Kelly Osbourne slams Dee Snider over Ozzy songwriting claims

Kelly Osbourne has strongly criticized Dee Snider following the latter's recent comments suggesting that her late father, Ozzy Osbourne, relied heavily on other musicians for songwriting contributions during his career. The controversy erupted after Snider, best known as the frontman of Twisted Sister, addressed fan inquiries on X regarding the authorship of Ozzy Osbourne’s lyrics across his solo work and Black Sabbath recordings. Snider asserted that bassists Geezer Butler, Bob Daisley, and Lemmy Kilmister were primarily responsible for composing many of the songs attributed to Ozzy. The discussion gained traction when a fan referenced Bob Daisley’s own statements about contributing lyrics to Ozzy’s early solo albums prior to his dismissal in the 1980s. In response, Snider insisted that Daisley was solely responsible for writing all the lyrics on those records, contradicting previous accounts. This prompted Kelly Osbourne to respond via Instagram Stories on Friday, where she defended her father’s legacy without directly naming Snider. She described Snider’s comments as “spectacularly classless” and emphasized that her father’s musical achievements required no justification. Osbourne highlighted the longevity of her father’s career, noting that his impact with Black Sabbath and as a solo artist spanned six decades. She contrasted this with Twisted Sister’s commercial success, referencing their hit “We’re Not Gonna Take It,” which peaked at No. 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1984. Ozzy Osbourne passed away in July 2025 at the age of 76. Snider responded to the criticism on X, stating that his comments were motivated by personal experiences related to songwriting credits and royalties. He expressed admiration for Ozzy and clarified that his remarks were not intended to diminish his legacy but rather to reflect his own ongoing concerns about recognition in the music industry. The dispute occurs against a backdrop of challenges facing Snider, who stepped down as Twisted Sister’s lead vocalist in February due to health issues including degenerative arthritis and heart complications linked to years of touring. According to reports from Rolling Stone, the band subsequently appointed Sebastian Bach, formerly of Skid Row, to perform at a series of 2026 anniversary concerts. Snider has publicly supported this decision, as noted by Blabbermouth. The situation underscores broader tensions within the music industry concerning songwriting credits and the legacy of iconic artists. As discussions continue, the focus remains on how these disputes affect public perception and the historical narrative surrounding influential musicians. The ongoing dialogue highlights the complexities of attributing creative contributions in collaborative artistic endeavors.