"Zakk Wylde discusses the amusing origins of the riff that earned Ozzy Osbourne his initial Grammy award"
Ozzy Osbourne's Guitarists: A Legacy of Heavy Metal Excellence
In the world of heavy metal, Ozzy Osbourne's career has been marked by a succession of extraordinary guitarists who have each contributed significantly to his enduring legacy.
After the tragic loss of Randy Rhoads in 1982, Ozzy found himself in need of a new six-string lieutenant. Jake E. Lee, a talented guitarist with an aggressive style, stepped up to the challenge and played a pivotal role during a critical period in the early 1980s. Lee's tenure saw the release of two successful albums, Bark at the Moon (1983) and The Ultimate Sin (1986).
In 1987, Zakk Wylde took over as Ozzy's guitarist. Known for his signature riffs and blend of Sabbath-inspired heavy sounds with melodic solos, Wylde became one of the most recognised musicians associated with Ozzy's band. He debuted on the 1988 album No Rest for the Wicked and contributed to No More Tears (1991) and Ozzmosis (1995), among others.
Brad Gillis and Gus G also played crucial roles in Ozzy's later periods, delivering powerful guitar work on tours and albums. Gus G, notably, was the lead guitarist from around 2009 to 2014 and injected a modern metal edge into Ozzy's music, revitalising his live performances and recordings in that era.
Randy Rhoads, often hailed as the hottest player in hard rock and metal since Eddie Van Halen, had set the bar high. However, each guitarist who followed in his footsteps managed to bring their unique talents to the table, combining technical skill, memorable songwriting, and stage presence to sustain Ozzy’s solo career and influence heavy metal guitar playing.
A Joke Riff Turned Grammy Win
One of the most unexpected success stories comes from the song "I Don't Want To Change The World." Initially a joke riff improvised during rehearsals, the song went on to win a Grammy for Best Metal Performance in 1992. The recording that won the Grammy was from a live show in Orlando, Florida in 1992. Despite the band's initial dismissal of the song's potential as a serious piece, it has since become a fan favourite.
Zakk Wylde, who used a Les Paul guitar with a Boss SD-1 overdrive pedal and active EMG81/85 humbucker pairing for his hydrocarbon tone, drew upon Randy Rhoads' influence for his solos. Despite the song not being recorded on the No More Tears album, it was performed live and became a staple of Ozzy's concerts.
In summary, each of Ozzy Osbourne's guitarists has played a vital role in shaping his sound and ensuring his continued relevance and influence in heavy metal.
| Guitarist | Tenure | Key Contributions | Notable Albums | |--------------|---------------|----------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------| | Jake E. Lee | 1982–1987 | Maintained momentum post-Rhoads, aggressive style | Bark at the Moon (1983), The Ultimate Sin (1986) | | Zakk Wylde | 1987–1995, later | Signature riffs, blending Sabbath influence, longtime collaborator | No Rest for the Wicked (1988), No More Tears (1991), Ozzmosis (1995) | | Brad Gillis | Late 1980s–1990s (touring) | Tour guitarist, solidifying live performances | - | | Gus G | ~2009–2014 | Modern metal style, revitalizing Ozzy’s live and studio work | Scream (2010) |
[1] Ozzy Osbourne's Guitarists: A Legacy of Heavy Metal Excellence [2] The Evolution of Ozzy Osbourne's Guitarists [3] Zakk Wylde: The Man Behind the Riffs [4] Gus G: The Modern Metal Maestro
In the world of heavy metal, music played a significant role in both Ozzy Osbourne's performances and the contributions of his guitarists. During his collaboration with Zakk Wylde, the blend of music styles resulted in the Grammy-winning song "I Don't Want To Change The World," which initially started as a joke riff during rehearsals.
