Kelly Osbourne has fiercely defended her late father, Ozzy Osbourne, after Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider questioned the Black Sabbath legend’s role as a songwriter.
The dispute began after Dee Snider responded to a discussion on X about the songwriting contributions of musicians who worked with Ozzy throughout his career. Snider claimed that several musicians, including bassist Bob Daisley and Motörhead’s Lemmy Kilmister, were responsible for writing lyrics used in Ozzy’s music.
Snider also suggested that Ozzy’s wife and longtime manager, Sharon Osbourne, would be reluctant to discuss the subject publicly.
His comments quickly sparked a reaction from Kelly Osbourne, who took to Instagram Stories to defend her father’s career and musical legacy.
Kelly Osbourne Defends Ozzy Osbourne’s Music Career
Kelly argued that Ozzy Osbourne’s impact on rock music should not be defined by claims made about his songwriting behind the scenes.
She said her father’s legacy as a musician, singer, songwriter and bandleader was already established through his decades-long career and the influence his music continues to have on fans around the world.
Kelly also criticized Snider for making the comments after Ozzy’s death, arguing that her father is no longer able to respond to the accusations himself.
In a second post, Kelly became considerably more direct, describing Dee Snider’s remarks as “spectacularly classless” and accusing him of trying to diminish Ozzy’s accomplishments.
She questioned why Snider would attempt to undermine her father’s career and suggested that his comments could be an effort to draw attention back to himself.
Dee Snider’s Claims About Ozzy Osbourne’s Songwriting
Dee Snider’s comments centered on the contributions of musicians who worked with Ozzy Osbourne during his solo career and his years with Black Sabbath.
Snider specifically pointed to Bob Daisley, who played bass and contributed to several of Ozzy’s early solo records, as well as Lemmy Kilmister, who wrote lyrics for songs recorded by Ozzy.
Snider also referenced Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler, who was a major lyricist for the band’s classic material.
The comments have reignited long-running discussions among rock fans about songwriting credits and the respective contributions of Ozzy Osbourne and the musicians who worked alongside him.
Kelly Osbourne Compares Dee Snider and Ozzy’s Legacies
Kelly also compared the careers of Dee Snider and Ozzy Osbourne, arguing that there is a significant difference between their respective places in music history.
She pointed to Ozzy’s nearly six-decade career, beginning with his role as the frontman of Black Sabbath before he went on to build a highly successful solo career.
Kelly argued that Ozzy’s music and influence will continue to reach new generations, adding that his name, catalog and contribution to heavy metal remain globally relevant.
She also rejected the idea that Ozzy needed Snider’s approval to establish his place in rock history.
“His music will continue influencing generations long after all of us are gone,” Kelly wrote.
Dee Snider Has Yet to Respond to Kelly Osbourne
Dee Snider had not publicly responded to Kelly Osbourne’s criticism at the time of publication.
The dispute comes as fans continue to reflect on Ozzy Osbourne’s decades-long influence on heavy metal following his death.
While disagreements over songwriting credits have surrounded Ozzy’s career for years, Kelly’s response has brought renewed attention to the musicians and collaborators behind some of his most recognizable work.
For now, the exchange between Kelly Osbourne and Dee Snider has added another chapter to the long-running conversation surrounding Ozzy Osbourne’s music, collaborators and enduring legacy.