Zakk Wylde described his bond with the Osbourne family as more like family than a business relationship. He shared that Sharon Osbourne has been like a mother to him since he joined Ozzy’s band at just 19 years old.
Zakk, who replaced Jake E. Lee in the band, quickly made an impression with his guitar skills, honoring past band members while bringing his unique style. Decades later, he still collaborates with Ozzy and has a close connection with both Ozzy and Sharon.
In an interview with Chris Shiflett, Zakk shared how Sharon treated him like a son from the start. He recalled a time at the Rainbow Bar & Grill when Sharon called to scold him, telling him to leave immediately.
Zakk explained that his relationship with the Osbournes goes beyond music. He joked about helping them clean the house if they needed it, emphasizing that their bond feels more personal than professional. He also mentioned how simple their arrangements are, with no formal negotiations or legal involvement. Sharon might even discuss payments with his wife, and Zakk said he always agrees, no matter the amount.
He summed it up by saying their connection is bigger than just being in a band, likening it to the kind of trust and teamwork you have with close family or friends.
“I lovingly refer to Sharon as mom, because ever since I was 19 years old, you know, she’s been like my mom. At The Rainbow [Bar & Grill], when I first joined the band [chuckes]… She called The Rainbow, and she was like, ‘What the f**k are you doing down there? Get! the f**k…’ I was like, ‘I’m sorry, guys, I gotta go. My mom just told me I have to go home.’ [laughs]”
He added:
“My relationship with Ozzy and Sharon is just like, if they needed me to go over and clean the house because they had company; [if] they had to go out for a little while, and they had company coming over later. They would [say], ‘Zakk, can you go over and clean the house?’ And I’d say, ‘Yeah, no problem.’ That’s my relationship with them.”
“So, yeah, it’s bigger than a band thing, you know what I mean ? When you’re in a band with your buddies, you just call them up and go, ‘Guys and come over and do this. I gotta knock something out for it now.’ It’s just the way it’s always been. Like, there is no negotiating, and everything like that. Mom’s like, she’ll talk with Barbaranne, my wife, and just goes, ‘Look, we got 100 bucks. We can only afford to give Zakky $20 on this thing because we got to pay for everything else. Is that cool?’ It’s like, ‘Yeah, of course. Whatever you got to do.'”
“There aren’t any attorneys involved. It’s just like, ‘We got 20 bucks. You in or you’re out?’ It’s like, ‘Yeah, I’m it. Don’t worry about it.’ If that’s what you got, then that’s what it is. I’ll be over there on Tuesday. Don’t worry about it.”
