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Time of India
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Ozzy Osbourne auditioned 50 guitarists, one played while eating a sword, and then came Randy Rhoads
Ozzy Osbourne faced challenges after his departure from Black Sabbath. He needed to form a new band. The search for a guitarist was bizarre. Many eccentric musicians auditioned. Randy Rhoads impressed Osbourne. Rhoads joined the band. They created influential metal albums. Rhoads tragically died in a plane crash. His death ended their partnership. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Eddie Van Halen clones on steroids Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The legendary pair that changed American music When Ozzy Osbourne was fired from Black Sabbath in 1979, he wasn't just out of a band but was suddenly in charge of building one from scratch. 'I was jet-lagged to the max, arguing with some idiot guitar player,' Osbourne later recalled. 'I just thought, 'What the hell am I doing here?''The rock legend, who died at age 76, shared the chaotic details of his post-Sabbath solo debut in a 1990 Guitar World interview that has resurfaced in recent tributes. Osbourne, newly solo and emotionally wrecked, began auditioning musicians for his new band. But the process became anything but screened more than 50 guitarists during the search. Many, he said, came in with bizarre gimmicks. One man played standing on his head. Another shredded guitar while eating a sword. Others insisted on changing keys or argued about basic instructions.'There were all these Eddie Van Halen clones on steroids,' Osbourne said. 'One guy even played like Eddie while eating a f***ing sword.'One auditioner even breakdanced while playing. 'Some of them looked like they should've been in a sideshow at the circus,' Osbourne joked. 'Besides being a great guitarist, you've got to look the part.'Just when he was ready to give up, he came across a soft-spoken, classically trained guitarist named Randy Rhoads . Osbourne wasn't convinced at first. 'He was so frail, tiny, and effeminate,' he said. 'I thought, 'Oh no, oh hell.''But when Rhoads plugged into a tiny amp and began playing, Osbourne, even in a drugged haze, was floored. 'Even in my semi-consciousness, he blew my mind,' he said. He hired Rhoads on the spot, though he had to be reminded the next day that it wasn't a decision proved monumental. Rhoads co-wrote and performed on Blizzard of Ozz and Diary of a Madman , two of the most influential metal albums of all time. Their partnership ended tragically when Rhoads died in a plane crash in 1982 at just 25.
Economic Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
Ozzy Osbourne auditioned 50 guitarists, one played while eating a sword, and then came Randy Rhoads
Eddie Van Halen clones on steroids Live Events The legendary pair that changed American music (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel When Ozzy Osbourne was fired from Black Sabbath in 1979, he wasn't just out of a band but was suddenly in charge of building one from scratch. 'I was jet-lagged to the max, arguing with some idiot guitar player,' Osbourne later recalled. 'I just thought, 'What the hell am I doing here?''The rock legend, who died at age 76, shared the chaotic details of his post-Sabbath solo debut in a 1990 Guitar World interview that has resurfaced in recent tributes. Osbourne, newly solo and emotionally wrecked, began auditioning musicians for his new band. But the process became anything but screened more than 50 guitarists during the search. Many, he said, came in with bizarre gimmicks. One man played standing on his head. Another shredded guitar while eating a sword. Others insisted on changing keys or argued about basic instructions.'There were all these Eddie Van Halen clones on steroids,' Osbourne said. 'One guy even played like Eddie while eating a f***ing sword.'One auditioner even breakdanced while playing. 'Some of them looked like they should've been in a sideshow at the circus,' Osbourne joked. 'Besides being a great guitarist, you've got to look the part.'Just when he was ready to give up, he came across a soft-spoken, classically trained guitarist named Randy Rhoads . Osbourne wasn't convinced at first. 'He was so frail, tiny, and effeminate,' he said. 'I thought, 'Oh no, oh hell.''But when Rhoads plugged into a tiny amp and began playing, Osbourne, even in a drugged haze, was floored. 'Even in my semi-consciousness, he blew my mind,' he said. He hired Rhoads on the spot, though he had to be reminded the next day that it wasn't a decision proved monumental. Rhoads co-wrote and performed on Blizzard of Ozz and Diary of a Madman , two of the most influential metal albums of all time. Their partnership ended tragically when Rhoads died in a plane crash in 1982 at just 25.
