In a recent interview on The Adam Carolla Show, Ozzy Osbourne's wife and manager Sharon Osbourne voiced her strong belief that her husband deserves to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist. While Ozzy was inducted alongside his original Black Sabbath bandmates in 2006, his solo career, spanning over four decades, has yet to receive the same recognition.
"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 said.
"I will never beg, and I will never ask for favors" Sharon continued. "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."
Sharon's assertion is well-founded. Ozzy's solo career has been nothing short of groundbreaking, influencing countless musicians and shaping the landscape of heavy metal music. His albums, such as Blizzard of Ozz, Diary of a Madman, and No More Tears, have sold millions of copies worldwide, making him one of the most successful rock artists of all time.
"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." Sharon added. "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."
"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."
While Ozzy's contributions to Black Sabbath are undeniable, his solo career stands as a testament to his enduring influence and artistry, and his legacy extends far beyond his musical achievements. C'mon Rock n' Roll Hall of Hame, it's about damn time!
