Zakk Wylde
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| Zakk Wylde | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Jeffrey Phillip Wiedlandt |
| Born | January 14, 1967 Bayonne, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Genre(s) | Heavy metal, hard rock, southern rock |
| Occupation(s) | Guitarist, Songwriter |
| Instrument(s) | Guitar, Vocals, Bass, Banjo, Piano/Keyboards, Harmonica |
| Years active | 1987 - present |
| Label(s) | Geffen, Spitfire, InsideOut Music, Artemis, Roadrunner, Epic, Sony |
| Associated acts | Ozzy Osbourne, Black Label Society, Pride & Glory, Steel Dragon |
| Website | zakkwylde.com |
| Notable instrument(s) | |
| Zakk Wylde Signature Les Paul Zakk Wylde Signature Gibson flying V |
|
Zakk Wylde (born Jeffrey Phillip Wiedlandt on January 14, 1967 in Bayonne, New Jersey) is an American musician, who is best known for his roles as a guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne and founder of Black Label Society. He was lead guitarist and vocalist in Pride & Glory, who released one self-titled album in 1994 before disbanding. As a solo artist he released Book of Shadows in 1996.
Contents |
[edit] Career
Wylde started playing the guitar at the age of 15 and worked at Silverton Music in Silverton, New Jersey. He grew up in Jackson, New Jersey, and went to Jackson Memorial High School there, where he graduated in 1985.[1] Wylde has stated that he would practice playing the guitar as much as 12 hours per day and often would play the guitar almost non-stop between coming home from school and leaving for school the next morning, then sleeping through the school day.
Growing up, Wylde played locally with his first band, "Stone Henge", then later with local Jersey band "Zyris". He was taught by neo classical guitarist Sean Roche. Years later, the then unknown 19 year-old Wylde landed the coveted role as lead guitarist and co-writer for Ozzy Osbourne. He sent Ozzy a demo tape in 1987 and was hired to replace Jake E. Lee. Jake E. Lee had replaced the deceased Randy Rhoads, an idol of Wylde's.
Wylde's then-girlfriend (now wife) Barbaranne heard Ozzy was looking for a new guitarist on the Howard Stern radio show. While playing at a local gig, a photographer (Mark Weiss) spoke to Wylde urging him to audition for Ozzy, and offered to send a press kit along to Osbourne; Wylde, who at the time was working at a local Getty gas station, decided he had nothing to lose. Ozzy dismissed the tape among thousands of others as "just another Randy Rhoads clone". But a couple of weeks later, Randy Castillo, Ozzy's drummer at the time, told him he'd found a great guitarist from New Jersey. Wylde recalled how he received a phone call from Sharon Osbourne (thinking it was one of his friends' mother) telling him there was a ticket for him to fly out and audition for Ozzy. Wylde has said that he was hired on the spot before even playing, while he was still tuning his guitar. The truth of this is unknown as Wylde is known for joking with interviewers. The first material he released with Osbourne was No Rest for the Wicked in 1988.
Zakk Wylde's guitar-playing style is characterized by his use of pinch harmonics and wide/aggressive vibrato. His guitar soloing technique is usually characterized by use of the minor pentatonic scale, playing rapid box-pattern licks using strict alternate-picking, creating a very distinctive, choppy style of playing. Another notable feature of Wylde's playing is his liberal use of "chicken pickin' ," a technique which is usually associated with country music, and which is (comparatively) rarely seen in heavy metal; a technique he has stated as being picked up from watching Albert Lee.
He is known for his use of Gibson Les Paul Custom model guitars with a "bulls-eye" graphic on them, a design he used to deliberately differentiate himself visually from Randy Rhoads - who was also frequently identified by his white Les Paul Custom. Interestingly, one of Wylde's favorite stage guitars of late is a replica of Rhoads' Flying V. The "bulls-eye" paint job was originally supposed to look like the spiral from the movie Vertigo, but when it came back incorrect from the luthier, he liked the result and stuck with it.
