A bitter and unexpected feud has erupted in the rock world between Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters and the family of the late Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne.
The clash ignited after Waters made disparaging remarks about Osbourne during a podcast appearance, drawing an immediate and furious response from Osbourne's son, Jack.
The row comes only weeks after Ozzy's death, making the controversy especially explosive and sparking heated debate across social media. The episode underscores both the enduring reverence for Osbourne's legacy and his family's determination to defend it.
Roger Waters' Disparaging Remarks on 'The Independent Ink'
The controversy began when Roger Waters appeared as a guest on The Independent Ink podcast. During the programme, Waters was discussing his broader critique of how pop culture figures are used to distract the public from important political issues.
He brought up Ozzy Osbourne in this context, making a number of highly critical comments. Waters claimed Osbourne's career was a source of 'idiocy and nonsense' that had been broadcast 'all over the TV for hundreds of years' (sic).
He then dismissed the musical legacy of Black Sabbath, stating: 'I don't care about Black Sabbath, I never did, I have no interest in... biting the heads off chickens or whatever they do.'
When the interviewer corrected him, pointing out that it was a bat and not a chicken, Waters reportedly exclaimed: 'Oh my God, that's even worse, isn't it?'
The comments were widely perceived as a direct attack on Osbourne's character and career, particularly given the recent circumstances of his death.
Jack Osbourne's Fiery Rebuttal
In response to the podcast, Ozzy's youngest son Jack Osbourne took to his Instagram Stories to directly address Waters. His rebuttal was a staunch and passionate defence of his father's legacy, sparing no words in his message.
In a series of posts, Jack condemned Waters' comments as 'pathetic and out of touch'. He wrote, 'The only way you seem to get attention these days is by vomiting out bulls*** in the press.'
In a particularly stinging retort, Jack claimed his father's prior opinion of Waters, writing, 'My father always thought you were a c*** – thanks for proving him right.'
Hey @rogerwaters fuck you. How pathetic and out of touch you’ve become. The only way you seem to get attention these days is by vomiting out bullshit in the press. My father always thought you were a cunt — thanks for proving him right. 🤡 #fuckrogerwaters
— Jack Osbourne (@JackOsbourne) September 2, 2025
He concluded his post with a clown emoji and followed up with a second Instagram Story using the hashtag #f***rogerwaters. The public defence follows another recent instance where the Osbourne family had to defend Ozzy's name, referencing a prior online disagreement between his daughter, Kelly Osbourne, and a public figure.
Widespread Backlash and Public Reaction
According to the Manchester Evening News, Waters' remarks were met with immediate and widespread backlash from fans of Ozzy and Black Sabbath across social media.
Commentators on platforms such as Reddit, YouTube, and X (formerly Twitter) were quick to criticise Waters not only for his comments but for the ill-timed and callous nature of them.
Many fans expressed the sentiment that it was disrespectful to speak ill of the recently deceased, regardless of long-standing differences.
The incident also brought to light a long-standing, though perhaps less public, animosity between Waters and Black Sabbath's music, with some fans referencing a 1970 review where Waters reportedly dismissed their early work.
The intense reaction to Waters' comments further solidifies the importance of Ozzy Osbourne's work and persona to a new generation of fans and shows that his family remains a formidable force in protecting his legacy.
