Ozzy Osbourne’s 80s Touring Band Reunites with Rick Hughes for a Fiery Take on The Who’s Classic
via ShookMeBaby LucGrisé / YouTube
A Reunion Around a Classic
Rick Hughes, lead singer of the Canadian heavy metal band Sword, is preparing to release his new solo album Redemption in October. The project is already gaining attention thanks to its lead single, a cover of The Who’s 1973 track “The Real Me.”
What makes this version stand out is the lineup behind it. Hughes is joined by guitarist Brad Gillis, bassist Rudy Sarzo, and drummer Tommy Aldridge, all of whom played in Ozzy Osbourne’s touring band during the early 1980s. The three were featured on Osbourne’s 1982 live album Speak of the Devil, which showcased Black Sabbath songs.
Formats and Special Bundles
Redemption can now be pre-ordered through Deko Entertainment. It will be available as a CD, a yellow-vinyl LP, and in digital formats. Fans can also purchase limited-edition bundles that include the yellow-vinyl LP, a T-shirt, and a 7-inch vinyl single signed by Hughes, Gillis, Sarzo, and Aldridge.
The new rendition of “The Real Me” is streaming now, accompanied by a music video on Hughes’ official YouTube channel. The clip was filmed at Castle Studios in Los Angeles and features effects that make it appear as though the group is performing on a rooftop in a futuristic cityscape.
Hughes on Covering The Who
“‘The Real Me’ stands as a cornerstone of my album Redemption,” Hughes explained. “As a lifelong fan of The Who, I wanted to pay tribute to the golden age of 70s rock. To capture that spirit, I brought together a true supergroup … a unique moment where legends unite to breathe new life into a classic.”
The original track appeared on The Who’s 1973 rock opera Quadrophenia, and Hughes’ interpretation adds new energy while paying respect to the source.
Album Details and Guests
The Redemption LP features 10 tracks, with the CD edition including an additional bonus song. It was produced by John Webster, whose credits include Aerosmith, The Cult, Alice Cooper, Mötley Crüe, Poison, Rush, and the Scorpions. Gillis not only plays guitar but also co-wrote two other songs on the album. Another standout collaboration includes Robby Krieger of The Doors.
Hughes, who co-founded Sword in 1981, has remained active through the decades. The band released Metalized in 1986, Sweet Dreams in 1988, and reunited for their 2022 album III. He also fronted the short-lived glam-metal band Saints & Sinners in the early 1990s.
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Ties to Ozzy’s Touring Band
Aldridge and Sarzo joined Ozzy Osbourne’s band in 1981, right after the recording of Diary of a Madman. Following Randy Rhoads’ death, Gillis came on board in 1982. Together, the three recorded Speak of the Devil at New York’s Ritz in September that year. Soon after, Sarzo and Gillis moved on—Rudy rejoined Quiet Riot while Gillis focused on Night Ranger. Aldridge, meanwhile, stayed with Ozzy on and off until 1985 before moving to Whitesnake, where he still performs.
