Zakk Wylde on The Phone Call to Audition for Ozzy Osbourne's Band

Why It Matters

The anecdote shows that personal connections and informal mentorship can fast‑track talent into iconic bands, offering a blueprint for aspiring musicians.

Key Takeaways

• Sharon Osbourne called Zakk's parents to arrange audition.
• A transatlantic call delay caused initial confusion about the invitation.
• Ozzy flew Zakk to Los Angeles for a face‑to‑face audition.
• Ozzy told Zakk to ‘play with your heart’ during audition.
• A humorous sandwich anecdote revealed Ozzy’s quirky mentorship style.

Summary

In a recent interview, guitarist Zakk Wylde recounts the unlikely phone call that launched his career with Ozzy Osbourne.

He explains that Sharon Osbourne placed a call to his parents’ home when he was 19, and a delayed transatlantic connection made him think it was a prank. The call led to an invitation to fly to Los Angeles, where he met Azie and auditioned for Ozzy.

Ozzy’s feedback was famously blunt—“play with your heart”—and the conversation turned comedic when Ozzy joked about a ham sandwich, coleslaw, and washing hands, illustrating his off‑beat mentorship.

The story underscores how personal networks and serendipity can open doors in the music business, while also highlighting Ozzy’s unconventional yet supportive leadership that shaped Wylde’s rise to fame.

Original Description

Introducing Revolver's new podcast 'Gnarly Origins,' hosted by Jimmy Hubbard, and featuring Zakk Wylde as the first guest. In the debut episode, Zakk looks back on the wild early years that led him from a New Jersey gas station to Ozzy Osbourne’s band — including the phone call that changed his life.⁠

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