So I guess there is a “B-L-S” in bullshit! Earlier this evening I was laying in my bed watching television. The door burst open and Grace says I’ll never believe who’s on American Idol. I just assumed it was Slash again. She said it’s even worse. Naturally my interest was piqued. So, I flipped the tv to Fox. And, standing there in all his “Pride and Glory” was none other than Zakk Wylde himself–the same guy who used to rip Limp Bizkit mid-song. Well, I bet even Fred Durst is laughing at you tonight!!! I’m surprised his vest wasn’t adorned with the sparkly sequins Slash had on his top-hat during the Super Bowl. I’ve had my 3 favorite guitar players for quite some time–Slash, Dime, and Zakk. I find it a bit ironic that after tonight the only one who is “alive” is the guy that is dead.
I’ve had the conversation before numerous times with many different people (some who happen to be my best friends) about “selling out”. Many people say it’s “no big deal”, that it’s “just the times.” I ask if anyone has any integrity anymore? I know record sales are nearly non-existent right now and artists have to find other means to earn a paycheck. But American Idol??? Really, Zakk??? You couldn’t add an extra 5 shows to your tour? You couldn’t add a couple extra flavors to your line of hot sauces? You can’t add another endorsement deal from some other guitar/cable/amp/pedal/etc…company to supplement the income?
I think a lot of my frustration comes down to this–When it comes to music, I’m a bit of a purist at heart. I feel that the great majority of tunes I listen to are timeless. Pop music and culture (the EXACT demographic American Idol targets) is really about the here and now. Flavor of the week. What’s the “hot” fashion today at the local mall? Who’s going to the hip dance club this weekend? THAT crowd. And I don’t have a problem with that crowd–some of my friends happen to make up that crowd. But, I don’t want them mixing “my” music with theirs. Pure and simple. I don’t want to hear Zakk Wylde and J. Lo mentioned in the same sentence, or seen in the same room. Or Slash and The Black Eyed Peas, etc… You get the point.
Here’s one thing that is undeniable–The Zakk Wylde of 10 years ago would have beat tonight’s version into a bloody mess. Here’s some advice Zakk: On your way home from the gig tonight, throw your bottle of blood-thinners out the window. Then stop off at the local tavern and get your head on straight. Either that or replace the skull on your vest with a rainbow patch. 
Very well put sir! I agree 100% I’ve sat back and watched ol Zakk on a downward slope for awhile now, and there for quite some time he was the man. The same dude that made Stronger Than Death is playin on American Idol. Pathetic! Just goes to show ya what money and fame will do to ya……tsk tsk.
Fear not, gentlemen, for I have recently perfected a chemical cocktail which can bring the dead back to life, and very shortly Cliff Burton will rise from the grave and wreak vengeance on those who have transgressed upon our sacred metal. I suspect he will be very busy with his former band-mates for some time–oh so very busy indeed–but will eventually work his way around to Zakk. I don’t think Zakk needs to have his brains dashed out and devoured like the members of that band which I no longer name in speech or writing–one good beatdown is probably all he needs.
(Then I’m bringing back Dime, Layne, and Keith Moon and make a fuckin’ record–the first ever written and recorded by zombies.)
Success is dangerous. There have only been a handful of bands that have been able to withstand it. You need to be angry in a place money can’t reach, and most bands/guys just aren’t. 95% of them are no more than six weeks of hookers and blow away from recording the next “Load” album.