Zakk Wylde recounts the instance he nearly joined Slash, Axl Rose, and the rest of Guns N' Roses for a jam session, as shared by Axl Rose in a phone call.
Zakk Wylde, acclaimed guitarist from Pantera, shares details about a missed opportunity to join Guns N' Roses in the mid-'90s. During an interview with Billy Corgan, Wylde revealed how an audition for GNR led to his departure from Ozzy Osbourne's band and ultimately the formation of Black Label Society.
Wylde jammed with GNR members when Gilby Clarke had left and Axl Rose was searching for a replacement guitarist. Slash suggested Wylde's name for the position, and Rose contacted him for a jam session. Wylde knew Slash, Adler, and Somur from earlier in his career, and they met at a rehearsal space to "jam and noodle ideas." They even recorded a few riffs, one of which later appeared on Black Label Society's debut album, Sonic Brew.
Nothing materialized from the jam session, and Ozzy questioned Wylde about his availability. The GNR opportunity didn't come through, and Ozzy brought in Joe Holmes for a short while before they settled on a new guitarist. This period significantly impacted Wylde's career, as he was left in pursuit of a new creative outlet.
Wylde found inspiration in a local pub in Lexington, where he wrote the material for his solo album, Book of Shadows. Motivated but not yet ready to be a solo artist, Wylde set out to build Black Label Society from the ground up. Initially, the band played in small clubs, marking a stark contrast to performing in arenas and stadiums with Ozzy Osbourne.
Despite the early struggles, Black Label Society ultimately thrived, and Wylde even returned to work with Ozzy later on. While Wylde's career might have taken a different path if the GNR opportunity worked out, history bore witness to the success of Black Label Society and the enduring legacy of Zakk Wylde's talent.
- Zakk Wylde, having jammed with Guns N' Roses members before, utilized his electric guitar skills to record a few riffs during that session, which later appeared on Black Label Society's debut album, Sonic Brew.
- Wylde's focus turned from guitars to building Black Label Society after the non-materialization of the Guns N' Roses opportunity, with the band initially playing in small clubs in stark contrast to the arenas and stadiums with Ozzy Osbourne.
- The entertainment industry witnessed the rise of Black Label Society, showcasing Wylde's guitar talent and proving that his career would have thrived regardless of the Guns N' Roses opportunity.
