Randy.
I can't imagine the joy of being able to discover this music again. It profoundly changed my life and gave me some of those sublime moments when you all but weep for the beauty of a thing.
You summed that up very nicely. I was at a party in high school and we had this album on repeat all night. Just over and over and over and over again. There's just something magical about it... we were all hypnotized it seemed.
My personal Diary I wrote the next day after the last show of Randy Rhoads in Knoxville Tennessee! RIP RANDY! YOU ARE SORELY MISSED! OZZY OSBOURNE: THURSDAY MARCH 18TH 1982: RANDY RHOADS LAST SHOW AT THE KNOXVILLE CIVIC COLISEUM: DIARY OF A MADMAN TOUR: Upon entering the coliseum after buying my tour shirt and ticket 🎫 stub processing: I noticed the stage was set up like a medieval castle with arches and bats 🦇 flying around the top of them. There was a staircase leading up to Tommy Aldridge’s Drumkit. The top left of Tommy was where Donny Airey’s keyboards were set up. Stage right and left had to cages with which Randy Rhoads would appear from the floor stage right and Rudy Sarzo stage left. OZZY had a throne of which he would appear out of to start the show to Over the Mountain. Tommy had his drum tech dressed as an Executioner stand beside his kit with his arms crossed. The staircase had a small section that would open and a small dwarf named: Ronnie (after Ronnie James Dio the new singer for Black Sabbath-replacing OZZY) and hand OZZY towels and water between songs. Little did we all know that later in the show: the executioner would bring the dwarf out to be hung from the rafters and later he would cut off his head using a guillotine! At the end of the show OZZY climbed onto a giant mechanical hand that OZZY stood on top of and launched unspecified meat 🥩 🍖 into the audience! Of course it was all an a theatrical act as the dwarf appeared to take a bow with OZZY and the band. When OZZY smiled we noticed he put vampire 🧛♀️ teeth in! We laughed hard! I went to the show with my friend Richard and his older brother Greg who was 18 at the time. We were 13. Greatest show on earth! Richard and I were both terrified and thrilled at what we witnessed! Unfortunately the next morning all that excitement and energy was gone as we learned that Randy Rhoads perished in a plane crash in Florida. Richard and I played drums but Greg played guitar 🎸 and he definitely took it the hardest! One of the greatest guitarist of our generation and had just won the new guitarist of the year by Guitar Player magazine. Rest In Peace Randy Rhoads your music lives on! Sincerely, Gary Lagstrom
I can't believe you went right past that Hungarian Minor scale solo as if it was the most common thing you ever heard. You didn't even listen to it, you were so focused on the timing. Randy Rhoads captures the insanity so perfectly well with that solo. I don't think I've ever heard another song with a Hungarian Minor scale in it in my life.
I don't know much about the writing playing and making music that much at all I mean I can't even play the harmonica but the way you recognize what he missed it's great!!
I love these Daily Doug episodes. It is so cool to hear Doug break down the keys and structure of the song as it goes along. Thank you Doug for your contributions.
I totally agree with you re: Doug's Daily Dissections; but also, I love that you have Bill as your avatar or icon or whatever it's called, it goes perfectly with your title/name; one of my favorite comic strips, tho sadly nowadays fewer and fewer people even KNOW of it, much less being familiar with, and getting, the left-field humor of Bloom County... On a related note, do you recognize the animated character of mine? It's super obscure, almost nobody I've met online knows who it is, or the source material... Great story from which he emerges..! In fact, I gotta watch it again, it's probably been 15 years! Hmm...maybe this weekend...
This is the very best Daily Doug I have seen. The joy in that grin said it all! ❤️🏆 Thank you for the analysis and more so the enjoyment you expressed. 🙏
This is Randy's unintentional magnum opus. I can never think of Randy without a tinge of sadness. He was 25 years old when he died. Just so much left to give and to live. Such a loss.
This song is perfect in every way. It captures both beauty and sadness. It has always sparked profound emotion for me. The musicianship is absolutely remarkable. Randy Rhoads is the reason I play guitar to this day.
IT's ABOUT TIME RANDY RHOADS GOT SOME LOVE( several exclamation points) Daisley and Kirslake wrote the rhythm vocal melody and lyrics Kirslake wrote the vocal melody Daisley had the structure and Randy had the intro from Etude # 6 with a rhythmic variation and who knows what else .
Great, there will be "no living with me now" Your reaction has vindicated why this has been my #1 song since I was 12. Mainly the perfect hybrid of metal and classical
Prog sounding you say? That's no wonder as Randy was classically trained besides being an absolute genius on guitar. Taken way too soon, I really wish we could've heard him in a proper prog band. Ozzy's band was no slouch, though. Gotta love 'em.
This was an educated and informed take on this heavy classic. Your knowledge of music gave us a great insight into the compositional brilliance of this song. Well done and thank you! You have a new and enthusiastic subscriber!
What a thoughtful analysis - I've been listening to this song for over 30 years on and off and you've opened my ears to relationships i consciously wasn't aware of between the lyric and the syncopated feel.
This song always reminds me of my mom. Not that she was crazy but that she HATED the singers at the end. She hated the piece, 'Ave Satani' that Jerry Goldsmith composed for 'The Omen' films. When the singers come in at the end of Diary of A Madman, it always reminded her of 'Ave Satani.'
The people I have been listening to the song for several decades and I never realized how magical it was until I saw this reaction. This is what reactions should be all about. I literally have a new found appreciation for just how great this song is. The pleasure is mine.
The lyrics are so dark and eerie, but, the music is quite uplifting at the end. Almost like the writer has found clarity in his own mental state. One of my all time favorite songs from Ozzy.
Very insightful analysis Doug, thanks for your expert analysis of just what genius Randy Rhoads and Ozzy in fact the whole band did with this arrangement! As usual you were spot on.
