Lee Kerslake Finally Get’s Credit For Classic Albums

Lee Kerslake is probably the greatest drummer you have never heard of. Lee Kerslake became a member of the band Uriah Heep in 1971 and continued in that spot until 1979. A chance encounter with Ozzy Osbourne in 1980 led to the formation of “Blizzard of Oz”, which would of course evolve into Ozzy’s first solo album. You can hear Kerslake’s incredible playing on the first 2 Ozzy Osbourne solo albums, Blizzard of Oz and Diary of a Madman, however, he was never credited with playing on the albums. Instead the tracks are credited to long-time Osbourne drummer Tommy Aldridg, even though Osbourne has confirmed many times that the tracks are in fact Lee Kerslake and not Tommy Aldridge as noted on the album jacket.

Fast forward to now. Recently Kerslake announced he has been diagnosed with prostate and bone cancer and has been given a very short time to live. He made a “bucket list” request to Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne asking for the Platinum Discs for Diary of a Madman and Blizzard of Oz to hang on his wall. This week the drummer flew from England to Anaheim to officially be presented with the discs – and to be inducted into the Hall Of Heavy Metal History.

Watch it here