https://news.sky.com/story/ozzy-osbourne-dies-just-weeks-after-farewell-show-13400248
Sad, but what a life.
(https://i.ibb.co/XZfMY8XM/ozzy-osbourne-1970s-photo.jpg)
What a man, what a legacy. And what a goodbye just recently.
I have very fond memories of him, even though I never had a chance to see him. He cancelled quite some shows, I had tickets for some.
I remember watching Rockpop in Concert from Germany tv, taped onto VHS, endlessly. Ozzy was fantastic, the look on his face, I always found it endearing. He loved the stage but also feared it, or at least that's what it looked like in those days.
Farewell King of Darkness, Master of ceremonies.
Memorial concert required, what a legend :'(
I'm deeply saddened by this. I liked him a lot.
R.I.P Ozzy.
I was never a huge Sabbath fan but I do own most of the early 'classics'. The first album that really got me was Sabbath Bloody Sabbath. I played that to death when I bought it in the early eighties. Something about the diversity of the material on that one, it was kinda progressive in a way with the keyboards and synths. Without a doubt, much of its appeal was also down to Ozzy's distinctive vocals.
I first saw Ozzy live on the first Blizzard tour at Oxford New Theatre with Randy, of course. One of the loudest gigs I've ever been too! Also saw that line-up at the Heavy Metal Holocaust at Port Vale. That first solo record was a monster!
I did get to see Sabbath with Ozzy at the NEC. I think it would've been sometime in the '90s. If I remember correctly, a hometown 'farewell' show ;D
He probably stayed alive (and recorded music) against expectations and continued to be a hugely-loved character in the Metal scene. He will be missed by many within that scene who rightfully acknowledge that Sabbath helped shape the genre. It is a bit regrettable that Sharon took so much control over his career, especially when stiffing ex-band members out of songwriting credits. I always had the impression that Ozzy would never have stooped so low.
A post on FB yesterday featured Master Of Reality, including the original Rolling Stone review. I've never been a huge fan of that one but I was interested enough to give it a spin, the first Sabbath LP I've played in ages. In recent years, I'd be more inclined to play Sabotage which is up with their best IMHO.
RIP John 'Ozzy' Osbourne - a true legend.
So soon after that gig the other week, so sad. I wasn't a fan of his solo works but with Sabbath he was a legend and had a hell of a life (the bats can come out at last). RIP.
Could have happened at any time over the last 55 years the way he lived, but still a shock.
Only Saw him at Port Vale, Monsters of Rock and on Sabbath's 13 Tour. Like Thenop I had tickets for shows that got cancelled. One of the METAL creators gone.
RIP Ozzy you daft old sod!
Sadly I never got to see the Sabs in any shape, but I was lucky enough to see Ozzy at an early Monsters of Rock at Donington (Bark At The Moon days). Crikey - over 40 years ago.
RIP Ozzy.
I am just amazed he last this long. RIP Ozzy
Not long after Ozzy left Sabbath at the end of 1977 there was an interview with him in Sounds, someone brought it into the sixth form common room. He said he was going to work with younger musicians to keep himself fresh because he was getting on a bit. He would have been 28 at the time I think, possibly 29.
Obviously there is wall to wall coverage on TV about Ozzy's demise. Nothing on this particular episode though ;D :
In the hours since Ozzy's passing I've been thinking about the man's contribution to the musical landscape and also the part he played in Sabbath's success. If you've read anything from band members, ex-band members or Ozzy himself you can end up with a slightly conflicting narrative on the scale of his talent.
My opinion is that Ozzy is typical of the treatment that many frontmen receive due to the prominent position that they occupy within the band. A great vocalist and performer, no doubt but what was his contribution, in artistic terms, compared to other band members? There can be an assumption that singers write the words they sing. However, in Sabbath's case Geezer was the primary, if not the sole, lyric writer. We know Tony and Geezer were the music-writers (bar for a few exceptions - Rat Salad?). Sure, there's an art to interpreting lyrics in a style that is totally in tune with the band's overall vision and Ozzy was great at that but his lack of contribution led to the first sacking back in 1979 when he became totally unreliable even just laying down vocal tracks.
I think Tony and Geezer were pretty generous towards both Ozzy and Bill when it came to writng credits. Nearly all songs are credited to Iommi/Butler/Ward/Osbourne or simply Black Sabbath. Having read Bob Daisley's excelent book, it was clear that Ozzy did not suddenly develop a skill for lyric writing after leaving Sabbath.
Clearly the influence of Sharon has been responsible for keeping Ozzy alive and in the public eye up to this point. She has been a superb manager of the guy and has ensured the narrative remains that he was a loveable, rogue responsible for Heavy Metal. That's not true but great PR, of course. She's also kept the more unsavoury episodes of his life out of the media (getting arrested for urinating on the Alamo and the dove incident above).
I don't really get the shock and surprise thing that you so often get when people are interviewed on TV. He came close to killing himself many times including the serious quad-bike accident at his home in Amersham. Ozzy could have so easily gone the way of Hendrix or Bon with his passion for booze but by some miracle he lasted until he was 76.
I never watched The Osbournes but what snippets I did catch prtrayed Ozzy as a pitiful character in very poor physica and mental health. Were we laughing with him or at him? To put him through that just for money seemed a bit sad to me. It all seemed to be part of Sharon's plan to turn Ozzy into a celebrity, and it worked. I am glad that he ended up getting the help he needed and his health improved afterwards to the point wher he was no longer continually shaking like a shitting dog. I think his last years were not too bad....considering.
