I had been listening to Black Sabbath "Volume 4" when the news hit about Ozzy passing. The song "Changes" was playing and to say I freaked out a bit is an understatement. While this news isn't a surprise, it is still a shock. The man performed at arguably the biggest show of his life just a few weeks ago.
This news hurts harder than I could have ever imagined it would. Ozzy was loved by many and those classic records still kick ass, even "Never Say Die." It is the last to feature Ozzy in the band's first go around, the album everyone loves to trash, including the band, and the album that broke up the band. I happen to love it. I think metal heads were thrown by the horns and synthesizers.
I have been on a bit of a Black Sabbath kick for, let me see, about 50 years now. I could tell some great stories, but why bother?
I'll just add something that was posted anonymously over on the Now Playing blog.
"For a man who was written off as dead nearly a half century ago, Ozzy did alright indeed. Fired, and his management contract given away for free; Sabbath hires Dio and produces one of the greatest metal albums ever and the third bestselling album in the band’s career. The day "Heaven and Hell" is released, sessions are finished for Ozzy’s solo debut. I read somewhere, that Blizzard of Ozz is the biggest ‘FU’ album to a former band of all-time. Arguably, Ozzy even got himself a better guitarist in Randy Rhoads. As insanely awesome as "Heaven and Hell" is, nearly everyone in the world knows ‘Crazy Train.' His follow-up, "Diary of a Madman" was maybe just as great. Ozzy brought a lot of happiness to a lot of people. R.I.P. "
Thanks for that, Anon.
7 comments:
Like Bowie, he knew how to leave the stage.
C in California
His timing was impeccable. Glad he got the send off he deserved.
Never a big fan, he was a great character, and lived the rock and roll lifestyle in spades. Sorry to see him go, and prayers for his family. He had a darn good ride, and made a lot of people very happy.
So true
Seriously that's the way to go. A final big celebration with your friends with you enjoying it all and then boom, you're done.
So happy that Ozzy was able to have that last final gig. RIP.
I was never a big fan of Ozzy and Sabbath. But the impact they made cannot be denied and the concert 2 weeks ago is a testament to that. Glad to see that he was able to do a proper farewell show.
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