Ozzy Osbourne was inducted again into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, with tributes from Maynard James Keenan, Zakk Wylde, Wolfgang Van Halen, Billy Idol, and others.
Osbourne was inducted on Saturday night. An all-star group, including Wylde, Keenan, Wolfgang, Billy, Robert Trujillo, Chad Smith, Jelly Roll, Steve Stevens, Adam Wakeman, and Andrew Watt, paid tribute by performing a mix of ‘Crazy Train,’ ‘Mama I’m Coming Home,’ and ‘No More Tears.’
He is the 27th artist to be inducted into the Hall of Fame more than once, joining famous names like John Lennon, Stevie Nicks, and Neil Young.
Osbourne was first inducted in 2006 as a member of Black Sabbath. His latest induction is for his solo career, which began in 1980 when he released ‘Blizzard of Ozz’ after being fired from the band he helped start.
Ozzy was inducted into the Rock Hall by actor and Tenacious D leader Jack Black. “The greatest frontman in the history of rock ‘n’ roll – Ozzy Osbourne,” Black said. “[The cover of ‘Blizzard of Ozz’] was the most metal thing I had ever seen, and I didn’t even know what metal was.”
The singer continued, “Then I went back to Ozzy’s earlier albums, to Black Sabbath. And I was like, Unholy shit, this motherf*cker invented heavy metal … the darkest, heaviest sh*t the world had ever heard.”
Osbourne sat on a throne and accepted his award to a standing ovation. He said, “I can’t believe I’m here myself. My fans have been so loyal to me over the years, I can’t thank them enough.”
The rocker added, “I’ve been fortunate over the years to play with some of the world’s greatest guitar players, drummers, bass players. … I [want to say] one thing tonight for a guy by the name of Randy Rhoads. If I hadn’t met Randy Rhoads, I wouldn’t be sitting here tonight.”
Osbourne is currently fighting Parkinson’s disease and other health problems, which have stopped him from performing live in recent years. In May, he hoped to perform at the induction ceremony but warned that his doctors might not allow it. He started the tribute by shouting “All aboard!” before the band began playing ‘Crazy Train.’