ZAKK WYLDE: I'll Put OZZY's Vocal Performance On First BLACK SABBATH Album Up Against Any Of His Peers

May 12, 2019

Zakk Wylde says that he would put Ozzy Osbourne's vocal performance on BLACK SABBATH's 1970 self-titled debut up against any other singers within the rock genre. While not considered the most technically proficient of vocalists, Osbourne's distinctive wail and phrasing helped define early heavy metal, subsequently blazing a trail for similar singer — especially within doom metal — to follow.

In a recent interview with television and radio personality Jenny McCarthy (video below),WyldeOzzy's on-and-off guitarist since 1987 — was asked whether the 70-year-old Osbourne is capable of remembering the numerous albums he's recorded. "Actually, he does," he said. "You know what? Whenever he talks about all the albums he's done, he always says, whether what album had more success than the other one, he goes, 'I always remember each album whether I had a good time making that record or I was miserable.' I'll say 'Oz, I thought this record was really great.' He goes 'Yeah, I couldn't stand that record just because I was miserable when we were making that record.' Or with the first two [Ozzy solo albums] or SABBATH records, he was, like, 'Dude, that album was so much fun when we made that one. This was going on and that.' Between the drugs, the booze… Oz, when he made the BLACK SABBATH [self-titled debut], his vocal performance on that record, I'll put it up against any of his peers or anybody for that matter, in the rock genre. I said, 'Oz, were you, like, taking vocal lessons with Pavarotti and eating your Wheaties every day?' He goes, 'No. Just lots of drugs, Zakk. Lots of drugs.' I go, 'Let's not forget the booze.' He goes 'Oh, never. Never forget that.'"

Wylde is currently promoting the "reimagined" version of "Sonic Brew", the 1999 debut from his band BLACK LABEL SOCIETY. In conjunction with the new release, BLACK LABEL SOCIETY is headlining the "20 Years Of Sonic Brewtality Tour". The group is playing two shows in each market — the first night features "Sonic Brew" played in its entirety, while the second night sees the Zakk and his bandmates playing a set of greatest hits.

In early April, Ozzy postponed all his 2019 tour dates, both in North America and Europe, as he recovered from an injury sustained while dealing with his recent bout of pneumonia. The singer fell at his Los Angeles home, aggravating years-old injuries from his 2003 ATV accident that required new surgery.

Find more on Zakk wylde
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • reddit
  • email

Comments Disclaimer And Information

BLABBERMOUTH.NET uses the Facebook Comments plugin to let people comment on content on the site using their Facebook account. The comments reside on Facebook servers and are not stored on BLABBERMOUTH.NET. To comment on a BLABBERMOUTH.NET story or review, you must be logged in to an active personal account on Facebook. Once you're logged in, you will be able to comment. User comments or postings do not reflect the viewpoint of BLABBERMOUTH.NET and BLABBERMOUTH.NET does not endorse, or guarantee the accuracy of, any user comment. To report spam or any abusive, obscene, defamatory, racist, homophobic or threatening comments, or anything that may violate any applicable laws, use the "Report to Facebook" and "Mark as spam" links that appear next to the comments themselves. To do so, click the downward arrow on the top-right corner of the Facebook comment (the arrow is invisible until you roll over it) and select the appropriate action. You can also send an e-mail to blabbermouthinbox(@)gmail.com with pertinent details. BLABBERMOUTH.NET reserves the right to "hide" comments that may be considered offensive, illegal or inappropriate and to "ban" users that violate the site's Terms Of Service. Hidden comments will still appear to the user and to the user's Facebook friends. If a new comment is published from a "banned" user or contains a blacklisted word, this comment will automatically have limited visibility (the "banned" user's comments will only be visible to the user and the user's Facebook friends).