Ozzy Osbourne Remembers Eddie Van Halen, Talks Michael Jackson, and More

Ahead of being honored at the 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, Ozzy Osbourne appeared on a recent episode of “OZZY Speaks with Billy Morrison” on SiriusXM’s Ozzy’s Boneyard (Ch. 38).

During the show, the “Prince of Darkness” talked to Billy about Eddie Van Halen, Michael Jackson, and his favorite lead guitarist. Listen to the full episode anytime on the SiriusXM app.

Ozzy Osbourne Shares Van Halen Story

Ozzy recalled Van Halen opening for Black Sabbath in 1978 and how Eddie made playing the guitar “look so f—ing easy.”

“They outshone us,” Ozzy said of Van Halen. “They blew us off the stage.”

“Eddie was a great guy,” Ozzy continued. “Always nice with me… he’s a lovely man and Alex [Van Halen]. I took all of them down to my local pub.”

“In England? What was that like?” Billy asked.

“That was f—ing great,” Ozzy said.

Ozzy Reveals His Favorite Lead Guitarist

When Billy asked Ozzy who his favorite lead guitarist is, Ozzy answered Tony Iommi, calling him the greatest riffmaker of all time.

“You want dark riffs, go to Uncle Tony,” Ozzy said, adding he doesn’t understand how he knows when he’s touching the guitar strings.

Ozzy Talks About Michael Jackson

During the episode, Billy also mentioned how at the pinnacle of Michael Jackson’s career, the “King of Pop” used heavy rock guys on his pop music, including Eddie Van Halen on “Beat It,” Steve Stevens on “Dirty Diana,” and Slash on “Black and White.” They also discussed female rock bands.