Published by Cel Manero from Global One Media, Inc.
Slipknot Considered Adding Ozzy Osbourne as an Additional Member
Even those who aren’t fans of Slipknot are likely aware of two key facts about the band: they wear masks, and they consist of nine members. However, in a recent interview with Classic Rock magazine, Slipknot’s singer, Corey Taylor, revealed that there was almost a tenth member – Ozzy Osbourne.
Taylor reflected on the time when the legendary Black Sabbath singer offered to join the Iowa metal band during their appearance at Ozzfest in 1999. He explained that Slipknot’s opportunity to perform at Ozzfest that year came about because they were the favorite band of Ozzy’s son, Jack.
“The reason Slipknot got onto Ozzfest [in 1999] is because we were [Ozzy’s son] Jack’s favorite band,” Taylor recalled. “Sharon gave us a little more leeway because of that. We did some crazy shit, but she’d be, ‘It’s fine, it’s Slipknot.'”
Taylor then shared a memorable encounter with Ozzy during that time. “I was sitting at a table with Jack and Kelly and Sharon,” he said. “All of a sudden, Ozzy comes bounding up: ‘Sharon, can you help me with my earrings?’ And Sharon goes, ‘Ozzy, this is one of the members of Slipknot, it’s Corey, he’s the singer.’ He looks at me and goes, ‘You’re the guys with nine members? I wanna be number ten!’ I was, like, ‘Dude, you’re Ozzy, anything you want!’ It was like meeting Superman.”
In the same interview, Taylor also discussed his encounters with other musical icons such as Lemmy, the late Pantera guitarist Dimebag Darrell, Cheap Trick’s Rick Nielsen, and Metallica. He shared stories of meeting these legends at different stages of their careers and highlighted the camaraderie and support he received from fellow musicians like James Hetfield of Metallica.
This interview with Corey Taylor can be found in the latest issue of Classic Rock magazine, which was guest-edited by Bryan Adams, and is available for order online with delivery options.
