Ozzy Osbourne Offering $25k for Randy Rhoads’s Stolen Guitar Gear

The Musonia School Of Music in North Hollywood, CA, where Randy Rhoads taught guitar, was robbed on Thanksgiving, and several pieces of iconic gear that belonged to the legendary guitarist were stolen. The school is currently run by Randy’s sister, Kathy Rhoads-D’Argenzio, and was opened by his late mother, Delores, more than 70 years ago.

Now Rhoads’s best-known employer, the inimitable Ozzy Osbourne, has stepped up with a cash reward for information leading to the recovery of the stolen gear. Ozzy posted a message on Facebook yesterday, which also revealed the extent of the gear stolen: Randy’s first electric guitar, an amp head he used with Quiet Riot, a rare prototype of a Rhoads signature Marshall head, Delores’s first trumpet, and a whole ton of miscellaneous memorabilia and photos. The statement reads in full:

“As many of you have heard, the Musonia School of Music in N. Hollywood, CA (the school where Randy Rhoads famously taught guitar) was viciously robbed on Thanksgiving night. Musonia was run by Randy’s late mother, Delores, and after his death 37 years ago, the school became something of a pilgrimage to his fans from all over the world. It is a place where the Rhoads Family happily opened their hearts to share the life of Randy. As you can imagine, the items that were stolen, including Randy’s first electric guitar, are irreplaceable to the Rhoads Family. I am heartbroken that these treasured physical memories of Randy and Delores have been taken from the family so I’ve decided to personally offer a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction and/or return of all stolen items. For information regarding the theft or return of these items please contact: Nick D’Argenzio Phone: 818-281-7893 E-Mail: [email protected]

“Here is a list and images of the items that were taken:

“· Randy Rhoads’ First Electric Guitar Owned, Harmony Rocket Est. 1963
· Randy Rhoads’ Original Quiet Riot Gear – Peavey Amp Head, 1970s
· Randy Rhoads Series Marshall Head, Rare Protoype No. 1 or 2 given to the family by Marshall Company.
· Delores Rhoads’ First Trumpet, a Prewar/Great Depression Era Silver Fresh Besson Trumpet. This was given to her as a child by her medical doctor father in exchange for medical services as a barter during the great depression. This subsequently sparked Delores Rhoads long lived music career.
· 40 years of fan gifts to the Rhoads Family, memorabilia, all photos of Randy Rhoads, the Osbournes, Delores Rhoads, and miscellaneous instruments were taken. The photo shown in the main room was cleared out.”

The good thing about high profile thefts of this nature is that the instruments and memorabilia are often so iconic they don’t stand a chance of being sold without a fan noticing and reporting it to the authorities. The bad news is that the criminals responsible for the thefts may not have realized that in advance, and at this point might just decide to cut their losses. Let’s hope some combination of their own stupidity and Ozzy’s reward help suss them out.

Here’s that contact info again: Nick D’Argenzio, Phone: 818-281-7893, E-Mail: [email protected]