Zakk has been voted "Most Valuable Player" for three successive years in the "Guitar World" (US) magazine polls. In 2005, he was also voted "Best Metal Guitarist", "Number 1 Shredder" and received the "Metal Hammer" (UK magazine) "Riff Lord" and "Golden God" awards.
Wylde has done numerous "guest" appearances on many albums, such as the debut album for Damageplan as guest vocalist, as well as Derek Sherinian's album "Black Utopia" alongside Yngwie Malmsteen, among others.
Zakk's film credits include Rock Star (As "Ghode", guitarist of the ficticious band Steel Dragon) and the concert DVD Boozed, Broozed, and Broken-Boned (Certified Platinum), recorded at Harpo's in Detroit, MI. It was the first time in the concert hall's history that all of the alcohol had been consumed on one night (Zakk's favorite beer is Sierra Nevada Pale Ale). He has also done a comedy skit show alongside Jim Breuer, titled "Crapshoot", which is now available on DVD.
Wylde has also appeared as a guest star on the TV show Aqua Teen Hunger Force. He is a New York Yankees and New York Giants fan. He also performed the National Anthem on the electric guitar during a New York Rangers game in October 2005.
Zakk and his wife, Barbaranne, have 3 children and live outside of Los Angeles. He was a close friend of the deceased Dimebag Darrell since 1993, exchanging guitars in admiration for one another as fellow guitarists. Dimebag had given Zakk one of his custom Dean guitars with the trademark "bulls-eye" design on it shortly before the guitarist's untimely death. Wylde dedicated the song "In This River" to Dimebag, citing that although the song wasn't originally written for him, the lyrics were fitting to the situation. He dedicates each live performance of the song to Dimebag.
Zakk started playing the guitar at the age of 15 and used to work at Silverton Music in Silverton, NJ. He practiced guitar as much as 12 hours per day. Often, he would play the guitar almost non-stop between coming home from school and leaving for school the next morning. He would then sleep through the school day.
Growing up, Zakk played locally with his first band called "Stone Henge" then later with local Jersey band "Zyris". Years later, a virtually unknown 19 year-old Zakk landed the coveted role as lead guitarist and co-writer for Ozzy Osbourne. He sent Ozzy a demo tape in 1987 and was hired to replace the departed Jake E. Lee. Jake replaced the deceased Randy Rhoads, an idol of Zakk's, for whom he even built a shrine.
It is said that Wylde, at the age of 19, was hired after only one audition. Zakk's then-girlfriend (now wife) Barbaranne heard Ozzy was looking for a new guitarist on the Howard Stern radio show and sent him a mix tape. Ozzy dismissed the tape among thousands of others as "just another Randy Rhoads clone". But a couple weeks later, Ozzy's drummer at the time told him he'd found this great guitarist from New Jersey. Zakk recalled how he received a phone call from Sharon (thinking it was one of his friends' mother) telling him there was a ticket for him to fly out and audition for Ozzy. Ozzy soon recognized him from the tape and press kit, and hired him as his new guitarist.
Ozzy had run through many hopefuls following Lee's departure. At his fated audition, Zakk reminisces that he was hired on the spot even before he started playing, when he was still tuning his guitar. He first appeared in No Rest for the Wicked in 1988 with Ozzy Osbourne. In addition to Black Label Society, Zakk has been part of a Southern style blues band called "Pride & Glory" that released one self-titled album before disbanding. He has also released an acoustic solo project entitled "Book of Shadows" that contained a much different style of music than he had been accustomed to producing in the past.
