Ozzy Osbourne reunites with Zakk Wylde

The search for Ozzy Osbourne's new guitar player is over, and the winner is...the guy who left the gig in the first place. Osbourne has reunited with Zakk Wylde, who'd been his guitarist since the 1989 album No Rest For The Wicked. A statement released from the Osborne office reads, "Ozzy would like to thank everyone who took the time to send in submissions to be his new guitar player. At the time we announced the search, Zakk Wylde's itinerary with Black Label Society was quite overwhelming. Fortunately, Zakk has now been able to go back and rearrange his schedule to make sure that he would be available to write, record, and tour with Ozzy in 2006 and beyond. Therefore, the search for a new axe man has been called off. We sincerely apologize to all of the talented musicians (and there were lots of them) who were excited by this incredible opportunity and we wish you the best of luck with all of your future musical endeavors."

Ozzy previously told us that when he looks for new musicians, he goes for substance over style every time: "When I audition guitar players, I go, 'I don't want to know how fast you can play, I don't want to know if you can stand on your head and play it through your butt, or whatever -- just give me a riff that'll make a kid want to go out and buy a guitar.' Simple, but effective -- how (much) more simple can you get than (the Kinks song) 'You Really Got Me'? Just go (sings opening guitar part)."
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