Exclusive! Ozzy Talks Zakk, Dio, Macca, Jacko…
Ozzy Osbourne has been speaking to Classic Rock about his new album, his search for a new guitarist, and why he wishes Heaven & Hell all the best. PLUS: The weird world of Michael Jackson.
Interview: Scott Rowley
Classic Rock caught up with Ozzy Osbourne last week at the Slash & Friends gig in Norway, where the whispers backstage had guitarist John 5 (ex-Marilyn Manson, currently with Rob Zombie) lined up as a possible replacement for Zakk Wylde…
“Well, I’m getting a new guitar player as we speak,” said Ozzy, “and everyone has been saying to me for a long time, ‘Get Johnny 5!’ And I tried him at one time and I didn’t really give him a chance. We’ll see, I don’t know. I haven’t fallen out with Zakk, but Zakk’s got his own band, and I felt like my stuff was beginning to sound like Black Label Society. I just felt like I wanted a change, y’know?
“I’ve got a guy from Greece coming in – not the musical, the country of Greece – but I’m not going to say too much about it, cos I don’t know myself at this point. I’ve got a new album, I’m working on it as we speak. I’ve got a studio at my house and I’ve got a guy called Kevin Churko, the guy that did the last album [Churko also worked on Ozzy’s Under Cover album, produced Cheap Trick’s highly rated 2006 album Rockford, and has credits on releases by Britney Spears, Celine Dion and Shania Twain] – he’s great to work with.
“And it’s great to have your own studio. On one hand it’s great and on the other it’s not, cos when you’re at the studio you can go, ‘Sorry darling, I can’t get home for dinner, I’m stuck at the studio…’ But she can fucking come down stairs now! But I’m just enjoying my life now…”
So you’re taking it easy recording this album?
“Oh yeah. Zakk came down and did a bunch of stuff and I don’t know if I want to use it but I’ve got it there if I do. And this Kevin Churko is a bit of an all-rounder so I’m getting back to basics in some respects. One thing about a guy who can’t do all the finger-tapping stuff is that he plays better on the riffs cos it’s not all [hums riff for Iron Man followed by over-the-top widdling].”
Does Heaven & Hell having a new album out make you more competitive?
“No. Not in the slightest. I really wish them well. I mean I’ve been out of that band three times longer than I was ever in them. But people say, ‘What do you think about Dio?’ He’s great singer. I’ve grown up since the days when I used to get pissed and slag him off. For whatever it’s worth, good luck to them. I don’t want to make enemies – I made enough when I was drinking, I try to make friends with people these days!”
The Double O also revealed that he had considered putting an album out under another name like his hero Paul McCartney.
“I’m a Beatles fan and I’ve met Paul McCartney quite a few times now. Have you heard his Fireman album? It’s fucking great. I’ll tell you why – he doesn’t play safe. He doesn’t put it out as Paul McCartney. You can hear bits of his voice but it’s so refreshingly good and I thought, ‘Why didn’t he do this a long time ago?’ And I said to Sharon, why don’t I put a band together where nobody know it’s me – a project, if you like – I’ve got my own studio… And she said ‘Sure’.
“But I’m lucky to be alive, I’m lucky to be still in demand – I bet Michael Jackson wishes he was me right now.”
Did you ever meet Jacko?
“I ran into him a few times, but he always had his security thing. I remember one time in New York I was rehearsing in the same studios and I got in one morning and they had screens up, like when you go and see the nurse. I’m like, ‘What the fuck’s this?’ My room was next door to his. And I was like, ‘Where am I going to go for a fucking piss?’ They said, ‘Round the corner’. I thought, ‘Fuck this’ – and went to the toilet on the other side of the screen. So the next day there was this big row cos I wouldn’t honour this thing… And [that meant] he never used the toilet and they found cups of piss all around… He was a very isolated man, you know. It’s very sad. Cos when you get that big, where is there left?
