Soundclash Rocks recently conducted an interview with legendary bassist Rudy Sarzo (ex-QUIET RIOT, OZZY OSBOURNE, WHITESNAKE). A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
Soundclash Rocks: Looking back at your musical career, what are you most proud of?
Rudy: Wow, that’s a great question. I am very proud of the BLIZZARD OF OZ band with Randy Rhoads, Tommy Aldridge and, of course, Ozzy Osbourne, and later on Don Airey. That was a musician’s musicians band, and for me to be a part of it, I am incredibly proud. Also of being a part not only of the Randy Rhoads version of QUIET RIOT but also of the “Metal Health” version of QUIET RIOT. It reached such a successful height that the band became the first in the United States… I don’t know how much that means in the U.K. or anywhere else in the world. In the United States, it was pretty big deal to be at the top of the Billboard charts.That’s how everything was gauged, business-wise. When we got to No. 1 we actually knocked off “Thriller” by Michael Jackson — the biggest record in the history of music. That was quite an achievement, especially from a band that nobody cared about. We went to No. 1 in November and in March nobody cared about QUIET RIOT. We couldn’t even find a manager. [Laughs] With a record done already, that record that had sold millions of copies. We would play it for managers and they would say, “Ahh no, we are not interested,” and, “That type of music is never coming back.” [Laughs]
Soundclash Rocks: Most people would pick out people like Randy Rhoads when discussing your career… Who would have been the best drummer that you have worked with, given that together with your bass it would provide the rhythm section? There has obviously got to be a connection between yourself and a drummer.
Rudy: That’s interesting because I have played with some great guys. That is like saying, “What is your favorite food?” I love different tastes in food. I love Chinese food, I love Indian and I love Italian. They are all different, so it is not a favorite per see. I really enjoy playing with a great drummer. I am really enjoying playing with Shayne Fitzgibbon [GUNZO], because he is young and is basically unbreakable. [Laughs] If you ask him to play anything, no matter how fast or hard, he will do it [laughs], because he is twenty-six years old. He has just turned twenty six and there is a lot to be said about that. The older guys… You know, as we get older, we play a little bit different. Just to keep ourselves from injuring ourselves. Drums are so physical, so that is great, you know. Playing with Tommy Aldridge was just an incredible and unique experience. I just learnt so much from him. Playing with Frankie Banali was another great, wonderful experience. Simon Wright ….These are guys that are just basically at the top of my list as you ask me this question.
Read the entire interview at Soundclash Rocks.
Source: Blabbermouth