Gibson Les Paul Custom "Bulls-eye" Zakk Wylde Signature Model Guitar
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Gibson Les Paul Custom "Bulls-eye" Zakk Wylde Signature Model Guitar
Zakk Wylde's guitar-playing style is usually characterized by his use of pinch harmonics (often confused with artificial harmonics), and his guitar soloing technique is usually characterized by his use of the minor pentatonic scale, playing rapid box-pattern licks using strict alternate-picking, creating a very distinctive, choppy attack, compared to the more fluid playing styles of other rock guitarists. Another notable feature of Zakk's playing is his liberal use of "chicken pickin' ", a technique which is usually associated with country music, and which is (comparatively) rarely seen in heavy metal; a technique he has picked up from watching Albert Lee, one of his influences.
He is known for his use of Gibson Les Paul Custom model guitars with a unique "bulls-eye" graphic on them, a design he used to deliberately differentiate himself visually (despite having a similar hairdo) from Randy Rhoads - who was also frequently identified by his white Les Paul Custom. Interestingly, one of Zakk's favorite stage guitars of late is a replica of Rhoads' Flying V. The "bulls-eye" paint job was originally supposed to look like the spiral from the movie Vertigo, but when it came back incorrect from the luthier, he liked the result and stuck with it.
Zakk's signature Les Pauls include, a red and flame-maple bulls-eye model, a black and antique-white bulls-eye model, an orange "buzz-saw" model, which Zakk got the pattern off a zippo lighter, and a "camo" bulls-eye model with mother of pearl neck inlays and a green camouflage paint scheme. His original bulls-eye Les Paul was bought from a regular store front and is christened "The Grail". It was lost to Zakk for some time when it was stolen while he was coming back from a gig in Texas. Rewards were posted to anyone that had information about the guitar - it holds sentimental value to him since it was a graduation gift from his parents.
Zakk and The Grail were only reunited years later, after a fan bought it at a pawn shop and realized he may very well have the missing guitar after checking the initials "Z.W." on its back and the serial number marked on the headstock. He then contacted Zakk's webmaster to arrange its return.
Gibson has released production models of Zakk's unique guitars, a testament to his commercial success and influence. Ozzy has always left the option open to his musicians to leave if they see greener grass elsewhere, but Zakk had stayed faithfully by the side of the Prince of Darkness ever since his teens. Zakk has also in the past auditioned and was poised to become part of Guns N' Roses but a miscommunication between management led to Zakk never having the opportunity to play with Axl Rose.
Zakk has stated that he has no respect for musicians who release material "not true to themselves". As a consequence, the band Limp Bizkit and their front man, Fred Durst are regularly ridiculed during Black Label Society's live events. Besides Fred Durst, Zakk has ridiculed 90's grunge band Nirvana by calling them 'shitvana' after finding out Dave Grohl helped Ozzy with guitar parts on an album. Wylde also believes that during a time of war, full allegiance to country, government and troops is required. Some believe him to be conservative, but Wylde cited "followers of George Bush" as one of the influences behind the "Mafia" track "Suicide Messiah".
On January 17, 2006, Zakk Wylde was immortalized at the Hollywood Rock Walk of Fame located at 7425 Sunset Blvd, featuring his hand prints and signature, in recognition to his successful career as a musician and contribution to music industry. The event was open to the public and had the presence of many rock celebrities.
Although Ozzy Osbourne has been auditioning new guitarists for future material, he announced Zakk as the official guitarist for his new album as a follow-up to his last studio release, "Down To Earth". Notably, the band performed recently during the latest UK Music Hall of Fame, playing "Crazy Train".
As of 2006, Zakk started the studio recordings for Black Label Society's follow-up to the 2005 release, "Mafia". The new album will be called "Shot To Hell", and will be released on September 19th through Roadrunner records with Michael Beinhorn (Soundgarden, Ozzy Osbourne, Red Hot Chili Peppers) producing. The original release date was July 3rd. Black Label Society will be headlining 2nd stage at this year's Ozzfest wih Zakk playing double duty with Ozzy on certain dates. Ozzy's new album will be out in 2007.
