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MYSTERIOUS: 2 | Mind Blowing Facts

“The last text I got from Oz said, ‘Zakky, sorry, it was like a madhouse back there. I didn’t see you. Thanks for everything’”: Zakk Wylde looks back on his closer-than-close relationship with Ozzy Osbourne, and their final moments together onstage

Wylde was the Black Sabbath icon's guitarist and friend for decades. He reflects on his instant connection with the Prince of Darkness, how their relationship evolved both on and offstage, and that emotional final show at Back to the Beginning

Guitar World

“I just walked off the stage. I wanted Jake to have his moment. And Jake nailed it”: Nuno Bettencourt on why he handed Shot Of The Dark over to Jake E Lee at Ozzy's farewell show

Bettencourt says Lee was far too humble and had to remind him that he had done the impossible by not only replacing Randy Rhoads but taking Ozzy Osbourne to “another place”

MusicRadar

"Listening to this, it’s like going back to a good time, but a really horrible time at the same time."The story behind the song that saved Ozzy Osbourne's career (and why it gave him mixed emotions over three decades later)

After being dumped from Black Sabbath in 1979, Ozzy Osbourne needed a big comeback. And boy did he find it

Metal Hammer

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"A triumphant two fingers to everyone who had written him off": Why Diary Of A Madman deserves to be remembered as more than the album that kicked off Ozzy's crazy years

A year on from Blizzard Of Ozz, Diary Of A Madman found Ozzy Osbourne and his band at their fiery peak, just before it all came crashing down - watch exclusive video

Metal Hammer

“Bernie was playing right out of Randy’s pedalboard and amp. He said Randy’s pedalboard was doing changes on its own”: Bernie Tormé only played seven gigs with Ozzy Osbourne – but he saved the Black Sabbath frontman’s career

Flown in at short notice after Rhoads' death, the Irish Strat magician would soon leave Ian Gillan, Phil Lewis, and Tracii Guns – among many others – with blown minds

Guitar World

"Did you ever have one of those days when you want to go out, buy an enormous bag of coke and dive into it face-first?" Memories of a Hollywood night out with Ozzy Osbourne

In 1987, Ozzy Osbourne released the Randy Rhoads-era live album Tribute, and one UK writer travelled to Los Angeles to brave the promotional chaos

Metal Hammer

“Randy tells me that you’re the guy, and we just auditioned a bunch of hacks”: How Rudy Sarzo said no to Sharon Osbourne and still got the Ozzy gig – with a little help from Randy Rhoads

The former Quiet Riot and Ozzy bassist recalls how he turned down the offer of an audition, immediately regretted it, and got the second chance of all second chances

Guitar World

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“He our admiration for his music and our respect for his talent for recognizing guitar genius”: The life and times of Ozzy Osbourne – metal’s godfather and Prince of Darkness

Remembering John “Ozzy” Osbourne, the frontman who breathed life into heavy metal and found some of its greatest guitar players

Guitar World

"He had all the best qualities you’d want in somebody." Zakk Wylde speaks about Ozzy Osbourne for the first time since his death

Zakk Wylde sings the praises of late friend Ozzy and says his toughness was among his most impressive qualities

Metal Hammer

“I played Flying High Again with no amp. He jumped up after I finished the solo and gave me a hug. He said, ‘I love you, Bradley – pull me through’”: Wigs, fake blood, and Ferrari jumpsuits – Brad Gillis on what it was like to be Ozzy Osbourne’s guitarist

They were in the Helmsley Palace Hotel Presidential Suite. Gillis sat on the end of the bed playing his '62 Strat. Ozzy was cross-legged on the floor. Gillis nailed the part, and got the gig; the rest is history...

Guitar World

“I was not expecting how open and honest Sharon Osbourne was”: From Randy Rhoads to Chuck Schuldiner, new docuseries Into The Void is bringing heavy metal’s human stories to the mainstream

We talk to Jason Eisener and Evan Husney – co-creators of new eight-episode series Into The Void: Life, Death & Heavy Metal – about bringing some of metal’s darkest days to TV screens

Metal Hammer

“Ozzy had a problem with my short hair. Sharon had a problem with my green guitar – she said it looked like a booger”: The unlucky 13 guitarists who auditioned for Ozzy Osbourne – but didn’t make the grade

A procession of all-time guitar greats tried their hand with the Prince of Darkness but were ultimately rejected – sometimes for surprising reasons

Guitar World

“We’ve seen a few YouTubers turn their hand to guitar making, but this new one might just be my favorite”: All the new guitar gear that has caught my eye this week – including a triumphant return for one of Gibson’s most sought-after builds

Fender, Ernie Ball Music Man, Jackson, and a load of new Gibson drops headline this week’s round-up

