Ozzy Osbourne, a pivotal figure in the development of metal music, often finds himself mislabeled as solely a metal artist. In a candid discussion with SPIN, Ozzy shared his unease with the ‘metal’ tag, arguing that his music, while heavy, differs significantly from more extreme metal genres.
He lamented the restrictive nature of genre pigeonholing, reminiscing about a time when such music was simply categorized as rock.
Ozzy also challenges the appropriateness of the ‘heavy metal’ label. During a 2013 CNN interview, he expressed his inability to connect with the term, citing its vague musical implications.
He prefers being known as a ‘Rock’ or ‘Heavy Rock’ musician, noting the stylistic shifts in rock music across decades. Ozzy acknowledges the influence of his band, Black Sabbath, on various artists but remains humble about his role in the genre’s evolution.
In a recent Metal Hammer interview, Osbourne reflected on the idea that Black Sabbath single-handedly invented heavy metal. He credits the band’s success to the collective effort, particularly highlighting Tony Iommi’s significant contribution.
Ozzy also mentions bands like The Who, Led Zeppelin, and The Kinks as influences on Black Sabbath’s sound, downplaying the notion of Black Sabbath as the sole inventor of heavy metal. This perspective offers a more nuanced understanding of the band’s place in music history.
