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Ozzy Osbourne: Rock won’t die


Ozzy Osbourne says rock won’t ever die.

The Black Sabbath singer doesn’t keep up with the new generation of musicians so although he doesn’t know who’ll carry their torch when they’re gone, he insists there will always be fans of the genre who want to watch band’s play live.

He said: "I was doing an interview the other day and someone asked me what the latest band I liked was, and I shouted ‘I don’t know any f**king new bands!’ They said to me, ‘So you guys are done?’

"To be honest, I don’t know who’s going to be the next big thing. I do know that rock won’t die, though – and you’ll never kill live music."

The 65-year-old star’s band – which includes Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler – has sold over 70 million records worldwide since forming in 1968 and he doesn’t think many bands can enjoy such long careers.

He explained: "When we first played in London, one of the first places we played was – what’s its f***ing name, on Wardour Street … The Marquee Club! People thought we were f***ing nuts, and we probably were back then.

"Now here I am 45 years later and still doing everywhere and getting ready to headline Hyde Park [at the Barclaycard British Summer Time festival in London this summer].

"I was saying to [wife] Sharon back the other day that there aren’t many bands this far into their career that can still sell out shows … let alone play Hyde Park. We’ve had an incredible time so far and we’re not done yet! I still love it."

Ozzy is honoured to have the chance to headline at the festival and still has to pinch himself to remind him it’s all real.

He added to Kerrang! magazine: "I’m really honoured and to be honest with you, it’s all too much for me to take in. The last album we did was in 1979 – that’s 35 years back down the road. I keep pinching myself about the opportunities that we have now."