OZZY OSBOURNE Drops Guitarist, via Magazine Interview

      MUSIC NEWS - It's being reported that Ozzy Osbourne has unceremoniously dropped his guitarist of 22 years, Zakk Wylde. And it seems the split wasn't handled well, as Wylde only found out when he read the news in Classic Rock magazine.

Wylde not only thought that he was on board to work on Osbourne's next solo album, due for release nin 2010, but had already recorded most of it. He said earlier this year: "We started working on it already. We're going to go in the studio with Ozz [in April] and knock out a couple more songs and the album should be done. Then Ozz has to sing on it".

So, it was a surprise, when, in a new interview with Classic Rock Magazine, Ozzy revealed that he's planning to work with former Marilyn Manson guitarist John 5 instead.  Osbourne said: "I'm getting a new guitar player as we speak, and everyone has been saying to me for a long time, 'Get Johnny 5!' And I tried him at one time and I didn't really give him a chance. We'll see, I don't know. I haven't fallen out with Zakk, but Zakk's got his own band, and I felt like my stuff was beginning to sound like [that band] Black Label Society. I just felt like I wanted a change, you know?"

Wylde responded on Twitter by saying: "This is news to me. I haven't heard anything about this. Until I talk to the Boss, I don't know. I love Ozzy".  But maybe they patched things up, he later Tweeted; "Hey Berserkers, everything is great with Ozzy/Dad. See you at the Blizzcon convention in Anaheim August 22nd or before with BLS."

We'll watch this one for more news!

Update 7/31/09 - Wylde recently told Oregon's rock radio, 101.5 KFLY : "The boss (Ozzy) hasn't even given me a phone call, so I mean… I'm just like… I don't know what's going on over there. Are we doing this thing or are we not doing it? When I keep getting asked these questions, I go, 'Call the boss. When he tells you, then he can call me back.' I mean, it's just like… I love you, man. Whatever you want, that's cool.  "Play with whoever the hell you  wanna play with. I couldn't give a rat's ass" 

And,  "But if we're doing this, let's do it, and let's whoop some ass. But if you don't wanna do it, then just give me a heads-up. Call me, man. Tell me what the hell's going on. I don't know what the hell's going on over there. We're working on the new record, we'll be back in September, we'll work on finishing the record. And then we're supposed to do the tour. I mean, it's like, dude, you don't wanna play with me anymore? Fine. Play with whoever the hell you wanna play with. I couldn't give a rat's ass. Like I'm gonna get all jealous or whatever. But you know what?! Man up and give me a phone call and tell me what the hell's going on. You finished with me? Cool."