Welcome to episode #151 of the Rock Interview Series, recorded on July 7, 2026. For this episode, Bass player, songwriter, and author Rudy Sarzo is the special guest.
Rudy’s six-decade career includes being an integral part with Quiet Riot, Ozzy Osbourne, Whitesnake, Dio, and Blue Öyster Cult, making him one of the most respected musicians in hard rock and metal.
In this interview, Rudy discusses his new solo singles, “Your Heart is the Road” and “For the Love of Love,” and shares the inspiration behind these new songs.
We also explore the early Quiet Riot era in detail, Rudy’s time with Randy Rhoads, and the formative experiences that shaped his musical identity.
Rudy shares thoughtful reflections on AI in music, the lessons he’s learned throughout his 50‑year journey, and the passion that continues to drive his work today.
When discussing his 2021 return to Quiet Riot, Rudy explained that the decision came with clarity rather than hesitation. “I understood the purpose. The purpose was to celebrate the legacy of the band and the memory of those who have passed.” As he noted, his role in the group carries a unique weight: “I am the only member of Quiet Riot alive that has played in both the Randy Rhoads version of the band and the Metal Health version of the band.”
In addition to Sarzo -bass, the current Quiet Riot lineup also consists of Jizzy Pearl- vocals, Alex Grossi- guitar and Johnny Kelly-drums.
His memories of the Ozzy Osbourne years remain deeply personal. Rudy recalls the emotional shockwaves that followed Randy Rhoads’ death. “From that moment on, it was survival mode. We’re just trying to survive the shows.” The band’s mission became keeping Ozzy moving, focused, and supported. “We understood the importance of carrying on to keep Ozzy from going home and drinking himself to death. Let’s keep Ozzy occupied. Let’s just keep moving.”
Rudy also offered a perspective on Ozzy that rarely surfaces publicly. “A lot of things have been said about Ozzy, but you rarely hear about him being an empath. He was very emphatic about his surroundings. He was very sensitive.” Living together on buses, in hotels, and in Sharon’s family home gave Rudy a front‑row seat to Ozzy’s emotional world. “We were together 24/7… You really get to know somebody when you’re in that very, very tiny bubble.”
His admiration for Randy Rhoads remains unwavering. Rudy remembers Ozzy’s gratitude toward Randy long before Blizzard of Ozz became a landmark album. “Even then, before one record went up the charts, Ozzy was incredibly grateful to Randy.” He also believes guitarist Tom Morello played a quiet but meaningful role in Randy’s solo Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction: “He and I are the biggest Randy Rhoads fans in the world.”
When asked whether Randy was happy in Ozzy’s band, Rudy explained the creative tension that comes with success. “Randy was not happy about — and this happens to any successful artist — the fact that he was busy and had to play the same music over and over.” It wasn’t dissatisfaction with the band; it was the pressure of repetition. “If your music fails to touch a million people, then you don’t have that problem. But it did.” Rudy described the live experience as a powerful exchange of energy: “They want to share real‑time frequencies converge upon everybody — a collective consciousness.”
Together with his new music and the way he looks at life now, Rudy comes across as someone who’s faced highs and lows and still loves making music.
For more on Quiet Riot, please visit http://www.quietriot.com
Watch the full interview below.
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Thomas S. Orwat Jr.
RockMusicStar.com 
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