Zakk Wylde explains why he thinks Tony Iommi is the “Bach, Mozart and Beethoven of metal guitar”
As Ozzy Osbourne’s long-time right-hand guitar man, Zakk Wylde has developed a close friendship and professional relationship with the Prince of Darkness over the years. However, that doesn’t mean he’s ever let go of his fanboy-ism of Black Sabbath and his guitar hero Tony Iommi.
Of course, Wylde makes clear his adoration of Iommi’s guitar work by fronting Black Sabbath cover band, Zakk Sabbath. But he also never shies away from expressing his admiration of Iommi in the press.
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In a new interview with Guitar World, Wylde likens the Sabbath guitarist to some of the finest minds in musical history. “He’s basically the Bach, Mozart and Beethoven of metal guitar,” Wylde insists. “He’s all three of them in one. And he’s the John Lennon and Paul McCartney of riff writing. He truly is.”
“His genius is just immense,” he continues. “I love every aspect of his playing. And outside of songwriting, I love his solos; I love all of it. It’s not just the riffs; Tony Iommi has amazing technique and can play fast… he’s just the complete package.”
While Iommi isn’t necessarily penning pivotal classical movements or light-hearted Beatles-esque rock, Wylde believes his work with Sabbath was equally as vital for the world of heavy metal. “[Black Sabbath are] like how Henry Ford is the creator of the car,” Wylde says. “They’re everything. All the bands that have come after… like with the car, it doesn’t matter if it’s NASCAR, a Formula One race car, a dragster or however advanced it gets, it’s all based on the original Ford Model T.”
In Wylde’s mind, Iommi and co laid the foundations for heavy metal. “It’s based on that basic design,” he explains. “It’s a testament to what was created. Sabbath are the architects of the whole thing. They’re the massive oak tree, and we’re all just branches off of that tree. I think everybody there loves them, and we wouldn’t all be doing it if it wasn’t for them.”
Wylde is set to perform at Black Sabbath’s upcoming farewell show. The one-day festival is predicted to be “the greatest heavy metal show ever” by Tom Morello, and will see Black Sabbath’s original lineup – Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward – reunite one final time in Birmingham on 5 July.
The show will see performances by Metallica, Pantera, Slayer, Gojira and Anthrax, as well as Alice in Chains, Lamb of God and Mastodon. A ‘supergroup’ will also help the Sabbath gang run through their set, with the likes of Wylde, Slash, Fred Durst, Billy Corgan, Wolfgang Van Halen and more set to appear.
As you might expect, tickets sold out fast – reportedly in 16 minutes – but there’ll be a pay-per-view livestream of the event, which you can buy tickets for now.
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Source: www.guitar-bass.net