This turned out to be the last thing we the fans received from Randy before his untimely death, and what an awesome final piece it was (similar to Rush's The Garden). By the way, Lee Kerslake (RIP) is pronounced KER-SLAKE, not KER-SLAH-KEE.
it's tragic, maybe the greatest tragedy in music history, What a talent. what could have been on that next studio album. All time A leaguer, he and Bob....fantastic, They saved Ozzy's career with quality music, Ozzy could be as crazy as he wants, but had the music been lacking fans would not have come back
@@1970borntorun So this guy is a country bumpkin? People from Commiefornia just may be as narrow-minded as it gets. Too many Hollywood movies have skewed your perception of reality.
Randy Rhoads was trained as a classical Guitarist, this Whole Album is a Master piece And a testament to his Talent....
And he wanted further knowledge! Rhoades would have made a very progressive metal sounding sound . But Sharon started to take over as manager so I dont know if she would give him artistic freedom. She already fired Daisley and Kerslake
Your right and they rushed album made it in 4 weeks imagine if Randy and Bob actually had more time to work on it
Well said.
add singer f.queen bonham and dimebag. see how it'd go
Too few react to this master work. Thanks!
This song is Randy at his best in my opinion. Such an amazing musician taken from us way too soon. Thank you for the great insights into this song.
Yes, Ozzy always get together with greatest musicians...hes is only a singer, and too bad!!
Blizzard and diary, the two best records ever released in my opinion.
I think the same,altought the acoustic arpeggios intro are a Leo Brouwer adaptation
Totally Randy's crowning glory. It's a masterpiece.
Arguably the most talented of that ERA, I put his talent above Eddie van Halen who is also an all time great But I am not sure Ed wrote anything this intricate.
This guy nails it. I have said for years this song is a masterpiece. He explains it in a way that I know innately but could never break it down as concisely
I completely AGREE!!
Exactly, William. Exactly.
I couldn't believe my ears when I bought this album back in the day and gave it a spin ! And after loving all the previous songs on the album, this was the LAST song !! Start to finish it's a classic album !!
When this was out i was 18 and i was jaw-dropped and bulge-eyed about the whole of this song's building up. And that skinny young wizkid on 6-strings really convinced me Ozzy had taken over the Sabs renewed heyday with Dio. Well maybe it's a tie, but i like DOAMM better than the Mob Rules. The Daily Doug unveils it like no other. One has to watch it again. And again. That's learning Music. Incredible rhythm changes this had.
This is the greatest song ever created.
Now you know why 40 years later he is still being recognized. His ability to infuse Metal Music with Classical composition is beyond amazing.
When us old people tell you the 80's where better this is what we meant
randy's adaptation to a classical fusion(most of it was pure rock and roll exploited to knew avenues) with rock realy is no mean feat as they are both built on the same theory of harmony. just add a beat. one thing that randy and Edward did was exploit the 4th in the bass to great effect. this is not at all classical and is considered a harmony that serves a Transistional function as a smooth motion to the more dynamic dominate with its usual 7th to either in modern music the stable tonic key is left implied or in traditional classical and heavy rock and roll the tonic is sounded letting everyone know its over with a lot of fanfare. oh yeah spoiler...only musicians would ,understand if this was all bs or just wrong
Yeah, I consider much of Randy’s work to be “metal classical fusion”. Or even some kind of prog metal. And in terms of fusing metal and classical, I think it’s some of the most successful fusion music I’ve ever heard.
Fusion, experimental, prog music is almost never this successful. Randy took a bunch of musical parts and - along with Bob - created a very appealing, popular, and radio friendly Frankenstein sound that made tons of money. How many other experimental, fusion artists can say that?
He was musically gifted, highly knowledgeable, and just down right brilliant.
It's dark, it's tormented, it's unsettled, it's GLORIOUS. One of my all time favorite songs, definitely my favorite Ozzy / Randy song.
Totally agree
@@robgray4188 Me too ! I still get goose bumps at the beginning of the song and the end thanks to Randy !!
Same here, you have great taste!!!
Revelation (Mother Earth)
S.A.T.O.
Steal Away the Night
No Bone Movies
Are definitely notable mentions. In my opinion, both albums are perfect in their entirely.
Randy Rhoads/Bob Daisley song.
This guy's assessment almost brought me to tears and validates what I've always said--Diary of a Madman is an epic piece of music and story.
Amen
Well said, tears for sure
35 years after first hearing it, Diary of a Madman still gives me goosebumps.
It's dark, deranged, beautiful
Say what you want about metal artists being mindless but most of them are bloody brilliant as is their musicianship !!
I feel it too ! 👍
SAME!!!!!!!
It’s 45 years for me and it still gets me too…the whole album does
Bob Daisley - the most underrated musician of all time....
I hear you. But really. He was the most underrated music writer. Matter of fact the wicked Miss Osborne Sharon has tried to get his name off of any credits and any money any chance she could.
Got burned by Sharon as well, really a shame!
9:09....the greatest rock riff of all time !!
Thank you...yes he is.
Songwriter, too! It's a shame he got fucked over by Sauron Osbourne!
Bob Daisley deserves so much credit for his lyrical content.
Sad, yet brilliant storytelling.
I heard Sharon ripped him off and the guys by not putting their names on the credits for the songwriting titles they would’ve gotten millions of dollars I don’t know if there were settled anything with Sharon
Thats shady asf. I hate her so much.@@joecummings9662
Totally agree .. he did so much for Ozzy's success in his solo career , along with Randy . Bob wrote most of the lyrics for the first 2 solo albums . And i believe later on in Ozzy's career Bob recorded the iconic bass intro to No More Tears . It's awful how Sharon screwed him over .
Bob Daisley was to Ozzy what Geezer Butler was to Black Sabbath. Ozzy hit the jackpot twice having these two brilliant writers back to back.
@@joecummings9662 Sharron did more than that, she re Recorded all the guitar tracks and replaced bobs tracks with someone elses so they didnt have to give him money
This song is a masterpiece and really shows Randy’s classical background.
Ya but the intro is not his
@@nappichappi1389 even if it’s not the rest of the song and complexity of the the whole piece is a masterpiece
@@Nitro1000 agreed
@@nappichappi1389 ozzy and randy turned a tin can in to a gold challis .
