BOB DAISLEY DISCUSSES, NOT BEING ACKNOWLEDGED DURING OZZY OSBOURNE’S ROCK HALL INDUCTION, DESPITE BEING A MAJOR CONTRIBUTOR TO HIS CLASSIC ALBUMS

In a new interview with Tone-Talk, veteran rock/metal bassist and songwriter Bob Daisley, who performed on — and wrote/co-wrote the lyrics/music for — a good portion of Ozzy‘s early solo catalog, was asked about the fact that he didn’t get a mention during Osbourne‘s induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction last month.

He said (as transcribed by blabbermouth.net), “Well, to be honest with you, I didn’t expect to be mentioned, only because of the dirty water that’s gone under the bridge between us. And how [former Ozzy drummer] Lee [Kerslake] and I have been taken out of photographs, been taken out of films, had credits removed, had photographs removed, all that stuff. So, 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.”

Asked what he thought of Ozzy‘s speech at the Rock HallBob said, “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. But it’s kind of what I expected. I didn’t expect to be mentioned or anything. Regardless of how important my role was or what I created or helped to create or whatever, I really didn’t expect to even get a mention… I mean, it would have been nice.”

[Dana’s note: Daisley wrote a book, that I read, called For Facts Sake, and just like all of his song lyrics, is a well written. It seems it is now available for purchase on Amazon. If anyone is interested in buying it, you can purchase it here.]

29 Responses

  1. In life no matter what anyone ends up doing for a living. We all appreciate
    being acknowledged , or being told thank you- it doesn’t happen, they use people it’s become a theme with the Osborne’s and its petty ,and shameful, and morally wrong ~

    1. Robert,

      Did you happen to read Bob‘s book?

      As much as I am a huge fan of Ozzy, and I do love him (and his son Jack), I never understood why, after being burned the first time, Daisley agreed to return, and assist with all the other albums, up until No More Tears? Speaking of which, in my humble opinion, was Ozzy‘s last great record.

      I can only presume, that Daisley being a Buddhist, not only contributed to the reason that his lyrics are so well written, but why he is quick to forgive.

    2. I agree, Dana, “No More Tears” was Ozzy’s last great record! And his last great tour as well!

    3. – And of course my favorite song from that album is ~ “I Don’t Juant To Change The World!” Thank you and goodnight! 😉

    4. I’ve often wondered as well why Daisley stayed on board as long as he did. The only thing I could come up with is something I think we’ve all done…..for all the crap we put up with, it’s still a decent payday.

    1. Excuse me, Dave,

      But, I confounded by your post, as there was never any previous one submitted by you, propounding questions.

      Also, are you the same Dave Wright, who posts at Blabbermouth? If so, it seems your reputation precedes you.

    2. Dear Dana,

      I believe this is the same guy. He uses an alias of Nancy Drake Hueckel over there too and pretends to be “Dave Wight’s” biggest fan. Nancy just posted about the 51 minute mark of the interview with Bob when “Dave Wight happens.”

      I’ve seen many of Dave’s posts over the years. I know his reputation may not be the greatest but he does make some valid points from time to time. I’ll take him over that idiot “Bob Turner” 24/7.

    3. LOL!!

      His comment is still confusing, where is his previous post, that is referencing his questions, that were never addressed? Either he is posting at multiple sites, and forgot what wrote and where, or it went “into the void.”

  2. First of all, I’d like to wish Happy Thanksgiving to all my fellow rivet heads. Today we express gratitude for all we have, including loved ones, family, and friends.

    I blame Sharon Osbourne for the way Bob and Lee have been treated, not Ozzy. I just don’t think she’s a nice person, and I think Ozzy is not in the right frame of mind to understand/know what Sharon is doing to them. Sharon is always acting like a big Thanksgiving turkey. Without the old Blizzard of Ozz bandmates, Ozzy doesn’t have a second chance in rock and roll. Those first two albums really catapulted Ozzy’s solo career, and those first two albums don’t exist without Bob, Lee, and Randy Rhoads.

    1. Rattle,

      Well written, but as much as I love Ozzy, I think he lets Sharon wear the black hat, so he doesn’t have to be the heavy. He also seems, to let her walk all over him, so there’s that, as well.

      I also want to wish you, and everyone else, a wonderful Thanksgiving. May your day be filled with laughter, food, and for those of you who still watch, football. 🙂

  3. but…you have to realize…who was ever going to hear Bob’s lyrics if they didn’t get on an Ozzy record….? no one…his cat, I don’t know.. Sharon has a point, which is he should be grateful Ozzy took an interest in him….And he signed the contract; this goes on all the time with intellectual property….he was their employee

    1. No one is arguing that fact, but on the flip side of the coin, Ozzy wouldn’t have those lyrics, and the great symbiosis of the entire Blizzard of Ozz band, without those players. Without Rhoads, Daisley and Kerslake, his solo career could have taken a completely different trajectory, where it might have flatlined, or had marginal success, after one record.

