Alex Skolnick recently reflected on his brief stint as Ozzy Osbourne’s lead guitarist, suggesting that not securing the role “full-time” was ultimately a “management decision.”
Skolnick, a Berkeley-born guitar virtuoso, made his name in the Bay Area thrash metal scene. However, his musical style, heavily influenced by guitar legends like Randy Rhoads, made him a compelling candidate to succeed Zakk Wylde in the mid-’90s. Though he only played one show with Ozzy, it offers a glimpse of what might have been.
Despite his impressive skill, Skolnick became one of several guitarists who auditioned for Ozzy’s band but never stayed on for the long haul. In a recent interview with Metal Hammer, he expressed gratitude for the experience, explaining:
“I don’t know what caused Zakk’s departure, but I guess he was pursuing other things, and there was a search for a new guitarist for Ozzy. I was just honored to be considered because I’d heard about some big-name players who didn’t even get past the audition.”
He continued, recalling the show he played with Ozzy: “I actually got to the point where I did a show, and Ozzy hired me. He said he wanted me to do the gig. It was an unannounced show at Nottingham Rock City, and it was great.”
Skolnick added, “I didn’t get the role full-time, which I think was a management decision, but it turned out to be a great motivation during a time when I wasn’t sure what to do next. That was when I decided to enroll at The New School in New York and study with jazz greats like Cecil McBee and Reggie Workman.”
In a separate interview late last month, Skolnick also shared that Megadeth had considered hiring him as their lead guitarist in the late ’80s. However, he chose to stick with Testament, believing it was the smarter career move at the time:
“It was pre-Marty [circa 1989], and Testament was just getting started. I knew if I joined Megadeth, there was no guarantee how long it would last. At that point, Testament was really finding its sound, especially with albums like The New Order and Practice What You Preach—albums that have since become essential. I was really invested in what we were building.”
He added, “By then, Megadeth had already cycled through three guitarists, and with all the changes in their lineup, it was clear—if you were in Megadeth, you didn’t know how long it was going to last. Marty ended up having a fantastic run with them, and it was great for him.”
Related Topics
- The Heartbeat of Japan: Kodo Brings Thunderous Drumming, Precision, and Soul to the Stage
- Joe Satriani Discusses the Impact of the ‘Digital Age’ on Music, Says Young Instagram Guitarists Are Playing Better Than Ever
- Exploring Sounds and Presets for the LM Drum – Expanding Beyond the LinnDrum Sound
