“Ozzy called me a rock-and-roll icon, and I was like, Whoa!” Having helped honour Ozzy Osbourne at last year's Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame ceremony, Billy Idol admits he's “knocked out” to be among the nominees for induction this year

Billy Idol.

Earlier this week it was announced that Billy Idol, alongside Oasis, Soundgarden, The White Stripes and more, is on the longlist of nominees for induction into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame this year. And it's fair to say that the British punk veteran is pretty chuffed by the news.

In a new interview with Vulture, Idol (born William Broad) admits that he's “knocked out” to be among the nominees, and all the more excited because he got to witness the pomp and circumstance of the occasion for himself last year, when he was one of the musicians paying tribute to Ozzy Osbourne following the Prince of Darkness' induction into the Rock Hall as a solo artist.

“My eyes were opened,” he admits. “It’s a bigger deal than I thought”