Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary “Prince of Darkness” and former Black Sabbath frontman, has enjoyed a lengthy career filled with numerous collaborations with talented musicians. One of the most iconic partnerships in heavy metal history was between Ozzy and his long-time guitarist Zakk Wylde. Wylde, known for his powerful playing and distinctive sound, was integral to several of Ozzy’s most successful solo albums. However, despite their success together, there came a point when Ozzy decided to part ways with Wylde. This decision raised eyebrows in the rock and metal community. The reasons behind Ozzy’s decision to get rid of Zakk Wylde are a mix of creative differences, the need for change, and external influences.
The Origins of Ozzy and Zakk’s Partnership
Zakk Wylde joined Ozzy Osbourne’s band in 1987, at the young age of 20, after impressing the iconic frontman during auditions. At the time, Ozzy was looking for a guitarist to replace Jake E. Lee, and Zakk’s blend of technical skill, raw energy, and blues-influenced metal playing made him the perfect candidate. He quickly became a key figure in Ozzy’s band, contributing to albums such as No Rest for the Wicked (1988), No More Tears (1991), and Ozzmosis (1995). Wylde’s signature sound, characterized by powerful riffs and explosive solos, helped define Ozzy’s music during this period.
The partnership between Ozzy and Zakk flourished for over two decades, with Wylde becoming almost synonymous with Ozzy’s sound. Zakk’s loyalty to Ozzy was evident throughout his career, as he always made time for Ozzy’s projects, even while working on his own band, Black Label Society (BLS). Despite the ups and downs of the music industry, the two seemed inseparable, and Zakk was often seen as Ozzy’s right-hand man.
Creative Stagnation and the Need for Change
By the mid-2000s, however, the relationship between Ozzy and Zakk began to show signs of strain. While their collaboration had yielded great success in the past, Ozzy began to feel that the music they were creating was becoming stagnant. In interviews, Ozzy has spoken about the importance of keeping his music fresh and evolving, and he started to worry that his work with Zakk was becoming too predictable.
One of the primary reasons for Ozzy’s decision to part ways with Zakk was a desire to explore new musical directions. After working together for so long, Ozzy felt that their music was starting to sound too similar. This was not a reflection of Zakk’s abilities as a guitarist—he remained one of the most skilled and respected players in the metal world—but rather an acknowledgment that their creative partnership had run its course. Ozzy has always been an artist who thrives on reinvention, and he felt that a change in his musical direction was necessary to keep his sound fresh.
This sentiment was echoed by Sharon Osbourne, Ozzy’s wife and manager, who has played a significant role in shaping his career. She publicly stated that Zakk’s playing style, while phenomenal, had begun to make Ozzy’s new music sound too much like Black Label Society rather than an Ozzy Osbourne solo project. Zakk’s influence on Ozzy’s sound had become so strong that it risked overshadowing Ozzy’s own identity as a solo artist.
External Influences and Industry Pressure
In addition to the desire for creative change, there were also external pressures that contributed to Ozzy’s decision to part ways with Zakk Wylde. The music industry is notoriously cutthroat, and artists are constantly under pressure to stay relevant and competitive. Ozzy, as a veteran of the industry, was well aware of the need to keep evolving and adapting to changing trends. Bringing in new musicians can be a way to shake things up and bring fresh energy to a project, which is precisely what Ozzy was looking to do.
Another factor in Ozzy’s decision was the presence of producer Kevin Churko, who worked on Ozzy’s 2010 album Scream. Churko, known for his modern approach to production and for helping artists blend traditional rock and metal sounds with contemporary influences, encouraged Ozzy to experiment with different musicians. Churko played a pivotal role in the decision to bring in Greek guitarist Gus G. as a replacement for Zakk. Gus G. had previously played with bands like Firewind and Arch Enemy and was known for his technical precision and melodic style. His playing offered a fresh perspective that aligned with the modern direction Ozzy wanted to pursue on Scream.
The decision to bring in Gus G. was also influenced by the need for a guitarist who could bring a different sound and approach to the music. While Zakk’s playing was rooted in heavy, bluesy riffs, Gus G. brought a more European power metal style to the table, which gave Ozzy’s music a new flavor. This shift was a calculated move to help Ozzy remain relevant in a changing music landscape.
Ozzy and Zakk’s Relationship After the Split
Despite the professional split, the relationship between Ozzy and Zakk remained amicable. In interviews, Zakk has always spoken highly of Ozzy, referring to him as a father figure and mentor. He understood that Ozzy’s decision was not personal but rather a necessary step for the evolution of his music. Zakk even joked in interviews that Ozzy was “cheating on him” with other guitarists but never expressed bitterness or resentment about the situation.
Over time, the two would reunite. In 2017, Zakk Wylde rejoined Ozzy’s band for the No More Tours 2 tour, marking their first collaboration in nearly a decade. The reunion was a welcome one for fans, who had missed the chemistry between the two on stage. Zakk’s return didn’t necessarily signal a return to the old sound, but rather a blending of their past success with a new era of Ozzy’s music.
Conclusion
The decision to part ways with Zakk Wylde was not an easy one for Ozzy Osbourne, but it was a necessary step in his journey as an artist. Creative differences, the need for change, and external pressures all played a role in the split. Ozzy’s career has always been characterized by reinvention, and this was just another chapter in his ongoing evolution as a musician.
While Zakk’s departure may have been a disappointment for some fans, it ultimately allowed both artists to grow and explore new musical territories. Zakk went on to focus on Black Label Society, where he continued to build his own legacy, while Ozzy found new ways to push the boundaries of his music. Their reunion in later years showed that, despite the challenges, the bond between Ozzy and Zakk remained strong—a testament to the respect and admiration they have for each other both as musicians and as friends.
