Happy Birthday, Zakk Wylde! (1/14/67)

byFrankB-1

6.6K followers

Updated 11 months ago

(Title image generated by DALL-E 3)

Hi, WA Friends!

Please help me celebrate Zakk Wylde's birthday, a name that resonates with the roar of heavy metal!

A Little History

Zakk was born on January 14, 1967, in Bayonne, New Jersey, as Jeffrey Phillip Wielandt.

Although Zakk had two solo albums, his career took off when he was selected by Ozzy Osbourne in 1987, a move that catapulted him into the limelight and solidified his position as a guitar virtuoso.

His fierce playing style, marked by blistering pinch harmonics and fluid pentatonic scales, became a signature of Ozzy's sound, particularly in albums like "No More Tears." Beyond Ozzy,

Zakk founded the heavy metal band Black Label Society in 1998, showcasing his skills as a frontman and his unique blend of metal.

Equipment (For WA "GearHeads" only)

Zakk's sound is as distinct as his image, thanks to his choice of equipment. Here’s a breakdown:

Guitars:

• Gibson Les Paul Custom – His mainstay, often adorned with his trademark bullseye design.
• Wylde Audio Guitars – His own brand, featuring models like the Odin and Warhammer.
• Gibson Flying V and Dean Razorback – Used occasionally for specific sounds.

Amplifiers:

• Marshall JCM800 2203 – A staple in his rig, often modded to his specifications.
• Wylde Audio Amps – Including models like the Master 100.

Effects Pedals:

• Dunlop ZW-45 Zakk Wylde Signature Wah – A key component for his expressive solos.
• MXR ZW-44 Berzerker Overdrive – For that extra push over the cliff.
• Chorus, Delay, and Phaser – Used sparingly to add depth and dimension to his tone.

The Zakk Wylde Signature Bullseye Les Paul Guitar

The Gibson Bullseye Les Paul has Zakk's distinctive "bullseye" design, featuring concentric circles of black and white. This custom model has a maple top and mahogany body, a thick neck profile for a solid grip, and a bound ebony fretboard with jumbo frets for enhanced playability.

Equipped with high-output EMG 81 and 85 active pickups, the guitar delivers a clear, punchy tone with tons of sustain, ideal for Zakk's signature metal sound.

Gibson's Custom Shop has released several iterations of this signature model, as well as more cost-friendly versions through their Epiphone line.

Zakk Wylde Gibson Bullseye Les Paul

Honors and Awards

While Zakk Wylde hasn't collected a slew of major industry awards, his talent and contribution to the world of hard rock and metal haven't gone unnoticed. Here's a comprehensive list of his official honors and awards, courtesy of ChatGPT.

Major Recognitions:

• Hollywood Walk of Fame Star (2006): This prestigious honor recognizes Zakk's impactful career and lasting influence on the music industry.
• Metal Hammer Golden God Award (2010): Awarded by the esteemed Metal Hammer magazine, this distinction celebrates his achievements as a guitarist and frontman.

Industry Accolades:

• 4th Annual Loudwire Music Awards - Guitarist of the Year (2014): Voted by fans on Loudwire, a prominent rock and metal website, recognizing his exceptional guitar skills.
• 2017 Loudwire Music Awards - Best Guitarist (Presented by Paul Reed Smith Guitars): Another fan-voted recognition of his consistent musical excellence.

Honorary Roles:

• Guest Editor for Classic Rock Magazine (2013): Invited to curate the magazine's content for an issue, highlighting his influence and editorial skills.
• Fronted Zakk Sabbath, a Black Sabbath tribute band (2016-present): Honoring the legacy of his musical heroes and keeping their iconic music alive for new generations.

Additional Recognition:

• Grammy Award win (1994) for "I Don't Want to Change the World" (Ozzy Osbourne) - co-written by Zakk.
• Featured on numerous "best guitarist" lists by major publications and online outlets.
• Renowned for his electrifying live performances, earning legions of dedicated fans worldwide.

Discography

Here is a fairly extensive discography courtesy of ChatGPT. I highly recommend you listen to everything Zakk did, but at least check out "No More Tears" (1991) and "Mafia" (2005).

Zakk Wylde Solo Albums:

• "Book of Shadows" (1996)
• "Book of Shadows II" (2016)

With Ozzy Osbourne:

• "No Rest for the Wicked" (1988)
• "Just Say Ozzy" (EP) (1990)
• "No More Tears" (1991)
• "Live & Loud" (1993)
• "Ozzmosis" (1995)
• "Down to Earth" (2001)
• "Live at Budokan" (2002)
• "Black Rain" (2007)
• "Scream" (2010) - although he did not play on the album, he was involved in its supporting tour

Pride & Glory (Zakk Wylde's side project):

• "Pride & Glory" (1994)

Black Label Society:

• "Sonic Brew" (1999)
• "Stronger Than Death" (2000)
• "1919 Eternal" (2002)
• "The Blessed Hellride" (2003)
• "Hangover Music Vol. VI" (2004)
• "Mafia" (2005)
• "Shot to Hell" (2006)
• "Order of the Black" (2010)
• "The Song Remains Not the Same" (2011)
• "Unblackened" (Live Album) (2013)
• "Catacombs of the Black Vatican" (2014)
• "Grimmest Hits" (2018)

Collaborations and Guest Appearances:
Zakk Wylde has made numerous guest appearances on albums by other artists and contributed to various tribute albums. Here are a few notable examples:

• "Bullseye" - Guest solo on Derek Sherinian's album "Inertia" (2001)
• "Stillborn" - Guest vocals by Ozzy Osbourne on Black Label Society's "The Blessed Hellride" (2003)

Let me know what you think of Zakk's playing style in the comments.

Happy Birthday, Zakk! 🎂

Keep On Rockin'! 🤘

Frank 🎸

~ 60% Human-written content.