Close My Eyes Forever

Zoo Freaks, you're tuned into THE ZOO with the Zoo Crew, spinning the haunting duet "Close My Eyes Forever" by Lita Ford featuring Ozzy Osbourne from her 1988 album Lita. This track, a glam metal masterpiece, was born out of a wild, unplanned night in the studio. Lita shared in a 2020 Rock and Roll Garage interview that she and Ozzy, under the management of Sharon Osbourne, were just messing around, playing pool, and drinking heavily. Sharon left, bored, and the two stayed up until sunrise, jamming in a tiny closet-like space with a guitar, keyboard, and amp. What emerged was this iconic ballad, a complete accident that became Lita’s highest-charting single, peaking at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1989, and Ozzy’s top solo hit too.

Another quirky story comes from Lita’s 2013 Blabbermouth recounting of that night. Sharon and Ozzy showed up with a life-sized replica of Koko, the gorilla from the San Diego Zoo, as a housewarming gift for Lita. She had to strap it into her jeep to get it home, barely making it back herself after all the drinking. Ozzy, too, was in no state to drive and took a cab. This chaotic, booze-fueled session somehow produced a song that Headbangers Vault called the heavy metal equivalent of "Islands in the Stream," blending Lita’s searing guitar solo with Ozzy’s dark, emotive vocals. Fans on Reddit’s GenX subreddit still rave about its lush guitar work and emotional depth, with some speculating the “childhood tragedy” lyric hints at personal struggles, though Lita’s never confirmed it.

Lita Ford, born Lita Rossana Ford on September 19, 1958, in London, England, kicked off her musical journey at a young age. Moving to Long Beach, California, as a kid, she was inspired by Deep Purple’s Ritchie Blackmore and started playing guitar at 11. By 16, she was recruited by producer Kim Fowley to join the all-female rock band The Runaways, where she became the lead guitarist, laying down riffs for hits like “Cherry Bomb.” After The Runaways split in 1979, Lita launched her solo career with Mercury Records, releasing Out for Blood in 1983, which flopped commercially. Her 1984 album Dancin’ on the Edge gained traction, but it was signing with RCA Records and working with Sharon Osbourne that led to her breakthrough with Lita, cementing her as a glam metal icon.

Stay connected with Lita through her official website, where you can find tour dates and merch, or follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and X for updates on her latest projects, including her guitar line, Lita Ford Guitars. Fans can dive deeper into her world on dedicated sites like Lita Ford Online or join the active Lita Ford Fan Club on Facebook, where Zoo Freaks can swap stories, share rare photos, and celebrate her legacy. Keep rocking with the Zoo Crew, and let’s keep those eyes closed forever!