You Can’t Kill Rock and Roll by Ozzy Osbourne – Guitar Lesson

Channel the spirit of anthemic rock with our note-for-note guitar lesson of “You Can’t Kill Rock and Roll” by Ozzy Osbourne. A standout track from the 1981 Diary of a Madman album, this song showcases Randy Rhoads’ ability to combine emotional expression with technical brilliance. With its clean, melodic intro, driving power riffs, and soaring leads, You Can’t Kill Rock and Roll is a true guitar journey—packed with iconic moments that every serious rock player should explore.

This LickLibrary guitar lesson will walk you through every section of the song in detail, focusing on the techniques that define Rhoads’ performance: arpeggiated chord progressions, hammer-ons, pull-offs, and power chords. Whether you're looking to sharpen your rhythm work or elevate your expressive lead playing, this lesson offers the perfect blend of technique, melody, and musical storytelling. This lesson is taught by Danny Gill.

Technique Focus

Arpeggiated Chord Progressions

The song opens with beautifully played arpeggiated chord progressions, setting a melancholic and reflective tone. These arpeggios are played with clean tone and precision, highlighting chord tones in a melodic, flowing manner.

Learning benefit: Practicing arpeggiated chord progressions enhances finger coordination, picking accuracy, and note clarity. It also builds a deeper understanding of chord shapes and voice leading—essential skills for expressive rhythm guitar.

Hammer-Ons

Hammer-ons appear frequently in both the lead sections and melodic embellishments throughout the track. Rhoads uses them to add speed and legato smoothness, especially in fluid, ascending passages and expressive fills.

Learning benefit: Working on hammer-ons improves finger strength and precision. It allows for smoother note transitions and helps you achieve more natural, flowing phrases with less picking.

Pull-Offs

Paired with hammer-ons, pull-offs contribute to the song’s flowing solo lines and rhythmic phrasing. Rhoads uses pull-offs in quick licks and to transition between note groupings effortlessly.

Learning benefit: Mastering pull-offs increases finger independence and dynamic control. It’s a vital technique for developing legato phrasing and building speed without sacrificing clarity.

Power Chords

The choruses and heavier sections of You Can’t Kill Rock and Roll rely on power chords to deliver punch and drive. These power chords give the song its backbone, locking tightly with the rhythm section for maximum impact.

Learning benefit: Practicing power chords strengthens your rhythm playing and helps develop precision in muting and fretting, ensuring that you can play tight, aggressive riffs cleanly at higher gain levels.

Why Learn This Song?

You Can’t Kill Rock and Roll is more than just a great track—it’s a powerful musical statement, both in its message and in its guitar work. It represents everything that makes Randy Rhoads’ playing iconic: technical command, emotional depth, and structural mastery. By learning this song, you’ll gain insight into phrasing, dynamics, and arrangement, all while reinforcing fundamental guitar techniques that apply across genres.

Whether you’re building a setlist of classic rock staples or simply looking to deepen your understanding of expressive lead playing and thoughtful rhythm work, this lesson is a rewarding challenge that offers long-term value for your playing journey.

About the Song and Randy Rhoads

Randy Rhoads remains one of the most revered and influential guitarists in the history of rock and metal. His contribution to Diary of a Madman—his final studio album before his untimely passing—showcases his maturity as a player and composer. On You Can’t Kill Rock and Roll, Rhoads balances gentle arpeggios with heavy, layered rhythm parts and emotional solos, capturing the song’s theme of rebellion and resilience through his guitar.

Rhoads’ unique blend of classical technique, melodic sensibility, and raw rock aggression inspired countless players, from Steve Vai and Joe Satriani to John Petrucci and Zakk Wylde. Learning this song provides a direct line to understanding how to blend technique and emotion with finesse.

What You’ll Learn in This Lesson

Our detailed lesson breaks down every section of You Can’t Kill Rock and Roll—from the clean, arpeggiated intro to the chorus power chords and the expressive solo work. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of how to build dynamic transitions, apply melodic phrasing, and execute with clarity and confidence.

Perfect for intermediate to advanced players, this lesson helps you strengthen essential rock techniques while learning one of Randy Rhoads’ most emotionally charged performances.

Techniques Used in This Lesson

• Arpeggiated Chord Progressions
• Hammer-Ons
• Pull-Offs
• Power Chords

Unlock the full potential of your guitar playing by mastering You Can’t Kill Rock and Roll with this complete LickLibrary lesson—an emotional and technical deep dive into one of Randy Rhoads’ most meaningful works.