Roger Waters Sparks Controversy with Candid Remarks on Ozzy Osbourne’s Legacy

September 2, 2025 - In a startling revelation that has ignited debate across social media and music circles, Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters admitted during an interview with The Independent Ink that he was never a fan of the late Ozzy Osbourne, and remained dismissive of both Osbourne’s solo work and his tenure with Black Sabbath.

Waters, speaking in the wake of Osbourne’s passing, characterized the former Black Sabbath frontman’s music as unremarkable, declaring, “I couldn’t give a fuck” when asked about Osbourne’s song catalogue. He further criticized the reality show The Osbournes, describing it as an exercise in “idiocy” that did little to enhance Osbourne’s artistic legacy.

Addressing Black Sabbath’s influence on heavy metal, Waters remained unapologetic, stating, “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,” referencing the infamous stage antics that have long been associated with the band’s shock-rock image.

Despite Waters’ stark dismissal, he acknowledged Osbourne’s admiration for Pink Floyd, noting that Osbourne often cited “Money” as one of his favorite rock songs and praised the band’s work on Obscured By Clouds as consistently excellent. Waters’ comments underscore a sharp divergence in musical tastes between two rock icons, prompting fans and fellow musicians to weigh in on the boundaries of artistic critique.

While many fans condemned Waters for appearing disrespectful toward a recently deceased peer, others defended his right to honest opinion. Nonetheless, the exchange has reignited conversations about legacy, genre boundaries, and the responsibility of public figures when discussing the work of their contemporaries.