Remembering when Ozzy Osbourne played this Glasgow venue 37 years ago
Osbourne played 19 songs that evening in the East End; including hits War Pigs, Iron Man, and Crazy Train.
He began the set with Bark at the Moon, followed by Suicide Solution, Over the Mountain and Fire in the Sky.
The show was originally supposed to be held on 28 June, but was pushed back to late July.
Osbourne played the Barrowland Ballroom on 23 July 1988. (Image: Archive) John McConnel posted to the Barrowland Ballroom Glasgow page: 'I was there, and it was my first time seeing Ozzy & a young Zakk, who at the time resembled a certain former Ozzy guitarist. It was great seeing both Ozzy & Geezer share a stage and was an insane night right from the off.'
Crawford Roy added: 'I remember it well. It was Zakk's first tour and Geezer drafted in on bass. Ozzy threw bucket after bucket of water into the crowd. We got absolutely drenched.'
Bryan Foley recalled: 'I was there, right against the barrier. It was one of my favourite gigs,' while Leonard Hoggan added: 'I was there, but I can't remember why it was re-scheduled. It was a great show. It was my first time seeing Zakk Wylde and it was great to see Geezer Butler in the band too.'
Osbourne went on to perform Mr Crowley, Demon Alcohol, Shot in the Dark, I Don't Know, Flying High Again, and Bloodbath in Paradise.
He also entertained the crowd with Miracle Man, Sweet Leaf, War Pigs, Tattooed Dancer, Iron Man, Crazy Train, and Paranoid, which served as the evening's encore.
In 1980, Osbourne launched his first album as a solo artist at the Glasgow Apollo, kicking off the Blizzard of Ozz Tour in front of a sold-out crowd on 12 September.
The Prince of Darkness returned to Glasgow in December 1982, when he was pictured feeding pigeons in George Square ahead of a gig at the Apollo.
Known for his curly locks, Osbourne demonstrated a different style that day, posing with short hair, allegedly out of a desire to reduce demand for his services.
And in 1983, Osbourne held a third gig at the Apollo, alongside Glasgow rock band Heavy Pettin'.
Rock legend Ozzy Osbourne has died, age 76. Speaking about the 1980 gig, Andy Shields posted to the Glasgow Apollo online forum: 'I went to the gig (Ozzy's first gig as Blizzard of Oz). I don't have the ticket but I still have the programme somewhere, and I moved down south not long after and didn't get to many more gigs at the Apollo.'
Dee Bomber commented: 'I remember that Brad Gillis was playing guitar on that tour. It was a basic show with little special effects but brilliant none the less, just the band on stage playing music and it was great.
'I have since seen him in the US on bigger stages with all the effects but does not come close to the Apollo gig for atmosphere and crowd participation.'
Colin McKee added: 'I have my ticket stub for December 1980. Row GG 30 in the stalls. The crowd was incredible. What a year.'
In one of her autobiographies, Sharon Osbourne recalled his first gig as a solo artist.
She wrote: 'Glaswegians were said to be the most difficult of any audience in Britain, especially on a Friday night, which this was, when they got paid and got p****d.
'I didn't tell Ozzy - he was nervous enough already, on and off the toilet shaking with stage fright... Before the doors opened they were lining up round the block, and we were all in shock. The show was unbelievable."
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Sharon Osbourne added: "At the end, Ozzy knelt down and kissed the stage. 'Thank you, thank you, I love you, love you," he said, his voice breaking with emotion. And we all cried, the three of us: Ozzy, Randy and me, sobbing with tears of joy, and we could still hear voices from the auditorium calling for more… He had done it."
A statement released by his family on Tuesday evening reads: 'It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning.
'He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time.'
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