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Zakk Wylde
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Key Information
Zachary Phillip Wylde (born Jeffrey Phillip Wielandt; January 14, 1967) is an American musician. He is best known as the lead guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne and as the founder, lead guitarist, lead singer, songwriter and producer of the heavy metal band Black Label Society.
Wylde's signature bulls-eye design appears on many of his guitars. He was also the lead guitarist and vocalist of Pride & Glory, who released one self-titled album in 1994 before disbanding. As a solo artist, he released the albums Book of Shadows and Book of Shadows II. Wylde joined the reunited Pantera in 2022 as a touring guitarist.
Early life
[edit]Zachary Phillip Wylde[1] was born Jeffrey Phillip Wielandt in Bayonne, New Jersey, on January 14, 1967.[2][3] He is of Irish descent.[4] He started playing guitar at the age of eight, but did not become serious about it until his early teenage years.[3] At the age of 14, he worked at Silverton Music in Silverton, New Jersey. He grew up in Jackson, New Jersey, where he attended Jackson Memorial High School, graduating in 1985.[5] He has stated that he often played the guitar almost non-stop between coming home from school and leaving for school the next morning, then would be completely exhausted during school the next day.[6]
Career
[edit]Early career
[edit]Wylde played locally with his first band Stone Henge, then later with local New Jersey band Zyris.[7]
Ozzy Osbourne (1987–1995, 2001–2009, 2017–2025)
[edit]
In 1987, Wylde auditioned for Ozzy Osbourne after listening to The Howard Stern Show and learning that Osbourne was looking for a new lead guitarist.[8] Wylde was hired to replace Jake E. Lee, who was fired by Ozzy Osbourne manager Sharon Osbourne.[9] He subsequently toured with Osbourne and played on No Rest for the Wicked (1988), No More Tears (1991), and Ozzmosis (1995) as a co-writer.
Wylde was replaced by ex-Lizzy Borden guitarist Joe Holmes in 1995 until Wylde's return in 2001. Although not credited for songwriting, Wylde recorded Down to Earth and appeared on the supporting tour.[10][11] After auditioning different guitarists in 2004 and 2005, Ozzy Osbourne announced Zakk Wylde as the official guitarist for his album Black Rain, which was released in 2007 and also accompanied by a tour.[12]
Wylde rejoined Ozzy Osbourne's band once again for a select number of dates during Osbourne's 2017 summer tour, and then performed on the No More Tours II tour before the remaining shows were postponed and eventually canceled.[13][14] On September 8, 2022, he again joined Osbourne onstage at the SoFi Stadium along with Andrew Watt to perform "Crazy Train" and the title track for Osbourne's album "Patient Number 9" at the NFL's season opening during half-time. The following day, Patient Number 9 was released featuring Wylde playing guitar on 4 tracks.[15][16]
On October 19, 2024, Wylde performed on stage at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse during the 2024 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony for Osbourne, playing Mama, I'm Coming Home and No More Tears.
Pride & Glory (1991–1994)
[edit]Formed in 1991 during what was then billed as Ozzy Osbourne's farewell tour following the 1991 No More Tears album, Wylde recruited the former White Lion rhythm section of bassist James LoMenzo and drummer Greg D'Angelo, and originally wanted to name the Southern rock-inspired project 'Lynyrd Skynhead'.[17] This lineup recorded two songs, an instrumental entitled "Farm Fiddlin" for a 1991 compilation album entitled The Guitars That Rule the World, and a cover of the blues-standard "Baby, Please Don't Go" for the 1992 L.A. Blues Authority Vol. 1 compilation.
By early 1994, the band had changed their name to 'Pride & Glory', with D'Angelo departing and being replaced by Brian Tichy. That year, Pride & Glory released their only album via Geffen Records and performed as a main-stage act at the Donington Monsters of Rock Festival in England in June of that year. In November 1994, LoMenzo left after a tour of Japan, three days before Pride & Glory were scheduled to begin a US Tour. Scrambling, Wylde quickly managed to find a replacement in his long-time friend, John DeServio, who grew up with Wylde in New Jersey. Pride & Glory played their final show on December 10, 1994, in Los Angeles.
On January 31, 1998, the lineup of Wylde, LoMenzo, and Tichy reunited for a one-off reunion show at the Whisky a Go Go in Hollywood.[18]
Solo albums (1996, 2016)
[edit]Following the demise of Wylde's Pride & Glory band, he recorded Book of Shadows in 1996 as a solo album to fulfill his contract with record label Geffen Records. Wylde wrote the second installment of Book of Shadows in between stints on the road, which was released 20 years after the first album on April 16, 2016, with eOne.[19]
Black Label Society (1998–present)
[edit]
In 1998, after limited commercial success with Book of Shadows, Wylde and drummer Phil Ondich recorded what became Black Label Society's debut album Sonic Brew with Wylde playing lead guitar, rhythm and bass. Nick Catanese previously toured as a rhythm guitarist for the Book of Shadows tour[20] and eventually joined Black Label Society before being replaced by Dario Lorina in 2013.[21] John DeServio, who was a friend of Zakk's[22] and worked as a temporary replacement in Pride & Glory, played bass for the first Black Label Society tour. DeServio became a permanent member of the band in 2005.[23] Zakk Wylde has since released 11 studio albums, 3 live albums, and 6 compilation albums with Black Label Society.[24]
Black Label Society headlined the second stage at the 2006 Ozzfest, with Wylde playing double duty with Ozzy Osbourne on certain dates.[25] He and the band also joined Osbourne for the Ozzy and Friends Tour in replacement of the Black Sabbath tour scheduled for the summer of 2012, playing a range of European dates including Graspop Metal Meeting in Belgium.[26]
Zakk Sabbath (2014–present)
[edit]Since 2014, Wylde has led a Black Sabbath cover band called 'Zakk Sabbath', handling guitar and vocal duties, joined by Rob "Blasko" Nicholson on bass and Joey Castillo (Danzig, Queens of the Stone Age) on drums, who replaced original drummer John Tempesta. JP Gaster (Clutch) occupied the drummer's seat in between, in September 2017.[27] The band tours intermittently and has released the studio albums Vertigo in 2020, followed by Doomed Forever Forever Doomed in 2024.[28]
Pantera (2022–present)
[edit]On July 14, 2022, it was announced that Wylde had joined the reunited band Pantera to tour as a fill-in for original guitarist Dimebag Darrell who died in 2004.[29] The new lineup featuring Wylde, Phil Anselmo, Rex Brown and Charlie Benante (replacing original drummer Vinnie Paul) debuted on the first night of the Heaven & Hell Metal Fest in Toluca, Mexico on December 2, 2022.[30] Pantera then co-headlined Mexico's Monterrey Metal Fest with Judas Priest,[31] and also performed at Knotfest in Chile, Brazil and Colombia.[32] The band embarked on a full-scale tour of Europe in May and June 2023,[33] and supported Metallica on selected North American dates of their 2023–2024 M72 World Tour. On June 15, 2024, Pantera headlined the Opus Stage at UK's Download Festival, their first UK appearance in 20 years.[34]
Other work
[edit]Zakk Wylde joined a rock/heavy metal supergroup called 'Generation Axe', formed by Steve Vai.[35] The group also includes guitarists Nuno Bettencourt (of Extreme), Yngwie Malmsteen, Tosin Abasi, and has completed several tours from 2016 to 2019.[36] Select performances from a 2017 show in Beijing, China were released as a live album titled Generation Axe – The Guitars That Destroyed the World: Live In China.[37] In 2020, Wylde, along with Generation Axe, were joined by Brian May of the band Queen for a six-guitar performance of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" as part of AXS TV's 'At Home And Social With Nuno Bettencourt & Friends' special. The track was compiled of recordings from the musicians in their homes during the COVID-19 pandemic.[38]
Personal life
[edit]Wylde and his wife Barbaranne have four children, one of which Ozzy Osbourne was a godfather of.[39][40] Wylde was a close friend of fellow guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott and dedicated the song "In This River" to Abbott after he was murdered onstage in 2004.
