Ozzy Osbourne to Reunite With Zakk Wylde for Summer Tour
Ozzy Osbourne will reunite with longtime guitarist Zakk Wylde for a summer tour that marks the 30th anniversary of when the two first collaborated together.
The Black Sabbath singer and Wylde first teamed up in 1987 when the guitarist replaced Osbourne’s then-guitarist Jake E. Lee. Wylde contributed to Osbourne solo album stretching from 1988’s No Rest for the Wicked to 2007’s Black Rain, which was the last Ozzy album to feature the guitarist.
“I haven’t fallen out with Zakk, but Zakk’s got his own band, and I felt like my stuff was beginning to sound like Black Label Society,” Osbourne said in 2009 after revealing he was parting ways with Wylde. “I just felt like I wanted a change, you know?”
So far, the duo has announced four dates together, their first tour since 2006, although Wylde played sporadically with Osbourne’s Ozzy and Friends unit. The four summer dates will also be Osbourne’s first solo shows since 2015, with “additional dates to be announced in the coming weeks.”
Osbourne and Wylde will be joined on the road by the singer’s go-to touring unit of bassist Blasko, drummer Tommy Clufetos and keyboardist Adam Wakeman.
“I’m so happy to be getting back on the road with Zakk, Blasko, Tommy and Adam,” Osbourne said in a statement. “This is what I do. This is where I belong, on the road.”
The singer also reiterated his plans to record a new solo album that will arrive in 2018; it’s unclear if Wylde will also take part in the recording.
Ozzy Osbourne Tour Dates
July 14 – Oshkosh, WI @ Rock USA
July 16 – Chicago, IL @ Chicago Open Air Festival
August 9 – Sturgis, SD @ The Legendary Buffalo Chip
August 21 – Cartersville, IL @ Moonstock Festival