Jeffrey Phillip Wielandt was born on January 14, 1967. Known worldwide as Zakk Wylde , the guitarist was responsible for bringing to life a series of songs from different groups and projects.
Born in Bayonne, New Jersey, the musician began his journey in the music world early. His first contact with the guitar, the instrument he would come to master, happened at the age of eight.
Initially, he played in small venues with unknown bands, and his first major work, which would also become one of his most important, came in 1987.
He became part of Ozzy Osbourne , but Wylde's time with the group was short-lived between the late 1980s and 1990s, as the Madman announced his retirement shortly afterward.
Meanwhile, the short-lived project, Pride & Glory , took shape and featured in its lineup the current Megadeth , James LoMenzo , and drummer Greg D'Angelo , both from the hard rock band White Lion .
In 1994, they released their only album, self-titled, with the band breaking up that same year.
Osbourne's career didn't end, and in 1995, the album Ozzmosis , but it must be admitted that the most successful work resulting from the collaboration between Wylde and Osbourne is the record No More Tears , released in 1992.
Following this launch, Joe Holmes took over the position previously held by Wylde.
It wasn't until 2007 that he was credited again on the Prince of Darkness's work, this time with the album Black Rain . His most recent work with the vocalist is Patient Number 9 , from 2022.
The guitarist also came close to joining Guns N' Roses . The situation for the band wasn't the best, with fights between members and changes in personnel.
In 1995, he received a phone call from Axl Rose inviting him to play with them and do some rehearsals, but the opportunity ultimately didn't materialize.
Completely changing course from what he had been doing while working with Ozzy Osbourne, he released his solo work, titled Book Of Shadows .
The time he spent away from Ozzy Osbourne's backing band was not wasted. In 1999, Zakk Wylde founded another of his major projects, Black Label Society , a band that has been active for over twenty years.
Currently featuring its leader on vocals, guitar and piano, John (JD) DeServio on bass, Jeff Fabb on drums and Dario Lorina on rhythm guitar, the group has a vast discography.
In 2022, Pantera announced a reunion tour as a tribute to Vinnie Paul and Dimebag Darrell . Even though he wasn't the first choice to fill the position , Zakk Wylde became the guitarist for the project, and he came to Brazil that same year for the first edition of Knotfest Brasil.
Besides him, the band currently consists of Philip Anselmo (vocals), Rex Brown (bass), and Charlie Benante (drums).
He also stated that they don't plan to record new music. On the subject, the guitarist explained in an interview with Loudwire : “Obviously, if we ever did something, it would be under a different name, you know what I mean. Like Jimmy Page playing with Paul Rodgers , they are The Firm . They're not going to go out like Led Zeppelin .”
In June 2024, the guitarist returns to Brazil for performances at the Best Of Blues And Rock festival. With editions in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Curitiba, and Belo Horizonte, tickets are already available on the Eventim .
He brings his project Zakk Sabbath , which features Black Sabbath , and includes John “JD” DeServio on bass and Joey Castillo on drums.
Currently, the group has two albums in its discography, Vertigo , from 2020, and Doomed Forever Forever Doomed , released in 2024.
Zakk Wylde is widely recognized as one of the greatest musicians in the history of metal, leaving his mark on music history forever.
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