All said and done he has gained an indelible place in music history albeit one bestowed on him by having the fortune of being chosen to sing in Tony and Geezer's blues combo. They may though acknowledge that Ozzy's colourful contributions greatly helped them to become successful. Was his behaviour a result of being the centre of attention? They all had drug/booze issues over the years but Ozzy always went further.
I hope this is not considered disrespectful in any way but I thought there may be an interesting debate around the role of the frontman.
Ozzy came up with a lot of vocal lines he sang. He walked around his house, humming a tune he heard in his head and needed a musician to translate that for him. That's where a lot of his solo stuff came from.
When it comes to writing credits, that's only part of the income (publishing is the other big one) and a lot of bands simply do a 4 way split. So who knows?
Also, his ear for talent, especially for guitarists is what made most of them stars, Randy Rhoads, Jake E. Lee, Zakk Wylde.
Don't sell him short. Did you ever read his own bio?
My belief has always been that it is unique sounding singers who make bands. Rush, Queen, Yes, Led Zeppelin. All of these bands have (had) great musicians and writers, but would they have reached the heights they did if they didn't have that magic ingredient? I think the voice is the fairy dust. Add a distinct stage presence to that and you have it all. I'm aware of most of the other fabulous rock vocalists out there, but there's something missing in their talent. That thing you can't quite put into words.
Quote from: David L on July 23, 2025, 10:00:17 AMIn the hours since Ozzy's passing I've been thinking about the man's contribution to the musical landscape and also the part he played in Sabbath's success. If you've read anything from band members, ex-band members or Ozzy himself you can end up with a slightly conflicting narrative on the scale of his talent.
My opinion is that Ozzy is typical of the treatment that many frontmen receive due to the prominent position that they occupy within the band. A great vocalist and performer, no doubt but what was his contribution, in artistic terms, compared to other band members?
I think the huge thing about Sabbath and their influence is the guitar sound and the style of the riffs. For 1970 that first album is just other-worldly and that's not because of Ozzy.
But although Ozzy was not a good singer in the usual sense he was a very distinctive one, and he certainly had a character and style that was unique.
I remember seeing Quartz supporting Rush and their singer was like an Ozzy impersonator. Really brought it home how distinctive and different he was.
Quote from: The Picnic Wasp on July 23, 2025, 11:44:11 AMMy belief has always been that it is unique sounding singers who make bands. Rush, Queen, Yes, Led Zeppelin. All of these bands have (had) great musicians and writers, but would they have reached the heights they did if they didn't have that magic ingredient? I think the voice is the fairy dust. Add a distinct stage presence to that and you have it all. I'm aware of most of the other fabulous rock vocalists out there, but there's something missing in their talent. That thing you can't quite put into words.
Well not to derail the thread too much but I think that Rush succeeded despite Geddy's voice, and although he had a bit of stage presence in the late '70s, by the early '80s he'd dispensed with that.
Quote from: Slim on July 23, 2025, 06:08:39 PMQuote from: The Picnic Wasp on July 23, 2025, 11:44:11 AMMy belief has always been that it is unique sounding singers who make bands. Rush, Queen, Yes, Led Zeppelin. All of these bands have (had) great musicians and writers, but would they have reached the heights they did if they didn't have that magic ingredient? I think the voice is the fairy dust. Add a distinct stage presence to that and you have it all. I'm aware of most of the other fabulous rock vocalists out there, but there's something missing in their talent. That thing you can't quite put into words.
Well not to derail the thread too much but I think that Rush succeeded despite Geddy's voice, and although he had a bit of stage presence in the late '70s, by the early '80s he'd dispensed with that.
I'm surprised that you think that but respect your opinion. I've heard lots of covers of Hemispheres, TSOR etc and they just don't do anything for me without his voice. He's the reason for the hairs on the back of the neck or the tear jerking moments.
As for stage presence, I watched him in awe as his list of tasks and challenges grew along with their music. Maybe that's just because I'm a poor musician wishing I'd been blessed with his talent, but I don't think Rush would have got into my system the way they did if Coverdale had been their bass / keyboards guy.
Sorry for the thread derail, Ozzy. I'm sure you'd understand. That's another nod of respect to your opinions, James, that I didn't type you'll.
Quote from: Slim on July 23, 2025, 06:08:39 PMQuote from: The Picnic Wasp on July 23, 2025, 11:44:11 AMMy belief has always been that it is unique sounding singers who make bands. Rush, Queen, Yes, Led Zeppelin. All of these bands have (had) great musicians and writers, but would they have reached the heights they did if they didn't have that magic ingredient? I think the voice is the fairy dust. Add a distinct stage presence to that and you have it all. I'm aware of most of the other fabulous rock vocalists out there, but there's something missing in their talent. That thing you can't quite put into words.
Well not to derail the thread too much but I think that Rush succeeded despite Geddy's voice, and although he had a bit of stage presence in the late '70s, by the early '80s he'd dispensed with that.
I think his voice and Neil's lyrics were the most under-rated part of the band and they wouldn't have been a success without them.
Ozzy did indeed choose well with his guitarists. At least with Randy and Jake. I can't say I've listened to a lot of the Zak Wylde era.
As much as I like some of the Sabb's material, if I were to pick something to listen to from Ozzy, it would most likely be early solo Ozzy - either Blizzard Of Ozz or Bark At The Moon.
I have a real soft spot for Bark At The Moon. It was a bit of a comfort blanket for me at a particular point in time. Almost literally - I used to put it on headphones at night (cassette) to drown out the sound of my brother's snoring!
Nice tribute from Gene Simmons this morning on BBC Breakfast - I remember he did the same when Eddie died.