Sharon reveals that a special new project involving Ozzy Osbourne’s illustrious career is underway
In a recent interview with his longtime manager and wife, Sharon Osbourne, exciting news has emerged about a forthcoming project centered around the legendary Ozzy Osbourne, slated to unfold in his cherished hometown of Birmingham at some point in the future.
Speaking to Planet Rock earlier this month, Sharon provided insights into Ozzy Osbourne‘s emotional ties to Birmingham, and she tantalizingly hinted at a novel venture that will pay homage to the Prince Of Darkness’ extraordinary career in a truly distinctive manner.
“Ozzy has got nine lives,” Sharon jokes. “He’s not going anywhere. If a bomb dropped there would be cockroaches, Keith Richards and Ozzy!”
When asked about the Osbournes‘ current living situation, Sharon continues: “We’re flip flopping the way we live – we’re going to live permanently in England but we’ll still come back [to Los Angeles] to visit family.
“The older you get the more you want to go back to your roots and that’s Birmingham,” she adds. “There’s so much of Ozzy and Black Sabbath there we can’t not go back as a family. We’re working on a music school right now, with all Ozzy’s memorabilia in there – 55 years of memorabilia – and also they’ve got Black Sabbath Bridge, the Bench and Ozzy the Bull!
“It’s just the most amazing thing,” she notes, “and it means so much to him you have no idea.”
Even though he officially bid adieu to touring in 2023, Ozzy Osbourne remains resolute in his commitment to some form of performance once he fully recuperates from his recent health challenges. In a conversation with Metal Hammer last year, the former BLACK SABBATH frontman emphasized his determination: “I’m getting myself fit. I’ve done two albums fairly recently [2020’s Ordinary Man and 2022’s Patient Number 9], but I want to do one more album and then go back on the road.”
Last November, Sharon Osbourne appeared on “The Adam Carolla Show” and delved into the topic of Ozzy‘s non-inclusion in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame as a solo performer. While the original BLACK SABBATH lineup, including Ozzy Osbourne, received induction in 2006, the iconic heavy metal vocalist has not yet been acknowledged for his individual contributions to the music scene.
When Sharon was asked by Carolla how the nomination process works and if she has to lobby to get Ozzy Osbourne in as a solo artist, she replied: “There are people on the board, and the people on the board have to go in, and it has to be on their list, and it has to be on more than, I think, half of the votes. More than half.”
Sharon added that she doesn’t like to “beg” for anything. “I will never beg, and I will never ask for favors,” she explained. “I’ve never asked anyone for a favor. So, my thing is fuck you if you don’t realize that somebody really deserves to be here. And you don’t recognize that? Then, see ya.”
When asked again if she had done “any lobbying” to get Ozzy into the Rock Hall, Sharon said: “We went to a dinner last year for the people who had been inducted in last year. They invited us to the dinner and we went. And people were saying to Ozzy, ‘Oh, you’ve been inducted in,’ and we were, like, ‘No, actually. We were just invited for the food, so we’re here.’ That’s as near as we’ve got, but no.”
Sharon added: “They know that Ozzy deserves to be there. They know he’s been a solo artist. You’ve gotta be doing it for 25 years. He’s been 43 years as a solo artist. He sold nearly a hundred million albums as a solo artist. So where is he? Induct him.”
Artists are eligible to be inducted into the Rock Hall after at least 25 years have passed since their first record was released.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a prestigious institution honoring musical legends, has been both a source of celebration and controversy. In 2006, BLACK SABBATH, along with LYNYRD SKYNYRD, Mike Davis, and BLONDIE, received well-deserved induction. However, the Rock Hall‘s eligibility criteria and selection process have sparked discussions and debates, particularly in the realms of hard rock and heavy metal.
The Rock Hall’s eligibility rules dictate that artists are eligible for induction 25 years after the release of their first album or single. This rule, while seemingly straightforward, has left notable bands like IRON MAIDEN and MOTÖRHEAD without recognition. These iconic figures, whose influence on the hard rock and metal genres is undeniable, have yet to receive the honor despite meeting the eligibility timeline.
