Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary co-founder of Black Sabbath, has passed away. He was a key figure in the birth of heavy metal, starting with Black Sabbath’s self-titled album in 1970. Although the term “heavy metal” wasn’t widely used until later, the first six Black Sabbath albums are still considered classics of the genre.
As a solo artist, Ozzy found great success with hits like “Crazy Train,” “Flying High Again,” “Mr. Crowley,” and “Bark at The Moon.” He later embraced a more melodic sound with songs like “Perry Mason,” “Mama, I’m Coming Home,” and “No More Tears.” His achievements include millions of albums sold, top-grossing tours, three Grammy Awards, an Emmy for his reality show The Osbournes, and a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He even had a metal festival named Ozzfest.
Ozzy was known for his wild lifestyle, earning the nickname “Prince of Darkness.” His struggles with drugs and alcohol led to missed tours and rehab stints. He was kicked out of Black Sabbath in 1979 for being too unpredictable. With the help of his future wife, Sharon, he turned his life around and returned to music, discovering guitar legends like Randy Rhoads and Zakk Wylde along the way.
His wild antics made headlines, like biting the head off a dove and a bat during performances. He was also arrested for urinating on the Alamo, which led to a ban from San Antonio until he apologized and donated $10,000. Ozzy’s larger-than-life persona and music have left a lasting impact on rock and metal.
