We all know the big name guitar players of Ozzy’s storied solo career: Rhodes, Lee, Wylde and Gus G. But what is often overlooked is the brief time in Ozzy’s early solo years post Rhodes and pre Lee. That brief period of time, spanning no more than ten months, belonged to guitarist Brad Gillis.
When Randy Rhodes died in a tragic plane crash in the spring of 1982, management felt that it was imperative for Ozzy to keep touring. For his sanity and his physical health, which was already a roller coaster. When Ozzy was fired from Black Sabbath he spiraled down into oblivion. And Randy Rhodes, along with Sharon Osbourne are the main two people attributed to getting Ozzy back on his feet. When Ozzy lost Rhodes he was understandably devastated. And the slip back into oblivion would be all too easy. But the tour management found someone. Someone who could keep the current tour for ‘Diary of a Madman’ going. That dude was Brad Gillis. And he basically had the hardest job in the world. Keep a ship moving forward who’s first lieutenant innovated the way the job was done.
Randy Rhodes had become more than just an overnight guitar hero in his short tenure. He revolutionized the way people look at the instrument and changed what the limited perception of guitar playing was. There was seemingly no limit to guitar playing after Rhodes exploded into international fame. So who ever came into the fold after his unfortunate departure certainly had their work cut out for them. I mean, imagine the pressure that Gillis must have felt. Check down the list: 1) gotta know the songs through and through in a matter of days. 2) those songs need to be played flawlessly. 3) You have to capture the excitement and originality of Randy Rhodes. 4) Convince the remaining audience members of the tour that you belong there. and 5) Help keep Ozzy sane. That’s a super demanding list. And Gillis stepped in and proved himself. Through all the bullshit he prevailed for ten months. The thing about stepping into shoes as big as Randy Rhodes is that no one wants you there. They don’t think ‘Hey, he’s a hired gun and he’s great so this tour can continue.’ They think ‘Hey, who’s this asshole that’s replaced my favorite guitar player?!’
Gillis left the band after roughly ten months. Shortly being replaced by the excellent Jake E. Lee. But that’s not to say that there isn’t a Brad Gillis document. Shortly after the ‘Diary of a Madman’ dates commenced Ozzy went out on a short tour composing of all Black Sabbath songs. And they recorded a date. And the guitar player is Gillis. The live album entitled ‘Speak of the Devil’ may not have any original Ozzy solo tracks on it to hear Gillis give Rhodes material a whirl. But it does give us an a good opportunity to hear Gillis’ tone and attack in an Ozzy atmosphere. And it’s really interesting. The chemistry between Gillis and the rest of Ozzy’s group is unlike any other. Not that any of the five players are the same. But Brad Gillis particularly stands out. Maybe it’s because he was there for only a short period. Maybe it’s because he’s the only guitar player in Ozzy’s solo career not to have any original material. Either way, he may have played to most crucial role of any guitar player in Ozzy’s storied solo journey. Which was keeping his solo career afloat in the most trying of times. That deserves some serious recognition.
A good Ozzy original with Gillis.
RHOADS, not Rhodes!!!!! O boy.. but besides: nice considerations of Gillis’ role