Fan love for Ozzy Osbourne runs deep as Nuno Bettencourt pays tribute by playing three of his classics with Extreme, impressively mastering the iconic solos of Randy Rhoads and Jake E. Lee.
During their European tour, the band Extreme, led by renowned guitarist Nuno Bettencourt, has been paying tribute to Ozzy Osbourne by performing a medley of Ozzy's classics from the Randy Rhoads and Jake E. Lee eras. The medley, which includes "I Don't Know," "Bark at the Moon," and "Crazy Train," showcases Bettencourt's mastery of both Randy Rhoads' and Jake E. Lee's solos[1][2][4].
A Tribute to a Legend
These performances serve as a tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, highlighting Extreme's admiration for his work and legacy[3]. The medley blends three significant tracks from Ozzy's discography, with "Crazy Train" kept faithful to the original, while other parts are creatively reinterpreted[1].
A Pivotal Career Decision
Nuno Bettencourt once had the opportunity to join Ozzy Osbourne's band. However, he declined due to loyalty to Extreme and a desire to forge his own path. This decision was a pivotal moment in his career, as it allowed him to focus on his own music[2][3].
Social Media Acclaim
Fans have been sharing videos and clips of these performances across platforms like Instagram and TikTok, celebrating the band's tribute to Ozzy[4][5].
A Tribute to the Guitarists
Nuno Bettencourt considers the three guitarists (Randy Rhoads, Jake E. Lee, and Zakk Wylde) as integral parts of what made Ozzy Osbourne who he was as an artist. He considers them as Ozzy's "not so secret weapon," having cemented their own individual legacies[6][7].
The energy of the performance was palpable, with each of the three guitarists bringing their own DNA to each era of Ozzy Osbourne's career. Nuno Bettencourt even joined a tribute band to perform Hot For Teacher.
A Modern Tribute
The guitar solo on the 2024 track, Rise, was penned as a tribute to Nuno Bettencourt's hero. Bettencourt considers the solo on this track as one of the finest modern solos around[8].
In a nod to his respect for Eddie Van Halen, Bettencourt feels responsible for keeping Eddie's flame alive[9]. He has covered Van Halen classics on a custom Bumblebee Washburn guitar, and the guitar tone used during the performance was distinctive and reminiscent of Bettencourt's style.
Gary Cherone, the vocalist, expressed love for Ozzy Osbourne at the end of the set, after his bandmate had sneaked in a little taste of the Iron Man riff. Nuno Bettencourt played the pyrotechnic leads for Bark at the Moon using a mysterious new guitar. The transition from I Don't Know to Bark at the Moon was described as buttery smooth.
Overall, Nuno Bettencourt's performances with Extreme are not only a tribute to Ozzy but also a testament to his own versatility and skill as a guitarist.
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