Ozzy Osbourne Reacts to Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Selection as a Solo Artist: ‘Feels Big’

Ozzy Osbourne is already considered a legend in the rock music industry, but he only proved that his legacy won't stop there as he was elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for the second time; this time, he was selected as a solo artist.

The musician recently spoke to Billboard to share his feelings upon receiving the news, saying it "feels big" and he was more than honored to be included in the selection.

"With every new music venture there's always a certain amount of surprise that comes when you see the fans embrace it, because no one wants to make a record and have it flop," he said of his career as a solo musician after being Black Sabbath's frontman for a long time.

He added that it felt like being invited to a party in 1980, which hasn't stopped ever since.

"Not bad for a guy who was fired from his last band," he added.

Ozzy Osbourne Initially Didn't Like the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Ozzy Osbourne didn't always like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as he had expressed his disappointment in an open letter.

When his band, Black Sabbath, was nominated for enshrinement in 1999, he issued an open letter to publicly slam the institution, telling them to remove the band's name from the list, adding that the nomination felt meaningless.

READ ALSO: Cher, Frampton, Ozzy, Blige, Buffett Lead Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's Class of 2024

He felt this way because inductees into the Hall of Fame are not voted on by fans but by elite people within the industry and the media.

"Let's face it, Black Sabbath has never been media darlings. We're a people's band and that suits us just fine," he added. (via Loudwire)

Ozzy Osbourne Changed His Perception Years Later

Seven years after the incident, it seemed that he had changed his perception, as he had previously expressed his excitement when Black Sabbath was nominated again in 2006.

In March 2024, he revealed that he hoped to be inducted into the Hall of Fame as a solo artist, saying it's been driving him mad.

He added that it was an honor to be nominated, but he wasn't expecting to get in as there were many bigger artists than him, including Mariah Carey, Lenny Kravitz, Cher, and more.

"If I get in, I get in. If I don't, I don't," he added.

According to CNN Entertainment, the 2024 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction will occur at the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, OH, on October 19. Fans will get a chance to watch the show live via Disney+, and it will air at a later date on ABC.

READ MORE: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Nominees Are In: Cher, Mariah Carey Make Their Debuts on the List