British musician Ozzy Osbourne and American musician Randy Rhodes (1956 – 1982) perform at the Rosemont Horizon, Rosemont, Illinois, January 24, 1982. (Photo by Paul Natkin/Getty Images)
Friday marked a happy day, long time guitar genius Randy Rhoads was finally solidified his spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The rock legend, who passed away at 25 in 1982, will posthumously be awarded the Musical Excellence Award. Rhoad’s was most famous for his playing with Ozzy Osbourne and the Oz-man himself stated how happy he was to see him finally enter the Hall of Fame.
“I’m so happy that Randy’s genius, which we all saw from the beginning, is finally being recognized and that he is getting his due,” Osbourne told Sal Cirrincione of Premiere Radio Network. “I only wish he was here in person to get this award and that we could all celebrate together. It’s really great that Randy’s family, friends and fans get to see him honored this way.”
Recent two-time inductee Dave Grohl also shared this enthusiasm saying he “felt really happy for Ozzy” when hearing of the news. Tom Morello of the also recently inducted Rage Against the Machine rounded out the celebration by celebrating his “raw rock power.”
“Congrats to Randy Rhoads for his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame,” Morello said. “Peerless talent who effortlessly combined timeless riffs, technical mastery, and raw rock power. It was his poster that was on my wall when I was practicing 8 hrs a day. Tremendous musician. Well deserved honor.”
The Award for Musical Excellence is bestowed to artists, musicians, songwriters, and producers whose originality and influence creating music have had a dramatic impact on music.