Wylde's signature Les Paul's include, a red and flame-maple bulls-eye model, a black and antique-white bulls-eye model, an orange "buzz-saw" model, which Zakk got the pattern off a zippo lighter [1], and a "camo" bulls-eye model with mother of pearl neck inlays and a green camouflage paint scheme. His original bulls-eye Les Paul was bought from one of the owners of Meteltronics Amplification. Metaltronics was building a live rig for Zakk that was designed around one of the owner's guitars, a creamy white Les Paul Custom with EMG's. Zakk fell in love with the guitar, and eventually was able to barter for it with two other Les Pauls. It was lost to Wylde for some time when it fell off the truck as he was coming back from a gig in Texas. Rewards were posted to anyone that had information about the guitar - it holds sentimental value to him since it was the guitar he wrote and recorded all of the Ozzy material with.
Wylde and The Grail were only reunited years later, after a fan bought it at a pawn shop and realized he may very well have the missing guitar after checking the initials "Z.W." on its back and the serial number marked on the headstock. He then contacted Wylde's former webmaster Randy Canis to arrange its return.
Ozzy has always left the option open to his band members to leave if they wish, but Wylde has stayed faithfully by Ozzy's side ever since he was a teenager (although Zakk was replaced in Osbourne's band by Joe Holmes from 1995 until his return in 2001).
Wylde has stated that he has no respect for musicians who release material "not true to themselves". Randy Rhoads is probably his biggest influence.
On January 17, 2006, Zakk Wylde was immortalized at the Hollywood Rock Walk of Fame located at 7425 Sunset Blvd, featuring his hand prints and signature, in recognition to his successful career as a musician and contribution to music industry. The event was open to the public and many rock celebrities were present, including Osbourne.
Ozzy Osbourne was auditioning new guitarists for future material in 2005/2006 but announced Wylde as the official guitarist for his new album, "Black Rain."
Black Label Society's new album, "Shot To Hell", was released on September 11th (UK), 12th (US) through Roadrunner records with production by Michael Beinhorn (Soundgarden, Ozzy Osbourne, Red Hot Chili Peppers). Black Label Society headlined the 2nd stage at the 2006 Ozzfest, with Wylde playing double duty with Ozzy on certain dates. Ozzy's new album, Black Rain, was released in May 2007. Zakk Wylde is currently working a new film called The Berserkers, with Zakk taking on responsibilities for script and production.
[edit] Personal life
Wylde and his wife, Barbaranne, have 3 children; a daughter, Hayley-Rae, a son, Jesse John Michael (named after Ozzy Osbourne), and another son, Hendrix Halen Michael Rhoads (named after Jimi Hendrix, Eddie Van Halen, Mike Piazza, and Randy Rhoads). He and his family live outside of Los Angeles. He and Barbaranne both attended Jackson Memorial High School in Jackson, New Jersey. Zakk was a close friend of Dimebag Darrell Abbott, founding member of Pantera and Damageplan, since 1993, exchanging guitars in admiration for one another as fellow guitarists. Wylde had given Dimebag one of his custom Gibson guitars with the trademark "bulls-eye" design on it shortly before Dimebag was shot and killed while performing in Columbus, OH on Dec. 8, 2004. Likewise, Dimebag had a customized Dean Razorback painted with the bullseye design for Wylde. Zakk dedicated the song "In This River" to Dimebag, citing that although the song wasn't originally written for him, the lyrics were fitting to the situation. The song gained a new importance and was changed from its original format during the live performances to make it more of a "Free Bird" type ballad with the addition of more solos, with Zakk playing with the Dean Razorback guitar Dime had given him. He dedicates each live performance of the song to Dimebag and, several times, he even cried on stage when playing the song. He has also stated it will be played at every Black Label Society concert as long as he is touring. Zakk is Irish Catholic.[2]
[edit] Appearances
Wylde has made guest appearances on many albums, such as the debut album for Damageplan as guest vocalist and guitar on the tracks "Soul Bleed" and "Reborn." He has also worked on four of Derek Sherinian's solo albums: "Inertia", "Black Utopia", "Mythology" and "Blood of the Snake" alongside Yngwie Malmsteen among others.
