Fan-Favorite Nuno Bettencourt Pays Tribute to Ozzy Osbourne with Stunning Versions of Three Iconic Classics, Accurately Recreating Guitar Solos Originally Played by Randy Rhoads and Jake E. Lee with Extreme Band
Nuno Bettencourt Pays Homage to Ozzy Osbourne with a Blazing Performance
Nuno Bettencourt, the renowned guitarist, recently paid tribute to Ozzy Osbourne in a spectacular fashion during a concert with his band Extreme. The event took place at the X-TRA House of Music, and was marked by a medley of Ozzy Osbourne's classic hits1.
Initially, it was planned for Jake E. Lee, Ozzy's original guitarist for the song 'Bark at the Moon', to perform it. However, health issues prevented Lee from taking the stage. Stepping up to the challenge, Bettencourt delivered a mesmerizing performance, mastering the pyrotechnic lead guitar parts with a new guitar1.
The medley included songs from different eras of Ozzy Osbourne's career, such as 'I Don't Know', 'Bark at the Moon', and 'Crazy Train'. Bettencourt's rendition was praised for its faithful adherence to the originals, while also showcasing his distinctive guitar tone and style1.
During the performance of 'Bark at the Moon', Bettencourt used a mysterious new guitar, adding an extra layer of intrigue to his performance. His soloing across 'I Don't Know' and 'Bark at the Moon' was less scripted and seamlessly blended with the licks of the legendary guitarists Randy Rhoads and Jake E. Lee2.
In a nod to Ozzy's "not so secret weapon," Bettencourt referred to the guitarists as such, highlighting their significant contribution to Ozzy's music2. The transition from 'I Don't Know' to 'Bark at the Moon' was so smooth it took a minute for Bettencourt's genius to fully land with some factions of the audience2.
Prior to the concert, Bettencourt took to Instagram to pay tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, expressing his love for the iconic singer and acknowledging Ozzy's big part in his childhood and music history3. He also expressed his feelings of responsibility for keeping Eddie Van Halen's flame alive4.
In a separate instance, Bettencourt has been known to cover Van Halen classics on a custom Bumblebee Washburn guitar5. The guitar tone used during the performance was distinctively Bettencourt's, adding another layer of authenticity to his tribute to Ozzy Osbourne.
The 2024 track 'Rise' saw Bettencourt pen a guitar solo as a tribute to him6. This demonstrates Bettencourt's deep respect and admiration for the guitarists who have shaped his musical journey.
- Nuno Bettencourt played a Gibson guitar during his performance of Ozzy Osbourne's classics, using an amp to produce his distinctive tone.
- The Guitars used by Bettencourt during 'I Don't Know' and 'Bark at the Moon' were reminiscent of those wielded by Randy Rhoads and Jake E. Lee, blending seamlessly with their iconic licks.
- Before the concert, Bettencourt took to his Les Paul guitar, posting on Instagram about his admiration for Ozzy Osbourne and acknowledging the singer's significant impact on his music history.
- In his signature resonance, Bettencourt has been spotted playing Van Halen classics on a custom Bumblebee Washburn guitar, echoing his deep respect for the musicians who have influenced him.
