Former Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Gus G recently opened up about his reaction to being replaced by Zakk Wylde in Ozzy’s band. He shared his candid thoughts in an interview with Classic Rock History.
Gus G played with Ozzy from 2009 to 2017. He was asked about the circumstances that led to his departure and Zakk Wylde’s return to the band.
When asked about what led to his leaving Ozzy and how he felt about Zakk Wylde rejoining the band in 2017, Gus G provided a detailed explanation of the situation.
“Well, after the Scream tour and the Ozzy & Friends tours that we did, there were three years of no work cause of the Sabbath 13 album and tour, and then their farewell tour,” Gus G said. “During that time, I was already back with Firewind and busy with my own stuff.”
He continued to explain how he learned about the decision and his reaction to it.
“At some point, in early 2017, Sharon called me and said that they planned on having the Ozzy farewell tour up next and that they’d bring back Zakk for it,” he said. “And honestly, it was the most understandable bummer of my life!”
“I mean, of course, I was bummed out that I wasn’t gonna play with him again. But as a fan, it totally made sense to me that he would get back with Zakk for the final chapter of his career.”
The guitarist’s mature perspective on the situation reflects his understanding of the business and personal dynamics involved in Ozzy’s farewell tour decisions.
Gus G’s departure from Ozzy’s band marked the end of a significant chapter in both musicians’ careers. The circumstances surrounding his exit reveal the complex realities of the music industry.
Metal Injection reported that Gus G later described his firing as “a little bit of a relief” after years of sporadic gigs and no new studio work since Ozzy’s 2010 album Scream. The Greek guitarist had grown tired of waiting around for touring opportunities or studio sessions that never materialized during Ozzy’s focus on Black Sabbath’s final activities.
The history between Ozzy and Zakk Wylde spans decades. This made the reunion for Ozzy’s farewell tour a natural choice. WikiMetal noted that Gus G originally joined Ozzy’s band in 2009 after Wylde left to focus on his own band, Black Label Society. This transition had given Gus G the opportunity to work with one of metal’s most iconic figures during a crucial period in his career.
The timing of Gus G’s departure coincided with Ozzy’s preparation for what would become his farewell tour. Blabbermouth confirmed that it was officially announced in April 2017 that Wylde would be rejoining Ozzy’s backing group for all upcoming solo show dates. This decision represented Ozzy’s desire to reunite with his longtime collaborator for the final chapter of his legendary career.
Despite the disappointment, Gus G’s professional handling of the situation demonstrates his maturity as both a musician and a person. His ability to understand the business decision while acknowledging his personal feelings shows the respect he maintains for Ozzy’s legacy and the importance of Zakk Wylde’s role in that history.
