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.
12 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.
Fucking Ozzy indeed!!!
Ozzy was all about pleasing his audience. His enthusiasm was always energetic and authentic. He understood that the crowds were there to have fun. He was Sabbath's biggest cheerleader. And a born entertainer.
Black Sabbath was reviled by most contemporary critics. But the kids knew better. When it came to hard rock, most rock writers were pussies. They missed the boat on all the heavier bands. And their hatred was unbecoming, to say the least.
As I'm wrting, I'm listening to a recording of Sabbath's March 1972 show at the Swing Auditorium in Berdoo. I made it on the Ampex cassette deck I got for my 15th birthday. I told the cops at the door I was a reporter with the UCR student newspaper. I was cute enough to get waved in. The deck was big. Probably 15 x 14 x 4 but it came in a leather carrying case with a shoulder strap. The tape and the show hold up nicely. Sabbath was headlining over Yes and Wild Turkey. Tickets were $4.50. It was a life changing concert and I recorded all three bands. Hearing the old show and thinking about Ozzy makes me happy, not sad. The guy was already immortal before passing.
VR
"Let's go fucking crazy!!"
I was a latecomer to Black Sabbath. Now I own every album through the 2 Dio records. And I like Never Say Die! RIP Ozzy
The first time I ever smoked weed was at a friends house, in his sister's room, smoking a joint to "Sweet Leaf", when big brother came in and announced, "I'M TELLING MOM!".
I've gotten a lot of joy listening to Black Sabbath and Ozzy over the years. That will continue.
I came across this today, but haven't had a chance to listen yet. I've grabbed plenty of other treats from this site, so the quality should be very good.
https://www.nowbodhisblissness.com/2025/07/osbourne-free.html
- Paul in DK
I've noted it before, perhaps in a previous BW comment, that my first purchasing trip to a record store in the early 70s was to get ELP's debut, T Rex's 'Zinc Alloy', and 'Paranoid'. 'Zinc' told me that my T Rex's run of great albums was over, but I still love those other two albums, and still get a chill with the opening of 'War Pigs'. I've downloaded only a handful of videos in my time (not wanting to rely on the 'Net or YT for access), and one is this live version of 'War Pigs' (before finalized lyrics, but post-'Walpurgis' iteration) from Paris 1970 that is so kinetic and primal and demonstrative of an engine (Iommi, Ward, Butler, Ozzy) in perfect tune. It buzzes like a live Ramones clip, and that is something.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PD2IT1JASi8
C in California
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