The greatest guitarist to play with Ozzy Osbourne

[coloradodem2005]

Poll question: The greatest guitarist to play with Ozzy Osbourne

[CBGLuthier]

1. I voted for Iommi

Rhodes was indeed a master but anyone who can play guitar without fingertips and define the sound of heavy metal because of having to tune the guitar lower has to get my vote.

[snoochie]

3. That's pretty much exactly what I was going to say.

[Droopy]

4. I was stunned when I heard that Iommi

is missing two finger tips on his fret hand. When I listen to some of those solos that's incredible. He got my vote too because he was one of the founding fathers of heavy metal.

[fit4life]

2. That's a tough choice!

I ended up going with Tony because of what he had to overcome just to play a guitar. Zak and Randy were incredible innovative guitar players, but Tony is the one that gave Black Sabbath their dark sound, all because of an injury.

[chicagojoe]

5. Iommi.

My first thought before I looked at the poll.

[chicagojoe]

6. Iommi trivia question.

Which well known British rock act did Tony play with on a tour, yet didn't record with, pre-Sabbath?

[name not needed]

7. Jethro Tull?

[chicagojoe]

9. You Win !!!!

Technically, I was wrong on the "didn't record" part. There were live recordings.

[CBGLuthier]

11. And if you want to see him with Tull

Pick up a copy of the recently released Rolling Stones Rock'n Roll Circus.

And don't be afraid those who don't like Tull. This was back more in their early heavy blues/jazz days.

[RetroLounge]

8. I voted for Toni.

Besides the reason already stated, as fantastic as Randy Rhodes was (I saw him live with the first Blizzard of Oz tour) his sound was copied by 500 long hair L.A. wannabes and you could plug any 20 of them in Randy's place, and Ozzy would sound the same. In fact, Ozzy did that, and it proved my point. Zakk who?

No one could be plugged into Toni Iommi's place and make Sabbath sound the same.

RL

[fit4life]

10. I don't think Zak copied Randy's sound at all.

Zak had a sound that was largely his own, and he was (is) an incredible guitar player.

[chicagojoe]

12. Jake E. Lee was alright, but none of these guys

could touch Iommi. Whatever happened to Lee post-Ozzy?

[Droopy]

13. Have you heard his new band Black Label Society?

They kick ass. Old school rock and roll with metal flavor. Good stuff.

[Balbus]

14. Yes, BLS is very good stuff!!!

:thumbsup:

[NewJeffCT]

15. I think Rhoads was the most technically skilled

I loved his work on the first two Ozzy albums. I think Iommi was average - any 12 year old can play Iron Man on the guitar, while RR's stuff was a bit more complex.

[chicagojoe]

16. But stuff like Iron Man was never done before Sabbath did it.

My son could play Crazy Train at 14 years old. The genius is in the creation, not the imitation.

[Joe Power]

23. They can also play "Smoke on the Water"

That doesn't make them Ritchie Blackmore.

As was stated multiple times, all of Ozzie's guitar players after Sabbath were of the dime-a-dozen metal speedster variety. Iommi is an original.

[Nitrogenica]

17. I got to see Ozzy with Randy Rhodes.

They played with Motorhead in Milwaukee, 1981 I think it was. I remember it took several days for the ring in my ears to go away.

[chicagojoe]

19. Saw that same show in Chicago.

Probably within 24 hours of you catching them in Milwaukee. Yes, it was 1981.

[Nitrogenica]

20. Randy was brilliant. Motorhead ruled!!

[chicagojoe]

22. And that was the original Motorhead,

with Philthy and Fast Eddie.

[GOPBasher]

18. Come on, of COURSE it's RANDY!!!!

[Borgnine]

21. Randy Rhoades.

Even though I prefer Mike Malloy.

(rimshot)