At simply 16 years outdated, Alex Skolnick stepped into the highlight because the lead guitarist of Testomony, bringing a melodic, extremely technical fashion that would go away an enduring mark on the Bay Space thrash scene. His taking part in shortly set him aside, influencing numerous guitarists each in and past metallic.
By the early ’90s, Skolnick parted methods with Testomony and took on quite a lot of tasks, together with taking part in with Savatage and Trans-Siberian Orchestra. He additionally made a daring transfer by diving into jazz, enrolling in music college, and finally forming the Alex Skolnick Trio, a gaggle that blends jazz with rock and metallic influences.
One of many lesser-known detours Skolnick‘s profession took was his temporary time as Ozzy Osbourne‘s lead guitarist, a time he just lately spoke about in an interview with Metal Hammer. Regardless of impressing sufficient to land a gig with the legendary frontman, he in the end wasn’t chosen for the lengthy haul — one thing he believes was out of his arms.
“I do not know why their separation occurred, however I suppose Zakk was doing different stuff and there was this seek for a brand new Ozzy Osbourne guitarist,” Skolnick shared. “I used to be simply honored to be within the operating as a result of I might heard about some fairly well-known gamers that by no means acquired previous the audition part.”
To be clear, Skolnick did not simply audition — he performed an precise gig with Ozzy, an unannounced present at Nottingham Rock Metropolis. “I truly acquired to the purpose of doing a present and Ozzy employed me – he stated he needed me to do the gig,” he recalled. “It was nice.”
Finally, the chance did not flip right into a full-time job. “I did not get the position full-time, which I believe was a administration resolution, but it surely was an incredible motivation at a time after I did not actually know what to do subsequent,” he defined. As a substitute, he pivoted, enrolling at The New College in New York, the place he studied jazz underneath the steering of Cecil McBee and Reggie Workman.
This wasn’t the one high-profile alternative that got here his approach. Skolnick just lately additionally revealed that Megadeth had considered him as a lead guitarist earlier than bringing in Marty Friedman in 1989 and that he was on standby – albeit a few years later – to fill in for guitarist Kiko Loureiro whereas his spouse was giving delivery.
Hindsight proves that regardless of the alternatives that by no means bear fruit Skolnick‘s path led him to a novel and various profession. From thrash to jazz and past, his selections have helped him carve out a musical id that goes far past filling another person’s footwear.
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