Joe Holmes
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Joe Holmes was born on June 11, 1961 in New Jersey. When Joe was learning to play the guitar as a kid he got lessons from renowned guitarist Randy Rhoads. Joe joined an L.A based band Terriff in 1983. Joe left Terriff to join Lizzy Borden in 1987. Joe left Lizzy Borden in 1991.
Joe joined David Lee Roth's band in 1991. Joe replaced Jason Becker who was diagnosed with ALS while recording the album A Little Ain't Enough. Becker finished the album and Joe cannot be heard on the album. Joe played Eddie Van Halen and Steve Vai's parts on tour.
In 1995 after Ozzy Osbourne had finished recording the Ozzmosis album a replacement for Zakk Wylde was needed. Joe auditioned and got the gig. Joe actually didn't mention he got lessons from Randy Rhoads (former guitarist for Osbourne) because he thought it would hurt his chances at the job. Joe set off on the Ozzmosis tour with Ozzy, Deen Castronovo, and Geezer Butler. Joe played the solos note for note.
Joe left the band in 1998 to become a born again Christian and rejoined in 2000 for the Ozzfest tour. Joe left the band while recording and writing the Down to Earth album. While Joe doesn't play on the album the songs "Facing Hell", "Junkie", and "That I Never Had", which Joe co-wrote, appeared on the album. It is unknown what Joe has done since then, although one rumor is that Joe died. Another rumor is that Joe is working with his 2 former Ozzy bandmates Mike Bordin and Robert Trujillo on a new project in San Francisco.