After being fired from fronting Black Sabbath in 1979 after huge success, Ozzy teamed up with hot guitarist Randy Rhoads. In 1980 they produced ‘Blizzard of Ozz’ and in 81, ‘Diary of a Madman’. These albums are renowned as Ozzy’s most important and respected studio albums.

On May 31st, Legacy Recordings will be reissuing special editions of both these albums. However, we, like you, cannot wait until then!! So here is a smashing trailer to get you all worked up about the forthcoming re-releases:

The 30th Anniversary Edition of ‘Blizzard of Ozz’ CD includes the original album in its entirety, restored and remastered for this edition with bonus tracks. The new Legacy Edition of ‘Diary of a Madman’ includes the original album in its entirety, restored and remastered, along with a bonus second CD of previously unreleased live performances featuring Ozzy Osbourne and Randy Rhoads with rhythm section Rudy Sarzo (bass) and Tommy Aldridge (drums). A single-disc version of the remastered ‘Diary of a Madman’ will also be available.

For serious fans and collectors, you can get your hands on these exclusives:
* A limited edition 30th anniversary box set that includes restored and remastered vinyl and CD editions of both albums.
* The ‘Ozzy Live’ compact disc,
* An expansive 100-page coffee table book,
* A two-sided wall-size poster,
* A detailed full-size replica of Ozzy’s iconic gold cross that he has worn for 30 years,
* The ‘Thirty Years After the Blizzard’ DVD.

‘Thirty Years After the Blizzard’ chronicles Ozzy’s years with Randy Rhoads and features previously unseen footage of Ozzy and Randy filmed in 1981 & 1982. The DVD incorporates rare archival photos and films, along with new revelatory interviews with Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne, Lemmy (Motörhead), Steve Vai, Nikki Sixx, Rob Halford, Zakk Wylde, Bill Ward and more. The DVD also contains over 70 minutes of additional rare live performances and interviews. Included is the premiere of more than 30 minutes of newly-discovered unreleased footage of Ozzy and Randy from the Blizzard of Ozz tour, shot from the front of the stage at New York’s fabled Palladium on May 2, 1981.

Thanks to Carlos Ramirez of http://www.noisecreep.com  for his article on the re-issue.