Metal Family Tree

This is a project aimed at making it easy to see who inspired the bands you love or even hate. For this I try not to use any influences that the band don’t claim themselves. There will be a focus on predecessors but successors will be added as they site the band. These trees become more and more interactive as new bands are added, allowing you to click any band that has a tree and jump to it.

We want our lists to be better. If you know something that belongs on this list, let us know. When in doubt we will leave it out, so we need reliable sources.

After his time in Black Sabbath Ozzy Osbourne went on to form his own band. This list will not focus on Ozzy but Ozzy as a band and all the members that have contributed to the sound of Ozzy Osbourne the band over the years. Because of the tragic circumstances of Randy’s early death there are few interviews with him. For this reason I will be using some sources I might otherwise discredit, but unfortunately it is the best information available. I will have to do the same of Randy Castillo (I will note as Castillo).
Unfortunately early on writing credits were not given where they were deserved and Ozzy is credited for all writing… even though Ozzy doesn’t play any instruments and came from a past band where he never wrote anything. Credits for Bassist Bob Daisley and Drummer Lee Kerslake were later given after a law suit. Bark At The Moon is likely not properly credited. Jake E. Lee said that him and Bob wrote for the album.
Starting with the Ozzmosis album much or the writing was done by guests and producers rather than Ozzy’s actual band with the exception of Black Rain which Zakk has a lot of writing on. I won’t be digging into any of that and instead will focus on the first six albums that are written mostly by the band of that time.

Phase One

Phase One of Ozzy’s band consists of the first two albums with legendary guitarist Randy Rhoads. Both albums feature Lee Kerslake on drums. Bass consisted of Bob Daisley. Don Airey was on keys for Blizzard, and is not credited with any writing, rather or not that is correct is unknown, but his influences are covered in the Rainbow family tree if you are interested. Wikipedia notes that session player Johnny Cook is the uncredited keyboard player on Diary where originally it is credited to Don.

Johann Pachelbel

Antonio Vivaldi

Johann Sebastian Bach

Back was a baroque period composer and is cited as an influence on Randy.

Buddy Rich

James Jamerson was a session bassists for many Motown bands. He is one of Bob’s influences.

David Bowie did several albums with guitarist Mick Ronson who Randy was influenced by.

Cream were very influential with their heavy psychedelic bluesy based sound. Jack Bruce was one of Bob’s favorite players.

Carmine Appice has played with a bunch of bands including Vanilla Fudge and done sessions with many. He is one of Lee’s influences.

Aynsley Dunbar

Deep Purple has been a huge influence on metal bands. Ritchie Blackmore is one of Randy’s biggest influences. Ian Paice is one of Lee’s influences. Zakk said Ritchie along side Iommi and Page would make up “Mount Riffmore”.

In this case we are not talking about Jeff Beck himself but the Jeff Beck group with Ronnie Wood on bass who was one of Bob’s favorite players.

Jethro Tull were progressive rock known for their front man playing the flute. Bob named them as an influence.

Hard rock band Mountain’s guitarist Leslie West was one of Randy’s favorite players.

Alice Cooper was one of the original shock rockers. Randy was heavily inspired after seeing Alice Cooper with guitarist Glen Buxton live.

One of the biggest most influential bands, Bob named Led Zeppelin as an influence and Lee named Bonham as an influence. Jake named Jimmy Page as his main guitar hero. Zakk Also named Jimmy as an influence.

Faces was a blues rock band with at one time Ronnie Lane on bass who was an influence on Bob.

Cozy Powell has played for many band including some already on this list such as the Jeff Beck Group and Rainbow. He is one of Lee’s influences.

The Hard Rock UFO where hugely influential with Michael Schenker on guitar. He was one of Randy’s biggest influences. It’s possible Scorpions were also an influence with Michael also playing an a couple albums.

Ritchie Blackmore left formed Rainbow and no longer had to run his ideas through a group being the head of the band. This would be the band where Dio would first make a big impact as well. With Ritchie being and influence on Randy, it is likely that… — Ritchie Blackmore left formed Rainbow and no longer had to run his ideas through a group being the head of the band. This would be the band where Dio would first make a big impact as well. With Ritchie being and influence on Randy, it is likely that includes Rainbow.

Bassists Boz Burrell of the rock band Bad Commpany was an influence of Bob. — Bassists Boz Burrell of the rock band Bad Company was an influence of Bob.

Jaco Pastorius was a jazz bassist who besides his solo work also was in the jazz fusion band Weather Report. He is a favorite of Bob.

Earl Klugh

Phase Two

Phase Two of Ozzy’s band consists of Bark At The Moon and Ultimate Sin. After the death of Randy, Jake E. Lee became Ozzy’s guitarist for these two albums. Don was again on Keys for Bark at The Moon, but Ultimate Sin was again a session player. Tommy Aldridge is on drums for Bark At The Moon and Randy Castillo fills the drum spot on Ultimate Sin; Neither have writing credits.

Jimi Hendrix is one of the most influential guitarists of his time and after. Jake first wanted to pick up guitar after hearing “Purple Haze”. Zakk also names Hendrix as an influence.

Roy Clark

Phase Three

Phase Three begins the Zakk Wylde years and also the years where it appears proper writing credits are likely given. No Rest for the Wicked Adds John Sinclair on keys.

John McLaughlin

Procol Harum were a prog rock band. Zakk named guitarist Robin Trower as an influence and would even cover one of their songs in BLS.

