Ozzy Osbourne's final concert, set for July 5 in Birmingham, UK, is shaping up to be a massive farewell event. With Black Sabbath's original lineup – Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward – headlining alongside an all-star roster featuring Metallica, Pantera, Slayer, Gojira, and Anthrax (among others), the show promises to be a defining moment in rock history. However, one name that won't be on the bill is Bob Daisley, the bassist and songwriter who played a major role in Ozzy's early solo success.
In a recent interview with Indie Power TV, Daisley addressed the fact that he wasn't invited to participate. Rather than expressing disappointment, he seemed indifferent: "To be honest with you, I don't think I'd wanna be a part of that day. It'll be awkward, but it could turn out as an embarrassment as well, but we'll see. We'll see."
Daisley's exclusion isn't exactly surprising given his complicated history with Osbourne. Over the years, legal battles over royalties and credits have strained their relationship, something Daisley openly acknowledges. Reflecting on Ozzy's induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame last October, he admitted he never expected to be mentioned: "I didn't expect it. I knew that was coming, because there's been some dirty water gone under the bridge between us – there's been lawsuits and legal issues and that – so I was not surprised when I didn't get a mention. Many people thought that it was wrong and that I should have got a mention. But I really didn't expect it, so I wasn't surprised."
Daisley was an essential part of Ozzy's early solo career, working closely with Randy Rhoads and Lee Kerslake to craft the sound that would define albums like Bark at the Moon and The Ultimate Sin. He fondly recalled the unique chemistry of the band.
"It was a chemistry and a formula that worked, and it worked very well. I don't think any one of us could have been replaced with anyone else and have it work like it did. Ozzy's voice tone and melodies were integral to the sound and deliverance of everything that we did. And Randy and me working together musically first, and then me writing the lyrics to Ozzy's vocal melodies, it all just jelled. And Lee was definitely the last piece of the puzzle that helped the chemistry and the big picture."
Despite his significant contributions, Daisley and Kerslake have been erased from many official records over the years, with their images removed from films and album credits. He likened his role in Ozzy's career to Bernie Taupin's in Elton John's music in an interview withTone-Talk
"It was no surprise to me that I didn't get mentioned. But somebody used a good analogy about my situation with that, and that was in comparison with Elton John and Bernie Taupin, that all those songs were written, lyrically, by Bernie Taupin and Elton John wrote the music. And it was a similar situation with [me and Ozzy] – I wrote all the lyrics for those albums and songs.."
Daisley also commented on Ozzy's Hall of Fame speech, noting that the Prince of Darkness didn't look well: "He looked unwell. He looked unhappy. And I don't get off on seeing people, regardless of who they are or what they've done, looking unwell or looking unhappy or whatever. He probably just went through the motions."
At 74, Daisley isn't dwelling on the past, though he appreciates the fans who continue to support him. A petition to have him inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame alongside Ozzy gained traction but ultimately went nowhere. Still, he remains grateful: "It was a nice gesture on her part and all the people that signed it. I felt nice. It was nice to see supportive people thinking that way."
