Beth Ditto always wanted to be a 'hippie'

Beth Ditto always wanted to be a "hippie".

The Gossip singer was so moved by Ozzy Osbourne's album 'Crazy Train' in the 1980, she wanted to join the Peace Corps and live a simple life helping others.

She said: "My mum was a big rock fan and, growing up, in the south as I did there's not too much to choose from. I remember being excited by Pink Floyd's 'The Wall' and Patsy Cline. When I was a kid I really wanted to become a hippie and join the Peace Corps, and that was down to hearing the Mamas and the Papas, but the real soundtrack from that era in my life was Ozzy."

Since Gossip started in 2006, Beth has become known for her powerful-yet-unusual voice and has seen musical success around the world.

However, the 28-year-old star struggled to find her singing style when she was young.

She explained to the Observer Music Monthly magazine: "I grew up singing in the church choir, and had discovered that I was too loud to sing prettily and too soft to sing loud music. Then I heard Tori Amos and she validated my experience as a singer along with women like Missy Elliot."