'So, Frankie Banali, who I had known since '72, and I decided to leave Florida – where we were – and head up to Chicago. Prior to that, I had begun to make money playing music, but there were a lot of dead ends. I first joined the band in 1978, which was the Randy Rhoads version of Quiet Riot. I've said this before, but Quiet Riot is like home for me. 'My history with this band goes way back. What are your memories of Quiet Riot's early days? (Image credit: Joe Schaeffer Photography) Nostalgic as he recounts years spent with fallen friends, Rudy Sarzo dialed in with Guitar World to discuss the 40th anniversary of Metal Health, as well as the enduring legacy of his old friend, and bandmate, Randy Rhoads. We'll keep going for as long as people will have us.' They're always in my heart this music means a lot to me. I feel it's my duty to help preserve the legacy. I've been in and out of this band for a long time, and I always seem to come back. I enjoy getting on stage with these guys. 'We're out there playing this music because it's what we love to do. 'People can say what they like,' Sarzo scoffs. With more and more tracks being lifted from their mothballs and Quiet Riot's current incarnation – which remains polarizing – continuing to tour, it appears that for now at least, Quiet Riot has not yet met the end of its ever-winding road. These days, Sarzo is once again back 'home', and his energy is effervescent. Everything after that was just a natural progression.' 'The reason why I first went in there to record Thunderbird and Slick Black Cadillac in the first place was for Randy. But at the core of it, making Randy proud and preserving the legacy was the motivation. 'It helped put a huge focus on the Sunset Strip and gave other bands playing the same type of music as we were an opportunity to go out there and be on MTV. 'Of course, Metal Health opened the door for us,' Sarzo recalls. But reclaiming his spot as a member of Quiet Riot reinvigorated him, and the recording of Metal Health – one of the era's seminal records – paved the way towards healing. Moreover, his passion for music had waned. Like many who shared space in Rhoads' inner circle, Sarzo was devastated.

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