Ozzy Osbourne Embodied The Spirit Of Heavy Metal
Few contemporary artists have shaped an entire genre the way Ozzy Osbourne has. Without Ozzy, the heavy metal genre would not be what it is today, and iconic bands from the likes of Metallica, Slipknot, Pantera, and so many more would simply not exist. From his early work in Black Sabbath, which pioneered the heavy metal genre, to his solo work throughout the '80s which created the blueprint for arena metal, the impact that Ozzy Osbourne had on the genre will forever be second to none.
For these reasons and so many more, the metal community has always shared a deep love and reverence for Ozzy Osbourne. The outpouring of love showcased from fans and fellow musicians since Osbourne's death is telling, and it's a clear sign that his loss will be one of the most significant moments in the genre's history.
Ozzy Osbourne Died Doing What He Loved
The loss of Ozzy Osbourne is the end of an era, however, the ending was far more magnificent than what any rock star or musical icon could have dreamt of. Osbourne died only weeks after performing at Back to the Beginning – his final show with Black Sabbath – which has since become the highest-grossing charity concert of all time. To achieve such a feat in one's final hour is beautifully poetic and a genuine showcase of the passion that Osbourne had for performing and connecting with fans through metal music. Given the serious health issues Osbourne was going through leading up to his final bow, particularly his battle with Parkinson's disease, it's all the more incredible that he was able to perform in front of fans and the world one last time.
Ozzy Osbourne Was A Metal Mentor
Many of the bands that performed at Back to the Beginning shared a history and deep connection with the late singer. Metallica, for one, were brought on their first arena tour in 1986 as direct support for Ozzy Osbourne during The Ultimate Sin tour. This tour had a monolithic impact on Metallica, exposing them to thousands of fans that would soon hear their 1986 opus Master of Puppets, and Metallica were just one of many bands that Osbourne took under his wing in their early years. Mötley Crüe, Slipknot, Lamb of God, System of a Down, and so many of metal's biggest acts owe Ozzy Osbourne for giving them their first huge breaks on tours, in addition to the mentorship he and his wife/manager Sharon Osbourne would provide.
Not to mention, Ozzfest, the legendary touring metal festival founded and curated by the Osbournes, brought metal into the early 2000s and exposed dozens of bands who are now household names in the genre. The way in which Ozzy Osbourne directly kickstarted careers for so many was unprecedented, and it was a part of his personality that endured and was admired until the very end.
Ozzy Osbourne's Persona Was As Big And Loud As His Music
Ozzy Osbourne's outlandish and often chaotic behavior earned him a reputation in the eyes of pop culture early on in his career. Whether it was him biting the head off of a bat, or getting banned from the Alamo in Texas, Osbourne's wild persona made him the perfect poster child for heavy metal, specifically in the eyes of pop culture. Later on in his career when he and his family ventured into reality TV with "The Osbournes," viewers got a glimpse into the life of Ozzy Osbourne.
What was revealed amidst all the hilarity and chaos was someone who was authentically himself and beloved by his family for it. While his crude behavior and aggressively loud personality wasn't for everyone, Osbourne was genuinely himself whether he was on stage or on camera, and that aspect alone gave so many millions of viewers the idea that it's okay to be authentic.
Ozzy Osbourne's Musical Legacy Is The Gold Standard
Whether it was his albums with Black Sabbath or his solo records throughout the '80s and '90s, the multifaceted success Ozzy Osbourne saw has since cemented him as one of the most influential musicians in rock. A huge reason why Osbourne embodies the spirit of heavy metal is simply because he helped invent it. Every band whether they're hard rock or death metal, has in some way, shape or form been influenced by the music of Ozzy Osbourne.