The Nice were a progressive rock band featuring keyboardist Keith Emerson of Emerson, Lake, & Palmer fame. John Sinclair named them as an influence.

Yes were an influential progressive rock band. John Sinclair named them as an influence.

King Crimson were an important progressive rock band. John Sinclair named them as an influence.

Albert Lee

The fathers of heavy metal and Ozzy’s previous band. Although Randy wasn’t a fan, Zakk named Tony as a big influence.

Frank Marinio of Mahogany Rush is a very influential guitarist. Zakk puts him as one of his top three.

Robin Trower was in prog rock band Procol Harum before going solo. Zakk named him as an influence.

Al Di Meola

Van Halen has been hugely influential. Zakk names “Father Van Halen” as an influence.

TT Quick was a heavy metal band with guitarist David DiPietro who was a big influence on Zakk for putting a more blues feel into his playing.

Ozzy names the Beatles as his influence in wanting to sing and is the only influence I’ve seen him name.

As a teenager, Randy studied classical guitar.

As a guitar teacher, Randy learned how to play things his students wanted to learn including licks from Eddie Van Halen and Al DiMeloa.

If the sources are correct then Michael Schenker was a big influence on Randy. I’m making a logical leap that that means UFO and possibly the Scorpions. MSG won’t be on the main list because it wasn’t formed as early and likely didn’t have the same impact as Schenker’s older work.

Some of the influences of Randy I’ve seen named but I’m not confident enough o put on the main list include: Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Gary Moore, jazz player Charlie Christian, and classical guitarist John Christopher Williams.

It’s at least interesting to note that Randy did not like Black Sabbath.

Randy and Jake both studied classical piano as kids.

Jake is into a lot of things besides metal such as jazz and funk. He says everything he does comes from a blues base. I haven’t found a lot of cited influences for Jake. If anyone has any good interviews where he discuss his influences in depth please share so I can add them to the list.

Bob learned to play bass by playing along to his sister’s rock and roll albums from The Everly Brothers, Buddy Holly, Gene Vincent, Eddie Cochran, Ricky Nelson, and Elvis. Later there was The Beatles and Rolling Stones.

Phil Soussan played bass on the Ultimate Sin album but only wrote one song, the Pop metal “Shot in The Dark”.

Zakk names Randy “Saint Rhoads” as one of his big influences.

Zakk is a big fan of the Hellecasters.

Randy Castillo was influenced by Dino Danelli of The Rascals who like Randy was a real showman when it comes to playing. In Randy’s first band, The Wumbles, they listened to a lot of progressive rock stuff from Yes, Gentle Giant, Van der Graaf Generator and fusion bands. Despite having a documentary about him I still haven’t found a solid list of influences for Castillo.

John Sinclair played keys on No Rest For the Wicked and No More Tears. Besides noted above he named prog rock in general.

Lemmy Kilmister has helped write for Ozzy. You’ll have to check out the Motorhead Family Tree for his influences.

Mike Inez and John Purdell have writing credits on the song “No More Tears”.

Bands influenced by Ozzy and crew!

As this project advances, bands will be added here… there are many!

Randy and Jake were both influences on Armored Saint.

FUCKIN’ SLAYER!!!!!

Heavy/Speed/Power metal legends from Germany

Dio guitarist Craig named Randy as a big influence.

Death metal pioneers, some would say the fathers of death metal.

Progressive Metal Pioneers, influenced by Randy.

Classic Death Metal

The band that carries the flag of groove

Power/Heavy metal band. After Gus G. spent time Ozzy’s band he brought back influences from former Ozzy guitar players for sure.

Newer generation of Swedish Metal

Are you a complete Ozzy newb? check out Ozzy 101

TMU 101 - Ozzy

Sources:

https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/ozzy-osbourne-zakk-wylde-is-one-of-the-greatest-friends-ill-ever-have/?fbclid=IwAR0XA7M_3lW7gUurRh6SbIihOd6ee6KixhWlsOq_plAS_WhjZ3LMQk4Uh18
https://www.guitarworld.com/features/interview-randy-rhoads-talks-gear-and-ozzy-his-first-guitar-world-interview-1982
https://web.archive.org/web/20180714110832/http://www.gibson.com/News-Lifestyle/Features/en-us/interview-with-randy-rhoads-biographer-1024-2012.aspx
https://library.csun.edu/SCA/OnlineExhibits/RhoadsLA
https://www.loudersound.com/features/randy-rhoads-the-guitarist-who-changed-the-world
https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1668&context=oa_theses
https://bobdaisley.com/interview/guitarist-magazine
https://www.fretlessbass.com/daisley-bob/
https://bobdaisley.com/interview/bass-guitar
https://bobdaisley.com/interview/mungomania
https://bobdaisley.com/interview/the-fuze-lee-kerslake
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=249&v=uRIPJYR6hSQ&feature=emb_logo
https://glidemagazine.com/43323/jake-e-lee/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPvpJom3VEk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRJ36ERAD98
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4C7cirOph1c
https://loudwire.com/zakk-wylde-blown-away-inspired-classic-guitar-legends/
https://www.amazon.com/Life-Blood-Rhythm-Randy-Castillo/dp/B07DNJM8SR
http://getreadytorock.me.uk/blog/2012/04/10-qs-with-john-sinclair-ozzyuriah-heep/