Zakk Wylde

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Template:Guitarist infobox Zakk Wylde (born Jeffrey Phillip Wiedlandt on January 14, 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 and went to Jackson Memorial Highschool where he graduated from in 1985. 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 20 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 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 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 also in the past auditioned and was poised to become part of Guns N' Roses. He regularly jammed with Axl Rose but ended up having a fight with him and he never recorded with them.

Wylde has stated that he has no respect for musicians who release material "not true to themselves". As a consequence, the band Limp Bizkit and their frontman Fred Durst are regularly ridiculed during Black Label Society's live events.

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. Wild rumours amongst internet discussion forums have alleged that the agents of several popular Hollywood actors have been approaching Zakk for roles.

Personal life

Wylde and his wife, Barbaranne, have 3 children; a 14-year-old daughter, Hayley-Rae, a 13-year-old son, Jesse John Michael (named after Ozzy Osbourne), and a 4-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 the late 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.

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). 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.

File:ZakkWylde.jpg
Zakk on "Aqua Teen Hunger Force"

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 metal scorpions armed with laser cannons.

He is a New York Yankees and New York Giants fan. He performed the National Anthem on the electric guitar during a New York Rangers game in October 2005. Also he has preformed the National Anthem on the electric guitar at two 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 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" and "Crazy Train".

Gear

File:Zakk's Guitars.JPG
Zakk Wylde and his Guitars

Zakk Wylde uses all of the following guitars on and off stage:

  • Gibson Les Paul Customs with Bullseye Graphics (Black/Mirrored, Red/Natural, Black/Vintage White, Black/Camoflauge)
  • Gibson "Buzzsaw" Les Paul Custom
  • Gibson "Black Label Society" Les Paul Custom
  • Gibson "Rebel" Les Paul Custom decorated with the confederate flag and bottle caps
  • Gibson "camo" 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
  • 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 a 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)
  • Gibson EDS-1275
  • Dean "Muddy Bullseye" Splittail with Bullseye Graphics
  • Custom Gibson guitar made similarly (V body combined with that of an SG) to the Dean "Muddy Bullseye"

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.

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 was asked to resign 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.

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

With Pride & Glory

Solo

File:SherinianWylde-1.jpg
Zakk Wylde & Derek Sherinian

With Derek Sherinian

With Black Label Society

With Ozzy Osbourne

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)

(The "Other appearances" section was taken from the SDMF World-Wide Website).

References


See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Zakk Wylde.
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