Former and current members of JUDAS PRIEST, ALICE COOPER, OZZY OSBOURNE and SCORPIONS will play classic songs from their respective bands during a week-long tour of Russia under the banner ROCKSTAR.
May 19 – Krasnodar – Arena Hall
May 21 – Rostov – Tesla Club
May 23 – Voronej – Barac’o’mama Club
May 25 – Penza – Rock Park Open-Air Festival
May 26 – Saratov Tuz Hall
May 28 – Moscow – Rockstar Bar
A video interview with Owens in which he discusses the ROCKSTAR project can be seen below.
Legendary bassist Rudy Sarzo (OZZY OSBOURNE, QUIET RIOT, WHITESNAKE, DIO) says that he decided to join Geoff Tate‘s newly assembled version of QUEENSRŸCHE because the the opportunity to work with a “world-class vocalist” like Tate was too good to pass up.
“My motivation for joining the band is, you know… Working with great singers is always the toughest thing to find,” Sarzo told Artisan News at the December 12 premiere screening in Los Angeles, California of “Randy Rhoads: The Quiet Riot Years”, the first documentary film to be released on the late guitarist. “Of course, somebody that plays at the level of Randy Rhoads, of course, that’s one in a million times that you’re gonna find that. But a vocalist, a real word-class vocalist like Geoff Tate, they’re very rare, especially the ones that happen to be available. So when he called me up and said to join forces, of course, I said ‘yes’ — immediately.”
Tate‘s QUEENSRŸCHE also includes drummer Bobby Blotzer (RATT), guitarist Kelly Gray (MYTH) and keyboardist Randy Gane (MYTH).
Geoff Tate‘s QUEENSRŸCHE will hit the road next year to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the group’s epic 1988 release, “Operation: Mindcrime”.
The performance of “Operation: Mindcrime” next spring will cover all fifteen songs from the album including such fan favorites as “Revolution Calling”, “Operation: Mindcrime”, “I Don’t Believe In Love” and the closing track, “Eyes Of A Stranger”. It will also feature other selections from the QUEENSRŸCHE catalog, including songs from “Operation: Mindcrime II”.
Glen Drover (MEGADETH, KING DIAMOND) announced his departure from Geoff Tate‘s QUEENSRŸCHE last month before playing a single show with the band. He said in a statement: “I was very excited about doing this gig initially, but learned in the past week or so that it’s in my best interest not to do this right now. I feel really bad for those who were excited about the idea, and to Geoff himself, who, I have to say, was very nice to me on my past trip to Seattle. I, of course, am very disappointed for arriving at this point, and making this decision, to say the least. I sincerely wish the Geoff and the band all the luck on what they do in the future.”
Tate, who was fired from QUEENSRŸCHE in June after fronting the group for three decades, recently sought to prevent his former bandmates from touring and operating under the QUEENSRŸCHE name without him. While ruling against Tate, the presiding judge determined that there was no legal hurdle in Tate also using the name with an all-new lineup of musicians. “I don’t see any reason that Mr. Tate can’t have the benefit, if he gets other members, of whatever name he uses of using the brand,” Superior Court Judge Carol A. Schapira said during the July 13 court hearing. “I think [doing that would be] inherently confusing, although I’m sure the market can get these things sorted out,” she added.
Rudy Sarzo (OZZY OSBOURNE, QUIET RIOT, WHITESNAKE, DIO), Zakk Wylde (BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, OZZY OSBOURNE) and Tim Mahoney (311) spoke to Artisan News at the premiere screening this past Wednesday, December 12 at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles, California of “Randy Rhoads: The Quiet Riot Years”, the first documentary film to be released on the late guitarist. Sarzo talked about Randy‘s biggest secret, Wylde talked about Rhoads‘ legacy, and Mahoney spoke about growing up and listening to Randy as a kid. Check out the report below.
The “Randy Rhoads: The Quiet Riot Years” screening was followed by a panel discussion with the filmmakers as well as QUIET RIOT‘s old fan club president and Jodi Raskin-Vigier, who was Rhoads‘ fiancée.
“Randy Rhoads: The Quiet Riot Years” was directed by rock photographer Ron Sobel and features interviews with Rhoads‘ QUIET RIOT bandmates Sarzo and Drew Forsyth, late QUIET RIOT singer Kevin Dubrow‘s mother and others. It explores the friendship between Rhoads and Dubrow, the band’s struggle to get an American recording deal and Rhoads‘ decision to audition for Osbourne.
The filmmakers aren’t sure what the plans are for the 90-minute documentary. It’s currently included as a bonus DVD with a book of the same name, which is available though RedMatchProductions.com.
Rhoads died in a 1982 plane crash at age 25 while on tour with Osbourne.