Between his albums with Black Sabbath and his solo career, there isn't another artist in hard rock or heavy metal that has as many masterfully crafted albums in their discography as Ozzy Osbourne. For that and so many other reasons, Ozzy Osbourne will forever be remembered as the godfather of heavy metal, and moreover, as the Prince of Darkness who ironically was a shining light to so many.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNN
34 minutes ago
- CNN
Moon could be hit with largest asteroid in 5,000 years
Moon could be hit with largest asteroid in 5,000 years Earth has been cleared of an impact with the recently discovered asteroid 2024 YR4, but there are still risks to the planet and future space missions, like the Artemis program, if the 200-foot-wide meteor were to hit the moon. 01:11 - Source: CNN Vertical Trending Now 15 videos Moon could be hit with largest asteroid in 5,000 years Earth has been cleared of an impact with the recently discovered asteroid 2024 YR4, but there are still risks to the planet and future space missions, like the Artemis program, if the 200-foot-wide meteor were to hit the moon. 01:11 - Source: CNN 'South Park' skewers Trump after signing new Paramount deal In their first episode of the season, the creators of "South Park" mocked President Donald Trump and Paramount after they just signed a new $1.5 billion contract. Paramount is looking to merge with Skydance Media and needs the Trump-influenced FCC to approve the deal. 01:24 - Source: CNN Hot Chinese brands are coming to America Chinese brands like Luckin Coffee, Pop Mart, and HEYTEA are expanding in the United States, despite the ongoing trade war. CNN's Vanessa Yurkevich and Marc Stewart report from two different continents on why the companies covet American customers. 02:10 - Source: CNN Fans pay tribute to Ozzy Osbourne Fans have gathered in Ozzy Osbourne's hometown to pay tribute to the former Black Sabbath singer, who died yesterday at the age of 76. One of them told CNN's Salma Abdelaziz that Osbourne will 'live on forever in his music.' 01:07 - Source: CNN Hot Chinese brands are coming to America Chinese brands like Luckin Coffee, Pop Mart, and HEYTEA are expanding in the United States, despite the ongoing trade war. CNN's Vanessa Yurkevich and Marc Stewart report from two different continents on why the companies covet American customers. 02:10 - Source: CNN Metal legend Ozzy Osbourne dies at 76-years-old Ozzy Osbourne, the hellraising frontman of Black Sabbath and reality TV star, has died aged 76. CNN's Stephanie Elam looks back at the legendary career as the Godfather of Heavy Metal. 03:05 - Source: CNN Missing child case from 46 years ago reopened A federal appeals court overturned the verdict of Pedro Hernandez, the bodega worker who was found guilty in 2017 of kidnapping and murdering Etan Patz in 1979. Patz was 6 years old when he disappeared on the first day he was allowed to walk alone to his school bus stop in New York City. 01:50 - Source: CNN Tesla Diner opens in Los Angeles The first Tesla Diner opened on Monday in Los Angeles to a crowd of customers. The restaurant has Tesla chargers, a robot that serves popcorn and a drive-in movie theater. Tesla CEO Elon Musk said he plans to build more diners in the future if this location succeeds. 00:58 - Source: CNN Is Coca-Cola with cane sugar healthier? Coca-Cola will launch a new soda in the US made with cane sugar instead of high-fructose corn syrup. CNN's Jacqueline Howard looks at the difference between the two sweeteners. 01:29 - Source: CNN Stephen Colbert addresses 'The Late Show' cancellation 'Cancel culture has gone too far,' Stephen Colbert told the audience as he began his first post-cancellation episode of 'The Late Show.' The host went on to fire back at Trump's Truth Social post celebrating the announcement by CBS. The episode also featured cameos by late night talk show hosts including Jimmy Fallon, Jon Stewart, John Oliver and Seth Meyers. 01:24 - Source: CNN Malcolm-Jamal Warner's impact on Black community Actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner, best known for his role as Cliff Huxtable on 'The Cosby Show,' has died at age 54 in a drowning accident in Costa Rica where he was on vacation with family, according to authorities. Costa Rica's Judicial Investigation Department told CNN that Warner was swimming Sunday at Playa Grande de Cocles in Limon province when a current pulled him deeper into the ocean, where the Red Cross later declared him dead. CNN's Lisa Respers France reports. 00:59 - Source: CNN International visitors to US will pay new fee CNN's Richard Quest explains how the Trump administration enacted a bill that will require international visitors to pay a new 'visa integrity fee' of $250 dollars. The fee will apply to all visitors who are required to obtain nonimmigrant visas to enter the US. 01:36 - Source: CNN Pilot apologizes after making hard turn to avoid B-52 bomber A pilot flying a Delta Air Lines regional jet apologized to his passengers on Friday after making an 'aggressive maneuver' to avoid hitting a US Air Force B-52 bomber, audio shared on TikTok from the incident shows. SkyWest Airlines and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating the close call. 01:08 - Source: CNN Comparing Scottie Scheffler to Tiger Woods Scottie Scheffler's win at the Open has drawn comparisons to the great Tiger Woods. CNN Sports' Patrick Snell has taken a look at some interesting stats that show Scheffler's on course for greatness. 00:38 - Source: CNN Coldplay's Chris Martin warns concertgoers Coldplay's lead singer, Chris Martin, could be heard warning the audience about cameras at a concert in Madison, Wisconsin. 00:50 - Source: CNN
