In early 1980, Ozzy Osbourne hit the studio to record his debut solo album, Blizzard of Ozz. He still stung from being booted out of Black Sabbath just months before, and he felt as if he were in direct competition with his former band as he set upon making the record. Fortunately for Ozzy, he had possibly the greatest guitar shredder in the world at the time on his side: Randy Rhoads. Joined by bassist Bob Daisley and ex-Uriah Heep drummer Lee Kerslake, the singer and guitarist spent six days at Clearwell Castle in Gloucestershire for rehearsals before entering Ridge Farm Studio in late March to lay down the album.
Released on September 20th, Blizzard of Ozz was a huge hit, largely on the back of the single “Crazy Train,” which would peak that year at No. 9 on the Billboard Top Tracks chart and has since become one of Ozzy’s signature songs. Below see intimate, behind-the-scenes photos of the quartet at Ridge Farm recording the album, as well as shots of Osbourne posing for the LP’s iconic cover image, all captured by photographer Finn Costello.