Ultimate Rhoads

Comparatively, Ozzy Osbourne has, as we well know, built his success on the backs of great guitar players and song writers. How do the 3 most famous (and arguably most talented) of these players measure up to one another?

Rhoads' talent was seemingly not of this world. He was (from what I've gathered, as he died 7 years before I was born) a master showman and most definately a master musician. Due to the fact that everyone on this forum is well aware of this, I ask how Jake and Zakk are compared to Rhoads.

What I know of Zakk: Zakk supposedly idolizes Rhoads to the point of building a shrine in his house. Now, I haven't listened to too much Black Label Society but I've heard 1919 Eternal and a Greatest Hits album. Neither of these displayed what I would consider creative guitar playing. That, however, is comparing him to Rhoads, not the modern day guitar player. I don't really hear much of a Rhoads influence in Zakk's music except for some of the harmonic riffs. As far as his work with Ozzy, I would give him a 6.5 on a 1-10 scale. 10 being Rhoads and 8.5 being Lee.

What I know of Jake: I've read that Lee took classical piano lessons at a young age and I would say it definately shows. I would consider Lee to be a master of the guitar and as close, in style and ability, to Rhoads as anyone alive can get. After watching the Utah concert on the Bark At The Moon tour, I trust that Lee could easily give Van Halen a run for his money.

My point: What's your opinion on these comparisons?

Happy Birthday and Rest In Peace Randy Rhoads

I've tried to respond to this post but keep getting a "no post mode" remark after 20 letters.

That's weird. I don't think that was my doing...

RR-ElectricAngel wrote:I've tried to respond to this post but keep getting a "no post mode" remark after 20 letters.

just check what your writing, some phrazing is auto filtered by the spam blocker

I think that Zakk stayed more true to the original solo ideas on the Randy material than Jake. Randy had the best material though

Tonewise however, I prefer Jakes tone to Zakks
but both has that raw-feeling to their tone whereas
Randys tone, to me, sounds more compressed and fuzzy.

All three are very good but also very different.

But the difference with Randy is that Jake and Zakk had to stick with the 'blue print' that Randy made.
Zakk never had problems with that, but Jake did. So in a way it's not fair to compare them with Randy.

I agree 100%. Once Randy was gone everyone had to measure up "exactly" to that level. That is extremely difficult no matter who you are.

Zakk playing Mr. Crowley
Jake playing Mr. Crowley
Randy playing Mr. Crowley

my fav. versions

xx123456

Well you guys all have valid points. I understand what you mean by BLS as a different style. I don't know. I just can't imagine having such a knowledge of guitar as Zakk and trying not to play more complicated things. It'd be second nature for me, I think, to really try to put my playing on the map in a solo band like that. But Zakk definately does a good job at what he does so that's what counts.

What makes you think the Jake years were not successful meh?? 2 Multi-platinum albums?? 2 sold out world tours??
In my humble opinion Jake is the only individual guitarist Ozzy has used since Randy died.

xx123456

meh wrote:By the way, where is Jake now?

Las Vegas!!!! but unlike many people (99.99999999%) who pick up the guitar Jake at least has built a body of work that he can be proud of, and people have heard his work on a global scale.

I think i'll just agree to disagree with you on this subject meh.

born6to6be6wylde wrote: I trust that Lee could easily give Van Halen a run for his money.

I'm a really big fan of Jake, but the Eddie Van Halen comparison is just way off. Jake speaks two or three languages Eddie speaks 10.