At just 16 years old, Alex Skolnick stepped into the spotlight as the lead guitarist of Testament, bringing a melodic, highly technical style that would leave a lasting mark on the Bay Area thrash scene. His playing quickly set him apart, influencing countless guitarists both in and beyond metal.
By the early ’90s, Skolnick parted ways with Testament and took on a variety of projects, including playing with Savatage and Trans-Siberian Orchestra. He also made a bold move by diving into jazz, enrolling in music school, and eventually forming the Alex Skolnick Trio, a group that blends jazz with rock and metal influences.
One of the lesser-known detours Skolnick‘s career took was his brief time as Ozzy Osbourne‘s lead guitarist, a time he recently spoke about in an interview with Metal Hammer. Despite impressing enough to land a gig with the legendary frontman, he ultimately wasn’t chosen for the long haul — something he believes was out of his hands.
“I don’t know why their separation happened, but I guess Zakk was doing other stuff and there was this search for a new Ozzy Osbourne guitarist,” Skolnick shared. “I was just honored to be in the running because I’d heard about some pretty well-known players that never got past the audition phase.”
To be clear, Skolnick didn’t just audition — he played an actual gig with Ozzy, an unannounced show at Nottingham Rock City. “I actually got to the point of doing a show and Ozzy hired me – he said he wanted me to do the gig,” he recalled. “It was great.”
Ultimately, the opportunity didn’t turn into a full-time job. “I didn’t get the role full-time, which I think was a management decision, but it was a great motivation at a time when I didn’t really know what to do next,” he explained. Instead, he pivoted, enrolling at The New School in New York, where he studied jazz under the guidance of Cecil McBee and Reggie Workman.
This wasn’t the only high-profile opportunity that came his way. Skolnick recently also revealed that Megadeth had considered him as a lead guitarist before bringing in Marty Friedman in 1989 and that he was on standby – albeit many years later – to fill in for guitarist Kiko Loureiro while his wife was giving birth.
Hindsight proves that despite the opportunities that never bear fruit Skolnick‘s path led him to a unique and diverse career. From thrash to jazz and beyond, his choices have helped him carve out a musical identity that goes far beyond filling someone else’s shoes.
Source: metalinjection.net
