The Shred Guitarist Invited to Ozzy Audition Before Zakk Joined

From 1983 to 1987, guitarist Jake E. Lee was an integral a part of Ozzy Osbourne’s band, so naturally, Ozzy (alongside spouse/supervisor Sharon) searched far and extensive for an acceptable alternative following Lee’s departure.

Unsurprisingly, one of many candidates was Impellitteri founder Chris Impellitteri, and in in a brand new chat with Guitar World, the revered neo-classical shredder revealed each the circumstances that led to his audition and why he determined in opposition to becoming a member of if supplied.

Concerning the Audition

Per Guitar World, Impellitteri says that he obtained a name from the Osbournes between the time Lee was about to be fired and when Zakk Wylde finally obtained the job (so, someday in 1987). “Let me not exaggerate . . . as a result of it’s been so a few years,” Impellitteri clarifies, including:

What I bear in mind – and I don’t know if Jake [E. Lee] was nonetheless within the band – that I used to be residing in an residence and I had roommates. I got here house one evening from rehearsal, and my roommate goes, “Oh, you have to hearken to this message,” which stated, “That is Sharon Osbourne. Me and Ozzy have been checking you out, and we actually love your guitar enjoying. We would like you to come back down and audition.”

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Why He Could not Be a part of If He Wished To

Though Impellitteri was flattered by their curiosity in him – and he did present up for the audition – he knew that his latest signing with a label would stop him from formally getting into Ozzy’s band.

He explains: “I talked to Sharon, and I believe Ozzy, most likely three to 5 occasions. There was some backwards and forwards. The issue was that I’d already signed a take care of Relativity [Records]. I had an legal professional on the time named Peter Paterno and he was annoyed and goes, ‘Chris, why did not you do the gig?’’

Impellitteri additionally specifies that regardless of by no means formally being supplied the gig (he was simply requested to “come down and play with them”), he knew that Ozzy and firm have been “very ” in him. After enjoying a few songs with Ozzy, Impellitteri selected to honor his contract with Relativity and forge forward along with his personal challenge.

The remaining, because the saying goes, is historical past.

Nonetheless, Impellitteri thinks that if he did wind up with Ozzy, he would possibly’ve steered him in a unique trajectory: “When you hearken to the brand new [Impellitteri] report, Warfare Machine, I promise you that loads of the stuff we do has components of Randy Rhoads.”

He contemplates:

Let’s say all the pieces labored out with Ozzy, and I joined, proper? I do not assume I might have needed to do a report within the course that he went [with 1988’s No Rest of the Wicked]. And by the way in which, these data with Zakk [Wylde] are wonderful and Zakk’s an exceptional participant. I actually love him.

I might have needed to do one thing extra like Blizzard of Ozz or Diary of a Madman. At that time in his profession, Zakk and people songs elevated Ozzy, so think about when you had this little brat child like me, going, “No, no, no, we’ll do one other Diary of a Madman.” [laughs]. Would which have been a optimistic factor for Ozzy or a destructive? That change was orchestrated because the panorama was altering and Ozzy, who was already huge, turned even larger.

Suffice it to say that issues labored out for everybody concerned.

Impellitteri + Ozzy in 2024

Talking of Impellitteri’s newest LP – Warfare Machine – it launched earlier this yr through Frontiers Music SRL and options Slayer drummer Paul Bostaph.

As for Ozzy, his bat plushie made our listing of 20 toys for youths (and their mother and father) who hearken to metallic, and he not too long ago revealed a singular concept for one remaining Black Sabbath reunion present.