If I’m playing with Ozzy it’s just a guitar thing. But with the vocals I feel like I’m studying for the SATs.

Meaning of the quote

Zakk Wylde explains that playing guitar with his friend Ozzy is easy and natural for him. However, when it comes to singing, he feels like he's studying hard for a big test, like the SATs. This suggests that while he's very comfortable with the guitar, he has to put in a lot more effort and focus when it comes to the vocals.

About Zakk Wylde

Zakk Wylde, the lead guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne and the founder of the heavy metal band Black Label Society, is known for his signature bulls-eye design on his guitars. He has also released solo albums and joined the reunited Pantera as a touring guitarist in 2022.

More about the author

More quotes from Zakk Wylde

Chris Jericho is a great guy. He’s beyond hysterical. He’s good people. They’re really good. Chris wanted me to throw down a solo. He sent it to me and I knocked it out.

Zakk Wylde

American musician

Had an awesome time. You tell me to show up and all I have to do is drink beer, play guitar all day and I can lift weights and you’re going to pay me for this!

Zakk Wylde

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There’s only one Sabbath guitarist and he is the architect for everything, Tony Iommi.

Zakk Wylde

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Back when I was jamming with Axl and the guys they had boxes of cassettes with song ideas. How do you know which ones you like now when you have that many ideas.

Zakk Wylde

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The tours are campaigns.

Zakk Wylde

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I feel sorry for these kids in bands. Everything is so disposable nowadays. These kids don’t even get 15 minutes of fame, it’s like a minute and a half.

Zakk Wylde

American musician

Ozzy has dyslexia.

Zakk Wylde

American musician

I’m just worried that there’s enough beer on the bus. That’s the top priority at all times.

Zakk Wylde

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You’re never going to learn everything.

Zakk Wylde

American musician

I screwed my knee up once because I fell off the stage.

Zakk Wylde

American musician

We were sitting on the bus one day and there were 5 of us hanging out. There was only one beer left in the cooler and we actually all took a little cup and split it. It was a pathetic day in a rock and roll when five grown men have to be sitting there sharing a beer.

Zakk Wylde

American musician

Another time I cracked two of the vertebrae in my back and broke a rib.

Zakk Wylde

American musician

Because with Black Label and all the fans it’s just one big family.

Zakk Wylde

American musician

I’ve messed myself up more playing music than when I played football.

Zakk Wylde

American musician

That’s why for Zakk Wylde’s Black Label Society the colors are black and white. There are no gray issues. Life is black and it’s white. There’s no in-between.

Zakk Wylde

American musician

Another Black Label motto. That’s what I think life is. It’s just another bridge to cross. You ask no questions. Whatever work it is you gotta do, you gotta go over it, under it, through it, around it, to do it.

Zakk Wylde

American musician

It isn’t a band. It’s bigger than a band. It’s a lifestyle.

Zakk Wylde

American musician

If somebody says they really like my playing I say thanks a lot.

Zakk Wylde

American musician

We just done doing The Blessed Hellride tour and Ozzfest.

Zakk Wylde

American musician

Any guy that’s not working with the same amount of intensity and passion that I do, I don’t want to know.

Zakk Wylde

American musician

You never toot your own horn.

Zakk Wylde

American musician

If you bleed Black Label and you’re going to be a man, you gotta get up there and do what you gotta do every day, relentless and as tired as you can be.

Zakk Wylde

American musician

One day my wife went and saw the accountant and said she’s pulling the plug. She said you guys are done. I said, how bad can it be? 10 grand? She said you’re not even close. It came out to almost $50,000 in alcohol for two months.

Zakk Wylde

American musician

If I’m playing with Ozzy it’s just a guitar thing. But with the vocals I feel like I’m studying for the SATs.

Zakk Wylde

American musician

On the tour we get a case of beer on the bus every day from Ozzfest.

Zakk Wylde

American musician

It’s pure Black Label. It’s about violence and booze. That’s all it is. There is no plan.

Zakk Wylde

American musician

Since day one my thing has always been to play the music.

Zakk Wylde

American musician

The way I look at it you can always get better.

Zakk Wylde

American musician