GOOD NEWS FOR OZZY FANS

Most Ozzy Osbourne fans know that Oz is getting ready to release a new album, Scream, next month. It features a brand new band: the guitarist's name is Gus G. and the new drummer is Tommy Clufetos (formerly of Rob Zombie and Alice Cooper's bands) and returning on bass is another former Rob Zombie guy, Blasko. Ozzy says that long time guitarist Zakk Wylde was making the record sound more like his band, Black Label Society, and drummer Mike Bordin is of course touring with the reunited Faith No More. Ozzy is also headlining an eight date Ozzfest, which will also feature Motley Crue and Rob Halford.

But for the old school fans, here's a really exciting bit of info. Ozzy is releasing 30th anniversary editions of his first two solo albums, Blizzard Of Oz and Diary Of A Madman. Why is that exciting?  Well, a couple of years back, Ozzy and Sharon were in a legal battle with the rhythm section from those albums, bassist Bob Daisley and drummer Lee Kerslake. Sharon is a formidable enemy, and in response, she had Ozzy's then-current rhythm section, Mike Bordin and bassist Robert Trujilio, re-record the bass and drum tracks, and re-issued the albums like that. I didn't dig that, and neither did lots of other fans. I don't know what the lawsuit was about, and I don't care, don't mess with history like that. Anyway, now they're reissuing the remastered albums (the only albums featuring the legendary Randy Rhoads, who should get into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a sideman) with the original rhythm tracks.

OZZY: OZZFEST WILL RETURN, ZAKK WYLDE WON'T

In his new interview in Rolling Stone, Ozzy Osbourne says that Ozzfest will return this summer after taking last summer off. He didn't mention if it would be a one-weekend "destination" festival as it was two years ago, or a summer tour, which is what it had been for years before that. He also confirms that Zakk Wylde is no longer in his band, and that he has replaced him with someone named Gus G. I wonder if Mike Bordin is still the drummer, since his band Faith No More has reunited. 

Anyway, I just started reading his book I Am Ozzy, which really shows how hard he had it growing up.  It's amazing that he got to where he is today, given the conditions he grew up in.

HAS OZZY ALREADY REPLACED ZAKK WYLDE?

I wonder what the real reason behind Ozzy Osbourne (allegedly) ditching Zakk Wylde is. But rumors seem to be circulating on the web, including on the metal site Blabbermouth, that Ozzy is now working with a guitarist called Gus G. So, now Oz is gonna have beef with two of the most important guitarists in his life: Zakk and Tony Iommi. It's a shame. Ozzy doesn't have many years left as a heavy metal frontman, and I wish he would finish it on good terms with Tony and Black Sabbath, and with Zakk as well.

OZZY TO DUMP ZAKK?

Zakk Wylde has been playing guitar for Ozzy Osbourne, on and off, for like 20 years. Almost as important as his guitar playing is the fact that he is sort of the quality control guy in the Ozzy organization. He's not intimidated by Ozzy or Sharon, and is quick to point out when Ozzy's album is going in a non-metal direction. So it's a bummer that Ozzy has been saying that he's getting rid of Zakk. Worse, Zakk said (via twitter) that he hasn't heard about it. I hope that this is just a rumor, I think Ozzy needs Zakk. The other rumor is that he's looking at John 5 of Rob Zombie's band (and formerly of Marilyn Manson). Good musician, bad choice. Stick with Zakk, Ozzy.

I interviewed Zakk a few years ago, about the time that the film Rock Star was about to come out -- he essentially played himself in the film. I asked him about the rumors that Sony was trying to get The Offspring to write a song for Ozzy, he said, "Who, 'Shitspring?' Not on my watch, brother!" I'd also heard that Dave Grohl (who wrote a really cool song for Tony Iommi's first solo album) was going to contribute a song. "The guy from 'Shitvana?' Dude, this is Ozzy Osbourne we're talking about!" I don't agree with him on everything (but thank god Offspring didn't write a song for Ozzy) but there's no one else in his organization who would just say, "crap idea!" He needs that.