Dimitris Kontogeorgakos of Metal Kaoz recently conducted an interview with bassist Rudy Sarzo (ANIMETAL USA, DIO DISCIPLES) who talked about his band's future plans, his Off The Rails (A Tribute To RANDY RHOADS book and, of course, RONNIE JAMES DIO.

An excerpt follows:

Q: Rudy, I have to congratulate you for the great reading Off The Rails (A Tribute To Randy Rhoads) and tell you that you have a strong writing hand.

A: "Oh, thank you so much, Dimitris."

Q: So, my question is have you ever thought of writing your biography and tell the stories of your three decades career?

A: "I am not done yet, I am still working with my life. I wrote the story about Randy because unfortunately there is an ending. So, it was a story I could write about and tell how it was working with him in QUIET RIOT and OZZY OSBOURNE. In fact, the only reason I wrote that book is to answer to question “what was like to play with Randy Rhoads” and since I was the guy who played with him in two bands, it felt most appropriate. I also have a strong belief that Randy saved our lives during the accident, so writing a book about him was the least I could do. In addition to that, he was responsible for me getting in the Ozzy band. So, writing this book was my way to honor him and that was my only motivation. Plus, there was a lot of misinformation in the internet about the crash and the stories before and after, so I told the story exactly the way it happened."

Q: How was the experience of re-living everything while writing the book? Was it difficult for you?

A: "No and as matter of fact it was very enjoyable to have Randy alive in my imagination. It took me about a month to write the last chapter (Chapter 18) when he was still alive since I didn’t want to say ‘goodbye’. Then, I got a call from my publisher who told me that I had to move on and finish the story since there is a deadline. So, I did and to my surprise the chapter about the accident was done the fastest than the other because I have been telling this for over 20 years and it’s just poured out of me. Then, it was a matter of finishing the book with a couple of chapters and then it was done. My biggest reward on writing this book was getting a closure and rediscovering myself; looking back at my life and everything that I have accomplished and all the experiences I lived with all my friends. It was not just rewarding but also comforting. I am telling you everything was fantastic up to the day that Randy died. There is a year of great experiences before that."

Q: I have one more question for you, Rudy; during the last 10 years the metal scene has lost great musicians and what I like to consider important personas (like Dio for example), so do you think there are musicians out there who can reach that quality level?

A: "Yeah, I am sure there are some really significant human beings. You know, people are only talking about the great singer that Ronnie was and forget that 30 years ago he started charities; he did 'We Are Stars' the heavy metal version of USA For Africa and then he started Children Of The Night and did benefits for runaway children in the Los Angeles area. And before he passed away, he started the Stand Up And Shout foundation. So, yes, he was one of the greatest singer/composer in heavy metal but also he was a great humanitarian and that is so important. I had this conversation so many times with friends and also with my wife about how in the old days rock 'n' roll musicians, like let’s say in my case, left my home moved to LA, slept on floors, starved and then I became famous. So, it gets to the point where you say 'Now what?' At that point there are two choices; you can become a rock casualty by partying your ass off and doing what you think a rock star does or you can take the route of significant musicians that also inspired me like STING, BONO, BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN and so on. They have become a voice for people that don’t have one of their own; they do charities, benefits and they stand for something. And to me, that is the most significant thing you can do once you have achieved a certain status, so yes, there is always the opportunity for the young generation of metal to produce such important personas that you talke about. Musicians who will stand up and say 'Now I am gonna give back'. This is the ultimate reward; the moment you have everything you wanted, it’s time to give back to those who made it possible for you to get everything you wanted."

Read the full interview at this location.