@@nappichappi1389 Leo Brouwer etude 6
Bob Daisley:
"The other thing was that Randy [Rhoads] had the rough idea for the song 'Diary of a Madman' and I came up with title. I wrote all of the lyrics as well on the album. Ozzy would come and go from rehearsals. One day he came in and we played him 'Diary of a Madman' and because it had funny timing he couldn't get his head around. He said, 'Who the f--k do you think I am? Frank Zappa?' We said, 'You sing in this part but you don't sing here. This timing goes like this etc.' He started to like it when he got his head around but at first he was like, 'This is not for me'."
That's hilarious, lol. But for certain an Ozzy moment. He was definitely a placeholder in his own band at this point. And for sure he would have been a nobody without Randy.
I take it you read Daisley's book?
😂😂Frank Zappa! I could see him saying that! So funny; from several angles.
Please release your hidden recordings of Randy!!🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
@antibullshit Yes i did and I can only recommend it. I think "The Blizzard of Ozz" (which was originally a real band project and not only an Ozzy Osbourne album title) stories are closest to what really happened back then in the studio, live and in the band. The "official" stories that Ozzy and Randy wrote all the songs together and Daisley and Kerslake were only "some hired session musicians" is complete nonsense and part of Sharons revisionist Propaganda.
Another interesting read is "The Story of the Ozzy Osbourne Band" by Garry Sharpe-Young. The book features interviews with Bob Daisley, Lee Kerslake, Tommy Aldridge, Bernie Tormé, Brad Gillis, Steve Vai, Phil Soussan, Carmine Appice and many more.
I was 14 when Randy died, and he’s the only musician I can think of that makes me get emotional every time I hear him play. We are are so blessed by his short time on this earth, and so robbed at the same time.
I was the same age bro. bought tickets to the US festival in 83 to see him but sadly he was gone
Holy cow , I’m wiping my eyes as I was listening and reading comments. Same hear bud , I was blessed to see this tour in Chicago January 24th. My 16th birthday. I remember it well. It was Super Bowl 16 , my 16th birthday , and Randy to top it off. Yup , I’m the same age as the super bowl also. But imagine a day like that. And yes , I was there to see Randy.
I was 12, but started playing guitar because of Randy.
I was 15 back in ‘82 but didn’t really appreciate solo Ozzy and Randy Rhoads until some years later in my early 20’s. Now 55 and still wonder what would have been if he hadn’t passed.
I wasn't alive when Randy was. But his music means a lot to me. It's hard to hear him play and not shed a tear or two. The guy was on another level.
This is Ozzy’s finest moment. This song is incredibly complex. The lyrics are haunting and beautiful. The music is beyond comparison.
two geniuses putting it all together for Ozzy to sing and Lee of course did the melody line for Ozzy on this. A brilliant piece.
To me, this is Ozzy's finest song. A huge library yes but man the goose bumps and hair standing up will always rule.
Unfortunately this is how people think of it - OZZY’S finest moment. It’s typical of the corruption in the music industry that the real talented people who wrote and performed it get very little credit, or money from it.
@@davethomas1641 Ozzy just sung it. As you see in other comments, Randy and Bob wrote it. It's really their song. And their moment.
@@guanoguy4800 I understand this. Ozzy has had an extensive career and been a part of countless incredible songs. This song to me will always be the best of all those songs. Yes, the brand name always gets the credit, the grunts get a pat on the back then have their names and performances removed from the work. (Randy was left untouched). The music industry is cutthroat. Cheers
Proof that Randy Rhoads was a novel, experimental, compositionally innovative, progressive and fusion musician, who blended genres and pushed musical boundaries, creating Frankenstein creations that blurred the lines between different types of music. You really only see that kind of work in Hendrix.
Further, he wasn’t just a modern guitarist in the process; the guy operated more like a classical guitarist or classical composer while blending these genres, which makes him all the more unique and impressive.
In my view, Diary showcases Randy’s metal classical fusion. That is, a very fundamental blend between classical and metal ideas. The piece switches from metal to classical and back, over and over. It even has choir and orchestra going on in it.
And with the time signature changes and complex chords, it’s even an example of some early prog metal.
And imo, the ability to sell music to the masses that is this fundamentally fringe and out of the ordinary is extraordinary. It speaks directly to Randy’s talents and musicianship that he was able, with Ozzy, to sell so many albums, when some of the music is this complex, fused, and progressive.
Outstanding musical achievement. The guy made extremely experimental music lucrative. You don’t see that every day. Most successful musicians stick to very mainstream standards. But not Randy. He was a compositional wizard who wasn’t afraid to take musical risks.
Upon hearing Randy’s basic theme for the first time, Ozzy said “who do you think I am, Frank Zappa?” And yes. Randy was like Zappa. But imo, a Zappa with a lot more musicianship and popular appeal.
This is by far Ozzys greatest song. It is perfectly constructed musically. It’s a very advanced composition and produced perfectly.
Agreed . That’s reason why I have never heard or seen a band cover it .
@@bctesla Sons of Apollo do a pretty solid cover of it.
I would also say no more tears was also amazing! Baseline was written by Mike Inez not Bob Daisley!
The riff at 9:11 is a brutal, masterpiece of rock history. That guitar riff (E-C-F#-E/B) stands alone in Randy Rhoads brief but genius discography. That riff summons a demon in the sky. It’s fkn epic!
It's also incredibly fun to play!
absolutely pissed that it only gets played 4 times. should be repeated for a minute at least
Hallelujah ❤
Brutal !! This riff is freaking awesome!! 🎸
"Diary of a Madman"
Actually, thee entire album, especially the side of the record that ends with this song, imo, morphs like a classical masterpiece, that is so intensely dramatic and has always been my personal favorite from day one. Decades later, I read an interview with Ozzy where he stated that on that album they had a little more time and money for Randy to stretch out a bit in the studio. Ozzy stated that Randy didn't come out of the studio for like 3 days straight or something of that sort and Ozzy quote, "Randy had this huge shit eating grin on his face."
Imo, this is the pinnacle of Randy's guitar work in the studio in conjunction with a perfect drummer "Lee" and "Bob" on Bass and plenty of the lyrics, is truly a hidden Gem that Ozzy should have kept on permantly.