On August 1st, 1993, Zakk 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."
Wylde's film credits include Rock Star (As "Ghode", guitarist of the fictitious band Steel Dragon) and the concert DVD Boozed, Broozed, and Broken-Boned (Certified Platinum), recorded at Harpo's in Detroit, MI. It was the first time in the concert hall's history that all of the alcohol had been consumed on one night (Wylde's favorite beer is Sierra Nevada). It should be noted that his next concert DVD The European Invasion: Doom Troopin' was released in 2006. He has also done a comedy skit show alongside Jim Breuer, titled "Crapshoot", which is now available on DVD.
Zakk Wylde also appeared on the TV show Angel in the season 4 episode The Magic Bullet where he plays acoustic on the song "Mandy" while Angel and Conner sing along.
Wylde has also appeared as a guest star on the TV show Aqua Teen Hunger Force. In it, he plays guitar on a track produced by Master Shake that is supposed to become the next big birthday song, which is called "Spirit Journey Formation Anniversary." Wylde becomes irate when he finds out that Master Shake cannot pay him for his input on the project. Later in the show, Wylde is killed when caught between the crossfire of two robotic banjo-playing scorpions that apparently were, for some reason, armed with laser cannons.
He is a New York Yankees fan. He performed the 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, and Broken-Boned
On February 1, 2007 Zakk & Nick Catanese began a tour of acoustic shows at the Hard Rock Cafe in various cities across North America. Although Nick had to leave mid-tour due to unspecified personal reasons, Zakk continued to play shows alone. Zakk performed several songs, on both the acoustic guitar and keyboard. The tour was eventually cancelled due to unspecified reasons.
On February 2, 2007 Zakk Wylde guest hosted on Seattle's 99.9 KISW on the afternoon program The Men's Room
On the May 18 edition of WWE Smackdown, Zakk appeared with Ozzy Osbourne to play the hit single "I Don't Wanna Stop".
Zakk also performed alongside Ozzy Osbourne on the 2007 VH1 Rock Honors, playing "I Don't Wanna Stop", "Bark At The Moon", and "Crazy Train".
[edit] Gear
Zakk Wylde uses all of the following guitars on and off stage:
- Gibson Les Paul Custom with "Bullseye" Graphics (several in black and olympic white, one in black and gold, one in black and mirror, and one in red and natural)
- Gibson "Buzzsaw" Les Paul Custom (the design was taken from that of a Zippo lighter)
- Gibson "Black Label Society" Les Paul Custom
- Gibson "Rebel" Les Paul Custom decorated with the confederate flag and bottle caps
- Gibson "Camo Bullseye" Les Paul custom. He named it 'Stormin Norman'
- Jackson Rhoads
- Dean Bulls-eye Razorback (Given to him by Dimebag Darrell days before his death and signed by him; this guitar is usually only seen once per performance, when Zakk is playing the song "In This River")
- Gibson Flying V with a bull's eye paint design
- GMW Randy Rhoads Flying V in white with black polka dots
- GMW Randy Rhoads Flying V in black with white polka dots (the polka-dot guitars were made custom for Zakk in honor of Randy Rhoads. Both of these guitars also feature a Floyd Rose tremolo.)
- Gibson EDS-1275, black/mirror pickguard with EMG pickups (seen in the music video for "In This River") and a white one with standard pickups, seen while performing "Mama, I'm Coming Home" live.
