Neil Carter, the guitarist of UFO, was interviewed by Rock Interview Series, where he shared his opinion about singer Ozzy Osbourne.
Here’s what Carter said:
“Watching them, I mean, I’ve never been a massive fan of Ozzy’s voice. I like Ozzy himself, and he’s a very funny man, extremely funny guy, but watching that band on stage with Tommy Aldridge, Rudy Sarzo, and then you’ve got Don [Airey, keyboardist] sitting up in the tower, it was a great thing to watch.
“But I must admit, I used to watch the audience and thinking 19-20 thousand people going bonkers, and watching Ozzy stomping around the stage. I mean, it’s a very strange thing. I’ve never quite understood the appeal of Ozzy, but people love him.
“They actually think he’s the best thing ever, but he’s always had really good people with him. If you just had Ozzy on his own, it would be a slightly different story. He’s had great songwriters with him, and he had people like Bob Daisley [Ozzy Osbourne bassist], who I’ve worked with for a long time, writing the lyrics.
“That band was spectacular, the band with Randy, Rudy Sarzo and Tommy Aldridge, which is absolutely incredible to watch. I used to just be in awe of Randy’s playing, it was so good.”
46 comments
Neil who? Sounds like someone’s a little jealous. If the guy was that bad then he wouldn’t of had a musical rear of 50 years or more! So I ask again Neil who? This coming from a band that eddie trunk likes…. Enough said
Ah no. He’s not jealous, he’s honest. He’s saying what I’ve been saying since 1981. Ozzys success is because of Randy, Tommy and Bob Daisley. I love Ozzy and I bought the albums and went to his concerts. He’s a unique singer without question, but not all that talented.
As for UFO – they’re outstanding. One of the best. Nevermind Eddie Trunk. Doesn’t matter.
But you realize that Ozzie had most of those melodies, right? Randy transcribed what Oz would hum to him..
Ozzy didn’t hum crazy train, me Crowley etc. that’s bs. Randy and Bob wrote those.
Crazy Train” is the debut solo single by English heavy metal singer Ozzy Osbourne and was released in 1980 from his debut album as a solo artist, Blizzard of Ozz (1980). The song was written by Osbourne, Randy Rhoads, and Bob Daisley.
Randy wrote the music and Ozzy wrote the lyrics. Name me one good song that Daisley wrote after or before Ozzy.
Listen to Dave. He knows.
You are absolutely right! I have seen Ozzy many times and if it were not for the band I would never have went to see him after the first time!
I’ve seen Ozzy 4 times and he never had the same band, but he put out great music every time I seen him. Even seen UFO open for Ozzy and they were way out of their league without Michael Schenker.
Um… ever heard of Black Sabbath?
The band that Ozzie founded?
He was a great fromt man too
Says Dave, internationally recognized “Decider of Who Has Talent, and Who Does Not.” I guess Black Sabbath was a fluke. Followed by another hole in the matrix thaw saw Ozzy successfully across multiple decades. Keep sniffing Lysol.
So he wasn’t the lead singer with Black Sabbath then? Ozzy’s success is because of ‘Ozzy’ and how you can say he isn’t all that talented is strange given the decades he has been around. There are/were worse singers, Robert Plant and Roger Daltrey jump to mind immediately, but my fellow Brummie is great.
UF who?
Tommy was a hired on after the first two records. Lee Kerslake is the original drummer on the first two. And got screwed over.
I seen Aldridge on the Diary of a Madman tour.
Bob Daisley has no record of success without Ozzy while Ozzy has 50+ years of incredible success as a musician.
Just because your too young to know who he is means nothing except your too young to remember him. UFO WAS a very talented band that was successful a long time. Their guitarist has nothing to be jealous about.
This guy was in UFO for 3 years in the 80’s hardly a major contributor or member of the band.
He’s still jealous… and hardly a well known player in the annals of UFO lore. His career is hired gun. Ozzy’s career is legend.
Yes but not with that guitar player
Their success was long before Neil Carter joined.
