Strum stated that Rhoads' performances were "extraordinary." In late 1978, Strum approached Rhoads and told him that he believed there was something more out there for him. In early 1979, Ozzy Osbourne was fired from Black Sabbath and had spent months drinking in a room at Le Parc Hotel in West Hollywood. Attempts were made by Jet Records to convince Osbourne to start a new band. In the summer of 1979, Osbourne attended one of Strum's performances at the Starwood and subsequently offered him an invitation to audition for him, which led to the break up of Strum's band. Strum was ultimately recruited as Osbourne's new bassist and the two spent time driving around LA to audition prospective guitarists. "He had a list with names and addresses, and we would just show up. It was bizarre," Strum said. They were going to people's garages, and apartments, even ran across George Lynch at some point. Strum suggested Rhoads as the ideal candidate for the band, however, Osbourne did not take his suggestion. In September 1979, Strum contacted Rhoads frequently to persuade him to audition for a new band that Ozzy Osbourne was forming. Rhoads initially expressed disinterest. but Strum convinced him to audition that same night at Dalton Records in Santa Monica where Strum lived and worked part-time. Rudy Sarzo, Rhoads' bandmate in Quiet Riot, later said that Rhoads was not initially interested in the audition, but agreed to do it simply to get Strum off his back. When Rhoads arrived at the studio with his old Gibson practice amp, his old six-band equalizer and his Les Paul guitar, Ozzy was stoned and fell asleep. However, Dana Strum, who had booked the studio time and convinced Rhoads to come down to play despite his lack of interest in Black Sabbath, was determined not to let this opportunity pass. He woke Osbourne up, pulled him into a dimly lit control room and made him listen to Rhoads' playing. Initially resistant, Osbourne was willing to "see this Jesus of guitar players." Strum asked Rhoads to play the guitar solo he had performed at the Starwood. Strum said, "It was louder than hell, it sounded huge." Despite Osbourne's initial skeptisism, after listening to Rhoads perform the guitar solo, he immediately offered him the job. With Rhoads still playing, Strum rushed Ozzy back to his hotel and then returned to tinform the guitarist of the