Flying High Again

Zoo Freaks, get ready to crank up the volume as The Zoo Crew spins the electrifying track "Flying High Again" from Ozzy Osbourne’s iconic 1981 album Diary of a Madman. This song, a cornerstone of heavy metal, is packed with trivia that’ll blow your mind. Released as a single on October 10, 1981, with a live version of "I Don’t Know" as its B-side, it soared to number two on Billboard’s Top Tracks chart for rock in 1982. The track, written by Ozzy Osbourne, Randy Rhoads, Bob Daisley, and Lee Kerslake, features an aggressive guitar solo by Rhoads that AllMusic’s Gina Boldman praised as one of his finest, noting its “concise, melodic build that never gets shrill or overblown.” She described the song as a “good-time heavy metal song that was hard to take seriously” but became one of Ozzy’s most memorable from his early ’80s era. Loudwire’s Jon Wiederhorn, in a 2023 retrospective, called it a “storming fist-in-the-air rocker,” highlighting its place alongside other Diary hits like “Over the Mountain” and “S.A.T.O.” Ozzy himself has said of Randy Rhoads’ contribution, “Randy was the highlight of that album and everything he did. He could do anything, and I was very lucky to have him,” emphasizing the guitarist’s pivotal role. In 2015, radio station 100.7 WZLX ranked “Flying High Again” as the 223rd greatest classic rock song, cementing its legacy.

The song’s creation wasn’t without drama. Bob Daisley, the bassist, revealed in an interview that he wrote most of the lyrics for Diary of a Madman, including “Flying High Again,” though he and drummer Lee Kerslake were initially denied songwriting and performance credits. This led to a lawsuit against Ozzy and his manager/wife, Sharon Osbourne, which they won, securing their rightful credits. The controversy deepened with the 2002 reissue of the album, where Daisley and Kerslake’s original bass and drum tracks were replaced by Robert Trujillo and Mike Bordin, a move fans widely criticized. Sharon claimed it was Ozzy’s decision due to the pair’s “abusive and unjust behavior,” but Ozzy’s 2009 autobiography contradicted this, stating it was Sharon’s call. A sticker was later added to the reissue covers after fan outcry, and the original tracks were restored in the 2011 Deluxe 30th Anniversary Edition. To celebrate the album’s 40th anniversary in 2021, a new video for “Flying High Again” was released, using exclusive images from Ross Halfin’s Randy Rhoads book, as shared in a post by @sroprla on X. Fans on Reddit, like user allen_marple, have listed it among their top tracks, with its infectious riff and chaotic energy still resonating.

Ozzy Osbourne, born John Michael Osbourne on December 3, 1948, in Birmingham, England, kicked off his legendary career as the frontman of Black Sabbath, a band that shaped heavy metal in the 1970s. Formed in 1967 with Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward, Black Sabbath’s dark, heavy sound, heard in albums like Paranoid and Master of Reality, earned Osbourne the nickname “Prince of Darkness.” His wild stage presence and distinctive voice made him a metal icon, but by 1978, personal struggles and substance abuse led to his departure from the band. Undeterred, Osbourne launched his solo career with the formation of the Blizzard of Ozz band, featuring guitarist Randy Rhoads, bassist Bob Daisley, and drummer Lee Kerslake. Their 1980 debut, Blizzard of Ozz, was a smash hit, proving Ozzy could thrive outside Black Sabbath. Diary of a Madman followed, showcasing Rhoads’ virtuosity and solidifying Osbourne’s solo legacy. Despite tragedies like Rhoads’ death in a 1982 plane crash, Ozzy continued to release influential albums and became a pop culture figure through reality TV and festivals like Ozzfest.

Stay connected with Ozzy through his official channels and fan communities. His official website offers the latest news, tour dates, and merch, while his Facebook and Instagram pages share personal updates and throwbacks. Follow him on X for real-time posts, like his October 2023 nod to the “Flying High Again” single’s release. Fans can dive deeper on Ozzypedia, a fan-run wiki, or join discussions in the Ozzy Osbourne Fans Facebook group. For Reddit users, the r/OzzyOsbourne subreddit is a hub for sharing stories and debating his discography. Whether you’re headbanging to “Flying High Again” or exploring his legacy, Ozzy’s world is alive and thriving for Zoo Freaks everywhere.