Wylde is a Catholic[4] who has described himself as a "Soldier of Christ".[41]
In August 2009, Wylde was hospitalized due to blood clots[42] and was subsequently forced to cancel his tour with Mudvayne and Static-X.[43] After his hospitalization, he stopped drinking alcohol.[44]
As of 2011, Wylde has partnered with Blair's Sauces and Snacks to produce 'Berserker Hot Sauce' and several other variations.[45] He also promotes 'Death Wish Coffee' via his Instagram page,[46] as they have used his name in marketing their line "Odinforce Blend".[47]
Equipment
[edit]Wylde gravitated toward a particular Les Paul guitar, a bullseye-painted 1981 Gibson Les Paul Custom purchased from one of the owners of Metaltronix Amplification. Metaltronix was building a one-off live rig for Wylde that was designed around one of the owner's guitars, a creamy white Les Paul Custom with EMG pickups, which would later become known as "The Grail". Originally intended to look like the spiral from the Alfred Hitchcock movie Vertigo, it returned from a paint shop painted incorrectly and Wylde liked the result.[48] Wylde lost the guitar in 2000 after it fell from the back of a truck transporting equipment as he was traveling between gigs in Texas. Rewards were offered to anyone that had information about the guitar. Wylde and The Grail were reunited three years later when a fan bought it at a Dallas pawn shop and saw the initials "Z.W." carved into the humbucker pickups backs. He contacted Wylde's former webmaster Randy Canis to arrange its return to Wylde. Grateful, Wylde gave the fan his signature model in exchange.[6]
Other signature Les Pauls of Wylde's include a red flame-maple bulls-eye model, a black and antique-white bulls-eye model, an orange "buzz-saw" model, the pattern on which was inspired by a design on a Zippo lighter,[49] and a "camo" bulls-eye model with mother of pearl neck inlays and a green camouflage paint scheme.
Another one of Wylde's favorite stage guitars is a GMW RR-V, a model that is famously known as the "Polka-dot V". Originally created by luthier Karl Sandoval of California (used by Randy Rhoads), the guitar is often mistaken as a custom Flying V.

Wylde has a custom Dean Splittail with a mud splatter bulls-eye graphic, as well as a signature Splittail shaped Gibson model called the "ZV". Another Dean in his collection is a Dime series Razorback with custom Bulls-eye graphics ordered for him specially by Dimebag Darrell shortly before his murder in 2004; since receiving the guitar, he has only ever used it on stage to play the song "In This River", Zakk's personal tribute to Dimebag.
In practice, Wylde uses Marshall MG Series practice combos ranging in wattage levels from 10-30W during tour/private use especially in hotels and buses. He has also been known to use Marshall Valvestate combo amplifiers. Wylde has an extensive relationship with Marshall Amplification due to his love for their amplifiers, both solid state and tube-driven. Live, Wylde exclusively uses Marshall JCM 800's with twin 4 X 12 Cabinets loaded with EVM12L 300W Black Label Speakers. His usual signal path consists of his guitar > (on stage pedal board) Dunlop Wylde Wah > Dunlop Wylde Rotovibe > MXR ZW Phase 90 > MXR Wylde Overdrive > MXR Carbon Copy Delay > (to a back stage pedal board) > MXR EVH Flanger > MXR Black Label Chorus > split signals, one to each distorted amp into the High Gain input.
A detailed gear diagram of Wylde's 1988 Ozzy Osbourne guitar rig is well-documented.[50]
At the 2015 NAMM Show, Wylde announced his new company called Wylde Audio and provided a preview of his new line of custom guitars and amplifiers.[51] Currently he now is seen playing Wylde Audio equipment almost exclusively.[52]
Awards
[edit]In January 2006, Zakk Wylde was recognized at the Hollywood Rock Walk of Fame for his successful career as a musician and his contribution to the music industry. The event was open to the public and was attended by musicians including Ozzy Osbourne.[53]
In 2010, Wylde accepted the Metal Hammer Golden God Award.[54]
Discography
[edit]|
with Ozzy Osbourne
with Pride & Glory
Solo
with Zakk Sabbath
|
with Black Label Society
|
Other media
[edit]Guest performances
[edit]Wylde has made guest performances on tracks by other artists:
- He contributed a guitar solo on Britny Fox's track "Six Guns Loaded" from their 1991 release, Bite Down Hard.
- He guested on Blackfoot's 1994 album After the Reign playing the second solo on the title track.
- He played "White Christmas" on the Merry Axemas 2 Christmas guitar album.[55]
- He appears as guest vocalist and guitarist on the tracks "Soul Bleed" and "Reborn" on Damageplan's debut album, New Found Power.[56]
- He played guitar solos on Dope's single "Addiction" from their 2009 album, No Regrets.[57]
- He plays a solo on the songs "Nameless Faceless" and "Wanderlust" on Fozzy's 2005 release All That Remains.[58]
- He has played on eight of Derek Sherinian's solo albums including Inertia, Black Utopia, Mythology, Blood of the Snake and Molecular Heinosity.
- Wylde was a judge for the eighth annual Independent Music Awards. His contributions helped assist independent artists' careers.[59][60]
- In 2010, he played lead guitar on My Darkest Days' first single "Porn Star Dancing", along with guest singers Chad Kroeger and Ludacris.[61]
- In 2011, he featured in Jamey Jasta of Hatebreed's new project, Jasta, in the song "The Fearless Must Endure".[62]
- He plays the guitar solo on Black Veil Brides' cover of the Kiss song "Unholy" on their EP, Rebels.[63]
- Wylde contributed a solo to "Monument / Monolith", a song by The Rippingtons on their album Built to Last, which was released in 2012.[64]
- He contributes a guitar solo on the track "Steep Climb" on Eric Gales' 2014 album Good For Sumthin.[65]
Live guest performances
[edit]
- On August 1, 1993, at Great Woods Amphitheatre in Mansfield, Massachusetts, Wylde appeared on stage with the Allman Brothers on lead guitar since Dickey Betts was unable to make the show, and they needed a guitarist at the last minute. This show is documented on the bootleg Zakk Goes Wylde.[66]
- Wylde performed the U.S. national anthem on the electric guitar during a New York Rangers game in October 2005. He has also played the anthem at Los Angeles Kings and Dodgers games. A video of a Kings performance is included as an extra feature on the DVD Boozed, Broozed & Broken-Boned.[67]
- On February 1, 2007, Wylde and Nick Catanese began a tour of acoustic shows at the Hard Rock Cafe in various cities across North America. Although Catanese had to leave mid-tour due to unspecified personal reasons, Wylde continued to play shows alone. He performed several songs on both the acoustic guitar and keyboard. The tour was eventually canceled due to unspecified reasons.[68]
- On April 13, 2011, he was the guitarist for James Durbin on American Idol, during Durbin's performance of "Heavy Metal" by Sammy Hagar.[69]
- On April 20, 2011, he joined Michael Bearden and the Ese Vatos (house band for Lopez Tonight) to perform the Lenny Kravitz song "Are You Gonna Go My Way".[70]
- On May 14, 2011, Wylde performed the U.S. national anthem at Rockfest in Kansas City, Missouri.[71]
- Wylde appeared onstage December 8, 2011, in Indianapolis, Indiana, to play a cover of AC/DC's "Whole Lotta Rosie" with Guns N' Roses while Black Label Society opened for Guns N' Roses during a leg of the US tour. Wylde also did this on subsequent shows before Black Label Society finished their run on the tour.[72]
- Since late 2014, Wylde has appeared as one of the performers on the Experience Hendrix tour along with Billy Cox, Eric Johnson, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Buddy Guy, Dweezil Zappa, Chris Layton, Samantha Fish, Taj Mahal, Christone "Kingfish" Ingram and others. Wylde often performs "Manic Depression", "Little Wing", and "Purple Haze", as well as playing alongside many of the other performers.[73]
Acting performances
[edit]- In 2001, Wylde appeared as the lead guitarist for a fictional band called Steel Dragon in the movie Rock Star, starring Mark Wahlberg and Jennifer Aniston.[74]
- Wylde appeared as himself in the Adult Swim animated program Aqua Teen Hunger Force, in the episode "Spirit Journey Formation Anniversary" (season 2, episode 14, first broadcast on October 19, 2003).
