Images of guitarists who played for Ozzy Osbourne, the time-honored rock star, during his iconic albums and tours captured in photographs
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In a career spanning over four decades, Ozzy Osbourne, the Prince of Darkness, worked with some of the most talented guitarists in the music industry. While the exact number of guitarists who wrote and played on Ozzy's classic albums and took part in his legendary tours is not specified, several notable figures have left their mark on his music.
Randy Rhoads, a virtuoso guitarist, played a significant role in shaping Ozzy's sound during his early post-Sabbath days. Rhoads, who tragically passed away in 1982, is recognised as a virtuosic player who had a deep impact on Ozzy's solo career. His work on albums like Blizzard of Ozz (1980) and Diary of a Madman (1981) is still celebrated today.
Jake E. Lee took over guitar duties in the early 1980s, featured on the album Bark at the Moon (1983), and contributed to Ozzy's evolving sound after Rhoads' tragic passing. Zakk Wylde, Ozzy's longest-serving six-string sideman, became part of the team in the late 1980s, starting with No Rest for the Wicked (1988), and peaking with No More Tears (1991), which had several top 10 hits.
Tony Iommi, the guitar player with Black Sabbath, Ozzy's original band where Osbourne first gained recognition, also collaborated with Ozzy throughout his career. They had notable reunions, including the farewell tour. Brad Gillis, while serving smaller yet crucial roles, was also part of the larger Ozzy Osbourne ecosystem.
Besides these core figures, Ozzy also collaborated in notable one-off projects with artists outside the heavy metal genre, such as hip-hop legend Busta Rhymes and Beatles drummer Ringo Starr on backing vocals.
In summary, the most prominent and influential guitar collaborators in Ozzy Osbourne's career are Randy Rhoads, Jake E. Lee, Zakk Wylde, Tony Iommi, and Brad Gillis. The list of guitarists who collaborated with Ozzy Osbourne includes those who wrote and played on his classic albums.
Ozzy Osbourne, known as the Prince of Darkness, passed away on July 22, 2025, at the age of 76. His impeccable taste in guitarists was almost as legendary as the man himself, as he gave big breaks to guitarists who have since become heroes in their own right. Tony Iommi, Zakk Wylde, and the rest of the guitarists who worked with Ozzy Osbourne were top-tier players in the industry.
The Prince of Darkness, Ozzy Osbourne, worked with top-tier guitarists throughout his career, including the virtuosic Randy Rhoads, who played a significant role in his early solo career. During an album recording session or a live performance, these guitarists often amplified their music with high-quality amps, contributing to the overall entertainment value of the concert experience.