- Custom Gibson ZV with bullseye graphics
- Gibson EDS-1275 (white with gold pickups) used for "Mama I'm Comin' Home" live with Ozzy Osbourne. (can be seen in Osbourne's "Live At Budokan" DVD)
His guitars are all outfitted with his GHS or Dunlop Zakk Wylde strings and his signature set of active EMG 81 and EMG 85 pick-ups with the exception of the Razorback. He usually gives preference to Marshall amplifiers such as the JCM800 2203. He has his own Signature JCM800ZW Amp with replaced tubes (GT 6550) and cabinet loaded with EVM12L-Black Label guitar speakers, he also has a signature MG15MSII Microstack, used as a practice amp. Jim Dunlop worked with Zakk to design two effects pedals, the Dunlop Zakk Wylde CryBaby, and the MXR Zakk Wylde Overdrive pedal. Also on his pedal board is a Dunlop Rotovibe, an MXR EVH Phase 90 and a BOSS CH-1 Super Chorus/MXR Stereo Chorus. In the past, his pedal board consisted of a Dunlop Jimi Hendrix Crybaby, a Dunlop Rotovibe, a BOSS SD-1 Super Overdrive and a BOSS CH-1 Super Chorus.
[edit] 357 Customs controversy and lawsuit
In December of 2005, a promotional offer was posted on ZakkWylde.com, stating that anyone who bought a $100 merchandise gift certificate and a miniature model of a chopper would receive an $800 Epiphone guitar. The offer was posted by custom chopper company 357 Customs, through the then webmaster of ZakkWylde.com. On June 2, 2006, Bob Ringe, Zakk Wylde's manager, stated on the website that "357 Customs ran a promotion directed toward Zakk's fans, and [...] 357 has not delivered merchandise ordered during the promotion. Zakk has not authorized or otherwise been involved with this promotion, and has not received any compensation from it." Ringe went on further to state that he has instructed his lawyers to "contact 357....monitor this situation and follow up with 357." During and after the timeframe in which the 357 Customs offers were being advertised, numerous conversations, both via email and telephone were held with then current and former members of Zakk Wylde's management team, including Tim Bolin and Bob Ringe, and also Zakk Wylde's wife, with all parties confirming and supporting the promotion. A number of statements, both from the webmaster and Wylde himself, posted on ZakkWylde.com repeatedly stressed the legitimacy of the offer, and even went as far as placing blame on guitar maker Epiphone and electronics manufacturer EMG for the shipping delays. Of course, no order had ever been placed, and these statements were offered simply as a means of placating the increasingly concerned customers.
It is important to note that staff from 357 as well as Zakks management staff all verified the veracity of this deal. Zakks manager went so far as saying that he was sure that the fans taken in this scam would be taken care of. This corroboration was ostensibly validated by a several telephone call recordings that were capture by the individual that broke the scam open to the public, as reported on a forum whose records no longer exist. Some of these recordings made it to the internet, and are said to have included the exact statements that laid blame at the feet of EMG and Epiphone, as well as repeated assurances from 357 Customs and Zakk Wyldes management that the deal would conclude; and everyone would get what they paid for. This never, in fact, happened, and later releases by Zakk's team did little to clear the air.[citation needed]
One week later, on June 9, 2006, Zakk Wylde corroborated Ringe's statement and the involvement of his lawyers in "address[ing] the situation." On June 14th, 2006, Zakk Wylde's attorneys filed suit against 357 Customs Inc. in the Superior Court of the State of California. The suit alleges trademark infringement, false designation of origin, unfair competition, false advertising, breach of contract, as well as several other counts. The text of the lawsuit indicates that it was brought about to prevent any preying upon of Zakk's loyal fans in the future and to recoup unpaid royalties as 357 Customs failed to deliver on its agreements with Zakk Wylde. There is nothing in the suit thus far to indicate any kind of specific damages to be recovered on behalf of fans who have not received their merchandise other than as-yet unspecified damages pertaining to this suit. Text of Lawsuit
On July 5, 2006, Black Label Society's webmaster, Chad Dyer, resigned from the website. He admitted being hired by 357 Customs as their webmaster and claimed that he wasn't aware of the conflict of interest. [2] To this date, reports are that he has not been paid for the work on 357customs.com, even after it cost him his position with the Black Label Society camp he held in 2003-2004 and 2005-2006. Various reports note that Dyer was a paid employee of Black Label Society, which was not the case. The posted resignation letter on www.zakkwylde.com that was written by Dyer and signed off on by Zakk's manager Bob Ringe confirmed that he provided webmaster services at no-charge on account of his friendship with Zakk.
