BLACK SABBATH  OZZY PULLS BLACK SABBATH FROM NOMINEES FOR THE R'N'R HALL OF FAME

Black Sabbath singer Ozzy Osbourne has asked the "supposed elite of the industry and the media" who run the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to get Black Sabbath out of their nominating list.

"Just take our name off the list," Osbourne said in a statement issued Monday.

"Save the ink. Forget about us. The nomination is meaningless because it's not voted on by the fans. It's voted on by the supposed elite of the industry and the media, who've never bought an album or concert ticket in their lives, so their vote is totally irrelevant to me."

Black Sabbath have been nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for three straight years; they didn't get enough votes in either 1997 or 1998 to gain induction into the hall. This year the British metal band is among a group of 15 nominees, including Eric Clapton, Aerosmith and Queen.

"Let's face it, Black Sabbath have never been media darlings," Osbourne said. "We're a people's band, and that suits us just fine."

Black Sabbath have said they will disband after their farewell European shows in December. Osbourne is working on his first solo album of new material since 1995.

Link: Unofficial site http://www.black-sabbath.com