Tommy Clufetos, Ozzy Osbourne’s former drummer, recently defended the legendary rocker against his critics. He suggested that negative opinions stem from jealousy. His comments were shared during an interview on iHeartRadio.
Clufetos reflected on his 15-year tenure with Osbourne. He addressed the criticism the metal icon has faced throughout his career.
“Well, when you lose a guy like Ozzy Osbourne, which it never happened [before], it’s a shock to everybody, and it’s been a shock to everybody around the world, and you can see in the responses,” Clufetos said. “He deserves the ovation that he’s getting.”
The drummer shared his personal experience working with Osbourne. He emphasized the positive memories from their time together.
“And I was one of the few fortunate people that got to sit behind him on stage and have the time of my life for 15 years,” he continued. “I got to play drums behind Ozzy Osbourne, and every gig was awesome, every backstage was awesome. Every car ride, every plane ride, everything was a moment to remember, and I’ll remember it forever. God bless Ozzy Osbourne.”
Clufetos then directly addressed Osbourne’s detractors with his theory about their motivations.
“Here’s what I think: if you don’t like Ozzy Osbourne, it’s ’cause you’re jealous,” he stated. “That’s all there is to it. That goes with sports figures or certain people… Usually the dislike or the hate is usually out of jealousy. So I know there was a lot of people jealous.”
The drummer concluded by praising Osbourne’s unique vocal abilities and lasting impact on music.
“Ozzy was great,” Clufetos said. “He had this power in his voice and this sound that came out that it didn’t matter how high you could sing or how low you can sing, or how pretty you sang, you couldn’t do what he did. What he did was special and it was unattainable.”
Clufetos’s passionate defense of Osbourne comes from years of firsthand experience working with one of metal’s most iconic figures. This gives him unique insight into the Prince of Darkness’s true character and musical genius.
Wikipedia reported that Clufetos joined Ozzy Osbourne’s band in 2010. He became an integral part of both Osbourne’s solo career and Black Sabbath’s reunion tours. The drummer stepped in to replace original Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward during the band’s final chapter. He helped to complete their legendary career with the same power and precision that defined their early years.
Beyond his work with Osbourne, Mabumbe noted that Clufetos has built an impressive career working with numerous rock and metal legends throughout his tenure in the music industry. His drumming style and professional approach have earned him recognition as one of the most reliable and talented drummers in heavy metal.
“When I’m playing behind Ozzy Osbourne, we go to war together,” Clufetos previously told Blabbermouth. He described the intense musical connection he shared with the metal icon during their performances.
The drummer’s career with Osbourne reached a historic milestone in 2025. He participated in what became Osbourne’s final show, “Back to the Beginning,” performed at Aston Villa Park in Birmingham, England. WRIF revealed that this farewell performance was celebrated by fans and artists alike as a fitting end to Osbourne’s legendary career. Clufetos played a crucial role in delivering a memorable final chapter to the Prince of Darkness’s storied legacy.
