Former Ozzy Osbourne and Uriah Heap Drummer Lee Kerslake Has Died, Age 73


Legendary Heavy Metal drummer Lee Kerslake, best known for his work with Ozzy Osbourne and Uriah Heap, has died. He was just 73 years old. In a post to social media Uriah Heap bassist and Lee’s friend, Ken Hensley commented: “It’s with the heaviest of hearts that I share with you that Lee Kerslake, my friend of 55 years and the best drummer I ever played with, lost his battle with cancer at 03:30 this morning,”. “He died peacefully, praise The Lord, but he will be terribly missed.”

Lee was included into the 2019 class of the Heavy Metal Hall of Fame for his drumming on Ozzy Osbourne’s seminal solo debut album Blizzard Of Ozz, and the sophomore effort Diary Of A Madman. Lee had been in a long legal battle with Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne over royalties from those albums. As a result, those albums were reissued with new drums and bass tracks, replacing Bob Dailsety’s work as well. Lee did finally reach a settlement in the last few years, receiving his long overdue Platinum albums and a handwritten letter from Ozzy. At the time of his death, Lee was working on an autobiographical documentary as well as a new album called “Eleventeen”.Rest in power Lee.