To Classic Rocks editor, Mrs. Llewellyn: In response to your recent article, why didnt you have the courtesy and honesty to include my reply to Classic Rock? Here it is again: Classic Rock: Thanks for your response, I had no desire to cross swords with anyone, I just needed to vent my frustration and disapproval of how things were handled. I understand that not all members of bands receive an award each for an album, and thanks for giving specific examples. I also understand that budgets dont allow for people to be flown around the globe to attend award ceremonies. Yes, I saw that Ozzy mentioned Randy, which he often does, but if an award was made for Randy as well, why wasnt it presented publicly and ceremoniously to the Rhoads family members? The award, which was in fact in bubble wrap, was given to Kelle and Kathy on their way out, it was Kelle who put it in a paper bag. Kelle told me that the way that they were slipped the award was, in his own words, like a drug deal. As you must be aware, Lee Kerslake and I have been repeatedly omitted from acknowledgement and recognition for our considerable part in the Blizzard of Ozz album, so when Ozzy is filmed being honoured and acknowledged, Randys award is given on the sly, and Kerslake and I are left out yet again, perhaps you can understand the frustration and added insult to injury that it causes. Maybe it wouldve been a nice gesture to mention the four band members this time, instead of just two, and stretch to giving all four band members an award, instead of just two. Thanks, Bob Daisley. No, Im not irate, as CR put it, I was, however, astounded at the lack of respect shown in regard to 3/4 of the band The Blizzard of Ozz. Yes, it was a month after the CR awards that I made my first statement, no one at CR had the courtesy to inform me that the album that I co-wrote, played on and co-produced had even been given an award; I found out from Kelle Rhoads, Randys brother, who wasnt too impressed with the way that they were presented with Randys award, which is obvious in your photo of them - empty tables and people clearing up while a woman looks on with her hand on her hip; every picture tells a story, dont it? So it was Ozzy who invited the Rhoads family to the ceremony? If CR had an award made for Randy, why wasnt it CR that invited them? No, Bob didnt have a go at the Osbournes, as CR stated, with your what Bob does best remark, I was having a go at the way that the ceremony was handled by Classic Rock, I even added, I dont begrudge Ozzy receiving his award. What is it that CR does best?... You selectively chose statements from my fans that were anti-Sharon, instead of any of the hundreds of supportive comments that didnt even mention her, and then you posted my thank you to fans instead of my response to CR. How manipulative and deceitful, that sort of sensationalist journalism is devoid of anything to do with the album that was being awarded. You chose to attack me rather than acknowledge my response to CR and deal with the issue, and many of the fans didnt like that. Blizzard of Ozz fans are passionate about the music and musicians on both albums, consequently Sharon is not a popular figure amongst them, she made her own reputation, and it has nothing to do with her gender, but everything to do with her actions. I didnt even mention her. So Sharon complimented one of your journalists on their T-shirt, well golly gosh, yes, that puts her up there with Gandhi and Mother Theresa, that mustve been life changing for them. There was a time when Classic Rock employed good journalists, those who used their knowledge of the history of Rock to write in-depth articles about music and musicians. It now seems that Classic Rock, a once great magazine, is in danger of turning into what would more appropriately be named Classic Crock. Now go and powder your nose CR, the brown is showing through. Bob Daisley.
Posted on: Mon, 15 Dec 2014 07:55:53 +0000