Rock photo books are a dime a dozen with a parade of shutterbugs presenting images of iconic performers caught in their prime. But photographer Ron Sobol is one of the rare few who captured that elusive lightning in a bottle magic. As a perennial fifth member of hard rock band QUIET RIOT since their inception, Sobol‘s involvement lasted beyond the success of their multi-platinum masterpiece, “Metal Health”. Intuitively aware of capturing the band’s striking visual appeal, on and off stage, Ron quickly became a part of the group’s trusted inner circle. Ron was not only QUIET RIOT‘s personal photographer, lighting director, and co-writer, he was also their dearest friend.
Narrated by Sobol, the accompanying 90-minute film offers a gripping behind-the-scenes portrait of two close friends, Rhoads and DuBrow, as they embark on an uphill quest for stardom . Using previously unseen images, rare video footage and period music, along with new and classic interviews, the movie chronicles the five year period (1975-1980) that Sobol was in the trenches with the band. This in-depth examination documents in photos and on celluloid, the gradual rise of a Hollywood club band into international superstars.
Rock Book Show recently conducted an interview with legendary bassist Rudy Sarzo (OZZY OSBOURNE, QUIET RIOT, WHITESNAKE, DIO, ANIMETAL USA). You can now watch the chat in the YouTube clip below.
Sarzo and Randy Rhoads shared a unique musical kinship — they both played with QUIET RIOT and OZZY OSBOURNE, but most importantly they shared a friendship. Rudy‘s book, “Off The Rails”, was written to tell Randy‘s story; from local musician to global superstar and the truth about the crash that took his life.
Sarzo speaks with honesty in the book, which was written from journals he kept during the “Blizzard of Ozz” and “Diary Of A Madman” tours.
In this interview, Sarzo talks about Randy‘s legacy, what really happened the day of that tragic plane crash that took Randy‘s life and Rudy‘s new band, ANIMETAL USA.
TWISTED SISTER frontman Dee Snider will headline the “Rock Of Vegas” summer concert series with a free show at 9 p.m. Saturday on the Third Street Stage at the Fremont Street Experience in Las Vegas, Nevada. He will be joined by Grammy-winning producer/guitarist Bob Kulick and legendary heavy metal bassist Rudy Sarzo (QUIET RIOT, OZZY OSBOURNE, WHITESNAKE, DIO), along with the L.A. Horns led by Doug Katsaros.
Fremont Street Experience presents its summer concert series “Rock Of Vegas” with an entertainment lineup of legendary rock ‘n’ rollers from the 1980s. The free concert series in Downtown Las Vegas runs all summer long and ends on Labor Day Weekend. Enjoy this outdoor free concert under the lights of VivaVision and stroll up and down Fremont Street Experience for an exciting evening downtown.
Amelia Waters of GuitarWorld.com recently conducted an interview with legendary bassist Rudy Sarzo (OZZY OSBOURNE, QUIET RIOT, WHITESNAKE, DIO, ANIMETAL USA). An excerpt from the chat follows below.
GuitarWorld.com: You were good friends with Randy Rhoads [late OZZY OSBOURNE/QUIET RIOT guitarist], who died in 1982. Do you still see his influence today — and do you still think about him?
I think about him enough to have to sit down and write a book to answer the No. 1 question I get asked around the world: What was it like to play with Randy Rhoads? He’s such an influential musician even today, 30 years after his passing. The way I put it is, in any post-Randy Rhoads guitar player, I always hear some kind of influence in their performance, even in their compositional style. Every time I receive an email or a message on Facebook or whatever, from kids, young guitar players, 10, 14 years old, they say, “Man, I discovered Randy Rhoads. He’s my favorite guitar player.” That really touches me because it’s great to hear a new generation giving Randy the credit he deserves for being the well where most guitar players drink from. He has influenced generations and still does. So do I think of Randy every day? Of course I do. We all do. All of us that got to know him and perform with him. We have that common. We’ll never lose that bond, that thread, our admiration toward Randy as a musician and as a friend.
GuitarWorld.com: A long time ago, you were feuding with Ozzy and a few other people. Is all that in the past now?
Yes, yes. Silly things happen. If you look at the big picture, you look more at what we have in common than what we have not. At the end of the day, that’s what always takes precedence. As a matter of fact, I’ll be doing a lot of interviews on behalf of Ozzy and Sharon for the latest release of the “Speak Of The Devil” DVD. Everything is really wonderful between the Osbournes and me, which is the way it should be. Because if you ask me what the most significant group in my career was, it has to be being a member of the Ozzy Osbourne band. They gave me my first break, they took a chance on me, a complete unknown, just based on Randy‘s recommendation. If it wasn’t for them we would probably not be having this conversation. I owe my career to Sharon, Ozzy and Randy Rhoads.
