UFO guitarist Neil Carter recently talked about touring with Ozzy Osbourne in an interview with Rock Interview Series. The guitarist revealed that he never understands the appeal of Ozzy, but people love him anyway.
Neil Carter started to work with UFO at the beginning of the 1980s and did three records with the band. He appeared on the band’s 1981 album, ‘The Wild, the Willing and the Innocent,’ 1982’s ‘Mechanix,’ and 1983 album, ‘Making Contact.’ He also constantly toured with the group during these years. He had a chance to play with various other acts during the tours.
In 1982, they joined Ozzy Osbourne for an extensive tour to support his second album, ‘Diary of a Madman,’ and played in front of a massive audience in the US. UFO and Starfighters were the opening acts. Neil Carter, who was a member of UFO at the time, had a chance to watch Ozzy Osbourne on the stage many times, owing to this extensive tour.
The interviewer initially asked Carter about touring with Ozzy’s guitarist Randy Rhoads in a recent conversation. The guitarist described him as a dedicated musician and said working with him was a fantastic experience. Then, Neil Carter revealed he has never been a massive fan of Ozzy Osbourne’s voice, although he personally likes him.
Watching Ozzy performing on the stage was a bizarre moment. Ozzy is a much-admired performer by many people, but Carter doesn’t quite understand his appeal. The guitarist thinks Ozzy has always had an excellent team backing him up. It would probably be a different story if he were without them.
Carter speaking on touring with Ozzy Osbourne:
“Yes, he was a very dedicated musician. You used to see him practicing and playing. He was very nice to me. When I met Randy, he was very young. Maybe I was also at the same age around that time, maybe a few years older. He was a fantastic guy. I have never been a massive fan of Ozzy’s voice. I like Ozzy himself, and he is an extremely funny man but watching that band on the stage, Tommy Aldridge, Sarzo, and Don sitting up at the tower.
It was a great thing to watch, but I used to watch an audience of 22,000 to 30,000. Watching Ozzy stomping on the stage is a very strange thing. I never quite understood the appeal of Ozzy, but people love him. People actually think he is the best singer ever. He always had very good people with him, and I think they made him. If Ozzy were to be on his own, it would be a different story. He is yet a great songwriter.”
You can watch the entire conversation below.
