Judas Priest's Rob Halford: 'Ozzy Osbourne deserves a knighthood'
He wants Ozzy to be recognised
Last updated 29th Jan 2024
Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford says his fellow West Midlands rock icon Ozzy Osbourne deserves a knighthood.
In an interview with Classic Rock to promote Judas Priest’s upcoming 19th studio album ‘Invincible Shield’, Halford said the Black Sabbath legend should be honoured for his services to music.
“If one person deserves a knighthood, it’s Ozzy Osbourne,” Halford said. “Just for the joy he’s given people over the years.”
Elsewhere in the chat, Halford recounted the story of when he met Queen Elizabeth alongside Cilla Black.
“I was standing in line with Cilla, who I’d met earlier, waiting to meet the Queen,” Halford said. “Cilla has met her before, and she says, ‘This is Rob Halford, he’s flown in from Finland to be here.’ And the Queen said, ‘You play music? What kind of music do you play?’
“So I said, ‘Heavy metal.’ And she said, ‘Oh, heavy metal? Why do they have to play so loud?’ So I just went, ‘So you can bang your head, your majesty.’ It was such a lovely night, talking about heavy metal to the Queen.”
Back in 2015, keen Ozzy Osbourne fan Helen Maidiotis started a petition to get the singer knighted.
Maidiotis argues that Ozzy should be made a Sir in the King’s list to celebrate his contribution to music with Black Sabbath and as a solo artist over the past 50+ years.
The campaign has so far amassed more than 35,000 signatures.
Featuring the singles ‘Panic Attack’, ‘Trial By Fire’ and ‘Crown of Horns’, Judas Priest’s new album ‘Invincible Shield’ is released on Friday 8th March 2024.
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