Ozzy Osbourne on Rock Hall Induction: ‘I’m Happy I’m Alive To See This’
The Prince of Darkness was first eligible to be nominated into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist in 2006 — the same year the institution finally inducted the band he cofounded in 1968, heavy-metal pioneers Black Sabbath. But Ozzy Osbourne wasn’t actually considered for induction by himself until this year.
Last month, Osbourne told Rolling Stone the anticipation of finding out whether or not he’d be inducted was driving him crazy. “It’s an honor that I’m nominated, but I’m not expecting to get in,” he said. “There’s Mariah Carey, there’s Cher, Lenny Kravitz. I’m up against some serious people. If I get in, I get in. If I don’t, I don’t.” But as was revealed this past weekend on American Idol, Osbourne got in after all. When his manager and wife, Sharon Osbourne, told him the news, he felt elated.
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Osbourne is now one of the rare musicians to be inducted multiple times, joining Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, and his heroes in the Beatles. It’s fitting since Osbourne’s solo career eclipsed Sabbath’s in the Eighties thanks to songs like “Crazy Train” and “Bark at the Moon,” which, along with his often-unbelievable offstage antics, positioned him as heavy metal’s first true superstar madman. It’s also fitting since the Rock Hall inducted the guitarist who co-wrote Osbourne’s early solo hits, Randy Rhoads, a few years ago. As Osbourne said in an interview on Wednesday, he appreciates the recognition — even if it’s overdue.
Congratulations on the Rock Hall news. Are you excited?
Oh yeah, it’s great. When I was nominated, I said to Sharon, “I’ll never make it.” Lo and behold, there you go.
How did you find out?
Sharon told me a couple of days ago. When I got in, everybody and their neighbors were like, “Congratulations, mate.” I went, “Wow.” And then it was on the evening news. I didn’t realize it was that much of a big deal.
What does the induction mean to you on a personal level?
To be honest with you, I don’t really know what it means. I’m in there with Black Sabbath. And it was like, “Oh yeah.” … I don’t understand it really. I’ve had mixed feelings about it over the years. But I didn’t realize the fans can vote in it. I thought it was a committee. I’m very humbled by it.
Your fans really came out and showed support for you.
Yeah. It made the gloomy life I live now these days — “Everyone forgot me” — go away. People haven’t forgotten me. It kind of spurred me on a bit. It’s given me a push in my workout. This morning, my trainer came and I’m getting to work out really hard. I’m getting excited about doing it now.
When we spoke about a month ago, you didn’t think you’d get in because you were up against Lenny Kravitz and people like that.
It freaked me out when I got in. I went, “Wow.”
Does it feel different to you to get in as a solo artist as opposed to as a member of Black Sabbath?
Considering I got fired from Black Sabbath, yes. When Randy Rhoads came into my life, he gave me a new perspective. He said, “You’ve got to stop drinking.” He was a really nice guy. For instance, the difference between Randy Rhoads and Black Sabbath is that Black Sabbath would complain to me [that] what I do in the studio, I couldn’t do on the stage, purely because whatever key the riff was in, they expect me to put a vocal on it. Then Randy Rhoads came along and said, “I think we should do it in this key to make it more comfortable for you to work with.” He took time out to do that with me.
I’ve had some great players over the years. It wasn’t always all me. When it comes down to the songwriting thing, because I don’t play an instrument, I have to rely on other people to a certain degree.
Do you see this also as a win for guitarists like Randy Rhoads and Zakk Wylde and other people you’ve written with over the years?
Randy was great. Zakk’s been great. All the players I’ve worked with, they’ve all been good players.
You’re now in rare company as someone who’s double-inducted, like Eric Clapton and the Beatles. How does that feel?
It’s great. Sharon said it’s just 25 people in there that’s been in twice. I think Clapton’s been in three times.
Years ago, before Black Sabbath were nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, you asked to be taken off the ballot. How do you see it differently?
