Sun Oct 13 03:00:00 UTC 2024: ## From Covers Band to Rock Stars: Chris Jericho’s Fozzy Celebrates 25 Years

**Atlanta, GA** – Chris Jericho, the wrestling legend, has taken Fozzy, his band, on a wild ride. What started as a casual covers band in 1998 has evolved into a full-fledged rock act with seven top 10 radio singles and a gold record. “It’s hard to believe we’re sitting here talking about the 25th anniversary of Fozzy,” Jericho told UCR. “Everything’s changed to a much bigger perspective than we ever thought about when we first started out.”

Jericho explained that Fozzy’s journey started with a desire to have fun playing music with guitarist Rich Ward. The band initially played covers as “Fozzy Osbourne,” drawing inspiration from bands like Spinal Tap and The Blues Brothers. However, after a couple of years, they realized their potential for original music. “We decided to go in there as ourselves, drop the storyline and characters,” Jericho said, referencing their appearance on the Howard Stern Show.

The decision to go all-original paid off. Fozzy’s 2010 album “Chasing the Grail” marked a turning point, with the band deciding to go full-time. But it was their 2017 hit “Judas” that catapulted them to radio success. “I never realized how important rock radio was until we started getting played,” Jericho admitted.

Jericho also shared his love for Kiss and his “Kuarantine” project, a Kiss tribute band. He highlighted some underrated Kiss songs, including “Heart of Chrome,” “Turn on the Night,” and “Heaven’s on Fire.”

On the wrestling side, Jericho acknowledged the importance of storytelling, highlighting AEW’s success with captivating narratives. He addressed the lack of push for certain larger wrestlers, emphasizing that the business has changed. “Size really doesn’t make a difference and it never really did,” Jericho said. “It’s always been about storytelling, character and connecting with the audience.”

With Fozzy on its 25th anniversary tour, Jericho continues to be a busy man, juggling music, wrestling, and even acting. His latest film, “Terrifier 2,” premiered on October 11th, and it seems his talents know no bounds. As he said, “If you can connect with the audience, you’ll always have a gig.”

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