Bob Daisley provides heartfelt tribute to deceased former Ozzy Osbourne bandmate Lee Kerslake

Bob Daisley provides heartfelt tribute to deceased former Ozzy Osbourne bandmate Lee Kerslake

Drummer Lee Kerslake and bassist Bob Daisley formed the rhythm section for the first line-up for Ozzy Osbourne‘s solo band which also included guitarist Randy Rhoads and which released the albums Blizzard of Ozz (1980) and Diary of A Madman (1981).

Kerslake passed away yesterday morning at the age of 73 after a long fought battle against cancer.

The following message was posted on Daisley‘s Facebook page earlier today:

“Sadly, we’ve lost the great drummer and beautiful person, Lee Kerslake. I’d known Lee since the mid ‘70s when he was in Uriah Heep and I was with Widowmaker. As most of you will know, Lee and I were an integral part of the two Blizzard of Ozz albums, and we worked together after that with Uriah Heep, and further down the track on the Living Loud album. I won’t go into our full history, this is about the loss of a great player, writer and decent person. Everyone loved Lee, he was a tough guy but with the soft heart of a Teddy Bear. He’d suffered from his illness for long enough and it’s time for us to let him go to a better place. I spoke to him about ten days ago (I phoned him regularly) and he sounded pretty good, but he told me the prognosis had been that he wouldn’t make it to Christmas.

It is with a heavy heart that I say, Lee, I’ll miss you mate, it’s been a pleasure to know you and work with you! RIP old mucker, I’ll see ya over there! Love and heartfelt loss, your mate always.

Bob Daisley.”