B Rock Note: Ozzy Osbourne Reuniting with Guitarist Zakk Wyld

Ozzy Osbourne is reuniting with guitarist Zakk Wylde for the first time in more than a decade, according to Blabbermouth.

The pair will head out on tour along with the rest of Ozzy's solo band for a series of headlining shows in the U.S. this summer and fall, beginning on July 14th at the Rock USA festival in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

According to Michael Gallucci of Ultimate Classic Rock:

Wylde first played with Osbourne on 1988’s No Rest for the Wicked LP, replacing guitarist Jake E. Lee. He also was on the 1991 follow-up album, No More Tears, 1995’s Ozzmosis, 2001’s Down to Earth and 2007’s Black Rain, as well as various live records from the period. They’ve performed together sporadically over the years, but the upcoming tour dates are their first run of shows since 2006.

In an interview, Ozzy explained what he looks for in a guitarist: "When I audition guitar players, I go, 'I don't want to know how fast you can play, I don't want to know if you can stand on your head and play it through your butt, or whatever -- just give me a riff that'll make a kid want to go out and buy a guitar.' Simple, but effective."

While Ozzy and Wylde have performed together over the years, this will be their first full tour together since 2006.

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