However, in the midst of adversity, music broke into its life like a lighthouse. One moment pivotal At his destiny, which he would report countless occasions, was listening “She Loves You” from The Beatles For the radio. “My world rose as a fleeting star. It was a divine experience. The planets changed,” Ozzy confessed, an eloquent testimony of the deep impact that the Liverpool band had in its incipient musical vocation.
This revelation not only opened his eyes to the possibility of a life beyond poverty and crime, but also sowed in him the seed of artistic ambition.
The birth of heavy metal: Black Sabbath era
At the end of the 1960s, Ozzy found its purpose. An advertisement in a Birmingham music store that simply said “Ozzy Zig Needs Gig” (Ozzy Zig needs a concert) led him to know Terence “Geezer” Butlera young bassist with whom he shared musical interests. Together, and recruiting the guitarist Tony Iommi and to the drummer Bill WardThey formed a band initially called Earth. However, after discovering that there was another band with that name, Geezer Butler suggested the name of Black Sabbathinspired by a horror movie of Boris Karloff They had seen.
This change was more than a simple name adjustment; It was a declaration of intentions.
With a heavy sound, ominous riffs and letters that explored the hidden, war, despair and social criticism, Black Sabbath was a pioneer of heavy metal. At a time where psychedelic rock dominated the waves, his proposal was raw, dark and revolutionary.
His first albums, as the homonym Black Sabbath (1970) and the iconic Paranoid (also 1970), not only were commercial successes but They cemented the bases of a genre that would define several generations.
Subsequent albums like Master of reality (1971), Vol. 4 (1972) and Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (1973) consolidated their status as innovative. Classics like “Iron Man”, “War Pigs”, “Paranoid” and “Nib” They became imperishable hymns of rock. The voice of Ozzy, with its distinctive tone and its way of interpreting the darkness of the letters, was the anchor of the band, giving them a unique identity.
The separation and emergence of the “prince of darkness” alone
Despite the resounding successes, Ozzy’s relationship with Black Sabbath was, from the beginning, turbulent and marked by excesses. His problems of Addiction to alcohol and drugswhich would accompany him much of his life, were a determining factor in his departure from the band in 1979. The creative and personal tension among the members, exacerbated by substance abuse, made coexistence unsustainable. For many, this seemed the end of his career.
However, far from being the end, this separation marked the beginning of one of the most successful and spectacular solo races In the history of rock. With the crucial support of his future wife and manager, Sharon Arden (later Osbourne)Ozzy reinvented.
Your solo debut album, Blizzard of Ozz (1980), it was a coup of genius. Driven by guitarist’s genius Randy Rhoadsthe album included hymns like “Crazy Train” and “Mr. Crowley”that quickly became mass successes. Ozzy showed that he could shine for himself, and not only that, but could do it with a renewed style and unstoppable energy.
Throughout the 80s and 90s, albums such as Diary of a Madman (1981), Bark at The Moon (1983), The Ultimate Sin (1986) and Do not tears (1991) consolidated him as a global star. His eccentric personality, his theatrical concerts and his undeniable charisma made him a cultural icon. The nickname was won “Prince of Darkness”a label that embodied and proudly embodied, but also reflected its internal struggle against its personal demons.
Ozzy Osbourne and Randy Rhoads
Personal battles and triumphal returns
Ozzy’s life outside the stage was as dramatic as his music. Their alcohol addiction and drug problems They were a constant battle, deeply affecting their health, their personal relationships and their family. On numerous occasions, he touched the background, but always found the strength to get up, often with Sharon’s unwavering support. His fight against addictions made him a figure of resilienceshowing a brutal honesty when talking about their failures and efforts to overcome them.
Television reality “The Osbournes”which premiered in 2002, offered a look without filters to his peculiar family life, humanizing the “prince of darkness” and showing him as a affectionate father and husband, although eccentric.
Despite his successful solo career, the link with Black Sabbath It was unwavering. Throughout the decades, there were several meetings of the original formation, the most significant of which was that of 1997, which culminated on a tour and the launch of the live album Meeting. However, the final farewell was about to arrive.
