Zakk Wylde on Jimi Hendrix's Influence of His Riff-Writing for Ozzy

Why It Matters

Understanding Hendrix’s influence reveals the cross‑generational DNA of metal riffs, informing both artists’ creative choices and fans’ appreciation of genre heritage.

Key Takeaways

• Hendrix's "Foxy Lady" riff inspired Wylde's Ozzy metal riffs.
• Wylde transformed classic riff into half‑time, modern metal feel.
• Multiple versions exist; origins trace back to blues roots.
• Wylde acknowledges possible Muddy Waters influence on Hendrix.
• Riff development was spontaneous, not pre‑written before studio sessions.

Summary

In a recent interview, guitarist Zakk Wylde explains how Jimi Hendrix’s playing shaped the riff‑writing process for Ozzy Osbourne’s solo material.

Wylde points to the opening motif of Hendrix’s “Foxy Lady” as the template, describing his version as a “down‑down‑down” half‑time adaptation that he then “modernized” for contemporary metal. He notes that the same rhythmic idea appears on Ozzy’s “Diary of a Madman,” suggesting three distinct variations trace back to the original.

“It was basically Foxy Lady down down down… I took that riff and made it modern metal,” Wylde says, adding that the lineage may even stretch to Muddy Waters, highlighting the blues‑rock continuum that fuels heavy‑metal songwriting.

The anecdote underscores how classic rock and blues motifs are repurposed in modern metal, offering fans insight into the creative borrowing that defines genre evolution and reinforcing the commercial value of riff‑centric songwriting.

Original Description

Zakk Wylde is the first guest on our new podcast 'Gnarly Origins,' hosted by our own Jimmy Hubbard. In the debut episode, Zakk looks back on the wild formative experiences that led him from a New Jersey gas station to Ozzy Osbourne’s band — including how Jimi Hendrix influenced his riff-writing in his new gig.⁠

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Watch the full episode on YouTube or stream wherever you listen to podcasts.