Guitar World

“I did like Bob Dylan, but he was a great con man! He strung a lot of nonsense together and made it seem like it was really important”: Motörhead legend Lemmy Kilmister’s opinions on Dylan, the Eagles, Slayer and his friend Ozzy Osbourne

“Some of the Eagles' songs are fantastic," he said

MusicRadar

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Guitar World

“I grabbed his hand saying, ‘Thank you for everything.’ He goes, ‘You were the only guitar player who said no to me’”: Nuno Bettencourt remembers his final exchange with Ozzy Osbourne – a reminder of the gig he once turned down

As a 15-year-old, Bettencourt auditioned to become Randy Rhoads’ replacement. When the gig presented itself years later, he declined

Guitar World

“The guitar I play live is secretly a Squier. I replaced the neck plate – I was like, ‘I’m too big for this!’” How Frankensteined Fenders and vintage Gibsons supercharged the rise of Jack White-backed rockers Die Spitz

With a yin and yang guitar partnership, rarebreed pedals and a DIY attitude, the Texans’ blend of metal, punk and shoegaze is the latest addition to Third Man Records’ roster

Guitar World

“It’s taken 3 years, but a more affordable spin-off of one of the 21st century’s most advanced guitar designs has finally landed”: All the new guitar gear that has caught my eye this week – including the most extravagant acoustic you will see all year

A $99,999 SJ-200, two Randy Rhoads tributes, and some visionary electrics from Ibanez – here are all the gear launches that you might have missed from the past seven days

Guitar World

“We did a trade, but he owed some money. The guy whose guitar it was had the cops pull me off stage to get it back”: Phil Demmel’s new Jackson Polka Dot signature King V pays homage to his first Randy Rhoads Jackson model – and the guitar god himself

The Rhoads-honoring model serves as a full-circle moment for Demmel, who acquired his first Jackson – also a Randy Rhoads V – under some sketchy circumstances

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Guitar World

“I was starstruck when I first met Ozzy. He said he had ‘a good feeling’ about me. He just encouraged me to play with my heart”: Gus G on growing up on Black Sabbath, playing with Ozzy Osbourne – and why Tony Iommi’s style was the hardest to master

Gus G reflects on a life-changing moment when he joined the likes of Randy Rhoads, Jake E. Lee and Zakk Wylde as one of the few to be chosen by Ozzy as his shredder-in-chief

MusicRadar

“Creating the tribute to Randy Rhoads with the polka dots back in 2009 was something special, so it’s nice to pay homage with this”: Jackson and Phil Demmel salute late Ozzy guitarist with limited edition Pro Series signature King V

Strapped with a pair of active EMGs, a recessed Floyd Rose 1000 Series, plus a mahogany body for "endless sustain", the thrash stalwart's new King V is unapologetically metal

MusicRadar

“The first run sold out quickly, leaving fans clamouring for another chance at those iconic tones”: Good news for Randy Rhoads fans – his MXR Distortion+ is back, and you have got to see its stunning special edition “Concorde” finish

All about the crazy train! This special edition reissue presents the late Ozzy guitarist's signature distortion in white with black pinstripes, gold knobs FTW...

Guitar World

“I sat on the bed while he sat on the floor. He jumped up after I finished the solo and gave me a hug. He cried out, ‘I love you, Bradley’”: Brad Gillis remembers the moment he got the Ozzy Osbourne gig

The Night Ranger guitarist stepped in to help Ozzy complete his tour after the tragic death of Randy Rhoads

Guitar World

“We took Randy’s pedalboard out for the first time and did the first pedal with the polka dots. We’re releasing a second one”: MXR’s latest Randy Rhoads Distortion is inspired by another of the guitar great’s iconic axes – the Jackson Concorde

The second pedal honoring the Ozzy Osbourne guitarist was painstakingly spec’d from Randy’s original Distortion+

Guitar World

“Tony Iommi didn’t want a song by another guitarist on a Sabbath record.I never saw the money. But hearing Dio perform my song was unforgettable”: Jimi Bell may have lost out to Zakk Wylde in his Ozzy Osbourne audition, but he has no regrets

The drummer turned guitarist remains grateful for what Sharon Osbourne, Geezer Butler, Joan Jett and Randy Rand did for him, as he preps original music from his Deep Purple tribute band

Guitar World

“It’s like walking in to a Walmart to see Eddie Van Halen and Randy Rhoads politely sharing Hendrix riffs”: Underrated guitar hero Danny Gatton to be honored with release of first new album in nearly 20 years

Danny Gatton and Funhouse – Live at the Holiday Inn finds the unsung rockabilly maestro tearing through jazz standards from a gig in 1987

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