The final goodbye: “Back to the beginning” in Birmingham
He Last July 5the Villa Park stadium in Birmingham was the epicenter of an event that marked the end of an era: “Back to the Beginning”Black Sabbath’s final farewell concert. It was not just a concert, it was a festival of almost nine hours, a marathon day that was followed by More than 2 million people through streaming transmission in Pay-Per-View format. The tickets were exhausted in a matter of minutes, demonstrating the magnitude of the band’s legacy.
The place was not randomly chosen. Villa Park, in his native Birmingham, was the stage where the first chords of a band that changed the history of rock. The luxury alignment that met to pay tribute to Black Sabbath was a testimony of his influence. There were memorable moments that made the public vibrate.
Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins) and Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine) They joined forces for a powerful interpretation of “Breaking the Law” of Judas Priest. Sammy Hagar (Van Halen) revived “Flying High Again”one of Ozzy’s solo hits, demonstrating the versatility of his repertoire.
The stars parade continued with Steven Tyler (Aerosmith), Ronnie Wood (Rolling Stones), Travis Barker (Blink-182) and the producer Andrew Wattwho delivered a powerful version of “Walk This Way”. Tom Morello came up to the stage next to Nuno Bettencourt for a subject in Portuguese in tribute to the footballer Diogo Jota, and with Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers) interpreted the anthem “Whole Lotta Love” of Zeppelin LED.
Bands such as Guns N ‘Roses They offered a forceful mix of Black Sabbath songs with their own classics as “Welcomome to the Jungle” and “Paradise City”. Metallica He also left his mark with “Master of Puppets” and an interpretation of “Hole in the Sky” and “Johnny Blade”the latter of Sabbath’s last album with his original formation. James HetfieldMetallica leader, expressed the gratitude of a whole generation: “Without Black Sabbath, there would be no Metallica. Thank you for giving us a reason to live.”
The list of participants was extensive: Clean Bizkit, Ghost, Soundgarden, Korn, Yungblud and Ugly Kid Joe They also joined the celebration. Even the actor Jason Momoa He made a master of ceremonies and threw himself into Mosh Pit when Pantera took the stage, in a moment of pure euphoria.
The giant stadium screens offered humorous segments with Ozzy recreated by artificial intelligence in iconic movies such as Avatar, Pirates of the Caribbean or Sixth Senseshowing his constant search for innovation and his sense of humor.
After eight hours of uninterrupted celebration, the most anticipated moment came. Ozzy Osbourne took the stage for a solo set. Sitting in a Burcielago -shaped leather throneLucia happy and excited. With his unmistakable style – blacks, dark eyeliner and a bracelet with his name – he played five of his most beloved songs, including “Mama i’m Coming Home” and “Crazy Train”leaving the public in a state of collective euphoria.
Black Sabbath farewell ozzy osbourne.jpg
But the absolute climax of the night was the time when Four original Black Sabbath members –Tony Iommi, Bill Ward, Geezer Butler and Ozzy Osbourne– They played together for the last time. For thirty minutes, the stadium vibrated with thunderous versions of “War Pigs”, “Nib”, “Iron Man” and the infallible “Paranoid”.
At the end, Ozzy, with a mixture of emotion and deep gratitude, addressed the public with a farewell feeling: “This was the last song of all. Your support allowed us to live an incredible life. Thank you from the depths of our hearts.”
Sharon OsbourneOzzy’s wife and manager, was clear in a later interview, confirming the end of an era: “We have finished. There will be no more concerts.” With more than six decades dedicated to music, both she and the band had decided to close this stage to enjoy life away from the stage.
An immortal legacy
The death of Ozzy Osbourne is not only the loss of a musician, but that of a icon that challenged conventions, overcame its demons and left an indelible brand in popular culture. Black Sabbath, with Ozzy at the head, not only invented a genre, but inspired countless bands and artists who came later. His music, dark and powerful, continues to resonate in millions of souls around the world.
Ozzy Osbourne said goodbye big, with the majesty and darkness that always characterized him, but also with an eternal ovation of gratitude and nostalgia. Your legacy as heavy metal pioneer, cultural and surviving icon of innumerable challengeswill last forever.
Source: Ambito
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
