ZAKK WYLDE Talks Songwriting – “For Me, With The Heavy Songs Anyway, It Always Starts With The Riff”

At the tail end of Black Label Society’s first Australian headline tour since 2006, Mixdown spoke to Zakk Wylde about sport, his application to making music, and his notorious affiliation with the Gibson Les Paul. Read an excerpt from the interview below:

Q: You just wrapped up an Australian tour with Black Label Society. You’ve got a reputation as a supremely powerful live band. Over the years, has playing live had a big impact on the songs you write?

A: “I don’t think in those terms. I just think, when you write a cool riff then there you go. For me, with the heavy songs anyway, it always starts with the riff. Then the melody comes and it finishes with the lyrics. Because then you get inspired to sing about something and then you put it into the melody you came up with.”

Q: You’re well known for your signature Gibson Les Paul Custom. Fans pay a lot of attention to your guitar and effects setup, regarding it with quasi-religious reverence. For you, is the gear you use essential for enabling you to do what you do?

A: “My setup is just so basic. It’s just a great tube amp and a really cool speaker. My pedals, they’re basic. It works best for me – it’s less clutter. If you have a great sounding amp, that’s what you want to hear. You have a great guitar; it’s a great combination. To me that’s what it’s all about.”

Read the complete interview at Mixdown.

Zakk Wylde, as well as other guitar legends Steve Vai  and John 5, along with drum powerhouse Mike Portnoy, bass icon Billy Sheehan and keyboard phenomenon Derek Sherinian are joining forces to play a benefit concert for guitar and keyboard virtuoso Tony MacAlpine, who was recently diagnosed with colon cancer.

The Benefit for Tony MacAlpine will take place at the Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles on December 12th, at 7 PM, featuring performances from John 5 & The Creatures, Zakk Wylde with Mike Portnoy, Billy Sheehan and Derek Sherinian; Steve Vai and band, and culminating in an all-star jam with house band Portnoy, Sheehan, Sherinian, and featuring special guests. Eddie Trunk will serve as master of ceremonies for the night.

In addition to this extraordinary musical event, Steve Vai, John 5, Paul Gilbert, Joe Bonamassa, Steve Lukather, Steve Stevens, and Joe Satriani have all graciously donated personal guitars to be auctioned during the event. In addition, Rudy Sarzo has offered private lessons as an auction item, and Simon Phillips has donated a signature snare. Tony’s gear manufacturers Ibanez, Hughes & Kettner, EMG, Ernie Ball, Source Audio and Voodoo Lab have also generously donated equipment to be raffled.

Tony’s cancer diagnosis comes on the heels of his wife’s diagnosis with breast cancer in June, making the situation even more trying for Tony and his family.

“Tony is a dear friend, an absolutely sweet human being and one of the most talented musicians I’ve ever worked with,” says Mike Portnoy, “We are coming together to help raise money and awareness to help him fight his battle and come out on top!”  

Adds Steve Vai, “It’s a great privilege to take to the stage with my friends Zakk, John, Mike and Billy in support of our dear friend Tony. Tony has always been blessed with an exceptional talent and more so, he’s an exceptionally cool guy. It’s a great cause and will be a magical evening of guitar extravaganza.”

“Tony has been such an inspiration to me,” says John 5. “He is an incredible musician and an unbelievable talent. Please let’s all come together and beat this!”

“Tony is our brother. We look forward to making a historical night, and raising a lot of money to help our friend in need.” said Derek Sherinian.

Tony MacAlpine is widely known as a guitar virtuoso who is just as skilled on the keys. Edge of Insanity, his classic debut album, was recently ranked by Guitar World magazine as one of the Top Ten Shred Guitar Albums of all time. Aside from his solo work, Tony has also been part of several rock supergroups including Planet X with Derek Sherinian and Virgil Donati; PSMS (Portnoy/Sheehan/MacAlpine/Sherinian); as well as the Grammy nominated CAB with bassist Bunny Brunel and drummer Dennis Chambers. MacAlpine also spent seven years playing guitar and keys in Steve Vai‘s touring band The Breed.

Tony’s most recent album Concrete Gardens was released in May. Tony toured the US in June to promote the album, but was forced to cancel tours of Asia, Australia and Europe when his health deteriorated.

Tickets are on sale through LiveNation.com, with all proceeds going to help Tony and his family. A GoFundMe campaign will be set up for fans who can’t make the show, but still want to contribute.

Doors will be at 7 PM with the show set to begin at 8 PM. For tickets, visit livenation.com.