Ozzy Osbourne recently released the highly anticipated Ordinary Man , his 11th studio album and his first since Scream . To celebrate the release, Wikimetal conducted a poll with its readers to find out which is the Prince of Darkness's best solo album.
After nearly three thousand votes, the answer to that question has finally arrived, and Blizzard of Ozz was chosen. With 31% of the votes, the album surpassed No More Tears , with 25% of the votes, Bark at the Moon , with 14%, and Diary of a Madman , with 11%.
Blizzard of Ozz was released in 1980 and marked the debut of Ozzy's solo career, after leaving Black Sabbath the previous year. Furthermore, it's the singer's first collaboration with guitarist Randy Rhoads , making the album even more special.
The album is also home to major singles and hits by Osbourne, such as “Crazy Train”, “Mr. Crowley” and “Suicide Solution”, among others. Recorded in less than a month, Blizzard of Ozz features the work of Bob Daisley (bass, backing vocals), Lee Kerslake (percussion) and Don Airey (keyboards), in addition to the aforementioned Rhoads, who composed a large part of the album.
The entire creative process for the album took place in Wales, where the group stayed together writing and playing non-stop. At the time, the album was intended to be released as part of Ozzy's new band, The Blizzard of Ozz , however, the record label opted to produce the album highlighting Osbourne's name, leaving Blizzard of Ozz as the album title.
Rumors say that Ozzy's colleagues weren't happy with the choice to present him as a solo artist, and not as part of a band, but they realized that the opportunity to play with him was unmissable and, therefore, agreed to the situation, and thus Ozzy's solo career was formed.
In 2002, the album received a new edition with the help of Robert Trujillo (bass), Mike Bordin (percussion), Danny Saber (bells), Mark Lennon (backing vocals), and John Shanks (backing vocals on “Steal Away (The Night)”). Listen to the album below, after the complete results of the poll.
What is Ozzy Osbourne's best solo album?
- Blizzard of Ozz (1980) (31%)
- No More Tears (1991) (25%)
- Bark at the Moon (1983) (14%)
- Diary of a Madman (1981) (11%)
- Ozzmosis (1995) (8%)
- The Ultimate Sin (1986) (5%)
- No Rest for the Wicked (1988) (2%)
- Black Rain (2007) (1%)
- Scream (2010) (1%)
- Down to Earth (2001) (1%)
- Under Cover (2005) (0%)
Loading ...