Classic Rock
Glenn Hughes says Ozzy was one of his closest friends
The former Trapeze and Deep Purple bassist/singer Glenn Hughes had the chance to also be Black Sabbath’s vocalist for a while in the 1980s, although the album “Seventh Star” was originally meant to be a Tony Iommi solo record. He was a good friend of all the members of Sabbath since the 1970 and recalled in an interview with Metal Mayhem ROC, that the late Ozzy Osbourne was one of his closest friends.
Glenn Hughes says Ozzy was one of his closest friends
“I’ve known Ozzy and Geezer and Tony and Bill since 1970. They took off that year with ‘Paranoid’, and I was very friendly with them back then. So I’ve known those guys for 55 years. So when we lose someone — we, as the general public, lose someone — we lose icons and famous people. But I’ve lost family members.”
“Ozzy was one of my closest friends, especially in the ’70s when we lived eight miles from one another. He spent a lot of time at my house. I spent a lot of time at his house. He wanted me to be in a band with him in 1979 when he left Sabbath. (I declined) at that time I didn’t wanna go back to playing bass guitar and singing second vocals, with respect, ’cause I love Ozzy very much. I just wanted to be the Glenn Hughes we all know now — lead-singing bass player. So I had to decline that. But all through these years, Ozzy’s been very, very close to me.”
He continued:
“Ozzy was one of the most genuine guys you will ever meet — genuine, loving, kind human beings. Look, back then, if you can remember now, I did the album for Tony (Black Sabbath’s ‘Seventh Star’ (1986). It was supposed to be a Tony Iommi solo album. Tony’s one of my best friends ever, and he asked me to come in and sing.”
“Didn’t think we were going to do any touring, and I didn’t play bass, maybe on one song. And I found myself now in Black Sabbath, because the manager wanted to call it ‘Black Sabbath.’ And now I’m fronting the band, having to play and sing Ozzy songs, God rest in peace, and my friend Ronnie (James Dio),” Glenn Hughes said (Transcribed by Blabbermouth).
Over the decades Hughes has been part of several other bands like Black Country Communion, The Dead Daisies and also continued with his solo career. So far he has released 18 solo records, the most recent one being “Chosen” (2025).
