After reading the Ozzy / Randy Rhoads article (beginning page 68 of the March issue) I, Bob Daisley, feel compelled to write this letter to put a few inaccuracies straight. I write on behalf of Lee Kerslake and myself.

Firstly, just to establish the attitude in which this letter is written and the light in which It should be viewed, let it be understood that I / We do not have any personal vendetta or ill feelings towards Ozzy, and unlike Ozzy, don't intend to slander or tell untruths.

On page 90 of said article Ozzy "remembers" Kerslake and myself refusing to do a double show unless we got double per diems – utter rubbish.  When Ozzy was told about the possibility of the shows, he came to us, the band, with concern for his voice holding out for two shows and asked us to back him up in refusing. We did as he asked and now we get the blame! Ozzy may have convinced himself that what he said actually happened but I remember it well and after all, he, as he admits, was "out of It" a lot of the time.

On the same page, second column, it tells of a dispute about publishing between us and Ozzy and Sharon – not so.  The dispute was to do with merchandising from tours and our share to which we were entitled that they didn't want to give us. But it started long before that...originally when Ozzy, myself and Randy were putting the band together and auditioning drummers (we must have auditioned at least 40 or more) Ozzy wanted Tommy Aldridge who was at that time unavailable. Finally, the last person to audition was Kerslake, who turned out to be just what we were looking for. Randy and me looked at each other after the first run through of "I Don't Know" and said "Thank fuck for that!" 

Later, after recording the "Blizzard" album, Aldridge became available and Ozzy and Sharon wanted him in the band and came to me with the suggestion. I said "If it ain't broke, don't fix it".  Lee was perfect for the band and proved it yet again on the "Diary" album. Yes, that's Lee and me on "Diary", not Sarzo and Aldridge as people were led to believe by the credits ‑ one of the points in our lawsuit (mentioned on page 90) the other being unpaid royalties for the "Blizzard" and "Diary" albums. I stood by Lee and yes, we both stood up for our rights with demands for merchandising among other things and after recording the "Diary" album, were replaced with Sarzo and Aldridge with their names and photos accredited to our work.

Later in 1991, during the recording of the "No More Tears" album, Ozzy said to me, "You were right, you know, about Kerslake" ‑ at least he admitted it.  I hope he remembers this now… but he was still partaking of substances in those days.

At the bottom of page 90, right column, Ozzy "remembers" his first encounter with Mrs. Rhoads, Randy's mum.  However, I remember it well… and quite differently!  It was 1980 and we were rehearsing for a tour after recording the "Blizzard" album and Mrs. Rhoads had come over from L.A. to London to see Randy. We were in a rehearsal studio called Nomis and Mrs. Rhoads came in and began chatting to Randy and me ‑ Ozzy was at the other end of the studio in his usual attire in those days: an old brown ski jacket and piss‑stained jeans. Mrs. Rhoads asked, "When's the star of the show, Ozzy, going to show up?" We said, "That's him down there". "Oh", she said, "I thought that was a roadie." We used to laugh about that often and I don't mean in a back stabbing way, it was just funny and Ozzy looked cool anyway!

On page 72, center column, the article mentions Ozzy, Sharon and the band going to Ridge Farm Studios to record the "Blizzard" album and the build‑up of events prior to the recording. In fact, Sharon was in no way connected to the band until well after the completion and release of the "Blizzard" album which just goes to show how memories can fall short of being accurate. Fortunately, as well as having a very good memory myself, I kept diaries!

When Sharon did get involved we all got on very well together although I must add that Sharon and Kerslake weren't exactly president of each other's fan club.

On page 92 it mentions the songs Ozzy co-wrote with Randy. I think you'll find that on the "Blizzard'' album that three people were responsible for the song writing and on most of the tracks on the "Diary" album four people credited for writing the songs.

This brings me to another point.  Randy was a lovely chap and such a dedicated, talented, innovative guitarist/writer and credit to him where credit's due, and sadly he died at a very young age in the line of duty. But  it took four people to combine the chemistry that was responsible for the writing, playing, arranging, recording and production of those classic albums. It's been said, and I've seen it in print, that Randy Rhoads single‑handedly saved Ozzy's career ‑ but Ozzy had a loyal following, a great distinctive voice and unique style.

On page 72, top‑center column, It mentions Randy, myself and Ozzy as the writers without mention of Kerslake who was responsible for some of the vocal melodies as well as the substance of the music with Randy and me. It was a case of “the whole is much greater than the sum of the individual parts".  After all, Ozzy did call me back to write and record several more albums after "Blizzard" and "Diary" ‑ "Bark At The Moon", "Ultimate Sin", "No Rest For The Wicked" and "No More Tears",  I always loved working with Ozzy and found him to be a loveable character ‑ and I'm sure he still is!

Love to you all,

Bob Daisley and Lee Kerslake