Rudy Sarzo: Bass Lines, Faith, and the Power of Resilience
Few musicians have lived through as many eras of rock and metal as Rudy Sarzo — and fewer still have done it with his humility, faith, and purpose intact. The CommonX Podcast sat down with the legendary bassist of Ozzy Osbourne and Quiet Riot to talk legacy, loss, and the lifelong rhythm of reinvention.
By Ian Primmer | CommonX Podcast
Every generation has a few musicians who aren’t just players — they’re pillars. For Gen X, Rudy Sarzo stands tall among them.
From the roaring stages of Ozzy Osbourne’s early tours to the anthemic grit of Quiet Riot, Rudy’s bass lines shaped the soundtrack of a generation. But what makes his story truly powerful isn’t the fame — it’s his faith, his discipline, and the way he continues to live with intention long after the spotlight fades.
When Rudy joined us on the CommonX Podcast, he didn’t just tell road stories. He shared life lessons. The kind of wisdom you only get after decades of chasing purpose through chaos.
He talked about the late Randy Rhoads — a friend and musical soulmate whose impact still guides his spirit. He opened up about surviving the wildest years of metal and finding peace in balance, humility, and spirituality. You could hear it in his voice: this is a man who knows who he is, and who’s grateful for every note he’s played.
Rudy’s journey mirrors what we stand for here at CommonX — resilience, reflection, and real talk. He’s proof that greatness doesn’t come from ego; it comes from gratitude.
And even now, he’s still pushing boundaries, performing, writing, and giving back to the craft that made him. For Gen Xers who grew up with “Bang Your Head” blaring from their speakers, hearing Rudy talk about purpose hits harder than ever.
Because in the end, the groove doesn’t fade. It evolves. It deepens. It reminds us that every stage — from arenas to quiet reflection — matters.
🎸 #CommonXPodcast #RudySarzo #QuietRiot #OzzyOsbourne #GenX #XFiles
The Stroke — What It Takes to Build Something Real
In 1981, Billy Squier dropped The Stroke — a track so sharp and ironic that half the world missed the joke. On the surface, it sounded like a swaggering rock anthem. Underneath? It was a middle finger to the music industry’s obsession with fame, ego, and transactional love.
Fast-forward forty-plus years, and it’s still the same song — only the instruments changed. Likes, views, algorithms… that’s the new Stroke. Everybody’s working it, talking it, streaming it, chasing it. But few are still feeling it.
At CommonX, we’re trying to change that.
By Ian Primmer Co-host, CommonX
Intro: The Grind Behind the Glory
In 1981, Billy Squier dropped The Stroke — a track so sharp and ironic that half the world missed the joke. On the surface, it sounded like a swaggering rock anthem. Underneath? It was a middle finger to the music industry’s obsession with fame, ego, and transactional love.
Fast-forward forty-plus years, and it’s still the same song — only the instruments changed. Likes, views, algorithms… that’s the new Stroke. Everybody’s working it, talking it, streaming it, chasing it. But few are still feeling it.
At CommonX, we’re trying to change that.
The CommonX Connection
Building this thing — this crazy media dream — feels a lot like that lyric: “Put your right hand out, give a firm handshake.” Every collaboration, every guest, every article, every episode… it’s the grind. It’s the stroke.
We’ve been lucky enough to shake hands with legends: Richard Karn, Rudy Sarzo, Ivan Doroschuk, Sid Griffin, Dr. Gerald Horne — and every single one of them reminded us of the same truth: success only lasts if you mean it.
Billy Squier wasn’t mocking ambition. He was warning us: don’t let the performance replace the purpose.
Hustle, Humility, and the New Stroke
“Making it” in 2025 isn’t fame — it’s consistency. It’s the grind, the late nights, and the vision to keep going. The stroke never left — it just went digital.
And while the industry still loves its quick hits and viral strokes, there’s a quiet revolution happening underneath it. It’s people like us — the builders, the storytellers, the Gen-Xers who know how to balance grit with gratitude. We’re not chasing the algorithm. We’re chasing authenticity.
Closing Reflection: From Billy to the Builders
Billy Squier’s message still echoes in every creator’s struggle:
“Put your left foot out, keep it all in place.”
That’s what CommonX is doing — staying grounded while the world moves fast. Humble enough to remember where we came from. Hungry enough to keep pushing. Because whether it’s a guitar riff or a podcast mic — if you’re building something real, you’re still in the business today.
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