With Black Sabbath, the media and the press never liked us. We were the “anti-band.” Black Sabbath from day one, we never got a review. [Critics] never liked anything we did. We figured, “We ain’t gonna get in, so what’s the fucking point?” Years ago, I used to think it was only done by a committee. But I was mistaken. I didn’t realize that fans had a vote. I was proud to be wrong.
It must feel good to see how things have changed, to feel appreciated.
Now we’re this band that’s accepted to the point where I was looking at YouTube the other day and someone wrote, “This band was way ahead of its time.” It’s kind of weird the way things turned around.
And I’m not that crazy alcoholic, drugged-out fiend anymore. The one thing I’m happy about is I’m alive to see all this. I gave it a good go for so many years. But the thing is I don’t remember most of my past. It’s just like a fucking haze. I’m not proud of it. I don’t want anybody to think that because I survived it, they will survive. I didn’t really survive; it caught up with me in the end.
Do accolades like the Rock Hall make you see your legacy differently?
Music has been the best thing I’ve ever decided to do. When you’re writing an album, you don’t go, “This is that good. We’re gonna get into the Hall of Fame one day.” My ego loves it [laughs]. But I’ve never been one of those ego-ed out guys. I’m not blasé about it. It’s better than being booed. There’s a lot of people out there that never got in. I’m very honored — but I’m still Ozzy.
Who else should be inducted into the Rock Hall? Mot?rhead are not in yet.
Mot?rhead have to be. They should definitely be in. Lemmy Kilmister was a very integral part of this. In my opinion, Lemmy Kilmister was the ultimate metal guy. He lived blues, meth, and malt brews. And he was a dear friend of mine. I really miss not having Lemmy around anymore.
What I liked about Lemmy is he didn’t give a fuck who you were. If you asked him a question, he’d tell you what he thought. If you asked what he thought of a song, he’d say, “It’s crap.” And he’d tell you. And he’s like, “If you don’t like my answer, then don’t give me the question.”
Is there anybody else who’s not in the Rock Hall that should be in?
I can’t think of it. But I’m glad Foreigner got in. They should have got in ages ago. I mean, Foreigner now, that ain’t Foreigner. It’s like a cover band. There are no original members, are there?
The musicians who tour as Foreigner all joined in the 2000s.
That’s a cover band.
But Lou Gramm will be there.
I’ve never met Lou. I really want to meet Lou. He’s a great singer.
Cher, Peter Frampton, and a lot of other great performers are getting in this year, too.
Cher should have gotten in years ago. Is Mariah Carey in?
Mariah Carey did not get in.
She should get in.
There’s also Mary J. Blige and Kool and the Gang.
Did Mary J. Blige get in?
Yes.
Great.
Do you think you’ll go to the ceremony this year?
Yeah. I’m going.
Cher said she doesn’t want to go.
Oh, she’ll go. Of course, she’ll go. If she doesn’t, she doesn’t.
Are you ready to give a speech?
I’m not good at making speeches. I don’t like making speeches. I end up mumbling [laughs]. I’ll try. I can only try. Bob Dylan don’t like making speeches either.
Metallica inducted Black Sabbath. Who would you like to induct you?
I don’t know. Sharon’s working on that for me. I think she’d like to have Jack Black from Tenacious D. He might not be available, but if he can do it, that would be great.
Do you think you’ll perform?
If I can. My wife is organizing it. If I did it, I’d start thinking about it now and I’d lie in bed going, “Oh, we have to start rehearsing.” But we’re definitely going along.
There’s usually an all-star jam at the end of the Rock Hall gala. Would you want to take part in that?
I’m not one to jam. Besides that, I’m not very quick on my toes. But we’ll see what happens.
Why did Black Sabbath not perform at the Rock Hall in 2006?
I was thinking of this yesterday. I can’t remember now. I don’t know. In actual fact, I forgot that we were in.
Then it’s a happy surprise to get in twice in one day.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m really happy I got in. I just don’t know how to receive that kind of news. I’m just a guy who wrote rock songs and got successful at it.
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