Fans of legendary rock star Ozzy Osbourne are now mourning his death, but few probably remember the tragedy that struck his band in 1982 when a plane crashed in Leesburg.
The headline in the Leesburg Commercial on March 20 read: “Rock musician killed in crash.” It was referring to famed guitarist Randy Rhoads, 25, of Burbank, California, who was one of three who died that day.
Pilot Andrew Aycock, 36, of Leesburg, and the group’s hairdresser, Rachael Youngblood, 58, of Los Angeles, also died in the crash.
Witnesses said the Beechcraft Bonanza clipped the Osbourne tour’s luxury bus, splintered a pine tree, and slammed into the home at the private Flying Baron air strip off State Road 44 and Whitney Road.
The property was owned by the Calhoun family, who made their mark as country stars and later operated the tour bus line and airstrip. The house, engulfed in flames, was a total loss, according to the news account.
Osbourne and his bandmates were in the area to perform at Rock Superbowl XIV in Orlando. Osbourne canceled the band’s performance.
Osbourne, who was called “The Prince of Darkness,” and “Godfather of Heavy Metal,” was famous for his antics on stage, including biting the head off of a bat. Besides his extensive music career, he also starred in the family’s reality TV show.
Osbourne, 76, suffered the effects of Parkinson’s disease and battled the effects of drug and alcohol abuse for years. He had just completed a reunion with his former bandmates from Black Sabbath just weeks before his death.
Rhoads was dubbed “a musician’s musician” by Record Magazine. He won praise from critics for his performances, including Osbourne’s hit “Crazy Train.”
This article originally appeared on Daily Commercial: The day in 1982 when a plane crash in Leesburg killed Ozzy Osbourne tour’s guitarist
Reporting by Frank Stanfield / Daily Commercial
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