- Wylde appeared in the Californication episode "Suicide Solution" in 2011, credited as "Guitar Guy".[75]
- Wylde also appeared playing guitar alongside Lorne and other audience members in Angel's season 4 episode "The Magic Bullet" in 2003.
- Wylde appeared in the 2010 film Bones as Jed, Bones' uncle.
Other media
[edit]- Wylde was featured in a Behind the Music episode on Pantera.
- Wylde appeared in the 2008 music video game Guitar Hero World Tour as a playable character. He becomes unlocked upon defeating him in a specially recorded guitar battle and completing the Black Label Society song "Stillborn".
- In 2012, Zakk Wylde participated in the 'Rock & Roll Roast of Zakk Wylde', a comedy roast to benefit charity. Filmed at the City National Grove in Anaheim, California, notable people attended the event as roasters including Scott Ian, Corey Taylor, Sharon Osbourne, Kerry King, John DeServio, Glenn Hughes, and Richie Faulkner.[76]
References
[edit]- ^ "Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS)". Archived from the original on March 17, 2019.
- ^ "Zakk Wylde > Loudwire". Loudwire. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
- ^ a b "Zakk Wylde | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
- ^ a b "COVER INTERVIEW – Comedy, Catholicism and Loud Guitars with Zakk Wylde". Vandala Magazine. January 21, 2015. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
- ^ "Rare Footage Available Of ZAKK WYLDE Performing At 18 Years Old". bravewords.com. November 18, 2009. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
- ^ a b Loudwire (February 10, 2016). "Zakk Wylde - Wikipedia: Fact or Fiction?". YouTube. Archived from the original on November 7, 2021. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
- ^ "Rare Footage Available Of ZAKK WYLDE Performing At 18 Years Old". BraveWords. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
- ^ Richard Bienstock (March 23, 2017). "Zakk Wylde and Ozzy Osbourne Revisit 1988's 'No Rest for the Wicked'". guitarworld.
- ^ "JAKE E. LEE Says He Found Out He Was Fired From OZZY OSBOURNE's Band From His Guitar Tech". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. October 26, 2018.
- ^ Kennelty, Greg (November 19, 2021). "ZAKK WYLDE Only Wrote Solos For New OZZY OSBOURNE Album, Not Songs". Metal Injection.
- ^ "Ozzy Osbourne". Ozzy Osbourne Official Site.
- ^ "Zakk Wylde's Eternal Blessed Hellride - Metal Invader". Archived from the original on January 10, 2024.
- ^ "OZZY OSBOURNE And ZAKK WYLDE Reunite For 2017 Tour". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. April 28, 2017. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
- ^ "OZZY OSBOURNE Officially Cancels 2023 European Tour, Says His Touring Days Are Over". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. February 1, 2023.
- ^ Matt Owen (September 13, 2022). "Watch Zakk Wylde and Andrew Watt join forces during Ozzy Osbourne's LA Rams halftime show". guitarworld.
- ^ Rapp, Allison (June 24, 2022). "Ozzy Osbourne Announces New Album, 'Patient Number 9'". Ultimate Classic Rock.
- ^ Paul, Alan (November 4, 2011). "Zakk Wylde Discusses Pride & Glory, His New Band (and Album), in 1994 Guitar World Interview". Guitar. Retrieved July 21, 2019.
- ^ Dean, Mark (January 27, 2015). "Interview with Zakk Wylde Black Label Society Vocalist/Guitarist (ex Ozzy Osbourne/Pride & Glory)". My Global Mind. Retrieved December 31, 2016.
- ^ Titus, Christa (April 1, 2016). "Zakk Wylde on Elton John Inspiring Him and New Album 'Book of Shadows II' Arriving 20 Years After Its Predecessor". Billboard.
- ^ "NICK CATANESE Talks About Landing BLACK LABEL SOCIETY Gig, Meeting OZZY". Blabbermouth.net. September 13, 2004.
- ^ "BLACK LABEL SOCIETY Adds Guitarist Dario Lorina". Deadrhetoric.com. January 2, 2014.
- ^ "Interview: Bassist John "JD" DeServio of Black Label Society on his roots, Zakk Wylde and Vinnie Moore". Guitarworld.com. December 20, 2011.
- ^ "EMG Pickups / Artist View / Electric Guitar Pickups, Bass Guitar Pickups, Acoustic Guitar Pickups". Emgpickups.com.
- ^ "Black Label Society - discography, line-up, biography, interviews, photos". Spirit-of-metal.com.
- ^ Saulnier, Jason (September 22, 2010). "Zakk Wylde Interview". Music Legends. Retrieved May 8, 2013.
- ^ [1][dead link]
- ^ "Zakk Sabbath - Black Label Society". Black Label Society. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
- ^ "Zakk Sabbath". Discogs. Retrieved May 9, 2025.
- ^ "It's Official: ZAKK WYLDE And CHARLIE BENANTE To Tour With PANTERA's Surviving Members". Blabbermouth.net. July 14, 2022. Retrieved July 14, 2022.
- ^ Rolli, Bryan (December 3, 2022). "Pantera Plays First Reunion Show: Set List, Videos". Ultimate Classic Rock.
- ^ "PANTERA to Co-Headline Mexico's MONTERREY METAL FEST in December". Blabbermouth.net. September 30, 2022.
- ^ "Pantera Announce Four Reunion Shows at 2022 Festivals". Loudwire. August 25, 2022.
- ^ "PANTERA Adds Nine Shows To Spring/Summer 2023 European Tour". Blabbermouth.net. November 22, 2022. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
- ^ "Watch: PANTERA Plays First U.K. Show in More Than Two Decades at 2024 DOWNLOAD Festival". Blabbermouth.net. June 16, 2024.
- ^ "Generation Axe Tour". Blacklabelsociety.net.
- ^ "Generation Axe". Bandsintown.com.
- ^ "GENERATION AXE Feat. VAI, MALMSTEEN, WYLDE, BETTENCOURT, ABASI: Audio Samples of Entire 'Live in China' Album". Blabbermouth.net. June 21, 2019.
- ^ "BRIAN MAY Joins NUNO BETTENCOURT, STEVE VAI, ZAKK WYLDE, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN and TOSIN ABASI for 'Bohemian Rhapsody' Jam (Video)". Blabbermouth.net. August 5, 2020.
- ^ "Zakk Wylde Shows Off New Son Sabbath". Blabbermouth.net. July 9, 2012. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
- ^ "Zakk Wylde: 'Dimebag Was Proof That God Exists'". Blabbermouth.net. November 5, 2005. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
- ^ Hartmann, Graham (January 10, 2012). "Black Label Society's Zakk Wylde Calls Himself a 'Soldier of Christ'". Loudwire. Retrieved November 15, 2018.
- ^ Joe Bosso (August 26, 2009). "Zakk Wylde hospitalized for blood clots, cancels tour". MusicRadar.com. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
- ^ "Zakk Wylde Issues Health Update | Music News @". Ultimate-guitar.com. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
- ^ "Black Label Society's Zakk Wylde Doesn't Drink or Trash Hotels Anymore". Noisey.vice.com. October 31, 2013. Retrieved August 5, 2018.
- ^ "Blair's Sauces and Snacks: The Official Home of Blair's Death Sauce and Extreme Food: Hot Sauces: Zakk Wylde". Extremefood.com. Archived from the original on October 22, 2012. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
- ^ "Zakk Wylde (@zakkwyldebls) • Instagram photos and videos". Instagram.com. Retrieved August 5, 2018.
