Guitarist had the help of contact and lucky to get the vocalist’s attention in the midst of so many candidates
The life of Zakk Wylde changed completely when Jake E. Lee left the band Ozzy Osbourne in 1987. The then former singer of the Black Sabbath He was looking for a new guitarist when he received a demo from the musician at the time at the age of 20.
Then came the possibility of taking a test. The opportunity came only because of a contact with the photographer Mark Weissbrokered by a man named Dave Feld.
WYLDE He told, in an interview with the podcast Lipps service (via Ultimate Guitar), as was the first conversation about applying for the vacancy. At first, the idea was not even taken seriously.
He (FELD) said: ‘Hey man, he has thought of making an audition to Ozzy? I said: ‘I thought about eating a slice of pizza with Jimmy Page Another day too ‘ [risos]. Now you have to get in touch with these people. And then, they are like magic people, mythical … Dave said: ‘If you have a tape, I can give it to Mark And I hope he can give to Mrs. O (Sharon Osbournewife and businesswoman of Ozzy) ‘. I had nothing to lose, I was working at a gas station. ”
The tape has reached Sharon and Ozzy. Like this Zakkwent to a first test. The guitarist detailed this stage of the process in an interview for the Let there there be talk (via Ultimate Guitar):
They took me there, I met Phil Soussan (bassist) and Randy Castillo (drummer). When I entered the room, the guys were amazing with me, made me feel super comfortable and all. We play ‘BARK AT THE MON’we play ‘Suicide Solution’ And then we talked for a while. ”
The second stage of the test
Already in the second part of the test, the first real meeting with Ozzy. In the conversation with the Lipps service, WYLDE revealed how he felt at the moment – and how Madman It seemed much more relaxed:
I think I was more excited than nervous. I thought everything was amazing. I remember that Ozzy came the next day or something, and I stayed: ‘Oh my God, I don’t believe it, it’s the Ozzy! ‘. And he just said: ‘Zakkjust tap your heart and then change your pants … something is really stinging. ‘ [risos]”
Ozzy Osbourne, Zakk Wylde and Randy Rhoads
The selection process of a guitarist represents a special moment for Ozzysince the memory of Randy Rhoads It was constant. The first guitarist of the band Solo do Madman He died in 1982 in a plane crash that put the lives of the entire band and team at risk. Only two studio albums were recorded with the legendary musician.
Disregarding some provisional names that only finished the 1982 tour, Zakk Wylde He became the third to occupy the spot in his band. And that only happened due to a certain coincidence with the young guitarist, noted by Ozzy When checking the image sent along with the demo tape.
Second ZakkIn the first meeting the singer was the impression that he had seen him before. Then the Madman revealed the reason. In the guitarist’s words:
Ozzy he said: ‘Zakkof all the boxes, ribbons and photos, your photo was the only one I remembered. I was at the kitchen counter and I looked at her and said, ‘Oh, wow, this boy must really love Randy Rhoads‘ [devido à semelhança física]. And he said, ‘It was all I thought. It was from there that I remembered having seen you, that photo! Right, you must really love Randy Rhoads‘. And I love Randy Rhoads. ”
The photos were not even professional. The guitarist’s sister had made some images of him at her parents’ house for the test. It turned out to be a differential.
The longest
Zakk Wylde became the longest guitarist in the solo career of Ozzy Osbourne. The musician made his debut in the vocalist’s band on the album No rest for the wicked (1988) and remained until 2009, with short periods of absence in the 1990s and 2000s.
He returned in 2017 and remained since. Weakened by Parkinson’s disease, the Madman You can no longer introduce yourself. The new albums have been recorded with studio invited musicians, but WYLDE participated in the most recent, PATENT NUMBER NINE (2022).
+++ Read more: The Beatles Song Ozzy Osbourne says she changed her life
Collaborated: André Luiz Fernandes.
Source: Rollingstone
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.
