Ozzy Osbourne doesn't like being pigeonholed as a 'metal' artist
It's just rock music, he insists
Ozzy Osbourne has said he’s never “felt comfortable” with being labelled as a “metal” artist.
Black Sabbath are widely credited with giving birth to the heavy metal genre with their eponymous debut album in 1970, however Ozzy believes that, in the solo arena at least, he should never have been pigeonholed as a metal act.
“I’ve never felt comfortable about that title that they put on me – ‘metal’,” Ozzy said. “Because Ozzy Osbourne plays heavy, but the bands that are (considered metal) are really heavy, and we’re all put in the same category.
“When you get pigeonholed with a certain (genre), it can be very difficult to do something a bit lighter or an acoustic track or whatever you want to do. Back in the day, it was always just rock music. It’s still just rock music.”
Elsewhere in the chat with Spin, Ozzy spoke about the critical plaudits and honours he’s receiving in his septuagenarian years.
“I’ve had one of the most amazing careers any artist can ever have. I mean, I started in 1968 and I’ve worked at it since then. It’s just been fantastic,” Ozzy enthused.
“I’ll get awards left, right and centre, but I don’t know what to do with them. I’m not very good at receiving awards. I didn’t start off (trying to get awards). I think I was nominated for four or five (Grammys) this year and won two. It’s a nice little touch at the end of the day, I suppose. It’s something to leave my kids.”
Looking to his future aspirations, Ozzy continued: “I still want to see an Ozzy Osbourne number one album. But no, I’ve got no complaints.
“I’m just glad that everybody is tuning into The Osbournes Podcast. It’s a lot of fun, and I want to thank everyone who listens to it and everybody involved in making it happen every week.”