Zakk Sabbath, fronted by Zakk Wylde, to play Caesars Saturday
Tune In, Turn On
A guitar lover’s dream descended on Atlantic City at Ocean Casino in April with the Experience Hendrix tour, an annual tribute to the late guitar master, Jimi Hendrix. It featured many of the biggest guitarists performing Hendrix songs, both solo and together with other guitarists.
This year’s lineup was nothing less than stellar – Samantha Fish, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram, Devon Allman and Ally Venable were among the talented musicians on stage that evening.
While the aforementioned guitarists didn’t fail to dazzle, one guitarist stood out from the rest: Zakk Wylde.
Born Jeffrey Phillip Wielandt, and hailing from Bayonne, the longtime guitarist for the late hard rock vocalist Ozzy Osbourne, not only wailed onstage, but the consummate showman ran up and down the aisles of Ocean’s Ovation Hall entertaining concertgoers with some flashy solos while dressed in something resembling Viking-meets-caveman attire. I remember turning to the person I was sitting with saying what a rock star Wylde is and how he really knows how to entertain.
Good news for Jersey Shore music lovers: Wylde is returning to Atlantic City with his longtime Black Sabbath tribute, Zakk Sabbath, making a stop on their American Winter Tour ’25 Saturday, Nov. 29, at Circus Maximus Theatre, located inside Caesars Casino/Hotel.
Besides Wylde on guitar and vocals, this talented, hard-rockin’ trio includes bassist Rob ‘Blasko’ Nicholson (Ozzy Osbourne, Rob Zombie), and drummer Joey Castillo (Danzig, Queens of the Stone Age).
The band performs tribute versions of Black Sabbath’s songs, delivering heavy renditions featuring Wylde’s signature guitar style. They have also re-recorded albums, including the debut album “Black Sabbath,” highlighting its 50th anniversary and releasing it under the title “Vertigo.” In addition to “Vertigo,” they released “Doomed Forever Forever Doomed” in 2024.
While Wylde has carved out both a solid solo career and as front-man with Zakk Sabbath, it was his time as Osbourne’s lead guitarist that really helped establish his name and guitar cred.
“Ozzy didn’t want my playing to be too over the top,” Wylde told Guitar World earlier this year. “I didn’t know him that well as a person when we recorded the album, and I couldn’t force him to accept all my ideas.
“He didn’t want me to play very fast on every cut. Not that I would’ve – there’s too many guitarists doing that trip nowadays – but I really wanted to play a lot more on the album,” he continued. “Ozzy’s been rocking out since before I was born, so I had to respect his opinion as to what would work in the studio. He just wanted me to be the best musician possible. When he auditioned guitar players, his big gripe was that most everyone played like Yngwie Malmsteen on acid, and that wasn’t what he wanted.”
Wylde was just 19 years old when he joined Ozzy Osbourne’s band in 1987, replacing renowned guitarist Jake E. Lee. Wylde’s first show with Osbourne was in July of that year.
Zakk Sabbath, Bonfire (AC/DC tribute) and Dark Chapel, fronted by guitarist/vocalist Dario Lorina (Black Label Society) perform at Circus Maximus Theatre 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 29. All ages. Tickets $60-$208. Info: 609-349-4411 or visit caesars.com/caesars-ac.
On a personal note, with Thanksgiving happening tomorrow (our issue this week comes out a day early on Wednesday, Nov. 26), I want to wish our Shore Local readers a happy, safe Thanksgiving holiday and hope it’s spent with family, friends, significant others and/or all of the above.
Doug is the owner/operator of Doug Deutsch Publicity Services, which since 1995 has been servicing nationally touring acts, and working record release campaigns for clients. Doug can be reached at ShoreLocalDoug@gmail.com