- ^ "Valhalla Java Odinforce Blend". Death Wish Coffee Company. Retrieved August 5, 2018.
- ^ "Where did the Bullseye design come from?". YouTube. June 22, 2012. Archived from the original on November 7, 2021. Retrieved March 30, 2014.
- ^ [2] Archived December 8, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Cooper, Adam (July 1, 2000). "Zakk Wylde's 1988 Ozzy Osbourne Guitar Rig". GuitarGeek. Archived from the original on October 17, 2015.
- ^ NAMM 2015 – WYLDE AUDIO – Zakk Wylde Leaves Gibson and Marshall to Start His Own Company, Geargods.net. Retrieved on January 29, 2015.
- ^ "Rig Rundown: Zakk Wylde". Premierguitar.com. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
- ^ "ZAKK WYLDE To Be Inducted Into Hollywood's Rock Walk". BraveWords. December 5, 2005. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
- ^ "AEROSMITH, TONY IOMMI, HELLYEAH, ZAKK WYLDE Interviewed at KAWASAKI GOLDEN GODS AWARDS". Blabbermouth.net. June 17, 2010.
- ^ "Amazon". Amazon.com. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
- ^ "Pantera's New Found Power Has A Name: Damageplan". Blabbermouth.net. October 16, 2003. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
- ^ Rosenberg, Axl. "Now That Awful Dope/Zakk Wylde Collaboration Has An Awful Video". MetalSucks.net. Archived from the original on October 12, 2013. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
- ^ "Fozzy". Prog-nose.org. January 14, 2005. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
- ^ "PRLog". PRLog. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
- ^ [3] Archived April 12, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Porn Star Dancing (Extended Uncensored)". YouTube. June 17, 2010. Archived from the original on November 7, 2021. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
- ^ "Jamey Jasta: New Song Featuring Zakk Wylde Available For Streaming". Blabbermouth.net. May 23, 2011. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
- ^ "Zakk Wylde Set to Guest on Black Veil Brides EP". Guitar World. November 22, 2011. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
- ^ "Interview: Russ Freeman and The Rippingtons Are 'Built To Last'". Guitar World. November 14, 2012. Retrieved May 21, 2015.
- ^ "Eric Gales: Good For Sumthin' Review". Blues Rock Review. December 4, 2014. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
- ^ R. Scott Bolton (August 29, 2005). "Interview with Zakk Wylde". Roughedge.com. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
- ^ "Zakk Wylde Performs National Anthem at Madison Square Garden: Photo Available". Blabbermouth.net. October 30, 2005. Retrieved March 30, 2014.
- ^ hrcadmin. "Hard Rock | Zakk Wylde Brings Sounds of Black Label Society To Hard Rock Cafes". Blog.hardrock.com. Archived from the original on July 18, 2014. Retrieved March 30, 2014.
- ^ "How Zakk Wylde wound up on 'American Idol'". Content.usatoday.com. April 14, 2011. Retrieved March 30, 2014.
- ^ "Zakk Wylde Performs Lenny Kravitz song on Lopez Tonight". YouTube. June 14, 2011. Retrieved November 7, 2016.
- ^ The Examiner. "Rockfest 2011: Zakk Wylde to perform National Anthem - Worldnews.com". Article.wn.com. Retrieved March 30, 2014.
- ^ "Guns N' Roses and Zakk Wylde Perform AC/DC's "Whole Lotta Rosie"". Ultimateclassicrock.com. December 12, 2011. Retrieved March 30, 2014.
- ^ "The Experience Hendrix Tour is returning for the first time in 5 years, with a mega lineup". www.guitarworld.com. April 24, 2024. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
- ^ "Zakk Wylde Working on New Movie Project?". Blabbermouth.net. November 7, 2006. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
- ^ "Zakk Wylde On Californication; Video Available". Blabbermouth.net. January 23, 2011. Retrieved April 14, 2014.
- ^ "Dark Roast: Highlights from Guitar World's Rock & Roll Roast of Zakk Wylde". Guitarworld.com. April 26, 2012.
External links
[edit]- Official website
- Black Label Society official website
- Zakk Wylde at AllMusic Zakk Wylde discography at Discogs Zakk Wylde discography at MusicBrainz
- Zakk Wylde Video Workshop on bonedo.de (in German; videos in English)
Zakk Wylde
View on GrokipediaBiography
Early life
Zakk Wylde was born Jeffrey Phillip Wielandt on January 14, 1967, in Bayonne, New Jersey, to parents Jerome and his wife.[1] He grew up in Jackson Township, New Jersey, attending Jackson Memorial High School, where he developed his passion for music.[1] Wylde has one sister, Amy.[1] Wylde's interest in guitar began at age eight, sparked by his cousin introducing him to Jimi Hendrix's music, which ignited his enthusiasm for the instrument.[8] Though he initially quit after brief lessons, he resumed playing seriously at age 14, becoming largely self-taught by emulating records from bands like Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, and Rush, as well as Ozzy Osbourne's solo work featuring Randy Rhoads.[1] His first electric guitar was a Les Paul copy, marking the start of intensive practice sessions that could last up to 12 hours a day.[8] During high school, Wylde joined his first local band, Stone Henge, performing covers of Black Sabbath and Rush songs at parties.[1] He later replaced guitarist Dave Linsk in the New Jersey band Zyris, where the group played original material alongside covers of Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin.[1] It was with Zyris in the early 1980s that Wylde adopted his stage name, initially as "Zakari Wyland" inspired by the character Dr. Zachary Smith from the television series Lost in Space, reflecting his growing professional aspirations in music; this evolved into the moniker Zakk Wylde.[1]Personal life
Wylde married Barbaranne Wylde in 1992 after being together since their teenage years. The couple has four children: daughter Hayley Rae, and sons Jesse, Hendrix (named after Jimi Hendrix and born in 2002), and Sabbath Page.[9][10][11] The family has resided in California for many years, following Wylde's upbringing in New Jersey.[9] In August 2009, during Black Label Society's Pedal to the Metal tour, Wylde was hospitalized with blood clots in his leg and both lungs, forcing the cancellation of remaining dates; he underwent treatment and returned to performing after recovery.[9][12] The health scare, linked to his heavy alcohol consumption, led Wylde to quit drinking and achieve sobriety, which he has maintained since 2009.[9][13] Wylde supports music education through involvement with Little Kids Rock, participating in charity events like the Dimebag Darrell Rockwalk induction to raise funds for the organization, which provides instruments and programs to public schools.[14] He also aids veterans via Black Label Society initiatives, including pledges of support to U.S. Marines and ticket donations through Berzerkus festival promotions.[15][16] Wylde follows a rigorous fitness routine focused on weightlifting, which he credits for enhancing his stamina during extensive touring.[17]Career
Early career
Wylde's professional career began in 1984 at the age of 17, when he joined the New Jersey-based band Stone Henge, a group that performed cover songs by artists such as Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath, and Rush at local parties and venues.[9] The band played informal gigs, including at high school events, helping Wylde hone his guitar skills through rigorous daily practice.[18] In 1985, following his high school graduation, Wylde joined Zyris, another local New Jersey act, where he contributed to original compositions alongside covers of bands like Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin.[19] Zyris performed at clubs such as the Stone Pony in Asbury Park and Close Encounters in southern New Jersey, establishing Wylde in the regional scene through brief engagements with other unsigned groups.[18] During this period, Wylde participated in session work and recorded demo tapes in the tri-state area, though no major releases emerged from these efforts.[9] Wylde's breakthrough came in 1987 after the departure of Jake E. Lee from Ozzy Osbourne's band, when photographer Mark Weiss forwarded a demo tape of Wylde performing Osbourne tracks like "Crazy Train," "I Don't Know," and "Mr. Crowley."[20] The tape, accompanied by a Polaroid photo taken by Wylde's sister, caught Osbourne's attention, leading to an invitation for an audition in Los Angeles.[20] At the audition, the 20-year-old Wylde impressed Osbourne by demonstrating proficiency on several of the singer's songs, securing the position. Later that year, Wylde relocated from New Jersey to Los Angeles to join Osbourne's band on a full-time basis.[18]Ozzy Osbourne (1987–1995, 2001–2009, 2017–2025)
