Ozzy Forever (R.I.P)
[link—standalone]Ozzy is dead.
As I was ready to leave work, last tuesday, I got a text from a buddy that Ozzy Osbourne had passed away. It was to be expected at some point, given his health issues since 2019, but it was still surreal, as he had just performed for the last time, a few weeks ago.
With that in mind, I reflected on his impact on my musical upbringing. Growing up, I was exposed to his work with Black Sabbath via covers from other metal bands. Most prominently, Pantera and their covers of Planet Caravan, Hole In The Sky and Electric Funeral. Soon after, my dad began to play Black Sabbath for me, and I was forever hooked. The old but very heavy and doomy sound with a hint of blues, and a singer with a voice that hasn't been replicated that much.
And if it wasn't Sabbath, then it was his solo output that became my soundtrack to my solitude in middleschool. No More Tears dominated my ears as I wandered around in the schoolyard. Ozzy became my escape from reality.
It only became more special on my 12th birthday, when asked of which upcoming concert I wanted to see. The answer was clear: Black Sabbath.
November 26, 2013 - Forum, Copenhagen. My second metal concert ever, and boy was it a evening to remember. Seeing Ozzy, Tony and Geezer was a blast. It didn't matter if Ozzy's voice wasn't what it used to be. It was all about experiencing those songs live by the original masters of heavy rock. A once-in-a-lifetime moment.
A dream come true for this little fan
I would catch Ozzy again live in 2018. A cool affair, but you could sense that he was perhaps tired, as there was a rather irritating 10-15-minute guitar/drum solo in the middle of the show. But it was fine considering that it was his final tour and he was 69 at the time.
Since then I became distant from his music, only occasionally spinning a Sabbath record. It didn't help the fact of being underwhelmed by his last couple of solo albums. That's why the "Back To The Beginning" show was exciting. A proper send-off for Ozzy Osbourne, the performer, and Black Sabbath (with Bill Ward). Not many dead artists can claim to have such a last stand as Ozzy had.
This past week has just been a crazy one with the recent deaths of not just Ozzy, but also Hulk Hogan and Julian LeFay (regarded as the father of Elder Scrolls). But Ozzy's death is something that I will never forget. Not only because of the impact of his music, but also because of the birth of my nephew. Which just made the contrast of the news weirder, you know? It reminds me of a religious saying that as a life departs this earth, a new life takes its place. However, nothing can replace the legacy of one John Michael Osbourne.
Tue, 29 Jul 2025 16:00:00 +0200