Van Halen nearly collaborated with Ozzy Osbourne on an album

During a tumultuous time for Van Halen, Alex Van Halen and Steve Lukather are collaborating on what may be the band’s final album. However, the drummer recently shed light on a missed opportunity that could have drastically altered the course of rock history. In the early 2000s, Eddie Van Halen and Ozzy Osbourne discussed creating an album together, a venture that Alex admits came incredibly close to fruition.

Alex revealed that he and Eddie met with Sharon Osbourne, Ozzy’s wife and manager, during a period of uncertainty for Van Halen. Following their split with Gary Cherone, tensions with former vocalists David Lee Roth and Sammy Hagar mounted. Speculation about a new singer circulated, with names like David Coverdale being thrown into the mix, although Coverdale himself dismissed these rumors.

Reflecting on the meeting with Sharon Osbourne, Alex described her as a “lovely lady” who navigated the music industry’s male-dominated landscape. Despite the potential of forming a powerful musical alliance, the project with Ozzy was ultimately put on hold due to conflicting opportunities. Alex recalled how close Eddie and Ozzy were to embarking on this creative journey: “The rest is history. That’s how close it got.”

Another collaborative project that Van Halen pursued was working with Chris Cornell, known for his work with Soundgarden and Audioslave. Discussions began to take shape in 2017, but tragically, Cornell passed away, leading to the cancellation of this budding partnership. Eddie’s dedication to exploring new musical avenues and forming partnerships with revered artists showcases his willingness to push boundaries and evolve as a musician.

As Alex and Steve Lukather explore unreleased material recorded during Eddie’s lifetime, the possibility of a final Van Halen album looms on the horizon. The drummer’s revelations about the missed opportunities with Ozzy Osbourne and Chris Cornell provide a glimpse into the creative process and collaborative spirit that defined Eddie Van Halen’s illustrious career. Despite the rocky road that Van Halen navigated with lineup changes and internal strife, Eddie’s unwavering commitment to pushing musical boundaries left an indelible mark on rock history.

Through Alex Van Halen’s candid recollections, fans gain insight into the creative vision and ambition that drove Van Halen’s pursuit of new musical ventures. While the collaboration with Ozzy Osbourne may have slipped through their fingers due to external factors, the legacy of innovation and creativity that Eddie Van Halen cultivated continues to inspire generations of guitarists and music enthusiasts.