Ozzy Osbourne, in a recent Metal Hammer interview, expressed his dissatisfaction with modern music, stating that he doesn’t listen to much of it because it feels like “all f*cking rehashed.” While there is some truth to the notion of drawing inspiration from artists who came before, Osbourne believes that the true essence of creativity lies in transforming those influences into something different. While acknowledging the scarcity of “new ideas,” he also recognizes that evolution takes time.
Reflecting on the origins of heavy metal, Osbourne mentioned the band’s strong influences from iconic acts such as The Who, Led Zeppelin, and The Kinks. He vividly recalls the impact of The Kinks’ “You Really Got Me,” which he played incessantly and couldn’t get enough of. However, the same level of enthusiasm eludes him when it comes to modern music. Osbourne admits to not keeping up with contemporary releases, asserting that there seems to be a lack of genuinely new music.
Here’s what Ozzy said:
“It’s a nice thought [that Black Sabbath invented heavy metal], but we were very influenced by The Who, Led Zeppelin, Kinks… F*ckin’ hell, when I heard The Kinks‘ ‘You Really Got Me,’ I bought the single and I played it to f*cking death. I couldn’t stop listening to it. I don’t get that anymore with music that I hear. I don’t listen to much modern music. There’s no new music at all – it’s all f*cking rehashed.”
It’s worth noting that studies indicate most individuals solidify their musical preferences between the ages of 13 and 16. Considering this, it’s understandable that Osbourne, heavily influenced by the music of his youth, may not resonate with the current music landscape.