On November 7, 1981, Ozzy Osbourne released his second solo album. It was another big step in his career after leaving Black Sabbath, but it also became the last studio album to feature Randy Rhoads. And knowing what happened just a few months later makes this record even harder to forget.
Randy Rhoads Was on Fire
Ozzy had a hell of a guitarist by his side. Randy Rhoads brought his classical influences, incredible technique and unmistakable guitar sound to this album. His playing is all over it, from the heavy opening of “Over the Mountain” to the beautiful, almost haunting passages in the title track.
The lineup also featured Bob Daisley on bass and Lee Kerslake on drums, with Max Norman, Ozzy, Randy and Bob sharing production duties.
And there’s plenty to enjoy here. “Flying High Again” became one of Ozzy best-known solo songs, while “Believer” delivers a heavy bass-driven groove. “You Can’t Kill Rock and Roll” mixes acoustic passages with powerful choruses, and “S.A.T.O.” brings the speed and energy.
The Story Behind “Diary of a Madman”
The title wasn’t picked out of nowhere. It was inspired by the 1963 horror film Diary of a Madman, starring Vincent Price.
But the story behind the title track is even more interesting. During rehearsals at Jumbo Sound in London, Ozzy was temporarily away when Randy started playing a classical guitar piece called “Étude”, which he had received from his classical teacher. The band worked on it and turned it into the song we know today.
Bob Daisley wrote the lyrics, drawing on his own experience with depersonalization. The result is one of the most atmospheric and unusual tracks on the album.
And if you’ve ever wondered about “S.A.T.O.”, it’s not some mysterious satanic message. The name comes from the initials of Sharon Arden and Thelma Osbourne, Ozzy’s former wife. The song was originally called “Strange Voyage”.
Not Everything on the Album Credits Adds Up
There’s a bit of a story behind the lineup too. Although Rudy Sarzo and Tommy Aldridge appeared in the liner notes and on some reissues, the bass and drums on the original recording were actually played by Bob Daisley and Lee Kerslake.
There’s also a keyboard mystery. Don Airey is listed on the album, but the keyboard parts were actually recorded by Johnny Cook.
And then there’s the 2002 reissue. The original bass and drum tracks were removed and replaced with newly recorded parts, which didn’t go down well with fans. The original recordings were finally restored for the 30th Anniversary Deluxe Edition in 2011.
A Cover With a Family Connection
That strange little boy sitting in the room on the album cover? That’s Ozzy’s son, Louis Osbourne.
Even the original vinyl insert had something hidden in plain sight. The strange-looking runes printed on it simply spell out “The Ozzy Osbourne Band”. Nothing too mysterious after all!
The Last Studio Album With Randy Rhoads
Sadly, “Diary of a Madman” became Randy Rhoads final studio album. On March 19, 1982, he died in a plane crash, aged just 25.
It’s hard not to think about that when listening to this record. Randy had so much more to give, but what he left behind is still incredible. His playing helped shape Ozzy’s solo career and this album remains an important part of his legacy.
More than four decades later, “Diary of a Madman” still deserves a place among the essential Ozzy albums.
What’s your favorite track from “Diary of a Madman”? Is it the title track, “Flying High Again” or one of Randy’s other guitar moments?
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