An old six-word jab late rock icon Ozzy Osbourne made about Taylor Swift has resurfaced following the news of the release of her new album, The Life of a Showgirl
Before his untimely death on July 22 this year, Ozzy Osbourne shared his true thoughts on pop sensation, Taylor Swift.
At the 2014 Grammys, Black Sabbath’s Ozzy, Tony Iommi, and Geezer Butler took home the Best Metal Performance award for God Is Dead, off their Rick Rubin-produced album 13.
Later, while speaking to the press, the conversation took a strange detour. “You said you were a big fan of Taylor Swift,” Butler teased. “Yes I did,” Ozzy confirmed. “Yes, I am a big fan of Taylor Swift.” Then, without missing a beat, he leaned in and added: “Who the f**k is Taylor Swift?” It comes as Taylor has today announced her brand-new album and a dramatic new look.
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The comment was tongue-in-cheek and Swift would soon dominate 2014 with her smash album 1989, which held the Billboard 200’s top spot for 11 weeks and produced three No. 1 hits including Shake It Off, Blank Space, and Bad Blood.
However, Ozzy wasn’t exactly clueless about her success at the time. In fact, he had already met the pop princess and had spoken very highly of her.
That meeting came up later in the year when Taylor made a guest appearance on The Talk. Sharon Osbourne brought up the day she, Ozzy, and their daughter Kelly bumped into Taylor while shopping in L.A.
Sharon remembered Ozzy being struck by her presence as she said: “Finally, out of all the young, new artists, I’ve finally found one that is a true superstar,” he said.
“He said he’d never met anyone that had the aura that you have, because your aura is one of elegance, and just pure, just genuine talent. And he said that you were like Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn, all rolled into one.”
Sharon then turned the question around: “Now, what do you remember about my Ozzy?” The songstress replied that his kind words were “the sweetest thing,” and noted how quiet he was during the encounter. “He was too busy staring at you!” Sharon quipped.
The Black Sabbath legend died on July 22, aged 76, surrounded by his wife, Sharon, and children. In recent years, Ozzy had been battling ill health, which he had spoken publicly about, but had been determined to make it to Villa Park for his final performance just days before he died.
Confirming that Ozzy had died last month, a statement from the family, released from his hometown, said: “It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning.
“He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time. Sharon, Jack, Kelly, Aimee and Louis.”
It comes as global megastar Swift today confirmed the release of her latest album following weeks of speculation. The pop star appeared on a podcast with her boyfriend, Super Bowl champ Travis Kelce, and his brother Jason, which over 1.3 million people tuned in for the live event.
But while Taylor is notoriously private and rarely gives interviews, the Bad Blood songstress offered an insight into the record, which will be released in October. Her new record, which she wrote on her Eras Tour and recorded to in Sweden, will feature 12 tracks, including a duet with Sabrina Carpenter.
Speaking about the album, Taylor said: “This album is about what was going on behind the scenes in my inner life during this tour, which was so exuberant and electric and vibrant.” It comes after Taylor Swift announces Sabrina Carpenter duet and The Life of a Showgirl release date.
