“It’s obvious to me why you’ve already had success”: Frank Sidoris shares heartwarming rejection letter he received from Ozzy Osbourne after auditioning to be his solo guitarist
Paying tribute to Ozzy Osbourne – who died earlier this week at the age of 76 – Slash guitarist Frank Sidoris has shared a rejection letter he received when auditioning to be Ozzy’s guitarist in 2017.
Back in 2017, Black Sabbath’s The End reunion tour was just finishing up, and Ozzy felt inspired to hit the road solo. This involved searching for a new guitarist, and as Sidoris recalls in a now-expired Instagram Story: “I was invited to Ozzy’s home to perform two songs for him to audition for his band”. The audition, it turned out, was rather up close and personal.
READ MORE: “They say never meet your idols, but that’s just not true. Sometimes you get lucky”: M. Shadows reflects on interviewing Ozzy Osbourne in 2017
“We loaded my amp, guitar, et cetera, into his movie theatre, and I played Mama, I’m Coming Home and Diary of a Madman while he sat about 10 feet away from a very loud amp – at his request.
“He sang every word over me, playing at concert volume, which was comforting and hilarious, as it was just him and I in the room with his assistant.”
Ultimately, Sidoris didn’t get the job – that went to Ozzy’s tried and tested guitarist Zakk Wylde, who had played alongside the Prince of Darkness for years.
Perhaps feeling guilty about his decision, Ozzy wrote Sidoris a rejection letter.
“Frank, I wanted to thank you for coming by to play for me and taking the time to learn my songs,” the letter read. “You are a talented musician, and it’s obvious to me why you’ve already had success in this business at a young age.
“I’ve decided to work with Zakk Wylde, writing and recording my next studio album as well as playing guitar on my upcoming tour dates this summer. Zakk has been with me a long time, and I know that having him play with me is something my fans really want to see.
“I wish you continued success. God Bless, Ozzy.”
The letter was signed by Ozzy and featured a cartoon of him carrying a large cross that reads “OZZY” in the bottom righthand corner.
Now, Sidoris reflects on how he felt at the rejection, and at receiving the letter from Ozzy.
“It further proves he was truly everything you would hope for as a person,” Sidoris says. About the intimate audition itself, he adds: “It was an honour to be in his welcoming presence and feel his genuine warmth as a person.”
The post “It’s obvious to me why you’ve already had success”: Frank Sidoris shares heartwarming rejection letter he received from Ozzy Osbourne after auditioning to be his solo guitarist appeared first on Guitar.com | All Things Guitar.
Source: www.guitar-bass.net
