Ozzy Osbourne was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on October 19, marking a momentous occasion for the legendary rocker. The ceremony celebrated an array of iconic musicians, including Cher, Foreigner, and Peter Frampton, but the highlight of the evening was undoubtedly Ozzy’s induction, a long-awaited honor for fans who have admired his decades of groundbreaking music.
Though unable to perform himself, Osbourne still made his mark at the event, starting off the night with his iconic “All aboard!” scream before a group of renowned musicians performed his hit, “Crazy Train.”
Tool vocalist Maynard James Keenan took on the lead vocals, with Wolfgang Van Halen handling Randy Rhoads’ guitar parts. Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo, producer Andrew Watt, and RHCP drummer Chad Smith rounded out the star-studded lineup, delivering a powerful performance that had the crowd on their feet.
The audience was thrilled with the band’s rendition, but the ultimate approval came from Osbourne himself. His expression of satisfaction said more than words ever could as he watched the performance unfold.
During his induction speech, Ozzy kept his comments brief but heartfelt. “Here we are,” he began. “I can’t believe I’m here myself. Let me get the thank yous out of the way, because I’m not going to bore you with a long, drawn-out fucking monologue.”
He went on to express his gratitude to those who voted for him, saying, “I’d like to thank whoever voted me into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for my solo work. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
Osbourne paid special tribute to his fans, acknowledging their unwavering support throughout his career. “My fans have been so loyal to me over the years, I cannot thank them enough,” he said.
He then reflected on one of the most pivotal musicians in his life, Randy Rhoads. “I’ve been fortunate over the years to play with some of the world’s greatest guitar players, drummers, bass players, and a few of them are here tonight. But I’ve got to say one thing for a guy by the name of Randy Rhoads. If I hadn’t met Randy, I don’t think I’d be sitting here now.”
Before closing, Ozzy gave a heartfelt shoutout to his wife, Sharon, who he credited with saving his life, along with his children and grandchildren. With that, Osbourne handed the mic over to Jack Black to continue the evening’s festivities.