Zakk Wylde joined Ozzy Osbourne's band as lead guitarist in 1987, replacing Jake E. Lee following his departure. His debut performance occurred on July 28, 1987, at Wormwood Scrubs Prison in London, England, marking an unconventional start to their collaboration.[21][22] Wylde's first studio album with Osbourne was No Rest for the Wicked (1988), which featured his aggressive riffing on tracks like "Miracle Man" and "Crazy Babies," co-written by Wylde alongside Osbourne, Bob Daisley, and Randy Castillo.[23] The album's success propelled extensive touring, including the 1988-1989 No Rest for the Wicked Tour across North America and Europe. Wylde's tenure continued with contributions to re-recorded versions of tracks from Osbourne's earlier album Bark at the Moon (1983), adapting them to his heavier style for live performances and compilations.[24] The duo's partnership peaked commercially with No More Tears (1991), where Wylde's iconic riffs defined the title track and songs like "Mama, I'm Coming Home," co-written with Lemmy Kilmister. This album achieved platinum status and topped charts, solidifying their sound in heavy metal. Wylde's shredding evolved into more melodic elements, blending technical prowess with Osbourne's vocals. The 1991-1992 No More Tears World Tour was a global endeavor, spanning over 150 dates across the United States, Europe, and Asia, showcasing high-energy sets that included Black Sabbath classics. Wylde's first stint concluded in 1995 as he pursued solo projects, though he briefly returned for select 1998 dates.[25][26] Wylde rejoined Osbourne in 2001 following the death of drummer Randy Castillo, providing stability during a transitional period. His return contributed to Down to Earth (2001), featuring co-writes like "Gets Me Through," which highlighted Wylde's matured riffing and Osbourne's introspective lyrics. The album debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200, supported by the Down to Earth Tour, including headlining slots at Ozzfest festivals from 2001 to 2004. Wylde's involvement extended to Osbourne's covers album Under Cover (2005), where he arranged heavy interpretations of classics like The Beatles' "Tomorrow Never Knows."[27] In 2007, Wylde played on Black Rain, co-writing tracks such as the title song, amid Osbourne's ongoing Ozzfest commitments. He departed full-time in 2009 to focus on Black Label Society, though sporadic performances continued.[28][29] Wylde reunited with Osbourne in 2017 for a summer tour commemorating 30 years since their initial collaboration, performing high-energy sets across the U.S. despite Osbourne's health challenges from Parkinson's disease. This third stint produced Ordinary Man (2020), Osbourne's first album in a decade, with Wylde co-writing and performing on tracks like "Straight to Hell" and the title song, earning critical acclaim for its raw emotion. The album reached No. 3 on the Billboard 200. Wylde's role expanded on Patient Number 9 (2022), where he co-wrote much of the material and shared guitar duties with guests including Eric Clapton on "One of Those Days." Limited tours followed, such as the 2022 Patient Number 9 Tour, curtailed by Osbourne's mobility issues, focusing on intimate venues in North America and Europe.[30][29][31] Osbourne's final public appearance was the "Back to the Beginning" concert on July 5, 2025, at Villa Park in Birmingham, England, featuring Black Sabbath all-stars including Wylde on guitar for encores like "Mr. Crowley" and "Mama, I'm Coming Home." Wylde assisted Osbourne onstage, rearranging setups to support his performance amid health struggles. Osbourne died of a heart attack on October 9, 2025, at age 76. In reflections, Wylde described Osbourne as having "a heart of gold and tough as nails," emphasizing their bond and Osbourne's enduring spirit. Wylde revealed plans for an unreleased album they had begun recording, intended as a follow-up to Patient Number 9, highlighting Osbourne's determination to create until the end.[32][33][7] Throughout his three stints, Wylde earned co-writing credits on over 10 songs with Osbourne, including staples from No More Tears, Down to Earth, Ordinary Man, and Patient Number 9, evolving from a high-speed shredder in the late 1980s to a nuanced collaborator by the 2020s. His contributions shaped Osbourne's output during pivotal eras, blending blistering solos with songwriting that amplified Osbourne's thematic depth on resilience and mortality.[34][23]Pride & Glory (1991–1994)
In 1991, during Ozzy Osbourne's "No More Tours" trek, Zakk Wylde formed Pride & Glory as a casual side project to explore southern rock sounds, a departure from his heavy metal work with Osbourne.[35] Originally dubbed Lynyrd Skynhead, the band began with informal performances on off-nights, drawing on influences like Lynyrd Skynyrd to contrast Wylde's established metal persona.[36] The initial lineup included Wylde on guitar and vocals, James LoMenzo on bass from White Lion, and drummer Greg D'Angelo, also ex-White Lion; D'Angelo was replaced by Brian Tichy in early 1994 as the project gained momentum.[36] The band's sole album, Pride & Glory, arrived in May 1994 via Geffen Records, blending gritty southern rock riffs with acoustic textures and bluesy elements.[36] Standout tracks like "Horse Called War" highlighted Wylde's raw, swampy guitar tone and vocals, while acoustic-driven songs such as "Sweet Jesus" and piano ballad "The Chosen One" showcased the album's rootsy diversity.[35] It peaked at No. 151 on the Billboard 200, reflecting modest commercial reception amid Wylde's ongoing Osbourne obligations.[37] Pride & Glory supported the release with a brief 1994 U.S. tour, opening for Lynyrd Skynyrd and Ted Nugent on dates including July 31 at the Concord Pavilion in California and August 4 at Poplar Creek Music Theatre in Illinois.[38][39] The run encompassed about 10 shows, where Wylde's searing guitar solos drew praise despite the material's uneven impact on audiences more attuned to the headliners' style.[38] The project dissolved by December 1994, following LoMenzo's exit in November and Wylde's need to prioritize Osbourne commitments, including finishing that year's Ozzmosis album.[36][40] Internal lineup shifts and the pull of metal further shifted Wylde's focus away from southern rock.[35] Within Wylde's career, Pride & Glory served as a bridge from his metal foundations to deeper roots rock explorations, paving the way for acoustic elements in his subsequent solo efforts.[35]Solo work (1994–present)
Zakk Wylde's solo endeavors commenced with his debut album, Book of Shadows, released on June 17, 1996, via Geffen Records. The project represented a stark contrast to his high-octane heavy metal contributions with Ozzy Osbourne, embracing an acoustic-driven sound rooted in southern rock and blues influences. Wylde handled vocals, guitars, keyboards, and bass across the record, which was produced by Jerry Harrison of Talking Heads fame. Key tracks like "Sold My Soul" and "Between Heaven and Hell" exemplified the album's intimate, ballad-oriented style, drawing from Wylde's experiences during a period away from Osbourne's band after the 1995 Ozzmosis tour.[41][42][43] The album's themes centered on introspection, personal turmoil, and redemption, with lyrics reflecting Wylde's battles with addiction and emotional vulnerability—a shift toward a singer-songwriter persona that revealed a softer dimension of his artistry. Recorded primarily in Wylde's home studio, it featured sparse arrangements that prioritized acoustic guitar and piano, underscoring his versatility beyond electric shredding. Despite its commercial underperformance relative to his band efforts, Book of Shadows garnered praise for its authenticity and emotional depth among rock critics.[44][45] Nearly two decades later, Wylde revived the solo series with Book of Shadows II, issued on April 8, 2016, through Entertainment One Music. This follow-up maintained the acoustic blueprint while incorporating subtle orchestral elements and guest contributions, including a vocal feature from Slipknot's Corey Taylor on the bonus track "Sleeping Dogs." Standout songs such as "Autumn Changes" and "The Levee" further explored motifs of loss, regret, and resilience, with Wylde's raspy vocals conveying raw sentiment over fingerpicked guitars and Hammond organ accents. The album debuted at No. 41 on the Billboard 200 and reached No. 3 on the Top Rock Albums chart, signaling renewed interest in his unplugged work.[46][47][48] Wylde's solo output consistently emphasizes lyrical candor on themes like addiction recovery, familial bonds, and existential reflection, evolving from metal aggression to a contemplative folk-rock aesthetic that highlights his influences from artists like Neil Young and Johnny Cash. To support Book of Shadows II, he launched a dedicated U.S. headlining tour in summer 2016, delivering intimate acoustic performances of solo tracks alongside reimagined Black Label Society material in an unplugged vein, reminiscent of the earlier Unblackened outings but focused on personal expression. This was followed by select 2017 dates, where Wylde continued showcasing his acoustic prowess in smaller venues, fostering direct connections with fans through storytelling and stripped-down sets.[49][50][51]Black Label Society (1998–present)
