In July, the world mourned Ozzy Osbourne and tributes poured in from peers and fans alike. The moment also spotlights Stephen King dislikes Black Sabbath, as Roger Waters’ blunt remarks about Osbourne and the ensuing family response ripple through public discourse.
Waters questions Osbourne and the celebrity moment
In a wide-ranging talk with The Independent Ink, Waters touched on culture, politics, and imperialism, revisiting Osbourne’s name near the 38-minute mark and arguing that America’s political energy is often diverted by pop culture moments. He pointed to celebrities like Taylor Swift and Kim Kardashian as examples of distractions in public life.
Or Ozzy Osbourne, who just died, bless him — in his whatever that state that he was in his whole life, we’ll never know,
Roger Waters, Musician
Although 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 fuck. I don’t care about Black Sabbath. I never did. I have no interest in,
Roger Waters, Musician
biting the heads off chickens or whatever they do. I couldn’t care less.
Roger Waters, Musician
Ozzy Osbourne’s son fires back online
Osbourne’s son responded with a sharp Instagram post, accusing Waters of being out of touch and seeking attention through controversy.
Hey [Roger Waters],
Jack Osbourne, Son of Ozzy Osbourne
Fuck you. How pathetic and out of touch you’ve become. The only way you seem to get attention these days is by vomiting out bullshit in the press. My father always thought you were a cunt – thanks for proving him right.
Jack Osbourne, Son of Ozzy Osbourne
He then added the hashtag fuckkrogerwaters.
Public tributes and broader context
Across the music world, tributes followed Osbourne’s passing with performances and remembrances from peers including Geordie Greep, Ghost, Drake, and many others. Other bands such as System Of A Down, Metallica, Blues Traveler, Yungblud, the Go-Go’s, Jack Black, and more honored Osbourne in shows and social posts. The dialogue around Waters’ remarks sits within a wider debate about celebrity influence, national narratives, and how fans react to iconic bands like Black Sabbath.
Significance and what comes next
The exchange highlights how a single public moment can spark a broader conversation about music history, politics, and celebrity culture. With Ozzy Osbourne’s family weighing in and a chorus of fellow artists weighing in publicly, discussions about Black Sabbath—and the legacy of its era—could continue to unfold in the weeks ahead.