Zakk Wylde uses various Gibson Les Paul Custom guitars with a "bulls-eye" graphic, as well as the famous "Rebel" Les Paul decorated with bottle caps, in addition to other guitars such as a Gibson SG Doubleneck (EDS-1275). His guitars are outfitted with his signature GHS Zakk Wylde Boomers strings and a set of active EMG 81 and EMG 85 humbucker pick-ups. He usually gives preference to Marshall amplifiers such as the JCM800 2203's and 2204's (He has his own Signature JCM800ZW Amp and cabinet loaded with EVM12L-Black Label guitar speakers). Jim Dunlop worked with Zakk to design two effect pedals, the MXR ZW-44 Dunlop Overdrive pedal, and the ZW-45 Zakk Wylde Signature "Cry Baby" wah-wah pedal, MXR m-134 stereo chorus, MXR EVH Van Halen signature phase.
Zakk was good friends with fellow musician Dimebag Darrell and before his death, Dimebag gave him a custom made Dean guitar that was Dimebag's Razorback signature guitar, painted with Zakk's Bullseye graphic.
Zakk's settings for Standard, Eb, Dropped D, and Dropped B tuning: GBZW (.010 .013 .017 .036 .052 .060) and for Dropped A, Dropped G, and other dropped tunings in a "D" tuning: GBWZLO (.011 .014 .018 .036 .052 .070).
Discography
With Pride & Glory
* Pride & Glory (1994)
Solo
* Book of Shadows (1996)
* Acoustic Cowboy* (1998)
* Kings of Damnation (Career Retrospective) (2005)
With Derek Sherinian
* Inertia (2001)
* Black Utopia (2003)
* Mythology (2004)
* Blood of the Snake (2006)
With Black Label Society
* Sonic Brew (1999)
* Stronger Than Death (2000)
* Alcohol Fueled Brewtality Live (2001)
* 1919 Eternal (2002)
* The Blessed Hellride (2003)
* Boozed, Broozed, and Broken Boned (DVD) (2003) (Certified Platinum)
* Hangover Music Vol.VI (2004)
* Mafia (2005)
* The European Invasion - Doom Troopin' Live (DVD) (2006)
* Shot To Hell (2006)
With Ozzy Osbourne
* No Rest For The Wicked (1988)
* Just Say Ozzy (1990)
* No More Tears (1991)
* Live & Loud (1993)
* Ozzmosis (1995)
* The Ozzman Cometh (1997)
* Down To Earth (2001)
* Live At Budokan (2002)
* Black rain (2007)
Other appearances
* Make a Difference: Stairway to Heaven / Highway to Hell (1989)
* Ward One: Along the Way (1990)
* Dweezil Zappa: Confessions (1991)
* LA Blues Authority (1991)
* Britny Fox: Bite Down Hard (1991)
* Guitars that Rule the World (1992)
* C.P.R (1992)
* Stevie Salas: The Electric Pow Wow (1993)
* Blackfoot:After the reign (1994)
* Stairway to Heaven Tribute (1997)
* Carmine Appice's Guitar Zeus 2 (1997)
* Thunderbolt Tribute To AC/DC (1997)
* Hard Pressed - Nobuteura Mada (1997)
* Love: Tokma (1997)
* Merry Axemas Vol.2 - More Guitars (1998)
* RE-SET - Marcy (1998)
* Humanary Stew - A Tribute To Alice Cooper (1999)
* Ozzfest 2001: The Second Millennium (2001)
* Rock Star Soundtrack (2001)
* Themes of Horror (2001)
* Ozzfest 2002 (2002)
* Gibson's 50th Anniversary (2002)
* Spirit Journey Formation Anniversary - Aqua Teen Hunger Force (2003)
* Damageplan - New Found Power (2004)
* Fozzy - All That Remains (2005)
* The Shield Soundtrack: Music From The Streets (2005)
* MTV Headbangers Ball: The Revenge (2006)
Zakk Wylde chose the tour de force stomper "Blood Of The Sun" for the tribute album, "Legacy: A Tribute To Leslie West".
