Going Off The Rails: 10 Facts About the Birth of Ozzy’s Crazy Train

Ozzy Osbourne’s “Crazy Train” is arguably one of the most popular and evocative heavy metal songs of the early 1980s, if not all time. And one that inspired millions of teenagers across the globe to shake their fists in the air and scream about going off the rails.

The intro guitar riff immediately evokes images of master shredder Randy Rhoads with his custom black & white polka dot flying V guitar, being hoisted in the air by Ozzy in some crazed fit of metal rage.

The song was released in 1980 on Ozzy’s first solo album, Blizzard of Oz, and had co-writing nods going to then bass player Bob Daisley and Randy Rhoads. The single was hugely successful on both Europe and North America and resurrected the waning career of Ozzy Osbourne, who had recently been ousted from Black Sabbath, and also instantly turned Randy Rhoads into a guitar legend.

Besides the overwhelming success of the song, what is fascinating is the circuitous route it took from its initial sprout into becoming one of the biggest tracks in metal history. And how almost didn’t make it, except for Ozzy’s last minute decision to try something new that he remembered hearing in LA.

1. Randy Rhoads created the classic riff shortly after he left Quiet Riot in September 1979 and its origination came from the Steve Miller Band’s “Swingtown.”

2. As the story goes, one evening, Roads was with his friend and then Quiet Riot replacement Greg Leon, who showed him what happens when you speed up the riff to the Steve Miller song. From there Randy was off and later perfected its structure.

3. Having just parted ways with Sabbath, Ozzy was now a free agent and auditioning band members in LA with Sharon Arden in the attempt of creating a solo career. One night at the Starwood nightclub in LA, Ozzy hooked up with Dana Strum, later of Slaughter and Vince Neil band fame. Major Sabbath fan and bass player, Strum was desperately looking for a chance to audition for Ozzy’s new solo outfit.

4. After landing the gig, Strum encouraged Ozzy to check out a young guitar player, Randy Rhoads, who was recently in Quiet Riot. At the time, also in the running was ex-Thin Lizzy guitar player Gary Moore.

5. Ozzy relented to Rhoads coming down for an audition. However, at the time he had already consumed a number of beers and lost interest focusing more on returning to his hotel room. During the brief few seconds that Rhoads was playing Ozzy managed to decide that he was the man for the job and hired him on the way out of the studio.

6. A few days later at a band meeting in Ozzy’s hotel, things didn’t go well for Rhoads.   Preferring a soft drink instead of alcohol and being dressed in 1970s glam apparel caused Ozzy to question Rhoads sexuality and overall commitment. However, despite any initial misgivings, the rehearsals went fine and the band line-up was settled with Strum on bass, Rhoads on guitar and from Quiet Riot, Frankie Banali on drums.

7. The band may have thought they were close to finalizing arrangements, but they were sadly mistaken as shortly after Ozzy settled the band, he changed his mind and returned to the UK to resume the hunt for a solo band in England.

8. In England, Bob Daisley, recently ex-Rainbow, was brought in as bass player by David Arden, then running Don Arden’s Jet Records. Hunting around for guitar players was harder than they thought but it was here that Ozzy remembered Randy Rhoads and suggested bringing him over to England for a rehearsal.

9. Initially Rhoads was reluctant to go to the rehearsal in England. He wasn’t a Black Sabbath fan, openly proclaiming that he really didn’t like the band. Plus to have been previously hired and then dropped shortly after, and then asked to come back didn’t endear Randy with the idea that he would have to leave his teaching position, fly across the world for more abuse. Add to the issue that Randy was a homebody and was not used to being away from his family.

10. After being prodded to join Ozzy by his mother, the musical partnership struck between the two along with Bob Daisley, and Sharon at the helm, Ozzy went on to become enormously successful and created some of his most memorable material of his career. Soon after the band was finalized they went on to record Suicide Solution, I Don’t Know, Mr Crowley, and the momentous Crazy Train, all of which have remained staples in Ozzy’s live shows to this day.