Let’s do a throwback to an oldie but a goodie on the first day of 2023, shall we? Let’s discuss former Ozzy Osbourne drummer Tommy Aldridge’s out-of-this-world drumming in his version of the ‘Crazy Train,’ which has the signature Randy Rhoads composition. The drummer broke it down on a recent Drumeo episode; let’s see what he had to say about the iconic track.
“It’s very simple and like again, like so many other Randy Rhoads compositions, the songs are just so driving that they really play themselves,” Tommy explained about Rhoads’ writing that plays itself. “They have such cool; they’re so drumistic; his music is just so drumistic, you know, and a drummer’s paradise, so to speak.”
Rhoads’ writing allows the drums to shine and have their moment. Aldridge added, “There’s lots of playground area, you know, and again I was so much busier than the studio version, which is appropriate, I think, you know, when you’re in the studio, it’s more of a sterile environment. The producer keeps going, ‘Tommy, could you save that for your solo record?’ so you keep things much more sparse and just a lot less populated, so to speak, have a bit more economy in your style.”
Although the original recording was done by Lee Kerslake back in the day, Aldridge had the chance to play the track on several occasions while in Osbourne’s band. The breakdown of the drumming in the episode showcased how he performed the song using his unique flares, but it also was a nod to the amazing Randy Rhoads for composing such impressive tracks, which Tommy clearly enjoys playing.
