On Saturday, the The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inducted Ozzy Osbourne as a solo artist. It was the second time the institution honored the singer, following his induction as a member of Black Sabbath in 2006.

The honor was long overdue. Osbourne made one of rock’s most incredible comebacks after Black Sabbath fired him in 1979. With the help of guitarist Randy Rhoads, who was posthumously inducted into the Rock Hall in 2021, he recorded energetic, almost gothic rockers like “Crazy Train,” “Mr. Crowley” and “Flying High Again,” which helped eclipse Sabbath’s career commercially. He maintained his momentum, making gold and platinum records, giving concerts and appearing on television with his family The Osbournes. His latest album, Patient number 9won the Grammy for Best Rock Album.

The Rock Hall honored Osbourne, who has been inducted as a solo artist since 2006, with an all-star performance that featured Tool’s Billy Idol, Jelly Roll and Maynard James Keenan singing his songs. All that aplomb meant Osbourne had to do something he admittedly doesn’t feel comfortable doing: give a speech. “I’m not good at giving speeches,” he said Rolling Stone in April. “I don’t like giving speeches. I end up mumbling. All I can do is try.” (He also noted that he was in good company in that department: “Bob Dylan doesn’t give speeches either,” he said.)

Despite his reticence, Osbourne spoke from the heart after an introductory speech from Jack Black. Here’s what Osbourne had to say.

I fucking love you guys.

Well, here we are. You know what? I can’t believe I’m here myself. Let me get the thank yous out of the way because I’m not going to bore you with a long, drawn out monologue. I want to thank everyone who voted me into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for my solo work. A big thank you. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you very much. Thank you very much. Thank you very much.

My fans have remained so loyal to me over the years that I can’t thank them enough. I’ve been fortunate enough to play with some of the world’s best guitarists, drummers and bassists over the years, 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 don’t think I would be sitting here right now. And even more than that: my wife Sharon. Saved my life. And my grandchildren and my babies. I love them all.

With all that said, I’m going to move on with the show and hand it back to Jack.