Birmingham's Ozzy Osbourne has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Rock legend Ozzy Osbourne has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist.

The 75-year-old Prince of Darkness from Birmingham received a standing ovation from an all-star band and the 20,000-capacity crowd in Cleveland, Ohio, on Saturday.

“I want to thank everyone who voted me into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for my solo work. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart,” he shouted over deafening cheers after actor Jack Black presented him with the award.

The diverse Group of new arrivals this year also included: Mary J Blige, Cher, Peter Frampton, Foreigner, A Tribe Called Quest and the Dave Matthews Band.

“My fans have remained so loyal to me over the years. I can’t thank them enough,” said Osbourne, who was recorded at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse arena.

“I've (also) been lucky enough to play with some of the world's best guitarists, drummers and bassists, and some of them are here tonight.

“But I have to say one thing about a man named Randy Rhoads. If I hadn’t met Randy Rhoads, I probably wouldn’t be sitting here right now.”

Rhoads, an acclaimed guitarist, helped transform Osbourne's solo career after he was kicked out of the heavy metal band Black Sabbath in Birmingham in 1979. He died in 1982 at just 25 years old.

Osbourne saved his greatest thanks for his family. In the audience were his wife Sharon, his daughter Kelly and their son Sidney.

“Moreover, my wife Sharon saved my life. And my grandchildren and my babies. I love them all.”

During his introduction, Black described the first time he heard the rocker's hit solo album “Blizzard of Oz” (1980), saying “the heavens had opened.”

“Little did I know that I was entering a whole new world of heavy metal.”

He added: “You know much has been made of his evil alliance with the dark lord Satan, but in truth Ozzy is a loving father, husband and friend.”

Osbourne, who grew up in a large family in Aston, was inducted into the Hall of Fame back in 2006 as a member of Black Sabbath, which he founded in 1968. Since then he has sold 100 million records, both as a solo artist and with the band.

Due to health reasons, it was not certain whether he would perform on Saturday; he has Parkinson's disease.

One of his last appearances on stage was at the closing ceremony of the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

At the event, he watched from a large bat-shaped leather throne on stage as an all-star band performed his set playlist. Country superstar Jelly Roll delivered an excellent rendition of Osbourne's “Mama, I'm Coming Home.” Maynard James Keen sang Crazy Train, accompanied by Wolfgang Van Halen, and Billy Idol belted out No More Tears.

The musicians included his longtime guitarist and co-writer Zakk Wylde, Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo, Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith and Osbourne band member Adam Wakeman on keyboards.

Osbourne, who feels strong ties to his West Midlands roots, pulled out of touring last year, although he later said he wanted to play two final shows in Birmingham to say goodbye to his fans.

“Birmingham until I die,” he shouted during his performance with Black Sabbath at the Commonwealth Games two years ago.

He is still considered a legend in the city, even though he left the city years ago to pursue his career.

He has received various city honors. He was the first artist to be honored on Birmingham's own Hollywood-style Walk of Fame on Broad Street in 2007.

The giant mechanical bull seen at the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony has been nicknamed “Ozzy” after a public vote. It is now on display at Birmingham New Street station.

There is also a bench in honor of the band on the renamed Black Sabbath Bridge over the canal on Broad Street.

Osbourne credits the Beatles with introducing him to music as a teenager, growing up in a large family in Aston.

Paul McCartney was among a number of artists who paid tribute to him in a video that played during his introduction, reflecting on his career.

Artists are eligible for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 25 years after the release of their first recording.

In the 2011 documentary God Bless Ozzy Osbourne, he said the band made him realize that “he was going to be a rock star for the rest of his life.”

Osbourne's outstanding legacy was performed during Saturday's five-hour show in front of some of the world's top musicians – 55 years after he entered the business.