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Olivia Rodrigo's Guitarist Cried Upon Learning Robert Smith Would Join Glastonbury Set
The surprise appearance of The Cure's Robert Smith during Olivia Rodrigo's Glastonbury 2025 set has been widely celebrated by fans and critics alike, but few were as overcome with emotion as Rodrigo's own guitarist, Arianna Powell. In a new interview with Guitar World, Powell recalled the moment she first found out Smith would be joining them onstage for duets of The Cure's 'Friday I'm in Love' and 'Just Like Heaven' at Worthy Farm last month. More from Billboard Tomorrowland 2025 Mainstage Destroyed by Fire Ahead of Festival Alison Krauss & Union Station, Billy Strings Lead 2025 IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards Nominees Ariana Grande Teases 'A Plan to Sing for You All Next Year': See What She Said 'We found out in Nashville when we were rehearsing for Bonnaroo, which ended up getting cancelled,' Powell said. 'Stacy [Jones], our music director, came and told us, and was like, 'This is very secret – you cannot tell anyone, but he's going to be joining us.' And I swear to God, I started crying. Like, I started tearing up.' Powell, a longtime fan of The Cure, said the news hit her particularly hard because of her deep admiration for Smith's guitar work. 'I'm a huge fan, especially those guitar parts,' she shared. 'I love, love, love the guitar parts, specifically in those songs, especially 'Friday I'm in Love'. So I was just so stoked to get to actually play that with the artist.' Beyond the onstage collaboration, Powell spoke about Smith's generosity and warmth backstage. 'He was so cool. He was leaving his dressing room door open for us to hang out. He wanted to talk and be social,' she said. 'Through conversations with him, he was just saying, 'It's just another show.' And he was talking about how much he enjoys performing, and he loves it every time. That really inspired me and my energy for that night. Like, 'Yeah, it's just another show – and I love doing this.' The collective energy of the band that day was really infectious.' The performance also marked a milestone for Rodrigo, who has spent 2025 on a global tour supporting her sophomore album GUTS. The LP, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in 2023, has seen a resurgence in streams following her Glastonbury appearance, with 'vampire' and 'bad idea right?' climbing back into the upper reaches of the Billboard Global 200. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Nancy Wilson says two 'irreplaceable' instruments have been stolen ahead of Heart's tour
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Heart have revealed that two 'irreplaceable' instruments have been stolen from them, just as they were due to embark on their June tour. The band had set up at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City on May 30, the day before the first show on their latest US jaunt but were 'devastated' to discover that two instruments had been taken from under their noses. A one-of-a-kind baritone Telecaster, featuring an intricately painted headstock custom-made for Nancy Wilson, and a vintage 1966 Gibson EM-50 mandolin that has been with the band for 25 years were both stolen. 'These instruments are more than just tools of our trade — they're extensions of our musical souls,' says Nancy Wilson. 'The baritone Tele was made uniquely for me, and Paul [Moak]'s mandolin has been with him for decades. We're heartbroken, and we're asking for their safe return—no questions asked. Their value to us is immeasurable.' Such is the personal value of the distinctive instruments that a reward is being offered to anyone with relevant information. Individuals with information can contact tour manager Tony Moon via email at tonymoon@ The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees are on the road with fellow hall of famers Cheap Trick, and Squeeze, celebrating 40 years since the release of their wildly successful self-titled album. Wilson recently reflected on the making of 1985's Heart, telling Guitar World, that while her beloved acoustic guitar had been the cornerstone of the band's sound, she felt 'pressured' by producer Ron Nevison to ditch the acoustics if they wanted to resonate with the contemporary audience. '[Heart] revitalized the band,' she explained in the same piece. 'It took us up to a whole other level of global success, so there's nothing I regret about what we did or where we compromised.' The latest dates come after they were forced to cancel a 2024 tour, as Ann Wilson revealed she was undergoing cancer treatment. The singer promised they'd be back in 2025, and she has been true to her word. It makes the theft of the two instruments even more heartbreaking. Guitar World hopes they return to the band – as Nuno Bettencourt found following the onstage theft of his prized Washburn, sometimes these stories can have a happy ending.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The unlikely origins of Strandberg's innovative EndurNeck
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Strandberg's intuitive EndurNeck profile is a divisive design. While its angular approach may put off traditionalists, those who have experienced it themselves are quick to praise its ergonomic benefits. Now, Ola Strandberg has revealed it was partly inspired by the most unlikely everyday objects. The firm's signature and patented asymmetrical neck design utilizes flat surfaces rather than a traditional round profile. It looks to provide a more restful grip for the thumb and ultimately helps players achieve a more intuitive grip of the instrument, which aids performance and optimizes ergonomic playing. During a recent guitar health seminar conducted in collaboration with UK music store Andertons, firm founder Ola Strandberg opened up on the makings of the innovative neck design. 'I can't exactly remember when I had the eureka moment, but for a brief period of time, I was collaborating with another builder called Rick Toone who had experimented with the trapezoidal neck,' says Strandberg. As a builder, Toone stands out for his quirky designs and has even built a six-string for Misha Mansoor. His unorthodox neck concept, however, was symmetrical – something that didn't quite suit Strandberg, who would later adopt a more off-kilter approach that took inspiration from an unlikely source. 'I do remember,' Strandberg expands, 'that we had a remote control at home for my TV which also had this trapezoidal shape. I was messing around with that. I was attracted to the concept of this twisted neck. 'Then I realized that those trapezoidal cutaways gave room for this joint here [midway between the thumb and forefinger] when I held the remote in a certain way. So, I guess that kind of came to me. I made a prototype out of styrofoam and it seemed to work. 'It was it was an easy sell,' Strandberg adds, with the completed EndurNeck helping to transform his six-string experiments from humble garage models into full-fledged business-backed builds now proudly wielded by Plini, Jordan Rudess, and plenty more. Strandberg's efforts have also kickstarted a headless guitar revolution after Eddie Van Halen and Allan Holdsworth failed to help them win over the public in the 1980s and 1990s. 'Once this was out,' Strandberg then says, 'I think I only ever built one more guitar with a conventional neck.' Speaking to Guitar World on the same day of the event, Strandberg also cited the oddball Lace Helix guitar – another obscure creation famed for its twisted neck – as a second source of inspiration for the EndurNeck. 'The first ever guitar that I built, the Strandberg concept, did have a conventional neck. Then I read about a bass builder called Jerome Little, who builds basses with a twisted neck to allow playing with a straighter wrist angle,' he explains. 'Lace, the company that makes the pickups, had a guitar in production with this twisted neck, and that seemed like a cool thing.' It had one major problem, though: 'It would require you to change your playing technique – you can't bend upwards, because then the notes will choke out.' In his GW chat, Strandberg echoes that the exact moment of discovery has escaped his memory. 'It's just one of those things,' he confesses. The latest big step in Strandberg's history was the release of its first sub $1,000 via the Boden Essential, which sliced the average cost of one of the company's futuristic axes by around 50%.
