Velvet Revolver rhythm guitarist Dave Kushner has shared the rejection letter he received after auditioning for Ozzy Osbourne’s band.
Kushner posted the letter on his Instagram with a heartfelt caption. It reflects on the audition he had in 1987 following Jake E. Lee’s departure from Ozzy’s band — a role that ultimately went to Zakk Wylde.
“Best rejection letter I ever got! Ozzy Osbourne, miss the big guy,” Kushner wrote in the caption of his post.
The letter was written by Sharon Osbourne on behalf of Ozzy. It thanked Kushner for his submission while delivering the news that another guitarist had been chosen.
“Dear David, thank you for contacting us and sending your material so that we could consider you for the replacement guitarist in the Ozzy Osbourne band,” Sharon wrote in the rejection letter.
“After lengthy auditions, we now have a new guitarist for the band, but your material was of special interest to us and we would like to keep it on the file for the time being. We wish you all the luck in the world for your future career as a musician and, thank you once again for considering us. Best regards, Sharon Osbourne.”
The letter serves as a reminder of how close Kushner came to one of rock’s most coveted guitar spots — and how the road not taken ultimately led him somewhere just as significant.
Before landing in Velvet Revolver, Kushner had already built a varied career across multiple bands. He cut his teeth in the Hollywood punk and rock scene throughout the late 1980s and 1990s. That experience, though largely out of the spotlight, laid the groundwork for what was to come.
When Velvet Revolver emerged in 2002, the group arrived with an enormous wave of anticipation. It was formed alongside former Guns N’ Roses members Slash, Duff McKagan, and Matt Sorum, as well as Stone Temple Pilots frontman Scott Weiland. Kushner was the least well-known member of the lineup at the time, but he proved to be the band’s unsung backbone as its rhythm guitarist.
He went on to become best known for that role. It was a far cry from the rejection he had received fifteen years earlier when he auditioned to fill the guitar slot left vacant by Jake E. Lee in Ozzy’s band. Zakk Wylde ultimately claimed that position and forged one of the most iconic guitarist-frontman partnerships in heavy metal history.
The post is a rare, candid glimpse into the early hustle of a musician who would eventually reach the top tier of rock. It also serves as a touching tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, who passed away in May 2025.
