Ozzy Osbourne has been busy on a PR tour to support his new album, Ordinary Man. He's been doing a ton of interviews – getting introspective about still being alive at 71, while a lot of his friends are dead, sharing amazing stories of recording classic Black Sabbath albums and revealing he's planning on writing a new album next month. Ozzy set up a Reddit AMA recently and we wanted to highlight some of the best questions and answers.
Q: I noticed a lot of songs in Ordinary Man are very personal and it kind of looks like you were saying farewell to your fans, that’s what a lot of people thought but then yesterday you said that you plan on releasing more albums in the future, so did we interpret the message wrong? What were you really trying to say with this album?
Ozzy: After my neck surgery I was feeling pretty down so I was not going to write how happy I was being in agony. So it wasn't an intention do that, it was mistaken as I am going to do another album next month
Q: Can you give us some examples of the craziest experiences with fans you’ve ever had?
Ozzy: I was on a bus after a show and we were driving for about 7 hours. We stopped at a truck stop and a guy walks up to me and hands me a piece of a Bible. I asked "Where did you come from??" and he had been following us all night! People follow me like I have magic powers. I don't, if I did I would give them away!!!
Q: Do you have another album planned out or want to make another? And do you have a favorite from Ordinary Man?
Ozzy: I am making another album because while I can't tour, I can make music. What I learned from Ordinary Man, it got the juices flowing again. People say they write the best songs when they're unhappy, and I was unhappy last year. I don't have a favorite song from Ordinary Man because I was writing a new song every day! After I'm doing this doctor's run I'm going right back into the studio to make another album with Andrew Watt. If it comes out anything like Ordinary Man, I'll be well pleased
Q: I’ve been a big fan since I was a kid but it was always difficult to listen to your music growing up because my mum thought you were in league with Satan and banned it from the house. She’s at my place right now visiting and it would absolutely make my day if you would leave a few words that I could pass along to her.
Ozzy: Don't be so stupid. It's only music. And Satan says hi.
Q: I am dying to know what your favorite brand of socks to wear is. I can’t seem to find a pair of socks that I feel comfortable in.
Ozzy: I have a massive selection of crazy socks. I don't like plain socks – no brown. I like to have some crazy shit on there like "fuck off" on the side
Q: Can you tell me something about your collaboration with Elton John?
Ozzy: He's been a family friend for many years. The song "Ordinary Man" reminded me of Elton. I asked my wife if he'd be willing to play on it and she said "give him a call, he can only say no!" and he said yes.
Q: Do you have any good memories or stories from working with WWF/WWE at WrestleMania or Raw?
Ozzy: When I first went to WrestleMania, I met Andre the Giant and we would go drinking together. I was very sad when he passed away
Q: Since you have drank with Andre the Giant, are the stories of his ability to put them down true?
Ozzy: Fuck yes. He would drink vodka and cranberry in a jug and would drink a 6 pack of beer while we waited for the jug to be made. He would drink & drink and never get drunk
Q: When you think about Lemmy, what's the first memory that comes to your mind?
Ozzy: His apartment. Lemmy to me was the ultimate metal guy. He lived it, slept it. He wasn't one thing and then another. He was Lemmy on and off stage. What a nice guy he was.
Q: Have any advice to young musicians who are trying to make it in the industry?
Ozzy: If you're serious about what you do, I suggest you write as much stuff as you possibly can. When you break it, there will never be enough songs.
Q: What is the inspiration for "Scary Little Green Men" and the Jason Mamoa music video?
Ozzy: Aliens! If we think we're the only living thing in the universe, we're all fucking mad. There has got to be other life out there, why should we be the only planet with life?
Q: How did the harmonica part in "The Wizard" come to be?
Ozzy: I just picked up the harmonica and played it.
Q: Is there someone that you've always wanted to collaborate with on a song? Why?
Ozzy: I'd love to do something with Paul McCartney but I doubt that will happen.
Q: If you could go back in time and change just one thing what would it be?
Ozzy: I would make sure Randy never got on that plane.
Q: Who inspired u growing up and which LP was/is your favorite of all time?
Ozzy: Anyone of the Beatles albums after Please Please Me! Dark Side of the Moon, Ziggy Stardust.
Q: What's your favorite Pink Floyd album?
Ozzy: Dark Side of the Moon, The Wall or Obscured by Clouds.
Q: What's your go-to Starbucks order?
Ozzy: Black with 3 shots. I like to feel my coffee
Q: If you could only eat at one restaurant for the rest of your life which one would it be?