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Kelly Osbourne pays tribute to father Ozzy, 'the best friend I ever had'
Ozzy's ex-daughter-in-law also posted a heartfelt tribute to the late rocker, who was a beloved grandfather. Kelly Osbourne paid tribute to her father, Ozzy, on Thursday, sharing poignant lyrics from a song the two recorded together before he died at the age of 76 following a battle with Parkinson's disease. 'I feel unhappy I am so sad. I lost the best friend I ever had 💔,' Kelly wrote in a post to Instagram. These are lyrics from the Black Sabbath song 'Changes,' released in 1972 but recorded by Kelly and Ozzy as a duet in 2003, with revised lyrics that showed their strong father-daughter bond. Earlier this month, Osbourne performed what was dubbed his 'final bow' from a throne at Villa Park in the U.K. After the show, Kelly became engaged to her longtime partner, musician Sid Wilson of the band Slipknot, after he got down on one knee backstage. Kelly shared a video of the engagement on Instagram, during which you can hear Ozzy say to Wilson: 'F*** off, you're not marrying my daughter!' which was met with laughs. Wilson and Kelly welcomed a son named Sidney in 2022. More of Osbourne's loved ones have started to post personal tributes to the heavy metal icon, who lived with Parkinson's disease until he died on July 22. Lisa Stelly, who was married to Osbourne's son Jack from 2012 to 2019, posted an emotional tribute to her ex-father-in-law on Instagram, honoring him as a loving grandfather. Jack and Stelly had three daughters while they were married: Pearl, Andy and Minnie. 'The world got Ozzy. We got Papa,' Stelly wrote in the caption. 'One of one. Larger than life. It hurts to say goodbye, but what a gift it was to have him. We will never stop missing you.' The post gives a softer look at the 'Prince of Darkness,' who is smiling as he holds one of his young grandchildren. The post also includes a video of him playfully dodging kisses from one of his grandchildren as she giggles. Other images show the Black Sabbath frontman puckering up for a kiss, cuddling two kiddos at once on a couch and sitting at an outdoor table with Stelly. After Osbourne died, the Osbourne family released the following joint statement signed by wife Sharon and their children Kelly, Jack, Aimee, as well as his son Louis from his prior marriage to Thelma Riley: '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.' Solve the daily Crossword
Forbes
10 hours ago
- Forbes
Pantera, Amon Amarth Rock As ‘Heaviest Tour Of The Summer' Continues
Phil Anselmo performs on stage with Pantera. Saturday, July 19, 2025 at Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre ... More in Tinley Park, IL Everything we do is for Dimebag and Vince,' said Phil Anselmo early in the set as Pantera's headlining tour continued Saturday night just outside the Windy City at Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre in Tinley Park, Illinois. 'Sing it, Chicago!' he shouted midway through '5 Minutes Alone.' Following the last performance to feature the group's most prominent lineup in 2001, and after the death of co-founding guitarist Dimebag Darrell (who was assassinated on stage in Columbus, Ohio in 2004) and his brother, drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott (who passed in 2018), singer Phil Anselmo and bassist Rex Brown put Pantera back together for a pair of performances in late 2022, hitting the road with Metallica soon after in the form of a supergroup touting touring members Zakk Wylde (Ozzy Osbourne, Black Label Society) on guitar and drummer Charlie Benante (Anthrax). Pantera's place in heavy music history is hard to overstate, with the group creating some of the most catchy, melodic music in the history of heavy metal, finding their true footing upon release of their seminal fifth studio album Cowboys From Hell (1990) while pioneering the aptly-titled groove metal sound, basically creating their own genre. Rex Brown performs on stage with Pantera. Saturday, July 19, 2025 at Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre in ... More Tinley Park, IL As one of the best selling groups in metal history, Pantera sold in excess of 20 million records globally, tallying four platinum albums and one gold album, a gold live album, a platinum best of, one gold video compilation and another trio of platinum home videos (all en route to four Grammy nominations). Tinley Park marked night three of this leg of the group's American outing, a run which continues into mid-September ahead of a return to Europe with Metallica in 2026. 'A vulgar legacy,' read the screen as vintage footage of the band ran. The curtain dropped as flames erupted, with pyro shooting out from behind Benante, who was seated at an immense quadruple kick drum kit with a pair of drumheads bearing the visages of Dime and Vinnie Paul. Following opening cut 'Hellbound,' Pantera moved quickly toward 'Strength Beyond Strength' as a massive raucous crowd in the supposed 28,000 capacity outdoor venue made their presence known, with the band taking early and consistent notice of the beyond vocal crowd. Phil Anselmo (left) and Zakk Wylde (right) perform on stage with Pantera. Saturday, July 19, 2025 at ... More Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre in Tinley Park, IL 'Oh my goodness…' mused Anselmo on stage in Tinley Park, eschewing typical stage banter as he marveled in a seemingly genuine fashion. 'I mean, Chicago, this is an exceptional audience,' he continued, requesting the house lights be turned up for a better look. 