| Zakk Wylde |
Zakk Wylde performing live in 2005.
|
| Background information |
| Birth name |
Jeffrey Phillip Wiedlandt |
| Born |
January 14 1967 (1967--) (age 40)
Bayonne, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Genre(s) |
Heavy metal, Hard rock |
| Occupation(s) |
Guitarist, Songwriter |
| Instrument(s) |
Guitar
Vocals
Piano
Bass Guitar
Harmonica
Mandolin
Banjo |
| Years active |
1988 - present |
| Label(s) |
Geffen Records, 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 (born Jeffrey Phillip Wiedlandt on January 8, 1967 in Bayonne, New Jersey) is a
lead guitarist, pianist, singer and songwriter, best known for his role as founder of
Black Label Society and guitarist for Ozzy
Osbourne. Wylde was lead guitarist and vocalist in Pride & Glory, who
released one self-titled album in 1994 before disbanding. As a solo artist he released the critically acclaimed Book of Shadows in 1996. Wylde's playing is characterised by his liberal use of pinch harmonics and the pentatonic scale.
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 Township, New Jersey, and went to Jackson Memorial High School there, where he graduated from in 1985.[1] Zakk 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". 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, for whom he even built a shrine.
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 presskit 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 unique "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 a regular store front and is christened "The Grail". 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 a graduation gift from his parents.
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.
Wylde has stated that he has no respect for musicians who release material "not true to themselves".
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 as a follow-up to his last studio release, "Down To Earth".
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 is
currently working a new film called The Berserkers, with Zakk taking on responsibilities
for script and production.
Personal life
Wylde and his wife, Barbaranne, have 3 children; a 15-year-old daughter, Hayley-Rae, a 14-year-old son, Jesse John Michael
(named after Ozzy Osbourne), and a 5-year-old 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 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 the guitarist's untimely death.
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 improved from its original format during
the live performances also 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, nearly 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 wylde is the best god dam guitarist period
Appearances
Wylde has done 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 betweenthe crossfire of two metal
scorpions 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. Also he has performed the
National Anthem on the electric guitar at three Los Angeles Kings games.
Zakk has also performed the National Anthem at a Los Angeles Kings hockey game, a video of which 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".
Gear
Zakk Wylde uses all of the following guitars on and off stage:
- Gibson Les Paul Custom with "Bullseye" Graphics (one in black and white, 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 (Custom Made for him by the same luthier that built Randy's guitars to the
exact same specifications, believed to be Ed Roman)
- 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 Bark at the
Moon live.
- Dean "Muddy Bullseye" Splittail with Bullseye Graphics
- Custom Gibson guitar made similarly to the Dean Splittail 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 Dunlop Zakk Wylde Signature set strings and
his signature set of active EMG 81 and EMG 85 humbucker pick-ups (with the exception of the Razorback, until the
release of the album Shot To Hell). He usually gives preference to Marshall amplifiers such as the JCM800 2203's and 2204's (He has his own Signature JCM800ZW Amp
with replaced tubes (GT 6550) and cabinet loaded with EVM12L-Black Label guitar speakers). Jim Dunlop worked with Zakk to design two effect pedals, the
knobless MXR ZW-44 Dunlop Overdrive pedal (which has been modified to go to 11 ), and the ZW-45 Zakk Wylde Signature "Cry Baby"
wah-wah pedal.The MXR m-134 stereo chorus (which is always on when live),and the MXR EVH Van
Halen signature phase pedal are also in his pedal board. In the past, his pedal board consisted in one BOSS SD-1 Super Overdrive, a CE-5 Chorus Ensemble, a Jim Dunlop Wah-Wah and a Rotovibe. When Zakk recorded his first album with Ozzy he was using Lee Jackson amps and a Morley PWO Wah-Wah.
Morley Wah was also used on Live and Loud.
Zakk's settings for Standard, Eb, Dropped D, and Dropped B tuning: Wylde Dunlop Icon Series. (.010 .013 .017 .036 .052 .060)
and for Dropped A, Dropped G, and other dropped tunings in a "D" tuning: GBWZLO (.011 .014 .018 .036 .052 .070).(mostly used in
the studio)
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.
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, 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 Chad 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 Chad 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.
Discography
Solo
Zakk Wylde & Derek Sherinian
Other appearances
(The "Other appearances" section was taken from the SDMF World-Wide Website).
See also
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."
External links
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