      The greatest talent, the Osbournes seem to have, is picking great musicians. I will give them that, they seem have superior acumen, in that area.

    2. Dana, I 100% agree with your comments.

      Alcatrazz, I understand Bob signing the contract, but the Osbournes can still acknowledge Bob’s (and Lee’s) contributions to the band. Those first two albums were the result of seasoned musicians that really jump started Ozzy’s second career in rock and roll. Ozzy was fired from Sabbath, a band that was starting to wane when he was fired. Ozzy was a mess cuz of substance abuse and at a low point in his life. Those first two albums really resurrected Ozzy. There is no shame for the Osbournes to acknowledge what the other Blizzard of Ozz band members contributed to the success.

    3. but….we probably never would’ve heard of Daisley, Clarke, or even Rhoads the way we know them now too…you said it, “symbiosis” is that they needed each other, and Ozzy put up the $$ up front….he took the risk…I just don’t understand why he’s complaining so much…another analogy (Doug R., stop) is an engineer going around saying he or she wants the credit for something he or she was hired to do by IBM…of course, the balance of power is skewed heavily in one direction…but…it goes on all the time….I have done work I didn’t get credited for, but I am just proud that a bigger name signed his to it…i.e., there has to be some part of Bob that’s just glad his ideas didn’t get wasted…at his age, that’s what matters….he and everyone close to him, including Ozzy and Sharon, knows what he contributed…there has to be respect there..

    4. I respectfully disagree.

      I don’t understand why it is such a feat, to acknowledge, and show some grace, and gratitude, towards those who helped your personal success? Especially one, who was treated poorly, and still came back to assist you? It’s such a small act of consideration, that can means so much, show some class.

      Also, in my humble opinion, the IBM analogy doesn’t fly. One cannot compare a huge faceless corporation, to a band of musicians, who not only form a family themselves, but with their fans. Five people versus maybe 5,000? It’s like comparing apples (no pun intended) and oranges.

    5. those are actual people behind a “faceless” corporation…sorry, that doesn’t fly….and it’s just unprofessional of Bob…either sign it, do your best, which he most definitely did, and accept what your role was…or don’t sign it….it’s not like put a non-compete clause in there to stop him from doing something else….and what if it did flop? Oz takes the blame, not Bob….

    6. Okay..

      1. You just like to argue, typical lawyer. 🙂
      2. You love being a contrarian.
      3. By faceless, I meant it in the literal sense. YOU DON”T SEE them, they are NOT musicians, or on TV, etc., so it makes the human connection to them, far different. I know they exist, but I don’t have posters of them in my room-LOL!
      4. Being magnanimous, considerate and having basic social graces, while not part of a contract, does reveal one’s character.
      5. We will have to agree to disagree. Feel free to respond, and continue this dance around the room, but my work is done here. Next topic…LOL!

    7. Alcatrazz, there is a difference between getting “credit” and having your contributions marginalized. I blame Sharon for the way Bob and Lee have been treated. Maybe Sharon is mad cuz Bob and Lee sued her dad for royalties. Maybe it’s because they sued the Osbournes for royalties. Whatever the reason, their contributions to Ozzy’s career should not be marginalized. That’s a chump position to take, IMO, but typical of Sharon. After all, she tired to ruin Iron Maiden’s performance at the final 2005 Ozzfest show cuz of comments Bruce Dickinson had made…that was not fair to the thousands of fans in attendance who paid a lot of money to watch what, should have been, a killer show.

    8. Totally agree, Rattle,

      I really respect Sharon to a certain degree, but it also appears, that she can also be a highly vindictive, petty, immature bully. Even when she is clearly in the wrong, she doubles down on being nasty.

      But on the flip side of the coin, I don’t like the fact that she gets blamed for everything. I think Ozzy purposely lets her wear the black hat, and be the heavy, so he can come off as this feeble, “Aw shucks,” kind of guy, who appears to allow his domineering wife ,to call all the shots. That may very well be the case, but after reading g Dailey’s book, I suspect, he isn’t completely innocent, when it comes to business decisions. If he wanted to, he could put his foot down, or at least try to put his foot down, with Sharon.

      If it’s too complicated, because she is his wife, he really should have considered replacing her as his manager, and pay for an outside, impartial source.

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