Ozzy Osbourne says that he still takes antidepressants as a result of his sadness over guitarist Randy Rhoads' death. He also says he thought Rhoads was the 'best guitarist in the world' when he first heard him play.

Rhoads, who played on Osbourne's recently reissued albums 'Blizzard of Ozz' and 'Diary of a Madman,' died in a tragic plane crash in 1982. "It took me a very long time to get over his death," Osbourne tells The Guardian. "I'm on a low dose of anti-depressants even now. Randy gave me a purpose, he gave me hope."

Osbourne also recalls being absolutely blown away by Rhoads' audition for his band. "Randy came in, five foot f---ing two and so skinny, I thought he was a fairy," remembers Osbourne. "When he played my brain went, 'Either this is the greatest gear ever or this guy really is the best guitarist in the world.'"

'Blizzard of Ozz' and 'Diary of a Madman' were recently reissued as part of a 30th anniversary box set, which was given a stellar review by this site. The remastered albums are also available as individual expanded editions. Osbourne, meanwhile, is working on a new album that he insists is "balls to the wall."

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