He didn´t said that Ozzy was bad…simply not that good, as a singer.And of course it was not.Ozzy was a great entertainer, one of the best, great charisma.But singing skills, please.:) let´s be honest.Not even in top 100…
Just because your too young to remember him it means nothing. UFO was a very good band. He’s far more talented than Ozzy and he is right. Ozzy was BARELY the third best singer to play with sabbath. Their best album, by far, was dehumanizer with Dio.
He’s not dissing Ozzy really, just giving a personal view, and as much as I’ve paid to see Ozzy several times – including once where Neil Carter and Ozzy were both performing, I tend to agree. As for jealousy, well, I doubt it; Neil was out of the business for decades until asked to jump back into UFO after Paul Raymond’s death.
He’s being honest. Ozzy isn’t a great singer. He’s an incredible showman though. And his Rottweiler of a wife will work him until he dies. Neil carter is a great vocalist.
Neil Carter.
He’s the guitarist of U.F.O.
Says it right there in the first sentence…
Dude! Ozzy is not a great singer! The guys correct in saying that the musicians around him made him sound better! Especially the keyboard player who can fill in notes Ozzy can’t hit.
His voice is unique and if you listen yo Sabbath era he had a range too. No one sounds like him so is he Plant or Mercury no buy that doesn’t take away from him. Love Ozzy
He’s not putting him down. It’s kinda FACT. I’m a fan but I know he’s not a great singer.
He’s Not Wrong At All
OZZY has a unique voice, charisma running out of his pores, along with that crazy personality makes him mysterious and draws you in cuz hes like in his own little world and that makes him mysterious and makes you want to escape to that little world he’s in hav ing so much fun, thats why Ozzy is still relevant, but thats just my opinion.
Sad but true ,ozzy has claimed all sorts but has piggy backed on others song writing and lyrics .Been to see Ozzy live in Ireland, great live ,been to see U.F.O LIVE TOO , they ,including Neil Carter write all their own stuff for 50 years ?, Neil is Correct .
Maybe not a ‘great singer’ but his voice fit the music! That’s what matters.
Michael Schenker is the greatest UFO guitarist, don’t even know Neil Carter, but Ozzy is still releasing new solo albums 40 years later…
Saw MSG at Cheese and Grain Frome, Michael playing solo, dropped to his knees but couldn’t get up again, roadies entered stage left and dragged him away. Guitarist and drummer entertained the audience until he was able to return.
Neil Carter man. Played on all that great early 80s UFO. Then rejoined after Paul Raymond died. Great player
But one has to ask: why would top rated musicians like Randy and Rudy want to play with Ozzy if he didn’t have sone layer of talent?
for the pay
Michael Schenker and Vinnie Moore were the best guitarists that UFO had….Chapman was good…and , I mean, who is this guy?
to everybody here; NEIL WAS MORE A KEYBOARD PLAYER THAN A GUITAR PLAYER IN UFO, HE JUST MADE RYTHYM GUITAR AT TIMES ….
It’s about being in the right place at the right time. Many of those singers from that time were rubbish, Rod Stewart, Mick Jagger Noddy Holder, terrible singers.
Ronnie James Dio was class.
Neil Carter was never UFO’s “guitarist”. He was occasional rhythm guitarists and keyboard player.
Always wondered what happened to the Bajo player in the movie Deliverance, got a gig playing with the once great UFO
Oz has one of the most recognizable voices of all time. I don’t recall any other guys professionally try to replicate him. As great as Plant, Mercury, Rodgers, Daltry and others are, I have heard numerous singers that are able to sound just like them. Ozzy is and should be right up there with those guys🤘
Ozzy’s voice gives out about 45 minutes into the concert. It’s been that way since the ’80s. I’ve seen him several times. But with the show he puts on, who cares. It was amazing.
There are many front men out there who really don’t have much for a voice, but it’s the entire package we all pay to see.
Ozzy isn’t a singer in and of itself…he’s a “performer” and a damn great one. Self-made. No stupid effects…mesmerized audiences for 50 years!!!
for sure Ozzy/Sharon found good musicians and/or heavy rock songwriters to make good songs, that’s why he had success, the best stuff for me was the 2 firsts albums specially Diary of a madman who is less commercial than the first one ….