Bob played off and on other album's later on, but this album is beyond anything Ozzy has ever been apart of. Huge, blessed talent and the music, lyrics all of it over shadows any type of gimmicks that were on any other albums, because there really is no gimmick. Just music, truth.
Randy, being classically influenced and borrows stuff or as Ozzy often told him "Nic that!" Which didn't set well with Randy while taking lessons or practicing classical pieces from days of old, but Randy lightly did so at times and made it his own.
The "Karl Orf" type monk chanting harmonies at the conclusion of the song are so intense that it takes it to the intimate climax.
Musically speaking, this particular album is pure gold and what a great thing it would have been to be in the studio just witnessing this being put together, let alone a part of it.
When you have a classical composer here, stopping the tape in awe, just to explain the tempos and arrangements?
That's pretty amazing.
RIP Randy & Lee
Diary of a Madman is arguably the greatest rock album ever writen, pure genius songwriting
Actually the only good songs are over the mountain and diary of a madman
@@oliverphilippe4703 Are you serious? While I respect your opinion I strongly disagree. Try listening to You Can’t kill Rock and Roll, Little Dolls, Flying High Again the very underrated guitar masterpiece Tonight. The long fade outro solo should raise the hair on the back of your neck.
@@oliverphilippe4703 lol , you are joking , right? Flying high again, SATO, can’t kill rock n roll,Believer….?! ..
It's a masterpiece.
I love when more formal musician's recognize rock music. It's not all poppy bubble gum. Randy Rhodes as fans know was classically trained and was a music teacher who was always looking to improve his abilities as a guitar player and musician in general. Thank you so much for the respect. 👍
The whole album is a METAL MASTERPIECE 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
Aaah, metal masterpieces abound in those days... Sabbaths' Heaven and Hell, Priest's Screaming for Vengeance, Maidens' Number of the Beast, Metallica's Kill 'em All, Accept, Quiet Riot, Motley Crue, Slayer etc etc. All of them classics by now. Great era to be a metalhead.
Mr Crowley is one of the best ozzy's songs musically (intro with church organ) and the solo is one of the greatest ones in metal history check it as soon as you can
Agree. The best metal solo of all times
Great song but intro is Don Airey's keyboard/synth, not any church organ ;) but it sounds almost like organ. Best regards :)
I second that ! :)
Love Mr Crowley, but, prefer Revelation (Mother Earth)
Agreed. This should be the next Ozzy review. Very classically influenced.
Where have you been dude? I was listening to this album since it came out and I knew it was everything that you have said about it because I've lived it my whole life. I'm 65 now and I'm still living it but only to a degree. This whole album is a masterpiece and Randy Rhoads was a genius and this was Ozzies greatest album ever.
Ozzy over his career has written very little, outside of vocal melodies. Bassist Geezer Butler wrote 90% of the lyrics in Black Sabbath, bassist Bob Daisley wrote the lyrics for Ozzy's first four solo albums, and on No More Tears, Motorhead's Lemmy (another bass player!) wrote lyrics for four songs. Bass players writing his lyrics is a pattern!
Jake E Lee wrote a couple of songs on the 2 albums he was on but was denied writing credits by Sharon.
Zakk Wylde said that he wrote most of the music during his tenure with Ozzy. According to Zakk, Ozzy can't write or read music. He'd hum things to Zakk, who would transcribe it onto sheet music or play it on the piano or guitar for Ozzy to hear back. Zakk has nothing but love for Ozzy, who he calls The Godfather.
Ozzy once said that the bassist only has 4 strings to play so they have more time to write lyrics haha
@@alexojeda9048 One of the best things about Jake coming back to the public with his Red Dragon Cartel band was getting to see him and the band live and that riff and solo on Bark at the Moon, sooo good. They also do some Bandlands stuff in the set which is also excellent, especially the first album.
Actually his first five albums. Blizzard, Diary, Bark, Ultimate sin, No rest for the wicked, and a portion of No more tears. So as I see this it was his first six albums.
Bob Daisley was the hidden "genius" behind much of Ozzy's early solo work - fantastic bass player and lyricist. He was responsible for the sublime songwriting on this album. He also contributed greatly to Black Sabbath's unfairly maligned Eternal Idol album of the late 80's which features some of their darkest songs (painfully underrated, I love the Ray Gillen and Tony Martin recordings).
I refer to the first two albums as Blizzard of Ozz band, it's laughable that people call them Ozzy solo work, he is nothing without his musicians. Bob is an all time A leaguer, completely underappreciated musician/lyricis and a guy who brought out the best in 3 great guitar players. The Eternal Idol is underappreciated, Bob helped save the lyrics as Ray could not deliver like Tony thought, then Tony Martin was inheriting the melody lines and lyrics
@@Dave_Wight_The_Rock_Oracle Yep, he was fantastic as part of Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow too(which I always seem to forget about), there's an amazing live version of Catch The Rainbow in Munich where he is harmonising perfectly with Dio. Painfully underrated artist who is sadly no longer with us.
@@Dave_Wight_The_Rock_Oracle correct. Blizzard of Ozz was a great band. Two albums, both masterpieces.
The first two albums are the only ones worth listening to. Daisley was as important to Ozzy's solo career as Geezer was to Sabbath. Once Sharon fired Daisley and Kerslake, the songwriting was never as good as it was on those first two albums
@@christheghostwriter They were a great band. Randy's songwriting skills and guitar playing made these albums. What has Daisley written since, that goes to that level? I think Bob D. gets too much credit because he gave all the credit to himself.
I was fortunate enough to have seen Randy with Ozzy in concert just six weeks before his death. He was simply mesmerizing to watch. So into his instrument. He's still missed.
I remember hearing the news on the radio about him being killed, gone way too soon! Just some years later I heard the same about SRV. I was fortunate to see SRV a few months before he was taken. I wish I would have gotten a chance to see Randy, that's awesome that you got to see him.
You lucky bastard...
