The 2024 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony promises to be one for the books, as Rolling Stone confirms a star-studded band to perform Ozzy Osbourne’s songs on October 19 in Cleveland.
Big names like Billy Idol, Tool’s Maynard James Keenan, and country sensation Jelly Roll are set to take the mic to honor the Prince of Darkness, joined by a powerhouse backing band, featuring Zakk Wylde, Andrew Watt, Steve Stevens, and Wolfgang Van Halen on guitar, plus a rhythm section will include none other than Metallica’s Robert Trujillo on bass and Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Chad Smith on drums. Actor Jack Black will deliver the speech to officially induct Osbourne.
Reflecting on Black’s role in the ceremony, Osbourne told Rolling Stone, “Jack invited my family to the ‘School Of Rock’ movie premiere in 2002. I’ve always been a big fan of his. Jack is one of the few great actors who is also a genuine rock & roller and not acting the part.”
Ozzy, who has not revealed if he will join in singing, shared his excitement about the musicians set to perform in his honor. “Billy Idol is a rock icon. His music is timeless. Billy Idol should be inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. Maynard has been a true family friend since 1997. He is such a creative force. There are few artists who can keep three successful bands going for multiple decades,” he said, referring to Tool, A Perfect Circle, and Puscifer.
“Who doesn’t love Jelly Roll?” Osbourne added. “His voice is soulful, pure, and dirty. I’m so honored that someone would do this for me who I’ve never had the pleasure of meeting.”
Speaking about Trujillo and Smith, Ozzy remarked, “The rhythm section is the anchor of the band, and you honestly couldn’t get a better rhythm section than Robert Trujillo and Chad Smith.”
Ozzy’s induction recognizes his nearly six decades in music, adding to his previous honor when Black Sabbath was inducted in 2006. This achievement makes him part of a select group of artists who have received multiple inductions into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The 2024 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland and will be streamed live on Disney+, with a special broadcast later on ABC and available on Hulu the next day.