Black Label Society was founded in 1998 by guitarist and vocalist Zakk Wylde during a hiatus from his work with Ozzy Osbourne, initially conceived as a self-titled musical project blending heavy riffs and personal expression.[52] The band quickly expanded into a full ensemble, with bassist Robert Trujillo contributing to early recordings and live performances from 1998 to 2000 before departing to join Metallica.[53] Bassist John DeServio, who had previously collaborated with Wylde in Pride & Glory, joined in 1999 and solidified his role as a core member by 2005, providing continuity amid frequent changes in other positions.[54] Over the years, the lineup has seen multiple drummers, including Craig Nunenmacher, who served from 2004 to 2014 and contributed to several albums during a stable period for the group.[55] Guitarist Dario Lorina joined in 2014, adding rhythmic depth and participating in tours and recordings, while the current configuration includes drummer Jeff Fabb.[56] The band's discography spans 11 studio albums, beginning with the raw, debut effort Sonic Brew in 1999, followed by Stronger Than Death in 2000, and the more polished The Blessed Hellride in 2003, which featured guest vocals from Ozzy Osbourne on the track "Stillborn."[57] Subsequent releases like Mafia (2005) and Order of the Black (2010) built on this foundation, culminating in Doom Crew Inc. in 2021, showcasing Wylde's evolving production and songwriting.[58] Black Label Society's sound fuses groove metal with southern rock influences, characterized by down-tuned guitars, thunderous rhythms, and Wylde's signature pinch harmonics and solos, drawing from blues-rock roots while emphasizing high-energy aggression.[58] Lyrically, the music explores themes of brotherhood, resilience, and personal struggle, fostering a dedicated fanbase known as the "Berzerkers," who embody the group's ethos of loyalty and endurance.[59] Throughout its history, Black Label Society has maintained an active touring presence, securing slots on Ozzfest alongside acts like Ozzy Osbourne and Korn, which helped solidify their place in the heavy metal scene.[60] Wylde launched the Black Label Berzerkus festival tour in 2010, featuring the band as headliners with supporting acts like Clutch and Children of Bodom, expanding into a multi-attraction event with car shows and strongman competitions by 2024.[61] In recent years, the group has continued releasing material, including the 2025 single "Broken and Blind" in October, an animated video track highlighting their groovy, riff-driven style.[62] This follows earlier singles like "Lord Humungus" in February 2025 and precedes a full-length album slated for early 2026 via MNRK Heavy, marking their ongoing evolution under Wylde's leadership.[63]Zakk Sabbath (2014–present)
Zakk Sabbath is a Black Sabbath tribute band formed by guitarist and vocalist Zakk Wylde in 2014 to honor the pioneering heavy metal group and its guitarist Tony Iommi, whom Wylde has described as the "Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven of metal guitar."[64] The project emerged from informal jam sessions where Wylde and collaborators recreated Black Sabbath's early material, emphasizing the band's original lineup era from the late 1960s and early 1970s.[65] The band's core lineup has featured Wylde on guitar and vocals, with longtime Black Sabbath bassist Rob "Blasko" Nicholson on bass and drummer Joey Castillo, formerly of Queens of the Stone Age, handling percussion.[64] Over time, the rhythm section has seen variations, including drummers Jean-Paul Gaster of Clutch and John Tempesta of White Zombie for select performances, while recent tours have included Black Label Society bassist John "JD" DeServio.[66][67] This flexibility allows the band to maintain a focus on precise renditions of Black Sabbath's catalog without venturing into original compositions. Zakk Sabbath's discography consists entirely of covers drawn from Black Sabbath's foundational albums, beginning with the 2016 live EP Live in Detroit, recorded during an early performance.[66] In 2020, they released Vertigo, a note-for-note recreation of Black Sabbath's self-titled debut album, captured in a single day to evoke the original's raw energy and issued exclusively on vinyl for authenticity.[68] The band also contributed the track "Under the Sun" to the tribute compilation Vol. 4 [Redux] that same year, reinterpreting material from Black Sabbath's fourth studio album.[69] Their most recent full-length, the 2024 double album Doomed Forever Forever Doomed, faithfully covers Black Sabbath's second album Paranoid on one disc and third album Master of Reality on the other, continuing the sequential homage to the group's early masterpieces.[70] The band has conducted extensive tours since inception, often themed around Halloween to align with Black Sabbath's dark, occult-inspired aesthetic, including a streamed performance on the holiday in 2016.[71] These runs have spanned over 100 shows across 14 countries, prioritizing material from Black Sabbath's first six albums to capture the quintessence of the band's doom-laden origins.[72] In 2025, Zakk Sabbath embarked on the "American Winter Tour," commencing October 30 at The Show at Agua Caliente Resort & Casinos in Rancho Mirage, California, and including a November 4 date at The Wilma in Missoula, Montana, with support from tribute acts like Bonfire (AC/DC) and Use Your Illusion (Guns N' Roses).[73] A European leg followed in March, featuring stops in Manchester, Birmingham, and Glasgow.[74] Performances emphasize meticulous fidelity to Black Sabbath's arrangements, with Wylde's aggressive lead tone incorporating his signature pinch harmonics—squealing overtones produced by lightly muting strings with the picking hand's thumb—for added intensity on riffs like those in "Iron Man" and "War Pigs."[75] This approach blends reverence for Iommi's down-tuned, riff-centric style with Wylde's modern heavy metal flair, ensuring no deviations into new songs while amplifying the doom metal pioneer's sonic legacy.[68]Pantera (2022–present)
In 2022, Zakk Wylde joined the reformed lineup of Pantera as the guitarist, stepping in to honor the legacy of the late Dimebag Darrell Abbott, alongside vocalist Phil Anselmo, bassist Rex Brown, and Anthrax drummer Charlie Benante on drums.[76][77] The project was framed not as a traditional reunion but as a tribute to Pantera's classic era, allowing the surviving members to perform the band's material live while paying respect to Abbott's contributions.[78] Wylde's involvement was confirmed in July 2022, with rehearsals beginning later that year ahead of live performances.[79] The lineup's debut took place on December 2, 2022, at the Hell & Heaven Metal Festival in Toluca, Mexico, marking Pantera's first show in over two decades and featuring a setlist drawn exclusively from the band's 1990s albums, including tracks from Cowboys from Hell (1990) through The Great Southern Trendkill (1996).[80][81] Subsequent festival appearances included headlining slots at events like Aftershock Festival in Sacramento, California, on October 10, 2024, where the band delivered high-energy renditions of staples such as "Walk," "I'm Broken," and "Mouth for War."[82] No new original music has been announced for the project, with performances focused solely on revisiting the established catalog to celebrate the band's influential groove metal sound.[83] Wylde's approach to the role emphasizes respectful emulation of Dimebag Darrell's aggressive, pinch-harmonic-laden style, blending it with his own technical precision while avoiding direct imitation.[84] He has employed custom guitars from his Wylde Audio line, including the Warhammer model inspired by Darrell's iconic Dean From Hell design, often finished in lightning bolt graphics as a nod to the original.[85] In interviews, Wylde has described the experience as spiritually guided by Darrell's presence, stating that the shows are a way to keep the guitarist's energy alive and share Pantera's music with new generations.[86] The touring schedule has been extensive, encompassing a 2023 European run from May to June across countries including Bulgaria, Hungary, and Germany, followed by North American headline dates and support slots on Metallica's M72 World Tour.[87][88] In 2024, the band continued stadium support for Metallica and additional festivals, with a 2025 summer amphitheater headline tour announced for 29 U.S. cities from July to September.[89] As of November 2025, Pantera remains active, with confirmed dates for 2026 including appearances at Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival and support on Metallica's ongoing tour, underscoring Wylde's ongoing commitment to the project.[90][91]Other collaborations
