Gary Moore, Ozzy Osbourne, Rainbow
BOB DAISLEY The Power Of The Blues By Freddy Villano
IN
the rock bass world, Bob Daisley really needs no introduction. His playing on Ozzy Osbourne’s first two post-Black Sabbath records, Blizzard of Ozz [Jet, 1980] and Diary of a Madman [Jet,
ZOLTÁN CSILLAG
Daisley Performing with Gary Moore.
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1981], is essential listening for any would-be rock bassist. Daisley’s otherworldly rhythmic and melodic sensibility adds a nuanced, Paul McCartney-like touch to his bass lines in now-classic songs like “Crazy Train, “I Don’t
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Know,” “Flying High Again,” “Believer,” and “Tonight,” firmly cementing his place among rock’s most influential players. Ozzy’s band and songwriting team (which included guitarist Randy Rhoads and drummer Lee Kerslake, along with Daisley, who was also the group’s primary lyricist) helped rescue Ozzy from exile and catapulted the singer’s solo career into the stratosphere. Prior to working with Ozzy, Daisley had been a member of the last incarnation of the Ronnie James Dio-fronted Rainbow, originators of what is today known as neo-classical hard rock and heavy metal. The 69-year-old Australian bassist did not, however, launch his professional career by playing with the icons of heavy metal. Actually, Daisley first gained international recognition as a member of the English blues band Chicken Shack in 1972 and then went on to play with Mungo Jerry, appearing on their 1973 U.K. hit single, “Alright, Alright, Alright” [Dawn Records]. It was during this period that a life-long affinity for the blues emerged, and, after decades of playing with rock royalty — which also included stints in Black Sabbath and Uriah Heep — he returned to those roots via numerous collaborations with Gary Moore, culminating in the release of Moore’s 2004 masterstroke, Power of the Blues [Sanctuary]. In late 2018, Bob Daisley & Friends released Moore Blues For Gary – A Tribute to Gary Moore in homage to the iconic Irish guitarist, who died in 2011. We caught up with Daisley at his home in Australia to talk about how he managed to put together such a co-