“He was phenomenal talent in his day. I mean it’s not my kind of music but when you see him do the dancing and all the stuff that goes with it, he was a clever guy, man.
“And it’s sad when anybody in the game goes before their time, but in a funny, sick way it seems befitting – I mean, can you imagine him reaching 80 or 70? I mean, someone should have said to him, ‘Michael, you’ve got no more face to cut,’ y’know?
“It’s sad. I mean the King Of Pop, the King Of Rock – I’m glad I’m just the Prince Of Darkness or I’d be worried a bit.”
It wouldn’t surprise me that “the guy from Greece” is Gus G. from Firewind. He also used to play with a band called Dream Evil. He would indeed be an excellent choice for the Ozzman. Maybe Ozzy could take back Jake E. Lee. Or take both Gus G. and Jake E. Lee. That would be killer.
By the way, who’s playing drums for Ozzy, now that Mike Bordin is playing with Faith No More again?
And it wouldn’t do no harm if Ozzy looked for a new bass player as well. That Blasko guy doesn’t fit his band. Bring back Rudy Sarzo?
Yeah gus G! But I doubt he Sharon or Ozzy know who he is. Hopefully the world will get to know him!
Ozzy hasn’t made a decent album since No More Tears. As much as I like Zakk Wylde, it is definitely time for a change.
ozzy…..good luck with the album……i wont be buying though, you sold your soul a long time ago to MTV…..mind you a jake e lee comeback would definately prick my interest…..
boring old cunt!
“I’m glad I’m just the Prince Of Darkness”
No, Ozzy. You’re just the Prince of Lawsuit!
[...] a recent interview with Classic Rock magazine, the bandmate-suing Ozzy Osbourne said the following: “Well, I’m getting a new guitar [...]
…there’s Gus G (Firewind) and there’s Bob Katsionis, Theodore Ziras, John B. (Wolfcry), or Dimitris Pantazis. it could be none of the above.
regardless, i’m very excited that there’ll be some new sounds. i love Zakk, he is and has been for years an AMAZING guitarist, with Ozzy and BLS. no disrespect intended. but hearing Ozzy in different settings will be an awesome thing
.
A mere shadow of his former self sadly. You are hardly ‘The Prince of Darkness’ when you allow a talentless harridan to control your every waking moment. Dio, Iommi, Butler and Appice still kick ass mightily though!
[...] bromance that was Ozzy and Zakk Wylde seems to (thankfully) be over:From a recent interview with Classic Rock Mag:
Now, seriously, them Firewind guys, are decent players, but they rip-off their music from other bands. All their songs are like, 1 part savatage, 1 part dio, 1 part something else. etc. Ozzy is also beyond redemption ! What vocal prowess does he have left to sing ? Next to none! Pack it in.
Deffinetly Gus G. He is a very technical guitar player (not as techinical as Zakk though) he is young with a fresh sound (not my taste but anyhow) and he can contribute a lot to the sound…He used to be in Dream Evil right now he is in Firewind if i am not mistaken. Rumour has it that he had offers from Mustaine to join Megadeth and from Ammot to join Arch Enemy. So maybe…
[...] have a look at these quotes from the interview he did for Classic Rock [...]
[...] leemos en la entrevista concedida por Ozzy Osbourne a la revista Classic Rock, éste ha decidido prescindir de los servicios de su guitarrista Zakk Wylde. Ozzy comenta que no se [...]
He should call his new record ‘Hungry as a Coyote’…
[...] Classic Rock Magazine reports that Osbourne, who cancelled the latest edition of his popular Ozzfest summer concert in order to focus on writing a new album, is currently auditioning new guitarists for the project–unbeknownst to longtime guitarist Zakk Wylde. Rob Zombie guitarist John 5 is apparently near the top of Osbourne’s list, although Wylde has already recorded portions of the music for the new CD. [...]
[...] Ozzy Osbourne has revealed in a recent interview with Classic Rock Magazine that he has, for the time being, parted ways with guitarist Zakk Wylde in order to pursue a new [...]
