Ozzy Osbourne pays tribute to Randy Rhoads ahead of Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame induction

nme.com:

Ozzy Osbourne has paid tribute to Randy Rhoads following news of Rhoads’ induction into this year’s Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame.Rhoads will be inducted for a ‘Musical Excellence Award’ in the ceremony which will be held this October, alongside LL Cool J and Billy Preston in the same category.Speaking ahead of Rhoads’ induction, Osbourne told Rolling Stone: “It’s a long time coming, but he got there in the end.”“He was a great player…I owe my career to him,” Osbourne said.

Rhoads died in a plane crash whilst on tour with Osbourne and Black Sabbath in 1982.Recalling the time they first met, Osbourne added: “When I heard him play, I said, ‘I don’t know if I’m smoking some serious stuff or this guy’s better than any guy I’ve ever heard.’ He was.