IN MEMORIAM: Ozzy Osbourne
Ozzy zig needs a gig. One simple sentence, an ad placed in a music shop window in Birmingham. One sentence with the added detail of ‘has own PA’ would be enough to change not just one person’s life, but the lives of three others and to an astounding extent the face of popular music for ever. John Michael ‘Ozzy’ Osbourne placed the advert hoping to find like minded individuals to help find a way out of the grey oppression that came with living in a post war industrial city like Birmingham. Music was the key.
Ozzy (as he would become known far and wide), was born 3rd December 1948 in Marston Green to Lillian and John Osbourne. With four older sisters and two younger brothers after him, Ozzy was often described as timid in his youth picked on at school by children bigger than him and often in trouble. Dyslexia led to difficulties and at the age of 15 he left school and undertook employment in various manual jobs that were prevalent at the time. These included, labourer, plumbing, car horn tuner and slaughterhouse worker. Nothing would stick. Like many of his contemporaries, Ozzy had become enamoured with the sound of THE BEATLES in his formative teenage years and saw that as the path to freedom and excitement. The path to rock star fame never runs smoothly however, and at 17 he spent six weeks in Winson Green Prison following a conviction for shoplifting.
With this brush with the law would not be the last. It was at least enough to help focus an errant mind on the goals of rock n roll as a legitimate path. The aforementioned advert was placed and the stars aligned bringing together Ozzy, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward. The history of these four musicians is well documented and while stories may differ on the exact order of events. The upshot is that this union resulted in a seismic shift in the musical landscape. The echoes of which would continue to be felt today. Friday 13th February 1970, the eponymous debut from BLACK SABBATH was introduced to the world and music would never be the same. While arguments can be made for which bands laid the foundations for heavy metal. Few can deny that the tracks contained on this record, particularly the Osbourne/Butler penned opener was the coalescence of elements giving heavy metal its form. The lightening spark for Frankenstein’s Monster.
The BLACK SABBATH sound became defined by the riffs of Iommi and the rhythmic influences of Butler and Ward, however, the icing on the cake was the unique vocal stylings of Ozzy Osbourne. An eerie wail that was captivating and beguiling. Utterly engaging yet sufficiently out of the norm to match this darker side of heavy rock that would become heavy metal. While this sound was not initially well received by critics, fans soon grew in their number. Live shows were as important as the recordings, the aura of the music was matched by the enigmatic frontman, Ozzy had found his calling. Hot off the back of the debut, a string of exceptional albums helped to define not only BLACK SABBATH but the presence of Ozzy. He could delivery frantic energy and match this with soulful delivery that was just as powerful. SABBATH as a whole had the Midas touch, but it was the frontman who gained the headlines.
Throughout the seventies rock n roll and excess went hand in hand and bands were almost in apparent competition to out do each other in the raucous exuberance. Drink and drugs were the fuel and many were happy to fill their tank. Casualties were high but some seemed to thrive on overindulgence. Ozzy fell into the latter category. While the whole of BLACK SABBATH are well documented as having found their own particular outlet to enjoy. It seemed that for Ozzy, more of everything was the best way forward. To the extent that eventually he was fired from his place in BLACK SABBATH and essentially left in the musical wilderness.
While retaining a household name and having been part of the formation of BLACK SABBATH and responsible for creating some of their biggest hits. Ozzy Osbourne was still hot property if his lifestyle led to him being considered to be a risky investment. However, Don Arden, who had previously managed SABBATH, was willing to continue to work with Ozzy. Within him, Arden still saw the enigmatic frontman and a consummate performer as well as an artist that could still create music that would sell big units. Efforts were therefore made to help Ozzy, to keep him safe from temptations, dealers and at times, himself. While personal management was in place, the task was also set to bring together a group of musicians to help bring out the creative best in Ozzy. The result was another union of musicians that would once again becoming defining. Ozzy was introduced to a young virtuoso guitarist, Randy Rhoads. The chemistry was electric, it’s palpable even on the studio recordings of the stellar Blizzard of Ozz in 1980 and the follow-up Diary of A Madman one year later. Two albums that reignited Ozzy Osbourne and reinvented him as a legitimate solo artist with pull.
Arguably it is from this point forward that Ozzy really came into his own. While SABBATH were remaining creative and putting out albums of varying quality with a transitional lineup change. They were not reaching the highs that they had as the original four-piece. Meanwhile Ozzy became a superstar. Creatively speaking he was reaching new highs while building a mythos that became as important as the music. When Sharon Arden, daughter of Don took the reigns of management, and ultimately became Ozzy’s partner through marriage, the Osbourne name became a formidable force.
The eighties were a tough time for alternative and metal music. A veritable witch hunt led by the uncompromising PMRC (Parent Music Resource Centre), labelled anything they didn’t agree with as subversive and evil. Ozzy Osbourne became the poster artist for corruption of the young. His antics of course did little to dissuade this image. Somehow the rumour of satanic acts, namely animal sacrifice, being performed at his shows became gospel. Some audience members took this to mean, bring your own offering. Thus, the infamous bat incident. Believing someone had thrown a rubber bat onto the stage, the unaware Ozzy (after all who brings a live bat!?!) placed the head in his mouth and took a bite. Carnage ensued and as Ozzy would later lament not only the death of the innocent bat, but also the fact that much of his career would become tied to this incident.
Controversy seemingly went hand in hand with Ozzy Osbourne. Mainly because of the vast quantities of substances he was ingesting. He had numerous run ins with the law and incidents that he would deem pranks would often have more sever consequence. Many of these though have become a part of his legacy in terms of legendary antics. However, the music was still the driving factor. Ozzy was still a powerful presence in the studio and on stage. His fans were legion and the support unwavering.
Away from the stage lights, Ozzy was becoming a family man. He had a heart bigger than anyone could’ve realised. That is until the cameras were allowed premium access and the reality TV show The Osbournes became nearly compulsive viewing for millions around the globe. Unfettered access gave an insight into how The Prince of Darkness not only lived but loved. It also showed the unwavering support of his family for him. There were many moments of behaviour that seemed absurd and outlandish and with a sigh, Sharon would be there to help him through it. Several health scares for both of them seemed to galvanise their relationship and the world got see more of Ozzy the man. It endeared him to audiences and further increased the stock in his name. It also brought out a huge wealth of quotable moments. Many heavy metal fans can no longer see bubbles in the same way since!
Reality stardom may have been a new wave for him to ride; however, the music was still coming and he was still happiest when performing. As it turns out performing was the thing that kept him going. Cancelled tours in the latter years due to ongoing health concerns and then further compounded by COVID meant that sound bites and interviews seemed to show an increasingly frustrated Ozzy Osbourne at the inability to perform. All of this meant that Back to The Beginning in July took on extra importance and as a final goodbye to the stage, audiences were unaware that we were also saying goodbye to a legend.
A true wild man of entertainment. Ozzy Osbourne would come to encompass everything that it is to be a rock star. With excess and incendiary live performances going hand in hand. At times it is almost impossible to believe all of the stories that other musicians tell of him, he became a larger-than-life caricature to the public. However, when interviewed and throughout the various interactions with fans and on The Osbournes, the humble, shy kid from Birmingham was never far from the surface.
While to the world over he was The Prince of Darkness, it is important to remember that to others he was, husband, father and grandfather. In a career that spanned five decades, he has left a legacy that will last an eternity. A passionate individual whose accomplishments will live on after forever.
RIP Ozzy Osbourne