[...] Osbourne licenzia Zakk Wilde? Il botta e risposta tra i due In una recente dichiarazione a Classic Rock Ozzy Osbourne ha praticamente tagliato fuori dalla propria band Zakk Wylde. Queste le parole di [...]
Nah I like Zakk, I like his guitar playing, he’s Ozzy’s guitar player for me. I don’t agree with the comment Katina Lee made about him not bringing out a decent album since No more Tears – personally I think Ozzmosis is one of his best solo efforts and tragically underrated. However, I do concede his subsequent albums Back On Earth and Black Rain were very “Ozzy by numbers” – they made all the right noises without really doing it. As for the musical atrocity that was Undercover, well the less said about that the better – it makes a good beer coaster. Basically he needs to get Lemmy to write him some more tunes!! Then he’ll be laughing
BRING BACK JAKE E LEE!
long live the oz.
is it me or am i the only one who thinks ozzy should do this. am i right or wrong when i say ozzy always gets the best guitar players
It is time for Zak to move on,..he play’s the same pig squeals over n over,..Get John 5
Zakk should reform Steel Dragon…
[...] Ozzy Osbourne has not fired Zakk Wylde from his solo band (as Ozzy had originally suggested in an interview with Classic Rock). Come on in for the [...]
maybe Ozz and Zakk patched things up already? zakk’s got a new tweet about it…
http://www.musicnewsnet.com/2009/07/ozzy-osbourne-drops-guitarist-via-magazine-interview.html
Zakk is pretty much the only reason to go see an Ozzy-show these days!
If Zakk’s out, I’m out.
Yes, it’s a shame that MJ became the Howard Hughes of pop. But Ozzy’s wife sending her own bowel movements to people who riled her isn’t exactly pure-spirited, eh?
It’s about F-ing time he ditched that hakk.
That guy is the most over rated guitarist of the last 20 years……
good for ozzy….. anybody would be better than zack the hack!
I have loved Ozzy my whole 12 years of playing guitar. I have some experience playing the small gigs, but man, if I had one opportunity to play with someone as Monumental and a Historic piece of music history as Ozzy is, that would be the a dream come true! Start getting back to the roots of classic rock/metal and stay away from the new sound. I’m not saying the new sound isn’t great, but it’s time to go “back in time” a little. Re-live the great tones and riffs. If I had that chance I’d be all over it.
no zakk no buying of the new cd
the only thing thats metal about double O is zakk
ozz do ur self a favor get zakk back his the best metal guitar and thats what u need to have a heavy metal cd
the last cd that the ozzman had released were true metal and zakk did a killer playing
ozzy ur also wacko with these things that u call children
ozzy without zakk is a load of bollocks.ozzy,get your act together and bring back the berserker.zakk rules.
No puede ser tan hijo de puta este Ozzy…
Se viene abajo sin Zakk
[...] Osbourne has revealed to Classic Rock magazine that he is currently searching for a new guitarist for his solo [...]
What about Joe Holmes that played for Ozzy back in the late 90s for Ozzfest?
Odavno si popusio,princezo, a sada si gotov.
You `ve been sacked long time ago, this is the last nail int he coffin.Dead and gone, prince(ss) of darkness, always been idiot.
Jimi Bell. He is a great guitarist that would bring a high level of skill and may be able to take Ozzy’s sound back to its roots. Jimi is a AWESOME player and a great guy he kicks ASS.
Ozzy made his greatest music with Rhandy. He is makeing the biggest mistake loseing Zakk. Zakk Made Ozzy. If Ozzy is sober and make this descion. GET HIGH again!!! Zakk is a guitar god! Bottom line,Ozzy is jelous of Zakks fame! Ozzy will lose millions of fans.Includeing me. I buy Ozzy cd’s to hear Zakk!! Never again! Zakk Wylde forever. SDMF