KISS bassist Gene Simmons recently praised Ozzy Osbourne’s authenticity and vocal abilities. He contrasted the Black Sabbath frontman’s genuine approach with KISS’s theatrical personas in an interview on Piers Morgan Uncensored.
Simmons has praised the metal icon’s natural vocal style and authentic personality when asked about Ozzy’s technical singing abilities.
“He’s never gotten the credit,” Simmons said.
“Ozzy never tried to change his voice. When I sing in KISS or when [Metallica’s James] Hetfield or anybody gets up there, we put on the gruff [tone], we put on the meat grinder in our voice to try to do that. Ozzy was always Ozzy; he sang melody.”
Simmons then shared a personal anecdote about a conversation he had with Osbourne at an event.
“It’s funny. Ozzy and I ran into each other at an event, and we were sitting with each other and talking,” he continued.
“And he said this in public, but he said it to my face. I said, ‘So what do you think? What kind of music you like?’ ‘Oh, I love The Beatles.’ ‘Oh, yeah. Me too. Me too.’ ‘Who else?’ ‘I love ABBA.’ ABBA?”
The KISS frontman has emphasized how Osbourne’s genuine nature set him apart from other rock performers.
“The rest of us are all trying to pick the right things to say to bolster our public image,” Simmons explained.
“Ozzy didn’t give a squat. He was Ozzy, and caution be damned. Take it or leave it. Maybe the Greeks were right after all. To thine own self be true. Ozzy was always Ozzy, and he was not a made-up thing. We created our stage personas, with the makeup and sticking my tongue out and all that stuff. Ozzy just walked out on stage… and just let it all hang out.”
Simmons concluded by reflecting on Osbourne’s impact and the emotional response from fans.
“And the love and admiration, not just of the industry but the fans is unequaled,” he said.
“I know right now there are millions of fans — I’m getting choked up myself — there are millions of fans who are just devastated and crying. What a giant.”
Simmons’ praise for Osbourne’s vocal authenticity reflects a deeper understanding of what makes the Black Sabbath frontman’s voice so distinctive in the heavy metal landscape.
