🎸 As one of the few guitarists to have filled the shoes of the late, legendary Randy Rhoads, Night Ranger’s Brad Gillis holds a uniquely qualified perspective on the debate between Ozzy Osbourne’s subsequent six-string masters: Jake E. Lee and Zakk Wylde.
Gillis himself briefly took over after Rhoads’ death (following Bernie Tormé’s short stint), featuring heavily on the 1982 live album, Speak of the Devil. This experience makes his opinion particularly insightful when comparing Lee, who ignited tracks like “Bark at the Moon,” and Wylde, whose solos elevated epics such as “No More Tears.”
Gillis Chooses Wylde
During a recent appearance on the That Rocks! Podcast, Gillis was asked to settle the rivalry. Without hesitation, he sided with Zakk Wylde.
Gillis singled out the iconic 1991 track, “No More Tears,” as the definitive factor. “I gotta tell you man, ‘No More Tears.’ That song is so awesome,” Gillis said. “Him [Zakk] doing the slide on there and getting those squeals on his guitar, I mean that blew me away.”
While acknowledging the track’s orchestral middle section wasn’t essential, Gillis praised the overall quality of Wylde’s work and signature sound: “But his playing is awesome. That’s one of my favorite Ozzy songs of all time – except for the first two records with Randy. So, I gotta go with Zakk.”
Gillis also offered personal insight, noting that he considers Wylde—whom he has met and hung out with—to be “the nicest guy in the world.”
A Nod to Jake E. Lee
While ultimately choosing Wylde, Gillis was quick to praise his rival. Jake E. Lee is featured on classic albums like Bark at the Moon, and Gillis acknowledged Lee’s talent: “Jake, he’s a great player man, those are great records.” However, Gillis found Wylde’s specific playing, tone, and slide work on No More Tears to be superior.
Following Gillis’ choice, podcast co-host Eddie Trunk raised a valid counterpoint, suggesting that Lee might win in the “image department,” and also highlighting that Lee notably beat out another subsequently renowned shredder to secure his spot as Gillis’ replacement in the Ozzy band.