Roger Waters Hit With Backlash After He Criticizes Ozzy Osbourne’s Career

Roger Waters is feeling the wrath of Ozzy Osbourne fans more than a month after the rock legend’s death. During a recent appearance on the Independent Ink podcast, the Pink Floyd co-founder criticized Osbourne’s legacy.

“Ozzy Osbourne, who just died, bless him, in his, whatever that state that he was in his whole life, we’ll never know,” Waters, 81, said, before seemingly addressing the late Black Sabbath singer’s popular MTV reality show, The Osbournes. “Although, he was all over the TV for hundreds of years with his idiocy and nonsense,” Waters added.

“The music, I have no idea, I couldn’t give a f—,” Waters continued. “I don’t care about Black Sabbath, I never did, I have no interest in ‘Wahhhh’ and biting the heads off chickens or whatever they do. I couldn’t care less.”

Osbourne, who died July 22 at age 76, famously bit a head off of a live bat while on tour in 1982, later claiming he thought it was a toy a fan had thrown onstage.

During his rant, Waters said biting a bat was even “worse” than biting a chicken.

Ozzy Osbourne’s Son Reacted to Roger Waters’ Comments

It didn’t take long for Osbourne’s son, Jack, to respond to Waters’ comments about his late father. In a post on his Instagram stories on Sept. 2, Jack Osbourne called out the Pink Floyd bassist by name.

“Hey Roger Waters – f—you,” he wrote. “How pathetic and out of touch you’ve become. The only way you seem to get attention these days is by vomiting out bulls— in the press. My father always thought you were a c—. thanks for proving him right.”

He also posted a second slide with the hashtag #f—rogerwaters.

Osbourne’s death came just two weeks after he performed an epic farewell concert in his hometown of Birmingham, England. Following the death of the hard rock icon, the city hosted a parade in his honor. Thousands of fans flocked to the landmark Black Sabbath Bench and Bridge tourist attraction to leave flowers, notes, and gifts in remembrance of the beloved singer.

That same fan base spoke out in Osbourne’s defense following Waters’ remarks.

In comments to Waters’ most recent Instagram post, critics told the musician that he should “respect Ozzy’s legacy.”

“The man is a legend. You know you would NEVER draw such a crowd as he did. He’s a globally loved legend. He had a heart of gold. Who is Roger Waters?” one fan asked.

“You waited until he wasn’t here anymore—that’s telling. You’ve destroyed your own legacy by attempting to tear down his,” another told Waters.

This story was originally reported by Men’s Journal on Sep 3, 2025, where it first appeared in the Entertainment section. Add Men’s Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.