Ozzy & Zakk Reunite for Tour

For the first time in more than a decade, Ozzy Osbourne and Zakk Wylde are together again.

Known as one of rock's most lethal singer and guitarist pairings, the two will hit the road for a series of Ozzy headlining shows in the U.S. this summer and fall, beginning July 14.

While they've performed together over the years, these shows are the first collaboration for the duo for a full tour since 2006. These dates also mark Ozzy's first solo tour in the U.S. in years beyond one Ozzy & Friends performance at the Voodoo Music + Arts Experience in New Orleans, Louisiana in October 2015.

Ozzy and Zakk first teamed up 30 years ago when Zakk (whom Ozzy describes as "a f*cking absolutely amazing guitar player") joined Ozzy's band in 1987; they last recorded in 2007 on Ozzy's acclaimed "Black Rain" album.

In addition to reuniting with Zakk Wylde on guitar, Ozzy's band will include longtime collaborators Rob "Blasko" Nicholson (bass), Tommy Clufetos (drums) and Adam Wakeman (keyboards). Ozzy's tour dates kick off in July at the Rock USA festival in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, with additional dates to be announced in the coming weeks.

"I'm so happy to be getting back on the road with Zakk, Blasko, Tommy and Adam," says Ozzy Osbourne. "This is what I do. This is where I belong, on the road."

Ozzy's initial 2017 tour dates are as follows:

Jul. 14 - Oshkosh, WI Ozzy at Rock USA
Jul. 16 - Chicago, IL Chicago Open Air Festival
Aug. 09 - Sturgis, SD The Legendary Buffalo Chip
Aug. 21 - Cartersville, IL Moonstock 2017 Festival

Are there going to be more dates? That isn't really a tour as much as hitting some fests in the Summer.

I wouldn't mind catching that, but I know there will be no shows near me.

Dark Horseman wrote:

Are there going to be more dates? That isn't really a tour as much as hitting some fests in the Summer.

More are supposed to be announced soon.

hope this leads to a new album.

If they could at least manage to make an album a fraction as good as No More Tears, I would be amazed.

Gilbert wrote:

hope this leads to a new album.

Me too. While I'd love to see them live, I'm really more interested in a new album with Zakk's input. Ozzy's last album Scream just felt so, I dunno, by-the-numbers and life-less.

Like him or not, Oz needs someone like Zakk that actually cares what the music sounds like and is not just there to collect a paycheck and do whatever Sharon says.

It would only happen if Sharon lets Ozzy do it. It's a good sign they're playing together, sets the stage for saying how they clicked again and it felt natural and now we can do an album.

"I'm really looking forward to The HARDCORE POWAHLIFTING TRAINING SESSIONS with OZZY as well as playing music in between sets of HEAVY SQUATS, BENCHING and DEADLIFTS," Zakk Wylde adds"

lol, Zakk has good sense of humor..

Dark Horseman wrote:

It would only happen if Sharon lets Ozzy do it. It's a good sign they're playing together, sets the stage for saying how they clicked again and it felt natural and now we can do an album.

As much as I dislike her (and that's a vast understatement), I do think she's a shrewd business person. She knows that putting them 2 back together will generate interest again in Ozzy's solo career now that Sabbath is done. She'd be foolish to miss an opportunity like that.

Can ozzy still sing anyways?

Gilbert wrote:

Can ozzy still sing anyways?

Eh, kinda. When I saw him with Sabbath, he was out of tune and warbly, but that's part of his charm, ya know. It's Ozzy being Ozzy. Nothing they can't fix in the studio these days.