Peter Frampton has shared his thoughts about his upcoming induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, likening Ozzy Osbourne to Betty White in the process.
Following yesterday’s news that Frampton and Osbourne will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame later this year, Frampton spoke to Rolling Stone about the honour.
When asked about Ozzy’s induction, Frampton compared the Prince of Darkness to Betty White, who was unanimously conceived as a likeable figure: “The man is the Betty White of rock & roll.” He also said it would be “fantastic” if he could perform ‘Crazy Train’ with Osbourne.
Elsewhere during the chat, Frampton told the publication that he was astonished when he learned of his induction: “It’s something I never expected. Because I was eligible so long ago, I kind of put it into the back of my mind. It’s like before I got my first Grammy for my instrumental record where I didn’t sing a note. I thought, ‘Oh, I’m over this. I’ll never win a Grammy.’ And look what happened. I got a Grammy. It’s because I keep working. I’ve never given up. I’ve kept coming back and doing more stuff, and I’ve kept touring. I’ve re-built a following that is now enormous.”
He then spoke about R&B and rap artists being inducted, and said of Mary J. Blige and A Tribe Called Quest: “Maybe it should be called the Music Hall of Fame as opposed to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. They’re kind of stuck now. But I agree, Mary J. Blige is an unbelievable talent. They definitely both deserve to get in.”
Frampton also spoke of Cher’s previous public declaration that she wouldn’t attend the induction ceremony after previously being snubbed: “Oh, go on, Cher! We want you there. It’s okay. Look at how long I waited. I didn’t wait as long as you, but it’s okay. You’re in now. You’re in! Come on, Cher!”
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Other acts being inducted this year include Dave Matthews Band, Foreigner and Kool & The Gang. Jimmy Buffett, MC5, Dionne Warwick and Norman Whitfield will be inducted in the Musical Excellence category, while Alexis Korner, John Mayall and Big Mama Thornton will be honoured with the Musical Influence Award. Entertainment producer Suzanne de Passe will receive the Ahmet Ertegun Award.
All of the above names will be inducted during a ceremony held in Cleveland on October 19.