During a chat with Kerrang, Zakk Wylde talked about Ozzy Osbourne behavior off stage, while also touching on the singer’s wife, Sharon Osbourne.
Here are a few takes off the interview:
Everyone has an idea of what Ozzy is like based on his larger-than-life public persona, but how is he in private?
”Friends who’ve known Ozzy ever since he was eight years old have all said the same thing, that no matter how much money he’s had or how much fame he’s had, he’s always been the same as he was back in school.
“He takes the piss out of himself all the time. Even if you just sit around watching TV with him, you’ll be on the floor crying and laughing.
“It’s a miracle that any work ever gets done. He’s hysterical all the time. We get together, we jam and we go home.”
Your Instagram feed is a fine example of a musician who doesn’t take themselves too seriously. What makes you laugh?
”The movie ‘Animal House’ and stuff like that. I re-watch a lot of old ‘Seinfeld’ episodes, too.
“As far as social media goes, I think it’s cool that you can let everybody know what you’re up to, what the band’s currently doing and where you’re going to be in the world. I just like having a good time with it all.”
You don’t feature on Ozzy’s latest album ‘Ordinary Man,’ but do you think you’ll record with him again someday?
”If he wants to do it, without a doubt. He’ll say, ‘Zakk, if you have any riffs lying around, then let me hear them and we’ll take it from there.’ [When my daughter got married] Ozzy and his family were there. They remember the day she was born. It’s pretty crazy how time flies, man.”
You’ve known Sharon Osbourne since you were 19. What sort of influence has she had on your life?
”I lovingly refer to her as Mom. She’s been like a mother figure to me since then. My life wouldn’t be what it is without them, that’s a fact.
“I wouldn’t have Black Label and I wouldn’t have been able to do Pride and Glory or anything. Everything I have, I owe it to them. They took a 19-year-old kid and gave him the opportunity of a lifetime.”