Ozzy Osbourne has issued a statement on Randy Rhoads being honored with the Musical Excellence Award as part of the 2021 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction class.

Osbourne said in an interview, “I’m so happy that Randy’s genius, which we all saw from the beginning, is finally being recognized and that he is getting his due. I only wish he was here in person to get this award and that we could all celebrate together. It’s really great that Randy’s family, friends and fans get to see him honored this way.”

Rhoads tragically died in a plane crash on March 19, 1982 at the age of 25.

Rhoads’ classical music influences helped add artistry to metal in a way that few guitarists did at the time or have since, and it was something Osbourne recognized and cherished from day one.

“When he played my brain went, ‘Either this is the greatest gear ever or this guy really is the best guitarist in the world!'” said Osbourne in a 2011 interview with The Guardian.  “It took me a very long time to get over his death…Randy gave me a purpose, he gave me hope. I was fed up fighting people. I just had the greatest respect for him.”

2021 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees

• Foo Fighters (Performer)

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  Inductees: Dave Grohl (previously inducted in 2014 with Nirvana), Taylor Hawkins, Rami Jaffee, Nate Mendel, Chris Shiflett, Pat Smear. Foo Fighters will be inducted by Paul McCartney.

• The Go-Go’s (Performer)

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  Inductees: Charlotte Caffey, Belinda Carlisle, Gina Schock, Kathy Valentine, Jane Wiedlin. The Go-Go's will be inducted by Drew Barrymore.

• JAY-Z (Performer)

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  JAY-Z is considered by many to be the greatest rapper alive. His accolades include 14 number one albums (most ever by a solo artist), 22 Grammys (most in hip-hop history), and first rapper inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame (2017.)
• Carole King (Performer)

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  King was previously inducted into the Rock Hall in 1990 receiving the Ahmet Ertegun Award alongside songwriting partner and former husband Gerry Goffin. King will be inducted by Taylor Swift who will also do the honors of performing in tribute to King along with Jennifer Hudson.

• Todd Rundgren (Performer)

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  Previously nominated in 2019 and 2020.

• Tina Turner (Performer)

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  Turner was previously inducted as a performer in 1991 with Ike Turner. This was the first year she was nominated as a solo artist. Turner will be inducted by Angela Bassett and be honored with performances from Christina Aguilera, Mickey Guyton, H.E.R., and Bryan Adams.
• Clarence Avant (Ahmet Ertegun Award)

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  Clarence Avant, the Godfather of Black Music, is cool, savvy, confident, and fearless – someone who makes the impossible possible. He’s served a variety of roles during his illustrious career, including manager, label owner, concert organizer, event producer, political fundraiser, and mentor. Avant is the quintessential impresario, with an uncanny ability to connect people, open doors, and provide opportunities to countless musicians, actors, and politicians. Bill Withers summed up his impact by declaring, “He puts people together.” Avant will be inducted by Lionel Richie.

• LL Cool J (Musical Excellence Award)

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  LL Cool J has been called the Little Richard of hip-hop. Both artists combined youthful exuberance, massive charisma, and incredible musical talent to launch their respective genres of rock & roll to fans around the world. LL was still a teenager when he became the face of Def Jam records – his 1985 'Radio' was the label’s first album. He ushered in hip-hop’s second wave with hard-hitting singles like “I Need a Beat,” “I Can’t Live Without My Radio,” and “Rock the Bells.” LL’s work with Def Jam paved the way for future label mates Public Enemy, Beastie Boys, and Slick Rick.  

• Billy Preston (Musical Excellence Award)

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  Session musician. Singer. Songwriter. Touring musician. The Fifth Beatle. Billy Preston blazed a path through the history of rock & roll with the smoking sounds of his B3 organ, the funky rhythms of his clavinet, and the exciting tones of his gospel-inspired vocals and piano. A child prodigy, Billy played organ with Mahalia Jackson, and in 1957 at the age of 10, he appeared on the 'Nat King Cole Show,' performing a duet with Cole – trading vocal parts and organ licks – Preston’s natural talent shining through.
• Randy Rhoads (Musical Excellence Award)

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  Widely acknowledged as one of the most important and influential guitarists of all time, Randy Rhoads was a dramatic game changer for heavy metal and for generations of guitar players. After recording two albums with Quiet Riot (the band he cofounded in 1973), Rhoads joined ex-Black Sabbath vocalist Ozzy Osbourne's new solo band in 1979. In many ways due to Rhoads' stunning guitar work, Osbourne's first solo release, 'Blizzard of Ozz' (1980), is recognized as one of heavy metal’s greatest albums, and its biggest single, “Crazy Train,” features one of the most recognizable guitar riffs ever played.

• Kraftwerk (Early Influence Award)

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  Inductees: Karl Bartos, Wolfgang Flür, Ralf Hütter, Florian Schneider.

• Gil Scott Heron (Early Influence Award)

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  Poet, novelist, scholar and musician, Gil Scott-Heron was many things during his prolific career but above all, in the words of music critic Nelson George, “he was a teller of uncomfortable truths.” Scott-Heron’s career path was unconventional, mirroring his nonconformist approach to music.
• Charley Patton (Early Influence Award)

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  Before Jimi Hendrix mastered the guitar, before Chuck Berry pioneered rock & roll, and even before Robert Johnson had strummed a single chord – Charley Patton did it all. Without the Father of the Delta Blues, American popular music as we know it would not exist.

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