Lee Kerslake: Uriah Heep Drummer Who Played on Ozzy Osbourne's Debut Die

Lee Kerslake was an English drummer, best known for his decades with the hard rock band Uriah Heep. Born on April 16, 1947, in Bournemouth, he was nicknamed "The Bear" for his beard and solid build.

Kerslake began with The Gods in 1969 and joined Uriah Heep in 1971, playing on classic albums such as Demons and Wizards (1972). He played on Ozzy Osbourne's first two solo albums, Blizzard of Ozz (1980) and Diary of a Madman (1981), then returned to Uriah Heep in 1982. He stayed with the band until 2007 and recorded more than a dozen studio albums.

In 2018 Ozzy Osbourne arranged platinum awards for Kerslake and bassist Bob Daisley for the two albums they had played on, which Kerslake called his final wish. He disclosed prostate cancer in December 2018 and played his last show with Uriah Heep that month. He died on September 19, 2020, at age 73, and is survived by his wife, Sue. His solo album Eleventeen was released in 2021.

Achievements: Joined Uriah Heep (1971), played on Blizzard of Ozz (1980) and Diary of a Madman (1981), rejoined Uriah Heep (1982), played in the supergroup Living Loud.

Birth: April 16, 1947 - Bournemouth, Hampshire, England.

Profession: Drummer.

Interesting Facts: He and Bob Daisley sued the Osbourne family in 1998 over royalties and credit. He was nicknamed "The Bear."