Ha Ha, I got to see Zac with Ozzy when Zac was a skinny kid,
Zac threw his guitar 10 feet up,
Sen around caught it with the strap over his neck and began to play like nothing happened, it was amazing, and an amazing memory 😃😃😃
I seen Randy 3 months before he died . I seen him Dec 30 at the cow palace in San Francisco
This album is the best in Ozzy’s career, Randy’s compositions and solos were amazing
This song "Diary of a Madman" is my favorite song by Ozz/Randy. I am a guitar player and love everything Randy does on this song. He weaves in lots of classical style guitar playing throughout the song and in the background. When I learned this song I remember learning chords I had never used before. I remember where I was when I heard the news that Randy had died and I still have a newspaper clipping of the article about his death. The solo sounds like it might be Harmonic Minor but I am not positive and do not have my guitar on my hands yet. At one time I played the majority of this solo / lead but not 100% note for note. This song has so many twists and turns covering many genres. I still wonder what Randy would have done if he did not die so young. If my memory still works I think he was 25 when he died so he was still quite young. What a tragedy and loss of talent. Thanks for showcasing this song and giving your opinion on it while also pointing out some of the timing and music theory along the way. This is my first time here at your channel and I subscribed because I enjoyed the way you go about explaining the song. Have a great evening, take care and greetings from the east coast
RIP Randy Rhoads he was very talented, and he known to put in his playing a composition in a composition and into another composition. Know one yet has been able to figure out on how he did it. The back up singers was the band except RIP RR he couldn't sing. PLEASE PLAY MORE RR. Much love 💘to you and your family.
Tragedy was it was drugs and alcohol that killed him. But not his using them. The band had stopped for the night with a friend who was a pilot. Randy was sleeping in the bus when the pilot was doing stunts buzzing the bus. Came too close. Crashed into the bus Randy died and one woman I think crew also died that day. The age old debate of who was the superior guitarist Him or Alex Van Halen, tells you what you need to know. Best we have is his then 18 yo student Zakk Wylde as lead guitar for OZZY now as well as doing his own project Black Label Society. Lead vocals as well.
@@brentliebrecht7866 Alex Van Halen is a drummer.
@@brentliebrecht7866 Zakk wasn’t one of Randy’s students.
This song is so fun to play.
The best track of Ozzy's solo career, an absolute masterpiece.
Every track off of Diary is killer, superb album track after track. Randy on guitar & the great chemistry with Bob Daisley & the late great Lee Kerslake.
Before his untimely death, Randy was about to get his master's degree in classical music. Comparing Randy to Eddie Van Halen is like comparing apples to oranges as Eddie's style is more swing. Both incredible musicians and will always be missed but never forgotten.
EVH was a virtuoso and did his unique thing very well. However none of Van Halen’s music as a band ever stuck with me. It always sounded like frat boy party music. Ozzy’s music with Randy was compositional and very moving and deep.
@@wastrel09 listen to some swing music. Then go back and listen to the first two albums of Van Halen. Remember that Eddie and Alex's dad used to play in a swing band. He was their influence growing up. Like I said about Randy about to get his Master's, that is why you hear more composition in his music.
It’s a weird place for me when talking about both EVH and RHoads..I always thought that EVH always the most natural talent sounding rock guitarist. He would make stuff up that sounded like it was just flowing through his body when playing. Randy was technically “play by the book” perfect type of guitarist . So, naturally I would choose EVH as my first choice ..then I hear “ DIARY OF A MADMAN” and it just doesn’t make it so clearcut for me anymore. Randy was a genius..
Does my head in how people compare Ed to Bach. Ed was extremely Ltd compared to the great Randy. Ed took a lot of his chops from Allan Holdsworth.
@live and direct he still does surpass ed.
I could tell you were so impressed with this one and weren't expecting it ..he is do underestimated ❤❤❤❤
This song really does showcase Randy's genius. Beautifully haunting and complex but memorable at the same time. His spirt will never die!
R.I.P
The Classical Intro was taken by Randy from Leo Bouwers Estudios Sencillos#6/ At the time Randy being into classical guitar was practicing Estudio Sencillo #6 and Ozzy passed by and said that needs to be a song..and there you have it- history. Lyrics that's all Bob Daisley-master of bass and words..! Long Live Randy, Bob, Lee- Long Live The Blizzard of Ozz !
Yeah same chord progression for what the first 20 secs of the song but let’s foget about the main riff, spooky mid section completely unheard of atonal guitar solo that Dimebag said sounded “like it fell from the heavens”, genre leading musical composition by Randy, and overall groundbreaking musicianship by Randy. But then again Randy never did anything that Eddie hadn’t done according to EVH. Jesus, give me a break so the guy borrowed some ideas here and there who the hell doesn’t.
@@josephgurtler9674 why so defensive ! As a composer, give where credit is due. Another known fact brother man, Leo Bouwer started legal proceedings when he heard the intro. Known fact, when Mr Bouwer heard that Randy passed away. He dropped the proceedings. Yeah, that intro is priceless, and Randy knew and loved classical guitar and loved Bouwers music..As far as EVH, well that's another long post.
@@josephgurtler9674 Yeah, let's totally ignore where Randy got the inspiration for the intro and verses of the song (voicings, chordal ideas and rhythms) because... uh... wait, gimm a sec here... because... let's NOT give credit to Leo Brouwer because... uh... hmm... help us out here... why should we NOT give credit to the piece that inspired Randy?
@@josephgurtler9674 Maybe switch to decaffeinated? It is totally fair to note that the intro is heavily influenced by Brouwer, without taking away from the majesty of the song. No one here even mentioned EVH, btw.
Thanks for the reference. Very cool!
Bob Daisley wrote ALL the lyrics and Co-composed ALL the music and played the bass on Ozzy's first 3 albums.
It's Doug listening to Randy ... I'M NOT CRYING!!!
Welcome to Randy, Doug.
I talked with Kathy yesterday and we talked about this, you going over the song and Randy' guitar playing. She was blown away in what you had to say. Said if Randy was still alive that he would have loved to have talked and picked your brain going over music
Randy's masterpiece...the guitar solo is like nothing else...this is what neo classical music should be, well though out compositions....not mindless shredding as fast as you can...I'll always love this
One of the greatest compositions in metal history. Stairway to heaven can’t hold this song’s guitar case.
