Jim Dalrymple.com

I just love watching Zakk play. This solo is one of his best.

I am amazed whenever I listen to Jimi Hendrix play guitar. He is so incredible and he makes it look so easy.

The fact that Jimi loved his instrument is obvious—nobody can play like that and not love what they do. It makes you wonder though—what would Hendrix have done if he lived past 1970?

He was so innovative in his playing, I’m sure he would have continued to change the way we look at the guitar.

For somebody outside of the Black Label Society family getting a vest may not seem like a big deal. However, for those of us that follow Zakk and BLS, we know what an honor it is to receive the vest from Zakk.

There are places that you can buy the back patches, but there is only one place to get the real vest with the real front and back patches—from Zakk himself.

So, Zakk, thanks very much—I don’t know what else to say. I’ve had the vest for about 2 weeks now and I haven’t taken it off yet.

Bleed Black Label!

Zakk Wylde’s manager has responded to the 357 Customs debacle that has affected a good many Black Label Society fans. Bob Ringe, Zakk’s manager, said Zakk had nothing to do with the offer himself and that his lawyers have contacted 357 Customs.

357 Customs offered users quite an incredible deal. With the purchase of one of the three new Zakk Wylde diecast/gift certificate packs, customers would receive a free Epiphone Zakk Wylde signature model Les Paul guitar. You could chose from the Zakk Wylde Bullseye, Zakk Wylde Sawblade, or Zakk Wylde Camo.

However, orders quickly became backed up and while some users did get their guitars, many more did not.

Ringe said that 357 has promised to fulfill all of the orders made during the promotion, so everyone will eventually get their guitars. While no timeframe was given for the delivery, Ringe said Zakk’s lawyers will be monitoring the situation until it’s resolved.

Yes, that’s right. If you’re Canadian you may have seen the clip on the CTV news—it was about going to the Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp in Hollywood, Calif. and playing with The Who’s Roger Daltrey at the House of Blues.

It’s self explanatory, so take it away clip:

Last week was incredibly busy. It started off with my birthday and ended with a fun weekend with Michael and my father attending the Windsor exhibition. The exhibition had two things that I had never seen before: a truck pull and a demolition derby.

On September 19th I turned 38. I don’t feel that old—I still listen to heavy metal, I’m playing guitar more than ever, work is going well; in short, I feel younger than ever. Maybe I’m just kidding myself—to be sure I think I need to buy a Porsche.

Monique bought me a new Zakk Wylde Overdrive pedal for my guitar, which has made a big difference in the gain level playing my Les Paul. My parents got me a new strap for the guitar and there were other assorted items, as well.

Last weekend Michael, my father and I headed off to a truck pull. I’ve never been to a truck pull before, but it was a lot better than I expected. The amount of money spent of these rigs must be incredible. Many of them were running alcohol and when they powered up it almost blew your eardrums.

Better than the truck pull was the demolition derby. These guys are just insane. They pile in their cars and just go, smashing into anything in their way. Some of the drivers actually had a strategy, but most of them just crashed.

A busy week, but it was a lot of fun.

Besides being great friends, Ozzy Osbourne and longtime guitarist Zakk Wylde have made some of the best heavy metal songs of all time. Fans of the pair were a bit distressed earlier this month when Ozzy posted a note to his Web site looking for a new guitarist.

Ozzy has blessed Zakk’s solo project, Black Label Society, which has become more of a lifestyle for band members and fans. However, even with Zakk’s busy touring schedule, a new CD and an upcoming DVD he said in a recent interview that he is willing to play with Ozzy again.

“Ozzy knows I’ll always be there for him,” Zakk said in the interview. “What comes around goes around, ‘cause I remember Ozzy, awhile ago when he was lookin’ for a guitar player, he goes, ‘Zakk, it’s a nightmare.’”

“I mean the bottom line is, with Oz, he makes the calls, he’s the boss, you know what I mean? Whenever he tells me to jump, I ask, ‘how high?’ With us it’s real easy, Sharon calls Barbara Ann, my wife, and goes, ‘Tell the idiot to be down at rehearsals on Wednesday.’ ‘What time?’ ‘Tell him to be there at 1 O’clock.’”

Let’s hope that Ozzy decides to ask Zakk to play on the next CD.