Roger Scales of TheyWillRockYou.com recently conducted an interview with legendary bassist Rudy Sarzo (OZZY OSBOURNE, QUIET RIOT, WHITESNAKE, DIO). A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
TheyWillRockYou.com: You recently announced your departure from BLUE ÖYSTER CULT after five years in the band. What factors led to this decision?
Rudy: Well, as I got more involved with ANIMETAL USA, another new project I’m currently involved with called TRED, plus my involvement with the DIO DISCIPLES and my ongoing work with the Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy Camp, it doesn’t allow me any additional time to continue to tour with BLUE ÖYSTER CULT. It was a very amicable split and it just came to a point where I was cancelling appearances and it was just a mutual decision to part ways. It was so wonderful to be able to play with them. They are dear friends of mine and I will always treasure the time I had playing with them.
TheyWillRockYou.com: Speaking of the DIO DISCIPLES, what is the current status of this tribute to Ronnie [James Dio] and are there additional plans to record and or tour into the future?
Rudy: They are doing some dates coming up in July and August and due to my involvement with ANIMETAL USA, I could not be involved in them. James Lomenzo will be my replacement. Whenever I’m available, I will do the dates because this is a celebration of Ronnie‘s legacy and his friendship with the fans and anyone whom he ever played with. This will continue for as long as the fans demand it.
TheyWillRockYou.com: Since the death of Kevin Dubrow in 2007, QUIET RIOT has continued on with Frankie Banali [drums] as the sole remaining member from the band’s heyday. Would you ever consider a reunion with Frankie and Carlos [Cavazo, guitar]?
Rudy: I would never say never because that was such a significant part of my life and they are both such good friends of mine. I still hang out with Frankie a lot. We get together frequently and drink coffee and get caught up on projects that we are involved with both personally and professionally. Carlos and I run into each other at events around town on occasion and while out on tour. Everyone is pretty focused in on what they are working on right now. Carlos is a great fit for RATT and he is really enjoying himself. Frankie is carrying on the tradition of QUIET RIOT and his vision of the band. Everybody is happy and healthy and that’s what most important.
TheyWillRockYou.com: Earlier you mentioned another band project you’re involved with TRED with Mike Orlando [ADRENALINE MOB], Dan Nelson [ANTHRAX] and AJ Pero [TWISTED SISTER]. What stage is that in currently?
Rudy: We have all been very busy working on some other projects at the moment. Mike is out with ADRENALINE MOB, AJ is touring with TWISTED SISTER and Dan is working on some solo material so we are just waiting for our schedules to open up. I will be heading to the East Coast in mid-July to do some promo and rehearse with the band so we can finish up the album. We are still trying to secure a record deal. We have some offers on the table and once everyone finishes up with their other commitments, we will forge ahead. I’m very excited about it because it’s so different. It returns to a style of funk metal playing on this record and it takes me back to my roots in the 1970s when I was playing a lot of slap bass. It fulfills a whole other musical side to me.
During a recent conversation with Ultimate Classic Rock, legendary bassist Rudy Sarzo (OZZY OSBOURNE, QUIET RIOT, WHITESNAKE, DIO) revealed that he has parted ways with BLUE ÖYSTER CULT.
“Due to my scheduling with other projects that I’m doing, it became a little bit hard for me to keep a really solid working schedule with BLUE ÖYSTER CULT, so we amicably, we just basically parted ways,”Sarzo said. “So they can actually find somebody who can devote more time to the band and I can actually pursue other bands that I’m doing.”
Sarzo‘s other projects include the Japanese anime-inspired project ANIMETAL USA and TRED, the new band featuring former ANTHRAX singer Dan Nelson, TWISTED SISTER drummer AJ Pero and ADRENALINE MOB guitarist Mike Orlando. His time is further occupied by shows with the official Ronnie James Dio tribute band DIO DISCIPLES and his ongoing duties with the Rock And Roll Fantasy Camp.
A collector’s edition of Rudy‘s book, “Off the Rails: Aboard the Crazy Train in the Blizzard of Ozz”, was released in August 2008 via TooSmart! Publishing. According to Sarzo, “The new edition is beautiful and includes many more pictures throughout the book as well as a 16-page glossy spread of Ross Halfin photos from the beginning of our tour.”
“Off the Rails” includes a first-person account from Rudy‘s personal day-by-day diary of events while touring with Ozzy Osbourne and Randy Rhoads in the early Eighties. The book was originally due in 2005 but was delayed after Sharon Osbourne allegedly applied pressure to have it pulled.
On February 24, Dani Buarque of the “Lokaos Rock Show” conducted an interview with Sarzo prior to BLUE ÖYSTER CULT‘s concert at HSBC Brasil in São Paulo, Brazil. You can watch the chat below.
