Gus G speaks about being told he was replacing Zakk Wylde

Metal Hammer is reporting:

OZZY OSBOURNE's new guitarist, Greek axeman Gus G., has spoken out about getting the job with the legendary rocker in the new Greek edition of Metal Hammer magazine. Asked how he got the gig, Gus said, "I got a message on my MySpace page from Rob 'Blasko' (Nicholson), Ozzy's bass player, asking me what was doing, if I was living in America or not and saying that he wanted to talk to me. I never thought he'd want me for something like that (playing with Ozzy). I initially thought that maybe he wanted to talk to me about doing a project or something and then he told me that one of Ozzfest's managers was looking for me. The manager said that they wanted me to fly out to Los Angeles immediately for a show that Ozzy was about to do in Anaheim, California."

Gus added that he came to the States and jammed with the other members of Ozzy's band first before Ozzy showed up to sing. Then Gus explained what happened: "Everybody else came into the room and shut the door behind them - Ozzy, Sharon (Osbourne, Ozzy's wife/manager), the band, the managers... You can imagine how anxious I was feeling at this time! Then they came out and said that I got the job and that we're gonna play that BlizzCon show together."

As for replacing longtime Ozzy guitarist Zakk Wylde, who apparently did not find out until late in the game that he was being sidelined, Gus said, "Zakk is a tremendous guitar player, just like all the guys that have played with Ozzy. In fact, Zakk is my favorite Ozzy guitar player ever and my biggest influence of them all! It's quite an honor for me to step into his shoes."

Gus also said he'll continue to play with his own band, Firewind.

The guitarist will next perform with Ozzy this Sunday (September 12th) at the closing night of the Sunset Strip Music Festival in Hollywood, California.

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Tags:  Ozzy Osbourne, Blasko, Zakk Wylde, Gus G 

Metal Hammer    September 09, 2009