A Clash Between Rock Icons
Few rivalries in music history have matched the shockwaves sent this month when Roger Waters, co-founder of Pink Floyd, made scathing remarks about the late Ozzy Osbourne. In a blunt interview, Waters dismissed Ozzy’s music and mocked his legacy, igniting outrage among fans, musicians, and most notably, Ozzy’s own son Jack Osbourne, who responded with a fierce defense of his father.
The exchange has triggered a wider conversation about respect among legends, the meaning of legacy, and the generational divides in rock culture.
Roger Waters’ Remarks: “Idiocy and Nonsense”
Appearing on The Independent Ink podcast, Waters was asked about Ozzy’s career following his passing in July 2025. His response was blistering:
“Ozzy Osbourne, who just died, bless him, in his whatever that state that he was in his whole life… He was all over the TV for hundreds of years with his idiocy and nonsense. The music, I have no idea — I couldn’t give a f–k.”
He doubled down, dismissing Black Sabbath entirely:
“I don’t care about Black Sabbath, I never did. Have no interest in biting the heads of chickens or whatever they do. I couldn’t care less.”
When corrected that the infamous incident involved a bat, not a chicken, Waters sneered:
“That’s even worse, isn’t it?”
(Page Six, Ultimate Classic Rock)
The bluntness and timing — barely six weeks after Ozzy’s funeral procession in Birmingham — made the comments sting even more.
Jack Osbourne’s Furious Response
Ozzy’s son Jack Osbourne wasted no time firing back. Taking to Instagram Stories, he unleashed a profanity-laced rebuke:
“Hey @rogerwaters. F–k you. How pathetic and out of touch you’ve become. The only way you seem to get attention these days is by vomiting out bull-s–t in the press.”
He added:
“My father always thought you were a c–t — thanks for proving him right.”
Jack’s words captured the grief and anger felt by Ozzy’s family and millions of fans still mourning the Prince of Darkness.
Why the Remarks Cut So Deep
For fans, Waters’ words weren’t just a critique of music taste — they were seen as a direct insult to Ozzy’s humanity. Osbourne, who co-founded Black Sabbath in 1968, is widely regarded as one of the architects of heavy metal. His stage persona, outrageous antics, and raw voice made him a cultural icon.
The infamous “bat-biting” incident in 1982 may have shocked the world, but for fans, it only cemented Ozzy’s reputation as rock’s most unpredictable showman. To Waters, however, it symbolized absurdity rather than artistry.
Music journalist Sarah Greenwood noted:
“Waters comes from the prog-rock school of conceptual artistry. Ozzy embodied heavy metal’s chaos and rebellion. They represent two different universes in rock. But Waters’ lack of respect for Ozzy’s impact feels unnecessarily cruel.”
Ozzy’s Passing: A Nation in Mourning
Ozzy Osbourne’s death on July 22, 2025, was marked by tributes around the globe. Thousands gathered in his hometown of Birmingham for a candlelight vigil. Fellow artists from Metallica to Elton John praised his influence, and fans flooded social media with stories of how his music had shaped their lives.
For his family, the loss was personal and devastating. His wife Sharon called him “the greatest husband, father, and showman,” while his children spoke of his humor and love. Against that backdrop, Waters’ sneering remarks landed like salt in a fresh wound.
Roger Waters’ Pattern of Controversy
This is not the first time Waters has provoked outrage. In recent years, he has:
- Made polarizing political statements that divided fans.
- Criticized fellow musicians, including U2’s Bono and the Rolling Stones.
- Been accused of dismissiveness toward artists outside his progressive-rock orbit.
Supporters argue that Waters has always been outspoken and uncompromising, while critics say his provocations now feel more bitter than bold.
Fans React: Divided Opinions
Reactions to the feud have been explosive:
- Ozzy fans accused Waters of being disrespectful and jealous. “Ozzy changed music forever. Waters is just angry no one’s listening to him anymore,” wrote one fan on X.
- Waters supporters defended his right to an opinion. “He’s always been brutally honest. Why should he pretend to care about Ozzy if he never did?”
- Neutral observers saw it as a clash of eras. “It’s prog vs. metal, intellect vs. chaos, theater vs. spectacle. Both mattered. Both shaped rock.”
The debate has spilled into music forums, podcasts, and even mainstream news outlets, highlighting how emotional legacies become after an icon’s death.
The Bigger Picture: Legacies in Collision
The feud raises questions about how we measure artistic worth.
- Roger Waters: Architect of concept albums like The Wall and Dark Side of the Moon, celebrated for his ambition, storytelling, and political edge.
- Ozzy Osbourne: The voice of heavy metal, celebrated for his raw energy, outrageous persona, and emotional connection with fans.
While their styles couldn’t be more different, both men left indelible marks on rock history. Waters’ dismissal highlights an old divide: prog-rock’s intellectualism versus heavy metal’s visceral power.
Music historian Daniel Leary summed it up:
“Waters views rock through the lens of art and politics. Ozzy lived it as chaos and catharsis. To dismiss one is to misunderstand the spectrum of rock and roll.”
The Osbourne Family’s Resilience
For the Osbourne family, this controversy is just the latest challenge. Over decades in the public eye, they have weathered scandals, health struggles, and reality-TV fame. Through it all, they remained fiercely loyal to one another.
Jack’s defense of his father is consistent with that tradition. It echoes Sharon Osbourne’s fiery persona and Ozzy’s own refusal to bow to critics. As Jack put it, his father “always thought Waters was a c–t” — a statement that now feels like prophecy fulfilled.
Where Does This Leave Roger Waters?
Waters’ remarks have cost him goodwill among some fans, particularly in the heavy metal community. Whether he cares is another question. Known for his stubborn independence, he has rarely backed down from controversy.
But the timing, so close to Ozzy’s passing, risks overshadowing Waters’ own legacy. Instead of being remembered solely for his artistry, he risks being cast as a bitter contrarian unable to honor peers outside his circle.
Conclusion: Respect, Rivalry, and Rock History
The feud between Roger Waters and the Osbourne family is more than just a war of words. It is a collision of legacies, philosophies, and generations.
For Ozzy’s fans, his legacy is sealed: the Prince of Darkness, the man who helped invent heavy metal, a showman whose music and antics brought joy and catharsis to millions. For Waters, the controversy adds another chapter to a career defined as much by provocation as by genius.
In the end, perhaps the most telling reaction came not from critics, but from fans gathered at Ozzy’s Birmingham vigil. One mourner held a sign that read:
“We don’t need Roger’s approval. We had Ozzy’s love.”
And that, for millions, is all that matters.
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