Sometimes in rock history, the almosts and near-misses tell stories just as compelling as the big breaks. In a recent conversation with Radio Forrest of 96.9 The Eagle, Savatage and Trans-Siberian Orchestra guitarist Al Pitrelli shared a rare memory about nearly joining Ozzy Osbourne’s band in the late 1980s.
"Years and years ago, when Jake [E. Lee] left [Ozzy's] band, and I don't even know what year this would be — '87 maybe, '88. And Max Norman was Ozzy's producer, I think, on the Blizzard Of Ozz and the Diary Of A Madman album. And I had known Max in New York City, and he called me up and he goes, 'I'm recommending you to [Ozzy's wife and manager] Sharon to be one of the people that they look at to replace Jake.' And I was, like, 'Oh my God. Fantastic,'" Pitrelli said (via Blabbermouth).
The opportunity seemed to fall into his lap. By chance, Pitrelli soon crossed paths with Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne in New York City.
"I ran into Sharon and Ozzy somewhere in New York City, I think. I said, 'I don't mean to interrupt you guys.' And I introduced myself to Sharon. I said, 'Listen, my name's Al Pitrelli. Max Norman put my name into a hat for potential people who were gonna audition for you guys. I just wanna say thank you for the opportunity, but whatever happens, good luck to you. Love you guys. Respect always," Pitrelli recalled.
"And Ozzy nodded and smiled, and Sharon shook my hand very graciously and said, 'Thank you.' And that was the first and last time I ever spoke to him, because a very famous photographer named Mark Weiss recommended Zakk [Wylde], and I think when Zakk walked in the room, it was all over. And Zakk was the perfect choice for Ozzy back then. If you put me or Zakk in there, put Zakk in there for what Ozzy needed at the time."
Though he never got the gig, the fact that his name was in the running mattered deeply.
"Well, it was nice because that's an accomplishment. People were looking at you at that level. I certainly didn't see myself at that level yet. I mean, you're talking about Randy Rhoads and Jake E. Lee, and then subsequently Zakk Wylde. But all of a sudden, it's, like, 'Well, people are paying attention to me. I should probably keep working really, really hard.' And then not too long after that is when Steve Vai turned around and recommended me to replace him in David Lee Roth's band. Dave's, like, 'You're my guy.' But he got caught up in some film that he was doing. And then Steve reiterated that thought to Alice Cooper when Alice needed a musical director, and Alice hired me. It's been a nonstop kind of just, like, 'pay it back' situation. Everybody takes care of each other when you're out there, if you come from the old neighborhood."
For Pitrelli, what stood out just as much as the career recognition was the warmth he felt in that brief meeting.
"I remember that Sharon was so sweet, with a genuine smile. Ozzy was a gentleman, only the way Ozzy could be, and everybody was just kind and considerate. Here I am — not starving, but some young kid from Long Island dying to get in the business, and they were sweet for five to 10 minutes."
While Pitrelli never became part of Ozzy Osbourne’s band, his career path was hardly derailed. He became a key figure in Trans-Siberian Orchestra from its very beginning in 1995, playing on its first release, Christmas Eve And Other Stories, and today serves as both lead guitarist and musical director for the group’s western touring company, as well as co-musical director on its studio work.
