Former Ozzy Osbourne band member, Bernie Tormé, is reported to be ‘extremely ill’ in intensive care suffering from double pneumonia.
Bernie wasn’t with Ozzy’s band for too long. That was owing to a lack of commercial success which prompted the guitarist to quit the band.
Then in 1979, Tormé accepted an offer from former Deep Purple vocalist Ian Gillan to join his band, Gillan. Over the next four years, Gillan released three Top Ten UK albums (Mr. Universe, Glory Road, and America).
In 1981 Tormé left Gillan, claiming frustration over a lack of money despite the success the band was experiencing. He became a session musician for Atomic Rooster and was employed in March 1982 by Jet Records to rejoin Ozzy Osbourne’s band for the recently deceased Randy Rhoads.
Tormé flew from the UK to Los Angeles thinking the job was his. Alternative Nation reports that the musician had been paid an advance by Jet Records before leaving the UK. However, Osbourne had chosen Robert Sarzo to replace Rhoads but was forced to go record company’s insistence that he accept Tormé as a replacement with the band.
After just a couple of shows it became apparent that Tormé’s bluesy style was not a good match for Osbourne’s brand of heavy metal. He was swiftly replaced by Brad Gillis and the tour continued. Tormé’ returned to the UK to work on a solo record.
Images: Ian Gillan: Anthology: Angel Air / Bernie Torme Live: Angel Records
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