On July 17, Eagle Rock Entertainment will release “Speak Of The Devil” on DVD by OZZY OSBOURNE in North America.
This show was filmed at Irvine Meadows Amphitheater in California on June 12, 1982 as part of the delayed continuation of the “Diary Of A Madman” tour following the tragic death of Randy Rhoads a few months earlier. The audio has been digitally restored and remastered and is now available in DTS and Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound for the first time. “Speak Of The Devil” includes the classics “Mr. Crowley”, “Over The Mountain”, “Crazy Train”, “Flying High Again”, “Iron Man”, “Paranoid”, “Goodbye To Romance” and many more.
The concert is a perfect snapshot of Ozzy Osbourne‘s live performances in the eighties with dramatic staging and masses of energy with a setlist based around his first two solo albums and a few BLACK SABBATH classics. The lineup for this show features Ozzy Osbourne (vocals); Don Airey (keyboards); Tommy Aldridge (drums); Brad Gillis (guitar) and Rudy Sarzo (bass).
Sarzo, who also penned the liner notes for the DVD, tells AOL‘s Noisecreep about the set, “I’ve been looking forward to watching this since seeing the initial broadcast on Halloween in 1982. It was filmed in Southern California so it was a kind of hometown gig for all of us in the band because we all lived in the L.A. area. And of course, what makes it really special is that the person we are playing for, although he is not there in body, is truly present with us. You feel it. . . This particular show was really about capturing something unique. Rarely do you see a band doing a video where the main character or performer is not there. Randy Rhoads is missing — but we were all playing in the spirit of Randy. Every performance that happened after the crash was basically leading us all through the steps of grieving – every single one. And so by the time we were doing that last show, it was a celebration — purely a celebration of Randy Rhoads. By that night we had reached a truly special level and so to have it captured so professionally is very exciting for all of us. And remember, this was really the last tour that featured so much from ‘Blizzard Of Ozz’ and ‘Diary Of A Madman’, which Ozzy wrote with Randy. So all of the music that’s featured is very special, too.”
When asked if he had any special memories from that day, before the actual concert, Sarzo said, “Well, there used to be a Lion Country Safari right next to the venue. So before the show Ozzy did a photo shoot and I think he had an altercation with a monkey or something. I was not there — but I think any creature would be afraid of the guy who bit the head off of a bat. [laughs]“
“Speak Of The Devil” track listing:
01. Over The Mountain
02. Mr Crowley
03. Crazy Train
04. Revelation (Mother Earth)
05. Steal Away (The Night)
06. Suicide Solution
07. Guitar / Drum Solo
08. Goodbye To Romance
09. I Don’t Know
10. Believer
11. Flying High Again
12. Iron Man
13. Children Of The Grave
14. Paranoid
Blairing Out’s Eric Blair recently conducted an interview with legendary OZZY OSBOURNE, QUIET RIOT, WHITESNAKE, DIO, BLUE ÖYSTER CULT bassist Rudy Sarzo at Dimebash 2011, the event celebrating the life and music of “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott (PANTERA), which was held on December 14th at the Key Club in Hollywood, California. Check out the chat below:
Sarzo is among the artists featured on Los Angeles-based hard rock artists Will Wallner (guitarist) and Vivien Vain (vocalist) debut album due out on February 1st.
The album will also feature: Vinny Appice (HEAVEN & HELL, DIO), Carmine Appice (BLUE MURDER, KING KOBRA), Jimmy Bain (DIO), Brian Tichy (WHITESNAKE, PRIDE & GLORY), Derek Sherinian (BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION, ex-DREAM THEATER), Tony Franklin (BLUE MURDER, QUIET RIOT), and Tony Carey (RAINBOW) providing an all-star backing.
The album was recorded in Los Angeles throughout 2011 and mixed by Gary Tole in New York. Mastering was completed in September 2011 by Graham Goldman at Masterdisk.
Both in their early 20s, Will Wallner and Vivien Vain came to America from Europe to pursue a career in music. After a year of performing locally in Los Angeles they had a chance meeting with Carmine Appice and Vinny Appice at the Rainbow Bar & Grill on the Sunset Strip in 2010. Both agreed to perform drums for their album and since that first meeting the project evolved featuring several other guest session musicians with Will Wallner and Vivien Vain performing all guitars and vocals respectively. Their debut features nine original songs written and produced by Wallner/Vain.
The album cover, pictured above, features Wallner/Vain photographed by Glen La Ferman. A music video for the song ‘Streets Of Rage’ will be released with the album, which was produced in Hollywood in September 2011; a preview can be seen below. Wallner/Vain will announce live dates to promote their album release in the next couple of months.