Hey Jude
Zakk Wylde Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Spent my days with a woman unkind, Smoked my stuff and drank all my wine.
Made up my mind to make a new start, Going To California with an aching in my heart.
Someone told me there's a girl out there with love in her eyes and flowers in her hair.
Took my chances on a big jet plane, never let them tell you that we're all the same.
The sea was red and the sky was grey; I wondered how tomorrow could ever follow today.
The mountains and the canyons started to tremble and shake
Seems that the wrath of the Gods
Got a punch on the nose and it started to flow;
I think I might be sinking.
Throw me a line if I reach it in time
I'll meet you up there where the path
Runs straight and high.
To find a queen without a king,
They say she plays guitar and cries and sings... la la la la
Ride a white mare in the footsteps of dawn
Tryin' to find a woman who's never, never, never been born.
Standing on a hill in my mountain of dreams,
Telling myself it's not as hard, hard, hard as it seems.
Na-na-na-naa, hey, Jude
Yeah, you know you can make it, Jude
Jude, you're not gonna break it
Na na na (don't make it bad, Jude) na-na-na-naa
Take a sad song and make it better
Na-na-na-naa, (oh, Jude) hey, (Jude) Jude
Hey, Jude, wo-o-ow!
Na na na na-na-na-naa (ooh, Jude)
Na-na-na-naa, (yeah) hey, Jude
(Hey, hey, hey-ey-ey)
Na na na na-na-na-naa (hey, hey)
Na-na-na-naa, (hey, hey) hey, Jude
Now, Jude, Jude, Jude, Jude, Jude, Jude
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Na na na na-na-na-naa (whoa, yeah)
Na-na-na-naa, hey, Jude
Ah nanananananana cause I wanna na na na
Na na na na-na-na-naa
Na-na-na-naa, hey, Jude
Nanananana... nanalalal ow ow
(Okay)
Na na na na-na-na-naa
Pain won't come back, Jude
Na-na-na-naa, hey, Jude
Na na na na-na-na-naa
Na-na-na-naa, hey, Jude
(Yeah)
Na na na na-na-na-naa
(Make it through)
Na-na-na-naa, hey, Jude
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Na na na na-na-na-naa (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Na-na-na-naa, hey, Jude
(Good evening, ladies and gentleman)
ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma
Na na na na-na-na-naa
Na-na-na-naa, hey, Jude
(Ooh)
Na na na na-na-na-naa (whoo)
Na-na-na-naa, hey, Jude
(Whoo)
(Well, then, a-na)
Na na na na-na-na-naa
Na-na-na-naa, hey, Jude
Na na na na-na-na-naa
Na-na-na-naa
This interpretation is for Zakk Wylde’s version of “Hey Jude” where he continues the iconic Beatles song with his own twist. The opening lyrics talk about spending time with an unkind woman; someone who may have taken advantage of the singer's generosity by smoking and drinking all their wine. However, the singer is determined to move on, to make a new start, and seeks a fresh beginning. “Going to California with an ache in my heart,” illustrates that despite their efforts to start anew, something still weighs on them. Then the singer hears about a potentially significant person, someone with “love in her eyes and flowers in her hair.” This brings them hope, and they take a chance on a big jet plane, ready to embark on a new journey. The next line, “never let them tell you that we're all the same,” is a declaration to be treated as an individual and not to fit into any pre-determined mold.
The second verse describes the chaos that has ensued due to the "wrath of the gods". It seems like the singer may be struggling and may even be sinking. However, they still hold on to their hope, asking the people around them to throw them a lifeline if they can reach them in time. The next part talks about the search for a queen without a king. Someone who may play guitar and cry and sing, and they want to find her. They ride a white mare in the footsteps of dawn in search of her, even if she may be someone who's never been born. The verse ends with a reflection on the singer's current situation, standing on a hill in their mountain of dreams, telling themselves that it's not as hard as it seems. The chorus, “hey Jude” is repeated several times, encouraging Jude to not break it, and to take a sad song and make it better.
