Kelly Osbourne has fired back at Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider for seemingly criticizing her late father, Ozzy Osbourne.
“[Dee Snider’s] last hit, not to age myself, was the year I was born, over 40 years ago,” Kelly, 41, quipped via her Instagram Story on Friday, August 14.
The drama started earlier this week when Snider, 71, was answering fan questions and seemingly slighted Ozzy’s songwriting prowess.
The Twisted Sister star tweeted that Ozzy “always had bass players write his lyrics,” referencing his songwriting collaborations with Geezer Butler in Black Sabbath and Bob Daisley in his solo career.
“I know too much about the truth behind the scenes. Let’s just say that [Ozzy’s wife] Sharon [Osbourne] doesn’t like to share [credit],” Snider tweeted.
Kelly initially clapped back at Snider via her Instagram Story without specifically referencing him on Friday.
“My father’s legacy as a musician, songwriter, singer and bandleader speaks for itself,” she insisted. “His friends, those who worked with him, those who love him and millions of fans around the world that still continue to buy his records know exactly what he meant, what he contributed and what he leaves behind. His legacy will live on eternally.”
Kelly later directly called out Snider’s “spectacularly classless” comments, accusing the musician of trying to “diminish” Ozzy’s legacy “when [Ozzy] is no longer here to challenge his allegations.”
“If Snider wants to invite comparisons between their careers, that comparison is devastating enough on its own,” she claimed. “Snider had a brief period of mainstream success more than 40 years ago. My father’s career spanned nearly six decades — from helping to define heavy metal with Black Sabbath to building an extraordinary solo career. His music will continue influencing generations long after all of us are gone.”
Ozzy Osbourne performs in September 2022 in Inglewood, California. Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
The former Osbournes star questioned whether Snider’s “belittling” of Ozzy was “simply a way of getting people talking about him again.”
“Because musically, the music industry moved on from Snider’s commercial peak decades ago, while my father’s name, catalogue and influence still remain globally relevant,” Kelly argued. “My father doesn’t need Dee Snider’s approval to establish his place in music history.”
She concluded her Instagram Story with one final jab, writing, “I would like to thank Dee Snider for allowing the world to see how truly desperate he is.”
Snider seemingly tried to deescalate tension with the Osbourne family on Friday, tweeting that he has “nothing but love for Ozzy.”
“He was always lovely to me. @BlackSabbath changed my life! As a songwriter I can be a little touchy about credit and royalties,” he explained.
The feud comes weeks after the Osbourne family marked the one-year anniversary of Ozzy’s death at age 76. (His death certificate later confirmed that Ozzy died from cardiac arrest, acute myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease and Parkinson’s disease.)
“It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning,” Ozzy’s family confirmed to Us in July 2025. “He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time.”
Ozzy died just 17 days after his final live performance with Black Sabbath at the Back to the Beginning concert, which took place earlier in July 2025. The all-star tribute to Ozzy’s career also featured appearances from rock icons such as Metallica, Guns N’ Roses and Slayer, among many others.