Rhoades was a virtuoso that every metal guitarist either worships or is influenced by somebody that worships Rhoades. And yet, he is still under appreciated IMO.
Never picked up on the moody blues influence in this track, but it’s definitely there.
Anyway… Great video. Thanks for analytically confirming something I’ve felt for decades.
great song but the Stairway comparison?
Very immature to compare to "Stairway to Heaven" in some dopey competitive way. Songs are not competing against each other.
ok, that comparison is a little off..
you are out of your mind
*Rhoads*
I was 15 when Randy died. I was crushed. He's still my favorite guitarist.
I was 17 and he is still mine as well!
The very first rock concert I got to go to. My Dad took my brother and I to see Ozzy in February 1982. I was 11. Nobody could have predicted Randy would be dead just a month later.
@@jeffblanchard2406 you are so lucky. Unfortunately I never saw Randy.
I live right down the road by the place he was killed. Just drove over there a few months ago. Place hasn't changed much. It's quiet over there.
I was 15 too.
My favorite song EVER!!! The end always made me think of Carmina Burana.
Would love to see him to listen to Randy’s classical guitar piece “Dee”
Co-signed!
I remember learning Dee when I was 15, transcribed in the old Guitar for the Practicing Musician magazine when Ozzy’s Tribute album came out. As someone who later played more advanced classical guitar, Dee is certainly pretty and was quite a shock to hear on a metal record. I’m certain it is responsible for getting a lot of rock guys into classical guitar. But Dee is pretty basic compared to the more advanced pieces in a classical guitarist’s repertoire. If still new to classical guitar, check out La Catedral by Barrios, specifically the 3rd movement called Allegro Solemne. Also Vals Venezolano No 3 by Laurio. But I’ll still play Dee till the day I die, still remember Randy’s voice in the Dee outtakes that were included on the Tribute album.
Tears come to my eyes as you unearth the greatness of this piece from your highly educated vantage point which I could not verbalize as well as you all these years. All I knew was this was one the great rock songs of that era.
Blizzard of Oz and Diary of a Madman are 2 of the best albums there will ever be. Supposedly Bob Daisley has some recordings from band practices that hopefully he will release some day.
Yup. Complete masterpieces and all due to Randy.
@@khakuda And Bob Daisley..
I think the stars aligned when Randy and Bob met. Randy was pure lighting and Bob helped bottled it. Bob to me was like a Experienced musician by this point and Randy was in beast mode. The way they worked together well just listen to blizzard and Diary. I would think Randy being heartbroken when they canned Bob and Lee. I imagine they hired Rudy as part of damage control to keep Randy somewhat happy.
One of THE greatest metal masterpieces of all time! Rhoads-Daisley was a genius songwriting duo.
I love that you get it on such a deep level. Not just the mastery of this piece of art but the concept. Instant subscription.
Lol same instant subscribe
2nd that. Couldnt hit the subscribe button fast enough.
The Diary of a Madman Lp I bought the day it was released on November 7 ,1981 and I remember March 20,1982 the day Randy died. I heard the news on WMMS over my friends house on the radio. It seems liked yesterday....One of the best rock lps ever made. I also remember the cd was released years later on August 22,1995
Randy Rhoades was without doubt the best Heavy Metal guitarist.
This is my favorite Randy era Ozzy song. This is Randy at his best.
I think you should listen to "leave the door open" by Silk Sonic. Lyrically, it's sexy, yet funny at the same time. Musically it's clever with its chord progressions and sneaky key changes. I've seen jazz musicians geek out over this song. I think it'll be a nice change of pace that'll leave you surprised.
Doug, consider reviewing Ozzy's song "Tonight" from Diary of A Madman. IMO the most expressive/emotive/awe-inducing guitar solo by any guitarist at the end of that song. Simply mind-blowing. If you haven't heard it, you haven't heard Randy at the absolute peak of his game. He went full-on God-mode on that solo. Would love to have access to the full studio outtakes of that song...
The best song from the Blizzard albu.
You cannot turn the volume up loud enough on that outro to do it justice and enjoy just how great of a player Randy was. While it's very cool that he will forever be known for Crazy Train, this is easily his best work.
Revelation Mother Earth for me is the most amaizing RR solo. Although short it just give me chills 40 years later hearing it!
Agree! I ruined my tape of this album re-listening to the outro solo of Tonight a thousand times. It's such a badass and well crafted solo.
@@Ezekiel33USA Same here.
Randy was a guitar genius. It's tragic that he died so young and that we never got to see what other masterpieces of rock he could give us.
Mr. Crowley has by far two of the GREATEST guitar solo's in the history of music. But you will have to decide that for yourself.
Seen Ozzy in Chicago 81. Mr Crowley nearly knocked me over. The intro pounded right through my chest. Great show. Motorhead opened then Ozzy blew the ceiling off the place.
i had the good fortune to see Mr Rhoads live twice and Mr Crowley stood out for me too.
Well Chris, I just mentioned to another commenter about the greatness of the outro on "Tonight" ( a shame the tape had to stop) but that second solo in Mr. Crowley is by far my favorite piece of work that Randy did and suffice to say of all time. I have many boots of it, saw him live four times myself and couldn't agree more with your comment.
@@3chorses I was lucky enough to see him once. No matter if Randy was live or in studio on an album...He was magnificent.
Only other song I can think of with TWO amazing guitar solos is Comfortably Numb by Pink Floyd (Dave Gilmour)
Thoroughly enjoyed the analysis of one of my favorites for the past 40 years.
Randy Rhodes had such profound influence on my teenage years in the sense of how and why I wanted to play guitar. When I hear this song I still get emotional even after 35 to 40 years of listening to it. Rhodes was so brilliant.
Great Doug, you got this unblocked! The next Ozzy to do is Revelation (Mother Earth). Others I'd recommend - You Can't Kill Rock and Roll, Tonight, See You on the Other Side, and Dreamer.
Revelation Mother Earth definitely!
Unblocked?? Shaaaaroooon! lol
I remember buying the record when it came out. Sitting in front of my stereo, jaw dropped when I heard this song. Listen to it 100 times after. Spectacular song.