Throughout his career, Zakk Wylde has contributed to numerous guest recordings by other artists, showcasing his versatility as a guitarist. Wylde has also taken on production roles and songwriting collaborations outside his primary projects. In terms of side projects, Wylde participated in the Generation Axe tour from 2016 to 2019, a guitar supergroup event alongside Steve Vai, Yngwie Malmsteen, and others, where he performed sets highlighting shred and heavy metal classics to sold-out arenas. He has also joined one-off performances, such as jamming with Clutch at festivals and collaborating live with Eyehategod on sludge metal covers during shared bills in the early 2000s. More recent endeavors include Wylde's involvement in the 2025 Black Sabbath "Back to the Beginning" all-star tribute event, where he performed select tracks from the band's debut album alongside surviving members and guest musicians to celebrate its 55th anniversary. Furthermore, Wylde has referenced unreleased tracks from his Ozzy Osbourne sessions in the 2000s, including material from the Black Rain era that remains vaulted but occasionally teased in interviews. Among miscellaneous contributions, Wylde's music has appeared in video game soundtracks, notably with Black Label Society's "In This River" featured in Guitar Hero II (2006), enhancing the game's rock playlist. In endorsements, Wylde launched the Wylde Audio signature guitar line in 2017 through his own brand, focusing on affordable, high-output instruments inspired by his Les Paul style, though he has distanced himself from broader gear promotions in recent years.Musical style and equipment
Influences and style
Zakk Wylde's guitar playing draws heavily from a pantheon of rock and metal icons who shaped his aggressive yet melodic approach. He has frequently cited Jimi Hendrix as a foundational influence for his innovative use of effects and expressive phrasing, Tony Iommi for pioneering heavy riffs and down-tuned power chords, Randy Rhoads for neoclassical elements and virtuosic speed, and Jimmy Page for blues-infused songcraft and dynamic soloing.[92][93] His technique is characterized by a blend of precision and raw power, most notably his signature pinch harmonics—often dubbed "screamers" or "pick squeals"—which produce piercing, vocal-like wails through a combination of thumb-brushing and string bending. Wylde employs alternate picking for rapid scalar runs and hybrid picking, using fingers alongside the pick for chicken-picking rolls and banjo-style articulations, enabling fluid transitions between speed and groove. This culminates in his sought-after "bullseye" Les Paul tone, a thick, saturated sound with pronounced mids and sustain that emphasizes riff clarity and harmonic bite.[94][95][96][97] In songwriting, Wylde fuses blues structures with metal aggression, creating a hybrid style that layers pentatonic bends and modal explorations over heavy rhythms. His lyrics recurrently explore themes of loyalty and brotherhood, as in Black Label Society anthems emphasizing unbreakable bonds, alongside personal struggles like addiction and redemption, reflecting a gritty introspection rooted in southern rock ethos. Over time, his approach shifted from the speed-metal shred of his 1980s Ozzy Osbourne era—focused on neoclassical flurries and high-octane solos—to a groove-oriented sound in the 2000s, prioritizing sludgy, palm-muted riffs and mid-tempo builds that enhance emotional depth.[98][99][59][100] Wylde's evolution as a player mirrors this maturation: his early work featured virtuosic, Hendrix-inspired solos packed with wide vibrato and rapid-fire licks, evolving into a more riff-centric craft that values groove and texture over sheer velocity. In acoustic settings, he reveals a vulnerable side through fingerstyle passages and hybrid-picked melodies, stripping away distortion to highlight melodic introspection and bluesy phrasing. Critics have lauded his tone as a benchmark for modern metal, with Guitar World highlighting its "thunderous" sustain and midrange punch as emblematic of heavy guitar excellence. In his role with Pantera, Wylde has been compared to Dimebag Darrell for channeling similar aggressive energy and riff innovation, adapting his style to honor the band's groove-metal legacy while infusing his own harmonic flair.[101][102][103][104]Equipment
Zakk Wylde's primary electric guitar throughout much of his career has been his 1981 Gibson Les Paul Custom, affectionately known as "The Grail," which features a distinctive cream-and-black bullseye finish applied in 1987.[105][106][107] This instrument, acquired upon joining Ozzy Osbourne's band, is equipped with EMG 81 and 85 active humbucker pickups and has been central to his recordings and live performances since the late 1980s.[108] Wylde also favors custom Les Paul-style guitars with similar bullseye aesthetics, including early models featuring a "Wylde Burst" flame top finish.[106] In more recent years, Wylde has incorporated guitars from his own Wylde Audio brand, launched in 2016 in collaboration with Schecter Guitar Research, which includes bullseye-finished models like the Odin Grail Rawtop.[109][110] These set-neck designs typically feature mahogany bodies with flamed maple tops, ebony fingerboards, and his signature EMG ZW pickups for aggressive sustain and clarity.[111] For his role in the reformed Pantera lineup since 2022, Wylde employs the Wylde Audio Warhammer, a lightning bolt-finished model inspired by Dimebag Darrell's Dean ML guitars, maintaining his high-output tone while honoring the band's legacy.[85][112] On acoustic performances, he has used the Epiphone Masterbilt EF-500RCCE, a cutaway dreadnought with solid spruce top for unplugged sets.[113] Wylde's amplifier setup centers on Marshall JCM800 heads, particularly his signature 2203ZW model, a 100-watt all-tube design with 6550 power tubes for tight low-end and midrange bite, often paired with 4x12 cabinets loaded with Electro-Voice EVM12L speakers.[114][115] He has occasionally incorporated Soldano SLO-100 heads for their high-gain overdrive during select recordings and tours.[116] Since 2021, Wylde Audio has offered signature amplifiers, including 100-watt tube heads used in his Pantera rig, routed through custom cabs for consistent onstage volume and response.[117] His effects chain remains minimal to preserve a raw, direct tone, primarily consisting of a Dunlop Cry Baby WAH (signature model tuned to his specifications for vocal-like sweeps) and an MXR Wylde Audio Phase pedal, a reissue of the Phase 90 with adjustable speed for dynamic leads.[118][119] Wylde avoids extensive pedalboards, favoring amp-driven gain over multi-effect processing.[113] Signature equipment lines developed by Wylde include the Wylde Audio guitar series since 2016, featuring models like the Odin and Barbarian with bullseye graphics and active electronics.[109] His EMG ZW pickup set, comprising the 81 bridge and 85 neck humbuckers, provides the ceramic-magnet aggression central to his sound across brands.[111] For strings, he endorses GHS Boomers Zakk Wylde signature sets in gauges like 10-60 for standard and drop tunings, offering balanced tension and longevity.[120] Wylde's gear has evolved from vintage Gibson Les Pauls in his early Ozzy era to reinforced modern designs under Wylde Audio, addressing long-term wear through updated necks and hardware while retaining his bullseye motif and high-gain focus.[121]Legacy
Awards and honors
