On March 19, 1982, the rock world lost one of its brightest young talents. Randy Rhoads, the brilliant guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne, died in a tragic plane crash in Leesburg, Florida, during the band’s Diary of a Madman tour. Now, decades later, Sharon Osbourne revisits that devastating day in the Hulu docuseries Into the Void: Life, Death & Heavy Metal, sharing raw and emotional memories that have haunted her ever since.
The crash occurred when the band’s tour bus driver — who was also a licensed pilot — took Randy and tour manager Rachel Youngblood on a joyride. The small plane clipped the tour bus and then crashed into a nearby mansion, killing all three instantly. Sharon, asleep in the bus at the time, was jolted awake by the impact. “Body parts everywhere,” she recalled through tears, explaining why she had avoided speaking about Randy for so long.
The aftermath left the band and crew reeling. Ozzy Osbourne’s grief was profound; bassist Rudy Sarzo described it as “wails of grief” that echoed through the tour. Sharon, overwhelmed with shock and sorrow, struggled to process the tragedy, even lashing out at the tour manager in disbelief. Yet, she knew the show had to go on. “I was terrified that if Ozzy stopped touring, I’d never get him back out there again,” she admitted, highlighting the immense responsibility she felt to keep her husband focused amid the devastation.
Despite the pain, Sharon has always been determined to honor Randy’s memory. In 2004, she and Ozzy joined Randy’s family for a Hollywood RockWalk ceremony, celebrating his life and extraordinary musical legacy. “I think about Randy all the time and love that he’s not forgotten,” she said. “He’s become this mystical little guy that not many people knew well, and he will live on forever.”
Randy Rhoads’ influence on rock guitar remains undeniable. Even in his brief career, he helped define the sound of heavy metal and inspired generations of musicians. Sharon’s reflections in Into the Void provide an intimate glimpse into the human cost behind the legend — the grief, guilt, and love intertwined with the music that changed the world.
Through her candid storytelling, Sharon Osbourne reminds us that beyond the fame, the performances, and the roaring crowds, rock history is made up of deeply human moments — moments of loss, remembrance, and the enduring power of memory. Randy Rhoads may have left the stage too soon, but thanks to Sharon and Ozzy, his legacy continues to shine.
