Hear Randy Rhoads' Isolated Guitar from Ozzy Osbourne's "Flying High Again"
Another isolated guitar recording has captured the attention—and the ears—of the guitar-loving masses!
This time it's "Flying High Again," a song from Ozzy Osbourne's 1981 album, Diary of a Madman. The isolated guitar tracks shine the spotlight on the brilliance of a young Randy Rhoads, not to mention the breathtaking climax of this classic track's guitar solo.
This song reached Number 16 on the U.K. Singles Chart and Number 2 on the U.S. Top Rock Tracks chart in 1982.
Though widely thought to be about drug use, Osbourne says the song was inspired by his re-emergence as a solo artist after being fired from Black Sabbath. Besides Ozzy, the musicians you don't hear are Bob Daisley (bass) and Lee Kerslake (drums).
And, as a reader pointed out below, it's not exactly an isolated guitar "track"; it is, in fact, more like three tracks.
Get The Pick Newsletter
All the latest guitar news, interviews, lessons, reviews, deals and more, direct to your inbox!
Thank you for reading 5 articles this month**
Join now for unlimited access
US pricing $3.99 per month or $39.00 per year
UK pricing £2.99 per month or £29.00 per year
Europe pricing €3.49 per month or €34.00 per year
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Damian is Editor-in-Chief of Guitar World magazine. In past lives, he was GW’s managing editor and online managing editor. He's written liner notes for major-label releases, including Stevie Ray Vaughan's 'The Complete Epic Recordings Collection' (Sony Legacy) and has interviewed everyone from Yngwie Malmsteen to Kevin Bacon (with a few memorable Eric Clapton chats thrown into the mix). Damian, a former member of Brooklyn's The Gas House Gorillas, was the sole guitarist in Mister Neutron, a trio that toured the U.S. and released three albums. He now plays in two NYC-area bands.
“When he saw the guitars, he goes, ‘John’s going back to the Chili Peppers.’ I said, ‘No way is he ever going back’”: John Frusciante’s former guitar tech on the moment he realized the guitarist could be rejoining the Red Hot Chili Peppers
“Day two, Dave Grohl says, ‘You’re going to need more guitars.’ We walk into the shop and he’s going, ‘Get whatever you want.’ I was so freaked out”: Chris Shiflett on his guitar shopping spree when he first joined the Foo Fighters