by Drummer Tommy Aldridge has addressed accusations from guitarist George Lynch regarding his role in the selection process for Ozzy Osbourne’s band. He clarified his involvement in a recent interview with Get On The Bus.
Aldridge explained his limited role in the audition process and denied having influence over the final guitar player selection.
“It was narrowed down to two or three guys. John Sykes, at that time, was already involved with someone else,” Aldridge said. “George Lynch was heavy in that running. George Lynch is an incredible, groundbreaking guitar player ahead of his time. He’s still current, viable, and vital today, you know?”
The drummer recalled a confrontation with Lynch at a Hollywood Hills party where the guitarist expressed his frustration.
“For some reason, I remember George came up to me at a party in Hollywood Hills one time, and he was upset with me. He was mad at me because he thought that I was responsible for Jake E. Lee becoming Ozzy’s guitar player rather than him,” Aldridge continued. “Well, that’s just not true, because I don’t make those kinds of choices. All I did was… Sharon asked if I could help audition guitar players. I said, ‘I’ll do my level best.’ We came to the table and found we were blessed with finding Jake E Lee.”
The clarification sheds light on the behind-the-scenes dynamics during Ozzy’s search for a new guitarist following Randy Rhoads’ death.
Aldridge’s involvement with Ozzy’s band came through his established connections in the rock music scene. His path to joining the band was facilitated by his work with Gary Moore, who was signed to Jet Records. This was the same label that ultimately signed Ozzy Osbourne.
Eddie Trunk reported that Aldridge described meeting Randy Rhoads as “inspirational” and “life-changing” from a musician’s perspective. This encounter highlighted the exceptional musical standard within Ozzy’s band during that pivotal era in heavy metal history.
The drummer’s tenure with Ozzy represented a significant milestone in his career. Blabbermouth noted that Aldridge reflected on his time with the band, stating that “from a musical perspective, it was probably the high water mark of my career.”
The guitar selection process that led to Jake E. Lee’s appointment was part of a broader search following the tragic loss of Randy Rhoads. Aldridge’s role remained strictly advisory, assisting Sharon Osbourne with auditions. The final decisions rested with Ozzy’s management team. This clarification addresses the long-standing tension between Aldridge and Lynch. It emphasizes that the drummer’s influence was limited to his professional expertise rather than decision-making authority.