Zakk Wylde's contributions to heavy metal have earned him several notable nominations and awards throughout his career. In 2005, Black Label Society's track "Stillborn" received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Hard Rock Performance at the 47th Annual Grammy Awards. Similarly, his guitar work on Ozzy Osbourne's 1991 album No More Tears, particularly the song "I Don't Want to Change the World," contributed to a Grammy win for Best Metal Performance at the 36th Annual Grammy Awards in 1994 (for the live version), marking Osbourne's first Grammy.[122] Wylde has been frequently recognized in Guitar World magazine's reader polls and rankings. He was voted Best Metal Guitarist alongside Dimebag Darrell in the 2002 Readers' Poll, and has been named Most Valuable Player in the magazine's annual polls for multiple years, including 2000 and 2004. Additionally, in Guitar World's 2004 list of the 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Guitarists of All Time, Wylde ranked at number 8.[123] Other honors include the Revolver Golden Gods Award for Best Guitarist, which Wylde won in 2010.[124] In 2006, he was inducted into the Hollywood RockWalk. In 2007, he performed a tribute to Dimebag Darrell during Darrell's induction ceremony.[125] Wylde also received the Riff Lord Award at the 2005 Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards, following his participation in the 2003 event. No formal awards for Wylde have been announced as of November 2025, though he has received widespread tributes following Ozzy Osbourne's death in July 2025, including public statements honoring their collaboration.[126]Cultural impact
Zakk Wylde's influence on subsequent generations of metal guitarists is evident through his mentorship efforts and direct endorsements of emerging talents. He has conducted instructional programs such as the Berzerker Guitar Camp, an online course launched in 2022 that provides over 12 hours of lessons across 94 videos, catering to players from beginners to advanced levels and emphasizing disciplined practice of scales and techniques.[127] Wylde has also publicly praised Avenged Sevenfold's Synyster Gates as "the torchbearer for young kids to play solos," highlighting Gates' innovative lines inspired by classical and jazz influences in a 2014 interview, positioning him as a modern successor to traditional shredding styles.[128] In his role with the Pantera reunion lineup since 2022, Wylde has been instrumental in preserving and reviving Dimebag Darrell's legacy, performing iconic riffs with deep respect to ensure the band's music endures for new audiences, as he explained in a 2024 discussion on Darrell's songwriting impact.[129] Wylde's fanbase, particularly through Black Label Society, has fostered a dedicated "Berzerker" community characterized by its biker-inspired ethos and global loyalty, with fan groups like Berzerkers Worldwide uniting supporters around the band's heavy rock anthems and communal spirit.[130] His participation in Ozzfest during the early 2000s played a key role in bridging traditional metal with the nu-metal explosion, as Black Label Society's main-stage performances alongside acts like Ozzy Osbourne exposed groove-oriented riffs to a broader, youth-driven audience amid the festival's nu-metal dominance.[131] In media representations, Wylde appeared as a boss character in the 2008 video game Guitar Hero World Tour, where players dueled his blistering solos in a custom track, introducing his pinch-harmonic-heavy style to gamers and reinforcing his status as a virtual guitar icon.[132] His signature "Grail" Les Paul guitar, a 1981 Custom with a bullseye finish acquired in 1987, has become a cultural symbol of his Ozzy Osbourne era, detailed in numerous interviews as the instrument behind hits like "No More Tears," despite a near-loss in 2000 when it fell from a truck.[107] Wylde's broader legacy lies in bridging 1980s hair metal's melodic shredding—rooted in his early Ozzy work—with the groove metal of the 2000s via Black Label Society's Sabbath-influenced riffs and emotional depth, creating a hybrid that influenced post-grunge heavy rock.[133] Following Ozzy Osbourne's death in July 2025, Wylde issued heartfelt tributes, including a public statement on their final text exchange and reflections on Osbourne's fortitude, underscoring his enduring role in honoring metal's pioneers through projects like Zakk Sabbath.[134] While occasionally typecast as a one-dimensional shredder due to his aggressive pinch harmonics and speed, Wylde has been praised for his versatility, as seen in Black Label Society's 2014 album Catacombs of the Black Vatican, which blends veteran maturity with hooks across metal subgenres.[131]Discography
With Ozzy Osbourne
Zakk Wylde first joined Ozzy Osbourne's band in 1987 at age 20, serving as lead guitarist during multiple periods and contributing to a series of studio and live releases that defined Osbourne's heavy metal sound in the late 1980s through the 2020s. His playing, characterized by aggressive riffs and pinch harmonics, featured prominently on full albums and select tracks across Osbourne's output, with notable songwriting input on key hits. Wylde's stints ended and resumed due to Osbourne's lineup changes, but he remained a recurring collaborator until Osbourne's final projects.Studio Albums
Wylde's studio contributions spanned six albums, where he handled lead guitar duties on all tracks during his primary tenures from 1987–1995 and 2001–2009, as well as select recordings later.| Album | Year | Key Credits |
|---|---|---|
| No Rest for the Wicked | 1988 | Lead guitar on all tracks; debut collaboration with Osbourne.[135] |
| No More Tears | 1991 | Lead guitar on all tracks; co-writer on title track "No More Tears" (with Osbourne, Randy Castillo, Mike Inez, John Purdell) and "Mama, I'm Coming Home" (with Osbourne, Lemmy Kilmister).[136][137] The album achieved 5× Platinum certification from the RIAA for over 5 million units sold in the U.S.[138] |
| Ozzmosis | 1995 | Lead guitar on all tracks. |
| Down to Earth | 2001 | Lead guitar on all tracks; return after a six-year hiatus. |
| Black Rain | 2007 | Lead guitar on all tracks. |
| Patient Number 9 | 2022 | Lead guitar on tracks 1–3, 6–9, 11–12; keyboards on tracks 1, 5, 7, 9; organ on track 8.[139] |
Live Albums
Wylde's live recordings with Osbourne captured high-energy performances from their tours.| Album | Year | Key Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Live & Loud | 1995 | Guitars on all tracks; piano on "Changes"; documented the No More Tears tour finale. |
| Live at Budokan | 2002 | Guitars on all tracks; recorded during the Down to Earth tour.[141] |
With Black Label Society
Black Label Society, formed by Zakk Wylde in 1998, has built a prolific catalog under his leadership as primary songwriter, guitarist, and vocalist, blending heavy metal with southern rock influences. The band's lineup has evolved significantly over the years, with core members including various bassists like John DeServio and drummers such as Craig Nunenmacher, alongside guest and touring contributors, reflecting Wylde's vision for a rotating collective of musicians.[142][143]Studio Albums
The following table lists Black Label Society's studio albums, all led by Wylde:| Title | Release Year | Label |
|---|---|---|
| Sonic Brew | 1999 | Mercury Records[144] |
| Stronger Than Death | 2000 | Spitfire Records |
| 1919 Eternal | 2002 | Spitfire Records[145] |
| The Blessed Hellride | 2003 | Spitfire Records |
| Hangover Music Vol. VI | 2004 | Spitfire Records[146] |
| Mafia | 2005 | Artemis Records |
| Shot to Hell | 2006 | Roadrunner Records |
| Order of the Black | 2010 | E1 Music |
| Catacombs of the Black Vatican | 2014 | Mascot Records |
| Grimmest Hits | 2018 | Entertainment One |
| Doom Crew Inc. | 2021 | MNRK Heavy |
| Untitled (upcoming) | Early 2026 | MNRK Heavy / Spinefarm Records[62] |
EPs and Singles
Black Label Society has issued select EPs and singles, often previewing album material. Notable is the 2025 single "Broken and Blind," released as a lead-in to the band's upcoming 2026 studio album, featuring Wylde's signature riff-driven style.[62]Live Albums
The band has documented its high-energy performances through live releases, emphasizing Wylde's guitar prowess and the group's camaraderie:- Skullage (2009, Armoury Records): A compilation blending studio tracks with live recordings and videos, capturing the band's evolution.
- Unblackened (2013, Entertainment One): An acoustic live album recorded at Club Nokia in Los Angeles, showcasing stripped-down arrangements of BLS classics.[147]