Welcome to the 119th episode of The Metal Maniacs Podcast, hosted by Jay Ingersoll and Modd! 🤘 This week, we’re joined by our returning guest host and good friend, Jon Rohn, for a deep dive into one of the most important legacies in heavy metal history: Ozzy Osbourne and his iconic guitarists.

From the early days of Randy Rhoads, whose neoclassical style reshaped the sound of metal, to the bluesy firepower of Zakk Wylde, and the modern touch of players like Gus G. and Andrew Watt — Ozzy has always surrounded himself with guitarists who not only elevated his music but also helped shape the evolution of heavy metal itself.

Together, we take a chronological journey through Ozzy’s solo albums, matching them with the guitar players who defined each era:

Randy Rhoads – Blizzard of Ozz (1980), Diary of a Madman (1981)

Brad Gillis & Bernie Tormé – Speak of the Devil (1982, live era)

Jake E. Lee – Bark at the Moon (1983), The Ultimate Sin (1986)

Zakk Wylde – No Rest for the Wicked (1988), No More Tears (1991), Ozzmosis (1995), and beyond

Joe Holmes – Touring guitarist in the 90s

Gus G. – Scream (2010)

Andrew Watt & Guests – Ordinary Man (2020), Patient Number 9 (2022) featuring Tony Iommi, Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, and more

In this episode, Jay, Modd, and Jon discuss not only the guitar players themselves, but also Ozzy’s lasting impact on the music industry:

How each guitarist brought their own style to Ozzy’s music

Why Randy Rhoads’ short career still casts a giant shadow in metal

The undeniable chemistry between Ozzy and Zakk Wylde

How Ozzy influenced generations of bands across heavy metal and hard rock

The importance of serving the song as a guitarist in a legendary band

We also reflect on how Ozzy’s choice of guitarists became a blueprint for other metal acts, the behind-the-scenes stories that shaped each era, and how these collaborations pushed the genre forward.

Whether you’re a lifelong Ozzy fan, a guitarist seeking inspiration, or just a metalhead wanting to revisit the classics, this episode is packed with insights, history, and plenty of laughs along the way.

🎧 Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere you stream metal podcasts.

💀 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to keep the metal alive! Share your favorite Ozzy guitarist in the comments — we’d love to hear from you.

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