WSD: It`s quite obvoius that both "Blizzard Of Ozz" and "Diary Of A Madman" were the result of a BAND [yourself, Ozzy, Lee Kerslake and Randy Rhoads], not just a bunch of hired sidemen. Would you agree that this is why these two albums [in their ORIGINAL state] still sound just as good 25 years later? BD: I suppose so. We all went into the studio just wanting to make the music that appealed to us. We didn't think, "What's selling? What would get airplay? What's going to make money"? At the time, disco and punk were very new and big sellers but we just went in to the studio and played what we loved, hard rock that was from the heart. It was never to be a "solo" record for Ozzy, he couldn't write songs anyway. We all created the end product, not knowing what would happen with it or how it would be received. Little did we know... WSD: No doubt there were MANY fond memories of the time you all worked together on those albums. Any that stand out above the others? BD: As the music began to take shape, we all thought and felt that we'd come up with something special. The more we began to play back rough mixes to people, the more we knew that we'd created some special music and that was a great feeling. There are too many little stories and fond memories to quote here. One day I'll write a book. WSD: Had he lived, do you think you and Randy would have worked together again? BD: More than likely. As history shows, I worked a lot in the US, where Randy most probably would still have been. Randy and I spoke a few times after Lee and I were asked to leave the band and we'd planned to get together when I toured  the US with Uriah Heep in March 1982. But sadly, Randy was killed as we, Uriah Heep, were on our way from London to the US. to start our tour. We were still in the air when it happened.

The BAND known as Blizzard Of Ozz!

From Left: bassist Bob Daisley, drummer Lee Kerslake, vocalist Ozzy Osbourne, guitarist Randy Rhoads. 1980

WSD: After you and Lee were fired from Ozzy, you both joined Uriah Heep. The result was "Abominog", one of my personal favorites. Can you tell us a little about your time with The Heep? BD:The Heep was an enjoyable time for me. It was more of a family situation with no bosses or dictators. I just wish the band had been handled better from a management and record co. point of view. The other album we did while I was still in the band was "Head First" - all in all, a good time in my career and I was sad when I left to rejoin Ozzy for the Bark at the Moon album/tour. WSD: You and Lee Kerslake seem fated to work together. For you personally, what is the appeal of working with Lee? BD: Lee and I always felt connected, a bit like brothers, so our communication was always easy and free flowing, which helped a lot as a rhythm section. WSD: You are as well known for penning lyrics as you are for your bass playing. Do you have any set method for writing lyrics? BD: No not really. Sometimes I jot down ideas as I think of them and I've always liked the idea of having songs about unusual topics or true to life situations. I'm not big on the boy meets girl thing that crops up so often in common songs. But that's just me... WSD: What equipment are you currently using, and why? BD: I often use a Fender vintage P bass (I have many) and lately I've been using some new amps from Italy called Markbass. On the Hoochies new album I've used my sunburst '64 Precision bass, a '64 Rickenbacker 4001S (very rare) and a Hofner "Cavern" bass on one track. I also used a Framus Star bass (Humbug finish - also very rare) on a track - all through a 1969 Marshall 50W guitar head and Markbass 2X10 cab. WSD: In your opinion, what should the bass player`s role be, whether live or in the studio? BD: To enhance a song and add rhythm and melody to what the drummer's doing and to compliment the other instruments and vocalist. It's good to make a song interesting by playing melodic parts but never clash with the vocal melody. The bass should be the glue that holds it all together, but in an interesting way. WSD: What matters to you most as a person? BD: Honesty and to be responsible for one's own life. To think and make an effort in what you do, and to be genuine in doing it. We`re going to list some of the guitarists you`ve worked with and would like to get your opinion on them, or just whatever comes to mind: Ritchie Blackmore-  Dedicated great musician, one of the all time greats. A few notes played by him and you know itīs Blackmore. Randy Rhoads- Another very dedicated musician. He just came and went too quickly and didnīt get a chance to show what he was really all about. We got to see some of it but he was just getting into classical playing and would have become a world renowned player in many fields Iīm sure.  Mick Box- Lovely bloke, very kind natured and a pleasure to work with. Heīs come up with a lot of great riffs in his time that set many a standard in rock playing. Gary Moore- An all time great. That bloke can play just about any style and be good at it. Some are J ack of all trades and master of none, he's master of what ever he does. I get on very well with Gary too. Yngwie Malmsteen - Very good player and into classical stuff - a bit like Ritchie. Sometimes I think he wanted to be Ritchie. I think he's got a lot of his own thing though. Great player. Steve Morse - I like working with Steve. That bloke is just sooo good. He's good to work with too and we get on very well together. I know Randy liked Steve's playing so he'd be a bit flattered that Steve did such a great job of interpretting his guitar parts. WSD: Are you and Lee still pursuing legal action against both the Osbournes and Sony at this time? BD: There's a class-action law suit again st Sony by many fans that hate what they (Sony) allowed the Osbournes to do to their favourite records. Something very fishy happened to our lawsuit and we didn't get to court. Who knows what'll eventuate? WSD: You participated in Guitar World`s March 2006 Randy Rhoads tribute issue. It was nice to see your side of the story being given equal time. Are you confident that the whole matter of yourself and Lee versus the Osbournes will eventually be resolved to your satisfaction? BD: Thatīs a possibility but I wonīt hold my breath. One way or another their karma will catch up with them, whether itīs from us or their own undoing. They should be punished, but then again, they have each other!! Bob, thank you VERY much for the interview! Good luck!

THESE are the guys that wrote AND recorded both the "Blizzard Of Ozz" and "Diary Of A Madman" albums!

Daisley, Rhoads, Osbourne, Kerslake.