"Joe Bonamassa expresses bewilderment: 'Is every LA-based rock guitarist vanished simultaneously?' Upon his guest appearance on an Ozzy Osbourne album"
In a career spanning over four decades, Ozzy Osbourne, the Prince of Darkness, has been accompanied by a series of remarkable guitarists. Among them, Joe Bonamassa, a blues-rock virtuoso, joined the ranks in 2005, at the age of 27 and four albums deep into his own career.
Ozzy's music required a very specialized guitarist, one who was forward-thinking and hungry, as he sought to surpass the greatness of Eddie Van Halen. Bonamassa, who had already made a name for himself, was a perfect fit.
Before joining Ozzy's band, Bonamassa had played his first gig supporting B.B. King 15 years earlier. His journey took a significant turn when he was asked to join Ozzy's band in 2005. The invitation came as a surprise, but Bonamassa was tactful in his response, considering it an honour to work with the legendary rock star.
Ozzy's guitarists are not just known for their distinctive playing styles but also for their songwriting contributions. Tony Iommi, his former Black Sabbath bandmate, co-founded the heavy metal sound that Ozzy was known for early on. Randy Rhoads, who tragically passed away, shaped the early post-Sabbath sound with virtuosic and innovative guitar work. Zakk Wylde, Ozzy's longest-serving guitarist, is renowned for his heavy riffs, fast lead playing, and songwriting abilities.
Bonamassa joined a lineage of guitarists who have worked with Ozzy, including Randy Rhoads, Zakk Wylde, Jeff Beck, and Steve Vai. His contributions to the band are significant, and he considers it an honour to have played on an Ozzy Osbourne record.
The comparison between Ozzy's selection of guitar players and John Mayall's band in the late '60s, who hired Eric Clapton, Peter Green, and Mick Taylor, is not unwarranted. Both have consistently sought out and nurtured exceptional talent, contributing to the development of rock and roll as we know it today.
In a poignant moment, a blues legend engraved her name into Bonamassa's favourite 1955 Fender Strat, a testament to the respect and admiration he has earned in the music industry. Bonamassa, in turn, was asked to perform a cover of Buffalo Springfield's 'For What It's Worth' for Ozzy's covers album, 'Under Cover'.
As we remember Ozzy Osbourne, who passed away recently, let us not forget the guitarists who have played a pivotal role in his music, including Joe Bonamassa, who carried forward Ozzy's heavy metal legacy with distinction and honour.
- Joe Bonamassa played his first gig supporting B.B. King on a guitar, specifically a 1955 Fender Stratocaster, which later had a blues legend's name engraved on it.
- Bonamassa, along with other guitarists such as Randy Rhoads, Zakk Wylde, Jeff Beck, and Steve Vai, contributed significantly to Ozzy Osbourne's records.
- Ozzy's music required a guitarist who was forward-thinking and hungry, and Bonamassa, with his distinctive playing style and songwriting contributions, was a perfect fit.
- Bonamassa was asked to perform a cover of Buffalo Springfield's 'For What It's Worth' for Ozzy's covers album, 'Under Cover'.
- The comparison between Ozzy's selection of guitar players and John Mayall's band in the late '60s, who hired Eric Clapton, Peter Green, and Mick Taylor, is not unwarranted, as both have consistently sought out and nurtured exceptional talent in the entertainment industry, contributing to the development of music as we know it today.