On May 8, 2007, Zakk Wylde's Attorney filed a Request For Dismissal of the case, ending any hope that 357 Customs Inc would be held to account for their actions.
[edit] Discography
[edit] With Pride and Glory
- Pride & Glory (1994)
[edit] Solo
- 1987 Instrumental Solo Demo Tape
- Book of Shadows (1996)
[edit] With Derek Sherinian
- Inertia (2001)
- Black Utopia (2003)
- Mythology (2004)
- Blood of the Snake (2006)
[edit] With Black Label Society
- Sonic Brew (1999)
- Stronger Than Death (2000)
- Alcohol Fueled Brewtality Live +5 (2001)
- 1919 Eternal (2002)
- The Blessed Hellride (2003)
- Boozed, Broozed, and Broken Boned (DVD) (2003) (Certified Platinum)
- Hangover Music Vol. VI (2004)
- Mafia (2005)
- Kings of Damnation 98-04 (Career Retrospective) (2005)
- Shot To Hell (2006)
- The European Invasion: Doom Troopin' (2006) (DVD)
[edit] With Ozzy Osbourne
- No Rest For The Wicked (1988)
- Just Say Ozzy (1990)
- No More Tears (1991)
- Live and Loud (1993)
- Ozzmosis (1995)
- Down to Earth (2001)
- Live At Budokan (2002)
- Black Rain (2007)
[edit] Other appearances
- Stairway To Heaven/Highway To Hell (1989)
- Ward One: Along the Way (1990)
- Dweezil Zappa: Confessions (1991)
- LA Blues Authority (1991)
- Britny Fox: Bite Down Hard (1991)
- Guitars that Rule the World (1992)
- C.P.R (1992)
- Stevie Salas: The Electric Pow Wow (1993)
- Blackfoot:After the reign (1994)
- Stairway to Heaven Tribute (1997)
- Carmine Appice's Guitar Zeus 2 (1997)
- Hard Pressed - Nobuteura Mada (1997)
- Love: Tokma (1997)
- Merry Axemas Vol.2 - More Guitars (1998)
- RE-SET - Marcy (1998)
- Humanary Stew - A Tribute To Alice Cooper (1999)
- Ozzfest 2001: The Second Millennium (2001)
- Rock Star Soundtrack (2001)
- Themes of Horror (2001)
- Gibson's 50th Anniversary (2002)
- Aqua Teen Hunger Force - Spirit Journey Formation Anniversary (2003)
- Damageplan - New Found Power (2004)
- Fozzy - All That Remains (2005)
- VH1 Rock Honors with Ozzy Osbourne (2007)
- Rock2Wgtn with Ozzy Osbourne (2008)
[edit] References
- ^ LaGorce, Tammy. "MUSIC; Thor, With an Electric Hammer", The New York Times, November 27, 2005. Accessed October 6, 2007. "But the frustrating part for Zakk Wylde -- born in Jersey City, raised in Jackson and possessed of a gift for heavy-metal noise that regularly earns him the cover of any magazine with guitar in its title -- is that the six-string inner circle rarely widens.... I was in Sayreville at this place called Close Encounters with my buddies in Stone Henge, a band formed with friends from Jackson Memorial High School in the mid-80's, Mr. Wylde said in a recent phone interview from Columbus, Ohio, where he was touring in support of Mafia (Artemis), a Black Label disc that entered the Billboard Independent Album chart at No. 1 last March."
- ^ Modern Guitars Interview.
[edit] External links
- Black Label Society Official Website
- 2005 Zakk Wylde Interview on Modern Guitars magazine
- Zakk-Wylde.net
- HardRadio.com interview with Zakk 2002
- HardRadio.com interview with Zakk 2003
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