Asign hangs over the front gate of Ozzy Osbourne’s house: “Never mind the dog. Beware of the owner.” It’s a sentiment Jack Black, here with Tenacious D bandmate Kyle Gass on this sunny LA morning to interview the former Black Sabbath singer and all-round metal icon for Metal Hammer, can relate to.
“Ozzy was my introduction to heavy metal music,” says Jack. “I bought Blizzard Of Ozz back in the early 80s and it changed my life. He’s a true inspiration and a hero of mine, but I’m pretty nervous right now. I might be too scared to interview Ozzy.”
In fairness, it was their idea. “Metal Hammer asked us, ‘Who would be your dream pick to interview for this special edition?’ and we said, ‘Ozzy,’” explains Kyle. “You know what? We’re not professional interviewers. We’re usually the ones being interviewed. So we’re not expected to be [venerated US TV journalist] Mike Wallace right now. We’re just fellow rockers getting to know each other.”
But it’s too late now. As the pair sit down on a couch in the cavernous front room chez Osbourne, the sound of footsteps echoes behind us, and the owner of the house descends the white marble staircase. “Holy crap,” says Jack uneasily.
