Joe Holmes: The journey to Joining Ozzy Osbourne’s Legendary Band
Reflecting on his audition for Ozzy Osbourne, Joe Holmes attributes much of his success to the profound influence of his mentor and guitar instructor, Randy Rhoads.
A Different Era for Auditions
The landscape of job applications in the 1990s was vastly different from today. There were no sophisticated tools like ChatGPT to enhance your résumé. Holmes, who once held the prestigious role of guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne, can attest to this.
Holmes had set his sights on the ultimate dream job for any rock and metal enthusiast: playing guitar for the iconic ozzy Osbourne, the prince of Darkness himself, who revolutionized the metal genre.
Missing a Key Detail
In his request to Team osbourne, Holmes likely included a recent photo, perhaps a demo reel, and even a copy of Lizzy Borden’s Visual Lies for reference. However, he omitted a significant detail from his biography that could have opened doors for him: his guitar teacher was none other than Randy Rhoads, the legendary guitarist who reignited Ozzy’s solo career.
Landing the Audition
Fortunately, Holmes still secured the audition, and he was ultimately hired. In a recent conversation with Guitar World, he shared a memorable moment from that experience.
“One of the most meaningful compliments I received from Ozzy was during my audition,” Holmes reminisces. “He didn’t know I had studied under Randy. As I played, he stood right in front of me and later remarked that my style and approach reminded him of Randy.”
Emulating the Greats
Interestingly, having a style reminiscent of Rhoads was one of the reasons Zakk Wylde had landed the gig in 1987. However,Holmes’ training under Rhoads had equipped him well,and he was also familiar with the techniques of Jake E. Lee.
Ready for the Spotlight
for his audition, Holmes arrived fully prepared, wielding a Fender Stratocaster and a Marshall amp modified by the late Jose Arredondo, along with speaker cabinets to fill the room with sound.
“I auditioned on about four or five songs, and then Ozzy shook my hand and said, ‘Welcome aboard.’ Ozzy was incredibly kind and approachable,” Holmes recalls.
“It felt natural to play, having been influenced by Randy’s style. Ozzy made me feel at ease throughout the process,” he adds. “Ultimately,my background with Randy’s technique,along with my familiarity with Jake and Zakk’s styles,made it a seamless fit.”
Experience Before Ozzy
Holmes was no stranger to the music scene. In 1991, he toured with David Lee Roth, stepping in for Jason Becker after Becker’s ALS diagnosis. This role required him to perform Eddie Van Halen’s iconic riffs and solos,a challenging task that provided him with invaluable experience working alongside a top-tier vocalist.
Despite his accomplishments, Holmes credits his success to his mentor, the guitarist who had been his guiding light throughout his formative years.
“Randy was and remains my greatest influence as a guitarist,” Holmes states. “He was the ideal teacher for me during my impressionable years.Those lessons with my dad were some of the best times of my life.”
The Gift of Teaching
Holmes fondly remembers rhoads as possessing the most essential quality a guitar teacher can have.
“He was incredibly patient and ensured I grasped the concepts he taught before I left each lesson,” Holmes explains. “He communicated in ways I could easily understand, and his passion for music and guitar playing was infectious.”
A Grateful Heart
As for Ozzy, Holmes describes the legendary Black Sabbath frontman as a “fantastic person and a humble individual.”
“I’m truly thankful for the time I spent with him,” Holmes reflects.
Stay tuned for the full interview with Joe Holmes, set to be released in the coming weeks.