And when I play it, I'm 16 all over again!!!!
Doug. I have literally been waiting for you to react to this composition since the beginning of your channel. Absolutely anything on the (first) two Ozzy/Randy albums are absolute gold. Randy had a classical composer’s sensibility. “Revelation Mother Earth” next, please. Then “Mr. Crowley” live. (One of the very few pieces of clear footage of Randy performing) He was absolutely ahead of his time. 80’s metal owes a great deal of debt to Randy. They all tried to incorporate classical/baroque themes into their music to darken the tone, but always fell short of Randy’s accomplishments and his masterpieces spoke for themselves. May he never be forgotten and yes, glad the R&R Hall of Fame is recognizing his excellence.
On a related issue, May Sharon “Yoko” Osbourne burn in hell for what she did to Bob Daisley and Lee Kerslake.
She and Ozzy have been riding the coattails of those first two records for forty years now. Randy wrote “Crazy Train” along with Bob Daisley for crying out loud!!! Not your husband, sorry.
I read Daisley's book, the Osbourne's are snakes.
All the beautiful things you said about this composition on one hand, on the other hand putting it in the context of time when not too many people were doing this kind of music.
Not to mention the time when people (most adults at the time) despised this kind of music and never gave it a chance. We fans were considered to be outcasts for the most part because the stigma this music placed upon us by the majority. Really it is sad that so many people never gave it a fair listen back then.
One of the best metal songs ever written!! Even after all these years my heart still absolutely loves it!!!!!
this might be the best rock album ever written, it is a masterpiece.
Randy was special,he had his own technique and sound.Always ready to explore new path.This guy was a genius in studio!
Ozzy's bass player Bob Daisley wrote this song. Said Daisley: "I really wrote that one about myself. When I was 16 I had my first nervous breakdown and it really f---ed me up. I was a sensitive kid and I have always been a sensitive person. I suppose you have to be sensitive being in the arts. I wrote the words about myself. Quite often we have problems and we are our own worst enemies and that is why 'Enemies fill up the pages one by one in the diary. Are they me?' I am my own worst enemy.
The other thing was that Randy [Rhoads] had the rough idea for the song 'Diary of a Madman' and I came up with title. I wrote all of the lyrics as well on the album. Ozzy would come and go from rehearsals. One day he came in and we played him 'Diary of a Madman' and because it had funny timing he couldn't get his head around. He said, 'Who the f--k do you think I am? Frank Zappa!' We said, 'You sing in this part but you don't sing here. This timing goes like this etc.' He started to like it when he got his head around but at first he was like, 'This is not for me'."
Source Songfacts
A keen ear will always love RANDY! Can't help it...So Good!
Randy is my personal guitar hero, just loved the guy.
Now, this wouldn't make for a very long video but I would LOVE it if you would do maybe a mini-video on his solo, classical guitar track, "Dee" which he wrote for his mother. It's just lovely.
Have you heard the recording of Randy putting Dee together in the studio. Genius at work.
th-cam.com/video/216_wkEgPg4/w-d-xo.html
I remember those days; I was hanging out with the guys from the classical guitar course at Joliette, and you wouldn't believe the number of metal heads in that course. Everybody aimed getting as good as Randy.
I can't imagine the joy of being able to discover this music again. It profoundly changed my life and gave me some of those sublime moments when you all but weep for the beauty of a thing.
You summed that up very nicely.
I was at a party in high school and we had this album on repeat all night. Just over and over and over and over again.
There's just something magical about it... we were all hypnotized it seemed.
@@snowyrain5730 There definitely is something powerful about this album. It really is hypnotic and atmospheric. Especially side 2.
My personal Diary I wrote the next day after the last show of Randy Rhoads in Knoxville Tennessee! RIP RANDY! YOU ARE SORELY MISSED!
OZZY OSBOURNE: THURSDAY MARCH 18TH 1982: RANDY RHOADS LAST SHOW AT THE KNOXVILLE CIVIC COLISEUM: DIARY OF A MADMAN TOUR:
Upon entering the coliseum after buying my tour shirt and ticket 🎫 stub processing: I noticed the stage was set up like a medieval castle with arches and bats 🦇 flying around the top of them. There was a staircase leading up to Tommy Aldridge’s Drumkit. The top left of Tommy was where Donny Airey’s keyboards were set up. Stage right and left had to cages with which Randy Rhoads would appear from the floor stage right and Rudy Sarzo stage left. OZZY had a throne of which he would appear out of to start the show to Over the Mountain. Tommy had his drum tech dressed as an Executioner stand beside his kit with his arms crossed. The staircase had a small section that would open and a small dwarf named: Ronnie (after Ronnie James Dio the new singer for Black Sabbath-replacing OZZY) and hand OZZY towels and water between songs. Little did we all know that later in the show: the executioner would bring the dwarf out to be hung from the rafters and later he would cut off his head using a guillotine! At the end of the show OZZY climbed onto a giant mechanical hand that OZZY stood on top of and launched unspecified meat 🥩 🍖 into the audience! Of course it was all an a theatrical act as the dwarf appeared to take a bow with OZZY and the band. When OZZY smiled we noticed he put vampire 🧛♀️ teeth in! We laughed hard! I went to the show with my friend Richard and his older brother Greg who was 18 at the time. We were 13. Greatest show on earth! Richard and I were both terrified and thrilled at what we witnessed! Unfortunately the next morning all that excitement and energy was gone as we learned that Randy Rhoads perished in a plane crash in Florida. Richard and I played drums but Greg played guitar 🎸 and he definitely took it the hardest! One of the greatest guitarist of our generation and had just won the new guitarist of the year by Guitar Player magazine. Rest In Peace Randy Rhoads your music lives on!
Sincerely,
Gary Lagstrom
I can't believe you went right past that Hungarian Minor scale solo as if it was the most common thing you ever heard. You didn't even listen to it, you were so focused on the timing. Randy Rhoads captures the insanity so perfectly well with that solo. I don't think I've ever heard another song with a Hungarian Minor scale in it in my life.
THANK YOU!!!!