'Chicago always, always represents. The Chicago audience, man - incredible every time,' said Anselmo. 'And there's proof of it on the first home video.' Benante's drums came pummeling into 'Mouth For War,' with Anselmo thumb to throat while pumping his right fist as Benante and Wylde played out the track. Brown rumbled on the low end as Anselmo continued to work the crowd, strapping on a guitar midway through 'Goddamn Electric' as he faced off against Wylde, with each tearing away passionately at an axe. 'Your trust is in whiskey, weed and Black Sabbath,' he sang, two weeks removed from the group's set during Black Sabbath's 'Back to the Beginning' farewell concert in Aston, Birmingham, England. 'It's god damn electric!' screamed Anselmo unknowingly, prior to the death of rock and metal legend Ozzy Osbourne just three days after the Tinley Park performance. Charlie Benante performs on stage with Pantera. Saturday, July 19, 2025 at Credit Union 1 ... More Amphitheatre in Tinley Park, IL 'F–in' awesome,' noted Phil as the crowd did the heavy vocal lifting on 'Becoming,' with Brown nodding in apparent agreement. 'Lemme see those fists in the air - upstairs!' said the Singer, again toasting Dimebag and Vinnie Paul. Brown and Wylde chipped in on the vocals to 'I'm Broken' as red flame fountains soared with Anselmo closing his eyes as he raised both arms triumphantly over his head following a terrific take on the Far Beyond Driven hit. 'There is a song that we've added to the set that we haven't played much in the past,' said Anselmo, just two shows removed from Pantera's first ever live performance of '10's,' a standout deep cut from 1996's The Great Southern Trendkill.' Wylde seemed right at home recreating the droning opening dirge as the band slowed down into a stellar stoney groove throughout a standout moment Saturday night. Benante stood up behind his kit at the end, pumping his right fist as a deafening 'Pantera!' chant grew organically amongst the terrific Chicagoland crowd. 'Love it and appreciate it so much - so f–in' much,' said Anselmo in response. Zakk Wylde performs on stage with Pantera. Saturday, July 19, 2025 at Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre in ... More Tinley Park, IL Saturday night's crowd was almost split between old school Pantera veterans and younger kids, many of whom probably weren't born by the time the band called it a day in 2003. And, Anselmo, 57, was lucid, maintaining a powerful voice that only grew in its ferocity over the course of 90 minutes. Musically, Benante proved the lynchpin while Wylde deftly applied his own spin to Dimebag's iconic licks. 'There is a section in this song that is f–ing heavy. It's f–ing heavy,' reiterated the singer, setting up 'I'll Cast a Shadow.' 'I expect everybody to act accordingly. I'll give you a heads up when it's coming,' said the singer playfully, huddling with Brown stage right as the audience did as instructed. 'Give it up for SNAFU! And absolutely give it up for our Viking Brothers!' said Anselmo, shouting out opening acts SNAFU and Amon Amarth. Detroit rockers SNAFU, who are signed to Anselmo's Housecore Records, performed for about a half hour Saturday in Tinley Park ahead of Swedish melodic death metal vets Amon Amarth. Rex Brown performs on stage with Pantera. Saturday, July 19, 2025 at Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre in ... More Tinley Park, IL 'This tour has been amazing so far and tonight is gonna be hard to top,' said Amon Amarth singer Johan Hegg. 'Thank you for having a f–ing awesome party!' he continued, setting up 'Raise Your Horns.' 'I take this opportunity to raise my horn to you: cheers!' he continued, closing out the song with a left legged roundhouse kick shortly thereafter. Heading toward encore, Pantera went even lower and slower than on record, with the supergroup putting their own sinister spin upon 'This Love.' 'This flew by,' said Anselmo returning to the stage. 'I wanna thank you again. This could well be the best American audience,' he continued, once again commending the Windy City faithful as Wylde ripped into the buzzsaw opening guitar riff at the heart of a song that's stood as a mission statement of sorts for the Texas-born rocker over 35 years: 'Cowboys From Hell.' Anselmo, barefoot on stage throughout, paused for the first time Saturday night as Benante worked the crowd into another 'Pantera!' chant, kicking things up a notch appropriately via 'A New Level.' Phil Anselmo (left) and Zakk Wylde (right) perform on stage with Pantera. Saturday, July 19, 2025 at ... More Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre in Tinley Park, IL 'I do believe that audience is going to peak during this next song,' said the singer with a smile looking to his right at Wylde. 'I can't think of a better audience to address,' Anselmo continued. 'I wanna see every fist and hear every voice. Zachariah… play the f–ing riff!' he commanded, as Wylde dove into arguably Dimebag's most resonant riff, with pyro criss-crossing behind the band as 'Walk' kicked off in Chicago, one of metal's true anthems. Anselmo signed an autograph for a fan in front, taking his time as Pantera soaked up the love before wrapping up with 'F–ing Hostile,' shaking hands with Brown as he returned to the center of the stage. 'Listen to the patience of Chicago,' mused the always quotable Anselmo in the show's final moments. 'I like to say it: If and when we come back to this f–ing place, who's gonna come see Pantera again?' asked the singer rhetorically. 'Sing your god damned lungs out!'
