OSBOURNE's New Guitarist GUS G. To Make Debut At BLIZZCON

[CES]

One thing I'll give Ozzy is that he has a very unique voice, however I have talked with many other metal fans and most do agree with me that when it comes to the best singers Black Sabbath ever had they consider Dio to actually be the best.

Thing is, Dio has always had one of the best singing voices in Metal as a whole (alongside Halford). Neither left themselves half dead from drug and alcohol either.

Ozzy is like a senile old uncle. You keep him around out of sentimentality and a bit of amusement, beyond that you just put him in his chair and leave him be.

[Ragehead91]

I think Ozzy doesn't want to do this anymore but there always is Sharon...

[Ragehead91]

New OZZY OSBOURNE Guitarist GUS G.: It's An 'Honor' To Step Into ZAKK WYLDE's Shoes - Sep. 8, 2009
This month's issue of the Greek edition of Metal Hammer magazine features an exclusive interview with FIREWIND guitarist Gus G. about his current stint as the lead axeman in OZZY OSBOURNE's solo band. Gus explains how he came to be considered for the position, discusses his first audition with the Prince Of Darkness and expresses his admiration for Zakk Wylde, whom he replaced in Ozzy's group. Read on for some of Gus G.'s quotes from the interview. (Original Greek-language quotes translated for BLABBERMOUTH.NET by Hakos Pervanidis.)

On how the whole thing came about:

Gus: "I got a message on my MySpace page from Rob 'Blasko', Ozzy's bass player, asking me what was doing, if was living in America or not and saying that he wanted to talk to me. I never thought he'd want me for something like that [playing with Ozzy]. I initially thought that maybe he wanted to talk to me about doing a project or something and then he told me that one of Ozzfest's managers was looking for me. The manager said that they wanted me to fly out to Los Angeles immediately for a show that Ozzy was about to do in Anaheim, California."

On his first audition in Los Angeles:

Gus: "I went to the studio and they asked me to start playing right away. I met Ozzy's band first — the bass player and the drummer — and we jammed for quite some time, just to 'feel' each other's playing. While we were playing, Ozzy showed up and started to sing the songs, thus giving a huge boost to the whole thing. When it ended, everybody else came into the room and shut the door behind them — Ozzy, Sharon [Osbourne, Ozzy's wife/manager], the band, the managers… You can imagine how anxious I was feeling at this time! Then they came out and said that I got the job and that we're gonna play that BlizzCon show together."

His thoughts on Zakk Wylde:

Gus: "Zakk is a tremendous guitar player, just like all the guys that have played with Ozzy. In fact, Zakk is my favorite Ozzy guitar player ever and my biggest influence of them all! It's quite an honor for me to step into his shoes."

On the treatment he's going to give to all the Ozzy classics:

Gus: "Ozzy has had all those great guitar players in his band over the years and each one of them had a different approach to playing the songs, whether it was Tony Iommi, Randy Rhoads, Jake E. Lee or Zakk Wylde. I studied all those approaches quite thoroughly. You have to respect those songs and play them the way people want to hear them. Should I turn 'Crazy Train' into a power metal song? No way, man!"

On the future of FIREWIND, Gus G.'s own band:

Gus: "People shouldn't worry about the future of FIREWIND at all. We'll enter the studio in the autumn and we'll hopefully release a new album early next year. My co-operation with Ozzy doesn't take anything away from FIREWIND; on the contrary, it will gives it a whole new boost."

[hiro23]

I agree that Dio's treated himself and his body a whole lot better then Ozzy, I mean Hell Dio is older then Ozzy by about 6 or 7 years I think and he still moves around like he did 20 years ago.

Ozzy on the other hand shuffles along and does not perform like he did 20 years ago, the only thing that's held up on him is his voice.

As far as the gus g thing goes I actually have to agree with him in the fact that this may actually be a great thing for him and will get Firewind a lot more recognized in a very similar way that Black Label Society got famous. Yes I know that Zakk Wylde didn't start that band till later in his career but the point is still the same, the people who listen to Ozzy and his new line up will notice that Gus G does have another band and will most likely want to check it out, so in this regard hooking up with Ozzy will help more people hear Firewind in a way.

[Ragehead91]

Ozzy on the other hand shuffles along and does not perform like he did 20 years ago, the only thing that's held up on him is his voice.

As far as the gus g thing goes I actually have to agree with him in the fact that this may actually be a great thing for him and will get Firewind a lot more recognized in a very similar way that Black Label Society got famous. Yes I know that Zakk Wylde didn't start that band till later in his career but the point is still the same, the people who listen to Ozzy and his new line up will notice that Gus G does have another band and will most likely want to check it out, so in this regard hooking up with Ozzy will help more people hear Firewind in a way.

Nope. Not even that. His voice became even worse with time. At least in live shows.

Thing is that those people will expect Ozzy-like music and not a Power Metal Band.

[icecab21]

"ozzy is my anti drug" would make for a cool commercial. drugs did play a hand in who he is though but it would be interesting to see a alturnative path where he stayed clean.

[Ragehead91]

Well, he wouldn't be as famous I guess because drugs played a big part in creating the persona that is Ozzy.