Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame’s Official Inductions
Ozzy Osbourne (pictured), Foreigner and Peter Frampton were officially inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame during a ceremony in Cleveland (home of the Hall) on 10/19.
“My fans have been so loyal to me over the years, noted Ozzy following his induction. I cannot thank them enough.”
“I’ve [also] been fortunate to play with some of the world’s greatest guitar players, drummers and bass players,” added Ozzy.
“But I’ve got to say one thing for a guy by the name of Randy Rhoads. If I hadn’t met Randy Rhoads, I don’t think I’d be sitting here now.”
Rhoads, the late stellar guitarist, helped to transform Osbourne’s solo career after he was kicked out of Black Sabbath in ’79.
The Ozzy Tribute featured Jelly Roll, Robert Trujillo (Metallica), Billy Idol, Zakk Wylde and Wolfgang Van Halen.
Present to accept the Foreigner honor were original singer Lou Gramm, keyboardist Al Greenwood, and bassist Rick Wills. Guitarist Mick Jones missed the event for health reasons while drummer Dennis Elliot passed due to issues he had with the scheduling.
“It’s always been driven by my passion for guitar playing,” Frampton said of his career in his acceptance speech, The singer/guitarist had been eligible as a solo artist since ’97.
Blues legends Alexis Korner and John Mayall were inducted in the Musical Influence category and MC5 (inducted by Rage Against The Machine’s Tom Morello) were honored in the Musical Excellence category.
Non-Rock inductees include Kool & The Gang, Mary J. Blige Cher, Dave Matthews Band, A Tribe Called Quest, Big Mama Thornton, Jimmy Buffett and Dionne Warwick.
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