An elite roster of musicians will help induct heavy metal legend Ozzy Osbourne into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame this month. It’s obviously not his first go around, as the the multi-platinum pioneer previously made it into the hall back in 2006 via the induction for his pioneering heavy metal outfit Black Sabbath.
Now the 75-year-old ‘Prince Of Darkness’ will be recognized for his own celebrated solo career. As has been highly publicized, the lifelong musician was dealt a cruel blow in 2019. A late night fall on the way to the bathroom saw him dislodge several steel rods previously surgically inserted into him. Those rods were placed to help correct the serious injuries he sustained in a 2003 ATV accident.
Several surgeries and treatments were attempted after his late night tumble, however, the side effects saw him saddled with nerve damage issues and more, affecting his mobility and balance to this day.
Unfortunately, his subsequent health has prevented him from continuing to pursue his passion of performing live in the capacity he had previously become accustomed to. Osbourne is also decades into his battle with PRKN 2, a form of Parkinson’s Disease.
While metal star has been able to perform live a handful of times since his aforementioned fall, he has done so in a limited, stationary capacity, being aided by a standing bracket to assist him with his balance issues.
As such, the question of whether or not he will be able to perform amid this month’s October 19th induction ceremony at the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, OH remains up in the air. A newly published interview with Rolling Stone found the icon offering no comment on whether or not he’ll be taking an active role when it comes the musical performances at the induction.
He did however discuss the small army of talent enlisted to play him in. Among those musicians are his former solo bassist Robert Trujillo (now of Metallica) and frequent guitarist companion Zakk Wylde.
Producer/musician Andrew Watt, who helmed Osbourne‘s most recent solo output, will also be taking part, as will Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith. It was Trujillo and Smith who also served as studio musicians on Osbourne‘s recent albums.
Adam Wakeman will be on keys for the performance, having previously work with Osbourne in the past in both a solo capacity, as well as with Black Sabbath.
Rounding out the roster of guests are Tool, etc. vocalist Maynard James Keenan, Mammoth WVH vocalist/guitarist Wolfgang Van Halen, hard rock legend Billy Idol, as well as Billy Idol guitarist Steve Stevens, and multi-platinum country rocker Jelly Roll.
Actor/musician Jack Black has been given the honor of inducting Osbourne into the hall, having been chosen to give the speech to once again welcome him in. You can find Osbourne‘s thoughts on the various guests set to help play him in via Rolling Stone.
Speaking of the participation from Keenan, Osbourne offered:
“Maynard has been a true family friend since 1997. He is such a creative force. There are few artists who can keep three successful bands going for multiple decades.”
As for Jelly Roll, he added:
“Who doesn’t love Jelly Roll? His voice is soulful, pure, and dirty. I’m so honored that someone would do this for me who I’ve never had the pleasure of meeting.”
The induction ceremony is expected to stream live on Disney Plus.
