[SLASH Dishes on OZZY OSBOURNE’s Rock Hall of Fame Induction: Why Ozzy’s Influence in Rock Music is Undeniable]

Ozzy Osbourne, the iconic Prince of Darkness, has been selected as one of the 16 artists to be inducted into The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2024. This induction marks his second entry into the prestigious Hall, this time as a solo artist, according to a report from Billboard.

During a recent interview on the Sweden-based Rockklassiker podcast discussing his latest album, Orgy Of The Damned, legendary Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash shared his thoughts on Ozzy’s well-deserved induction:

Slash expressed, “I think it’s great. I think Ozzy is one of the most influential people in rock and roll, period. There’s legions of fans out there that will agree with me on that. So it’s a no-brainer that he should be in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, as Ozzy.”

Reflecting on Ozzy’s solo career, Slash continued, “Black Sabbath is one thing, but when Ozzy went out on his own and did Blizzard Of Ozz – that record came out right around the same time that Back In Black (AC/DC) came out – that was a huge year in music. And Ozzy went on to become one of the biggest record sellers in the business. So, yeah, I think it goes without saying that he should be in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.”

Ozzy Osbourne, known for his controversial antics and groundbreaking music, initially had reservations about his solo career and the recognition it would receive. However, after the recent induction of his late songwriting partner, Randy Rhoads, in the musical excellence category last year, Ozzy felt a sense of validation.

In a statement to Billboard, Ozzy expressed his gratitude for being selected as an inductee, stating, “I’m more than honored to be included among the Rock Hall’s multiple inductees. It feels big.”

His wife and manager, Sharon Osbourne, had previously criticized the Rock Hall for not considering Ozzy as a solo artist, despite his eligibility since 2006. Osbourne embarked on his solo journey after leaving Black Sabbath in 1979 and went on to release numerous iconic albums and singles that solidified his status as a rock legend.

Some of Ozzy’s most memorable solo hits include “Crazy Train,” “Flying High Again,” “Bark At The Moon,” “Shot In The Dark,” and “No More Tears,” which have become anthems for rock enthusiasts around the world.

Ozzy Osbourne’s induction into The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame will take place at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio on Saturday, October 19. This momentous occasion will celebrate his unparalleled contributions to the world of music and honor his enduring legacy in rock history.

For the latest updates on Ozzy Osbourne’s induction and other music news, visit Billboard.com.