I don't know much about the writing playing and making music that much at all I mean I can't even play the harmonica but the way you recognize what he missed it's great!!
Daisley and Kerslake are the rhythm section from Uriah Heep.
It's still surreal to me to this day. With those violins, I would have loved to have seen that all recorded.
You make us realize how good this is. We thought it was good, but you take our understanding to a new higher level of why it's good.
I remember buying this album at Cactus in '81. One of my first metal albums. The album cover drew me in. The music hooked me for life! RIP R R.!
Anyone Randy's I love thank you sir
I love these Daily Doug episodes. It is so cool to hear Doug break down the keys and structure of the song as it goes along. Thank you Doug for your contributions.
I totally agree with you re: Doug's Daily Dissections; but also, I love that you have Bill as your avatar or icon or whatever it's called, it goes perfectly with your title/name; one of my favorite comic strips, tho sadly nowadays fewer and fewer people even KNOW of it, much less being familiar with, and getting, the left-field humor of Bloom County... On a related note, do you recognize the animated character of mine? It's super obscure, almost nobody I've met online knows who it is, or the source material... Great story from which he emerges..! In fact, I gotta watch it again, it's probably been 15 years! Hmm...maybe this weekend...
This is the very best Daily Doug I have seen. The joy in that grin said it all! ❤️🏆
Thank you for the analysis and more so the enjoyment you expressed. 🙏
Give "Revelation (Mother Earth)" a shot. Airey has a nice piano solo, then Randy lights it up at the end.
It’s a musical decent into madness. A masterpiece of metal. It’s trippy to see you analyze this music that is so private and personal to me. Bravo!
I thought that same thing.
Revelation (Mother Earth) is my favorite of the Randy Rhoads era.
hardcore guitar porn.
I love the great Don Airey on this tune.
This is Randy's unintentional magnum opus. I can never think of Randy without a tinge of sadness. He was 25 years old when he died. Just so much left to give and to live. Such a loss.
In my opinion, never before nor since has there been a song so crushingly heavy yet also so hauntingly beautiful
Killer of Giants falls in behind this one
That 17/8 section at the end might be my favourite thing in the history of rock music.
Simply the best Ozzy song ever!
If you dig this tune then give Revelation (Mother Earth) a reaction. Its from Ozzy's first solo album Blizzard of Oz. Really great song.
This song is perfect in every way. It captures both beauty and sadness. It has always sparked profound emotion for me. The musicianship is absolutely remarkable. Randy Rhoads is the reason I play guitar to this day.
Randy Rhoads was WAY ahead of his time. Everything he wrote still fits with today. His song composure was out of the world back in the early 80's.
My favourite Ozzy tune. A really really grate review. This song is a hard rock masterpiece.
IT's ABOUT TIME RANDY RHOADS GOT SOME LOVE( several exclamation points)
Daisley and Kirslake wrote the rhythm vocal melody and lyrics
Kirslake wrote the vocal melody
Daisley had the structure and Randy had the intro from Etude # 6 with a rhythmic variation and who knows what else .
Lee Kerslake (and for Doug's benefit 'Kerslake' pronounced Cur's Lake). Thanks for the rhythms, Lee.
That song is a masterpiece.
Great, there will be "no living with me now" Your reaction has vindicated why this has been my #1 song since I was 12. Mainly the perfect hybrid of metal and classical
Prog sounding you say? That's no wonder as Randy was classically trained besides being an absolute genius on guitar. Taken way too soon, I really wish we could've heard him in a proper prog band. Ozzy's band was no slouch, though. Gotta love 'em.
This was an educated and informed take on this heavy classic. Your knowledge of music gave us a great insight into the compositional brilliance of this song. Well done and thank you! You have a new and enthusiastic subscriber!
No doubt a masterpiece. I loved this song as a teenager and still do thirty years later👍🤘
an absolute masterpiece, give our best to Tubbs
Doug don't stop there, your listening to one of the Masterpiece's of Rock! This whole LP is Great all the way through!!! Musically and lyrically!
Happy Birthday Randy!
This and Over the Mountain easily my favorite Randy songs.Such a shame he passed so young.Great vid, thanks.
You helped me appreciate this song in a whole new way, thank you!
What a thoughtful analysis - I've been listening to this song for over 30 years on and off and you've opened my ears to relationships i consciously wasn't aware of between the lyric and the syncopated feel.
This song always reminds me of my mom. Not that she was crazy but that she HATED the singers at the end. She hated the piece, 'Ave Satani' that Jerry Goldsmith composed for 'The Omen' films. When the singers come in at the end of Diary of A Madman, it always reminded her of 'Ave Satani.'
Brilliant song. Brilliant album. This song rarely gets the credit it deserves.
Thanks for breaking it down.
The people I have been listening to the song for several decades and I never realized how magical it was until I saw this reaction. This is what reactions should be all about. I literally have a new found appreciation for just how great this song is. The pleasure is mine.
The lyrics are so dark and eerie, but, the music is quite uplifting at the end. Almost like the writer has found clarity in his own mental state. One of my all time favorite songs from Ozzy.
So glad I discovered your channel Doug....outstanding.
Very insightful analysis Doug, thanks for your expert analysis of just what genius Randy Rhoads and Ozzy in fact the whole band did with this arrangement! As usual you were spot on.
This turned out to be the last thing we the fans received from Randy before his untimely death, and what an awesome final piece it was (similar to Rush's The Garden). By the way, Lee Kerslake (RIP) is pronounced KER-SLAKE, not KER-SLAH-KEE.
Only Country Bumpkins pronounce it "KER-SLAH-KEE". I have NEVER heard it pronounced that way in California LOL
I think he said Chris Lackey lol, wonderful analysis though
He's very lucky to be able to articulate himself so well with regards to music
it's tragic, maybe the greatest tragedy in music history, What a talent. what could have been on that next studio album. All time A leaguer, he and Bob....fantastic, They saved Ozzy's career with quality music, Ozzy could be as crazy as he wants, but had the music been lacking fans would not have come back
@@1970borntorun So this guy is a country bumpkin? People from Commiefornia just may be as narrow-minded as it gets. Too many Hollywood movies have skewed your perception of reality.