No Bad Blood: Vinny Appice Says Ozzy and Dio Respected Each Other Deeply
via EVANS Drumheads / YouTube
For decades, fans speculated about a bitter feud between Ozzy Osbourne and Ronnie James Dio—the two legendary frontmen who defined different eras of Black Sabbath. Dio stepped in after Ozzy’s dramatic 1979 departure, fueling long-standing rumors that Ozzy harbored resentment toward his replacement. After all, being replaced in your own band isn’t easy, and the transition marked a seismic shift in Sabbath’s sound and identity.
But according to those closest to the situation, the feud was more fiction than fact. Former Sabbath drummer Vinny Appice, who played with both Ozzy and Dio, recently cleared the air. Speaking just days after Ozzy’s death at the age of 76, Appice shared intimate recollections of both men and their private mutual respect.
Appice’s insights not only dismantle the myth of a hostile rivalry, they reveal a deeper story of admiration, pain, and misunderstood moments between two of heavy metal’s most iconic voices.
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Vinny Appice Sets the Record Straight
In an interview with Trunk Nation’s Eddie Trunk, Vinny Appice directly addressed the rumored animosity. “Ozzy would always tell me how he loved Ronnie,” Appice said. “Everybody created this thing that they hate each other, but Ozzy used to talk about it all the time.” His words shed light on a more complex relationship than fans might have assumed.
Appice noted that public perception was often skewed by internet chatter and assumptions. He emphasized that much of what people believe is exaggerated. “Things get blown up on the internet and you don’t know the truth really, what’s going on,” he added. This statement is a reminder that legends, like everyone else, are subject to myths beyond their control.
He even pointed to photos showing Ozzy and Dio spending time together at a festival, simply hanging out. These images, buried beneath the noise of fan theories, tell a different story—a story of mutual recognition and shared legacy.
Ozzy’s Honest Take on Dio
Ozzy himself never denied the emotional toll of being replaced in Black Sabbath. But his comments over the years painted a picture of bittersweet acceptance, not bitterness. In a 2022 interview with SiriusXM, he reflected candidly: “Ronnie did a good job. At the time I was fucking sad because…they were the only thing that ever really happened to me.”
His metaphor compared the band split to a divorce, filled with hurt but lacking real animosity. “You don’t go, ‘How’s your new bloke? Is he better than me?’” he said, describing the kind of heartbreak that anyone could understand—even rock gods. There was no hatred in his tone, just the raw honesty of a man grappling with change.
Despite not listening to the Dio-led Sabbath albums, Ozzy never undermined Ronnie’s talent. In fact, the lack of engagement with those records seems more about self-preservation than jealousy. Ozzy’s acknowledgment of Dio’s success speaks volumes about his character.
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More in Common Than Apart
Vinny Appice also had a unique view of both artists from behind the drum kit. His time in Dio’s solo band and connections through his brother Carmine—who briefly toured with Ozzy—gave him insight that few others had. It wasn’t just about musical collaboration; it was about mutual humanity.
Carmine Appice’s stint on the Bark at the Moon tour introduced Vinny to Ozzy in a different light. Through these connections, he observed a bond that ran deeper than press-fueled tension. It became clear that Ozzy and Ronnie weren’t competitors—they were survivors of the same turbulent rock scene, shaped by its highs and haunted by its lows.
And while fans may cling to drama, the truth is often more subdued. Vinny’s memories portray Ozzy and Dio not as rivals, but as men who deeply respected each other—even if they didn’t always show it in public.