Overall, this version of “Hey Jude” combines hope and determination. It speaks to a desire to move beyond a toxic past and find a new beginning. The verses illustrate different stages of the journey, from hearing about a potentially significant person to encountering chaos and wanting to find someone who may bring clarity, and finally, standing on top of the hill of their dreams, believing that it's not as challenging as it seems.
Line by Line Meaning
Spent my days with a woman unkind, Smoked my stuff and drank all my wine.
I was with someone who didn't treat me right and I was indulging in substances to cope.
Made up my mind to make a new start, Going To California with an aching in my heart.
I decided to leave and start anew, but it hurt to do so.
Someone told me there's a girl out there with love in her eyes and flowers in her hair.
I heard that there was a girl out there who was kind and vibrant.
Took my chances on a big jet plane, never let them tell you that we're all the same.
I took a leap of faith and got on a plane, knowing that not all people are alike.
The sea was red and the sky was grey; I wondered how tomorrow could ever follow today.
The world seemed uncertain and I didn't know what the future held.
The mountains and the canyons started to tremble and shake as the children of the sun began to awake.
I felt a sense of power from nature and the emergence of new generations.
Seems that the wrath of the Gods Got a punch on the nose and it started to flow; I think I might be sinking.
It feels like there is chaos in the world and I'm struggling to keep my head above water.
Throw me a line if I reach it in time I'll meet you up there where the path Runs straight and high.
If someone could help me out of this rough patch, maybe we could find a better path together.
To find a queen without a king, They say she plays guitar and cries and sings... la la la la
I'm looking for someone who is strong on their own, but also emotional and musical.
Ride a white mare in the footsteps of dawn Tryin' to find a woman who's never, never, never been born.
I'm searching for someone pure and untouched by the world.
Standing on a hill in my mountain of dreams, Telling myself it's not as hard, hard, hard as it seems.
I'm envisioning a better future for myself and trying to stay positive about it.
Na-na-na-naa, hey, Jude Yeah, you know you can make it, Jude Jude, you're not gonna break it
Hey Jude, don't be discouraged, you can do it and you're not going to fail.
Na na na (don't make it bad, Jude) na-na-na-naa Take a sad song and make it better
Don't let your troubles break you, instead use them to create something beautiful.
Na-na-na-naa, (oh, Jude) hey, (Jude) Jude Hey, Jude, wo-o-ow!
I'm addressing Jude and trying to encourage them to keep going.
Pain won't come back, Jude
Whatever was causing pain, it won't come back again.
(Good evening, ladies and gentleman)
Addressing the audience.
ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma ma
Singing and filling the music with sound.
(Whoo)
Exclaiming joyfully.
(Well, then, a-na)
Speaking casually or jokingly.
Contributed by Ruby N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Rigopoulos Aggelos
A soulful cover that brings chills to the bone. Respect mr.Zach
Maria Ronsisvalle
Best cover ever. So much soul, so southern. Love it
Lizette M. de L.
EXCELENTE!!!..... Zakk Wylde No pudo estar mejor. Suena Fenomenal!
Dan Boone
I'm with you, the 1'st time I heard this version I thought it was a mistake and it was Ray Charles, caught on fast but Zack is WAY more versatile than he's given credit for, BLUE'S to HEAVY METAL!
Jamey Paul
I thought ray Charles too.....damn this dude is fricking awesome.....
Formiga
Caramba! Zakk é demais.
Gabriel R.V
Fico linda, essa versão! perfeito!
Hexx Bombastus
This song sounds amazing as a Soul/Blues song...
colosalblack
Zakk Wilde has loads of soul to his voice. You can tell he's a great Lynyrd Skynyrd fan haha.
ledbthand
His bootleg "Sweet Home Alabama" cover is floating around somewhere. It's pretty awesome, too bad he never did a more "official" version / studio recording.