🎸 The pantheon of Ozzy Osbourne guitarists is a sacred space in heavy metal, dominated by the tragic brilliance of Randy Rhoads. Yet, the lineage that followed—a line of virtuosos each leaving an indelible mark—often fuels the fiercest fan debates. Two names consistently rise to the top of the “who’s better” conversation: the neoclassical shredder Jake E. Lee and the blues-infused powerhouse Zakk Wylde.
Few musicians possess the credibility to definitively settle this score, but Brad Gillis certainly does. Gillis, the long-standing guitarist for melodic rock band Night Ranger, is historically positioned between these two giants. He famously stepped in to fill the colossal void left by the late Randy Rhoads in 1982, touring and recording the Speak of the Devil live album (following Bernie Tormé’s extremely brief tenure). Having walked the same high-pressure stage as Rhoads’s immediate successor, Gillis is uniquely qualified to offer a judgment on the subsequent era’s axe-slingers.
The Question: Lee’s Shred or Wylde’s Squeal?
During a recent appearance on the That Rocks! Podcast, Gillis was posed the inevitable question: who edges out the other, Jake E. Lee or Zakk Wylde?
Jake E. Lee’s tenure with Ozzy yielded essential albums like Bark at the Moon and The Ultimate Sin. His style was marked by technical precision, melodic sophistication, and a fast, fiery shredding technique that perfectly captured the early to mid-eighties metal zeitgeist. The title track from “Bark at the Moon” remains a testament to his explosive skill and compositional chops.
Zakk Wylde, who joined the fold in the late 80s, ushered in a heavier, more modern sound for the “Prince of Darkness.” His playing is characterized by a distinctive, aggressive pinch harmonic squeal, a thick, saturated tone, and a deep grounding in Southern blues and classic rock. His work on the 1991 magnum opus “No More Tears”—particularly the epic title track—is often cited as the pinnacle of his collaboration with Ozzy.
Gillis’s Verdict: “I Gotta Go With Zakk”
Gillis’s response, as transcribed by Ultimate Guitar, was both immediate and rooted in the impact of a single, monumental track. He didn’t just choose a guitarist; he chose an anthem.
> “I gotta tell you man, ‘No More Tears.’ That song is so awesome. Him [Zakk] doing the slide on there and getting those squeals on his guitar, I mean that blew me away. Now, when it goes to that orchestration section in the middle, that’s OK, but it seems like it didn’t really have to be there. But his playing is awesome.”
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For Gillis, the sheer power and signature elements of Wylde’s contribution to that track sealed the deal. The combination of the slide work, the iconic pinch harmonics, and the overall visceral impact of the tone was overwhelming. He even ranked it among the top Ozzy songs, second only to the Rhoads-era classics.
While he offered high praise for Lee, acknowledging him as a “great player” responsible for “great records,” the choice ultimately came down to the unique sonic identity that Wylde carved out.
> “Jake, he’s a great player man, those are great records. But that tone and the stuff he did along with his great solos and the slide work that Zakk did, it’s just awesome. So I gotta go with Zakk.”
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Gillis’s selection is less about technical superiority and more about impact, tone, and signature sound. Zakk Wylde’s combination of raw, bluesy aggression and instantly recognizable pinch harmonics created a sound that was both distinct from Rhoads and utterly defining for Ozzy’s later career.
Adding a personal touch, Gillis noted his positive interactions with Wylde: “I’ve met him a few times, hung out with him – nicest guy in the world.”
The debate will, of course, rage on, but when a guitarist who once stood in the immediate shadow of Randy Rhoads declares a preference, the metal world pays attention. Brad Gillis has cast his vote for the mighty roar of Zakk Wylde.