Ozzy Osbourne has announced who will honor him when he's inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on October 19th at the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland.
He tells Rolling Stone Jack Black will induct him. “Jack invited my family to the School of Rock movie premiere in 2002. I’ve always been a big fan of his. Jack is one of the few great actors that is also a genuine rock and roller and not acting the part.”
And paying tribute in song will be Billy Idol, Tool‘s Maynard James Keenan and Jelly Roll. Ozzy says, “Billy Idol is a rock icon. His music is timeless. Billy Idol should be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame...
"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 (Tool, A Perfect Circle, and Puscifer) going for multiple decades...
“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 backing band during Ozzy's tribute will include his producer Andrew Watt; his former guitarist Zakk Wylde; Billy Idol guitarist Steve Stevens; Wolfgang Van Halen; Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo, who was a member of Ozzy's band from 1996 through 2003; Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith, who played on Ozzy's last two albums, 2020’s Ordinary Man and 2022’s Patient Number 9; and keyboardist Adam Wakeman, son of former Yes keyboardist Rick Wakeman, who was inducted with Yes into the Hall in 2017.
On a side note, 25 years ago this Friday, October 5th in 1999, Ozzy announced that he wants Black Sabbath withdrawn from the Rock Hall ballot because the honor is "meaningless." They were finally inducted in 2006 and they all attended, but did not perform.
This year's other performers include:
Slash, Sammy Hagar, Demi Lovato, Kelly Clarkson, and Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith will honor Foreigner, who are also slated to perform.
The Who's Roger Daltrey, along with Keith Urban will play in celebration of Peter Frampton, who will also perform.
Dua Lipa will honor Cher, who will also perform.
James Taylor will join Kenny Chesney and Mac McAnally in celebrating the late Jimmy Buffett, who's getting a Musical Excellence Award.
Julia Roberts, who starred in the music video for 2005's “Dreamgirl,” will induct Dave Matthews Band.
English R&B singer Ella Mai will perform with inductee Mary J. Blige.
Other honorees scheduled to take the stage are Kool & the Gang and Musical Excellence Award winner Dionne Warwick. Chuck D will induct Kool & the Gang.
The performers and presenters that haven't been linked to a specific artist yet are Busta Rhymes, Dr. Dre, Lucky Daye, Method Man and The Roots, but it seems likely some of them will honor A Tribe Called Quest.
The other honorees are Alexis Korner, John Mayall and Big Mama Thornton, all of whom will posthumously receive the Musical Influence Award. MC5 and Norman Whitfield are the other artists who will get the Musical Excellence Award.
The show will stream live on Disney+ starting at 7 p.m. ET on October 19th. A three-hour highlights show will air on ABC on New Year's Day.
IN OTHER RRHOF INDUCTION CEREMONEY NEWS..................
Slash, Sammy Hagar, Demi Lovato and Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith will now be joined by Kelly Clarkson in honoring Foreigner when they’re inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on October 19th at the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland. Foreigner will also perform.