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The Guardian
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
‘Laughing and out of breath, he thanked us for the snowball fight': fans on the magic of Ozzy Osbourne
I interviewed Ozzy in 1997, for Kerrang! magazine. We met in a hotel on the Champs-Élysées in Paris, where he proceeded to drink gallons of Diet Coke, and take the piss out of himself. He was the least pretentious rock star I ever met, and during my decade in the industry, I met hundreds. By the time I met Ozzy, I'd had enough of music journalism. I decided he should be my final interview because how do you beat that? I'd interviewed everyone I'd ever wanted to, including Nirvana, so it made sense to end my music journalism career by chatting with Ozzy. Ozzy was so self-effacing and hilarious. He told me about becoming partially deaf while working in a factory testing car horns, how he'd thought Spinal Tap was a documentary about Black Sabbath, and how the band named themselves after a horror movie for a joke. He was already shaking back then, and seemed very small and frail, but he had this gorgeous twinkling quality, which I certainly hadn't expected to encounter in the Prince of Darkness. And he clearly couldn't do a thing without Sharon, which he was more than happy to admit. Liz Evans, Tasmania, Australia My first ever gig was Ozzfest 2002 at Donington. I was so excited, I dyed my hair black and carried a wallet chain thick enough to tie up a ship. When I arrived, a guy in a top hat with a voice like the devil said I'd be 'lucky if I made it out alive'. I'd largely wanted to go because of System of a Down. But Ozzy was the show stealer. I'd become familiar with him due to the The Osbournes, then got into Black Sabbath. There was no other performer like him over the weekend. This – what I thought at the time – old guy had more energy than the younger bands put together. Needless to say, I was hooked on metal from that point onwards. Because of that festival so many bands got their big breaks. He not only invented metal with Sabbath but continued to support the genre the rest of his days. James, Cambridge I was a fairly obsessive heavy rock fan in my teens, and first saw Ozzy live when I was 16 at a one-day heavy metal festival at Port Vale's football ground in Stoke-on-Trent in 1981, alongside a few other bands including Motörhead. A couple of years later I was at university in Sheffield, and saw him for a second time at the City Hall. Afterwards, a friend and I got tipped off about which hotel the band were staying in, so we gatecrashed the residents-only bar and ended up spending an hour or two in the company of Ozzy, Sharon, and the rest of the band. He was an absolute gentleman, happily putting up with a bunch of geeky 18-year-old fans asking him loads of questions, and he insisted on buying multiple rounds of drinks for everyone in the bar. Before we departed he also decided to sign our foreheads 'Ozzy was here' with a Sharpie, as per the photo – earning us a huge amount of credibility when we finally got back to our hall of residence. What an absolute legend of a man – definitely one of a kind. Nick Payne, St Albans As teenagers in the early 1980s we all used to go to venues early and hang around the loading areas and back-stage entrances, on the off-chance of picking up an autograph or seeing a rock star. We did so during the Blizzard of Ozz tour, which were his first UK appearances since being sacked from Sabbath. We got there very early, around 2pm, and turned the corner to find guitarist Randy Rhoads and Ozzy himself, sat quietly having a cup of tea. We gathered tentatively and joined him. Rhoads and Ozzy gave off an air of openness and gentle bonhomie. This wasn't the Prince of Darkness, but a slightly apprehensive man who was hoping that the fans would accept his new musical incarnation. He was humble, communicative and very patient. It was like sitting with a mate's older brother, shooting the breeze for 20 minutes. After he and Randy went back in to sound check, we all remained stunned for a few moments. We'd had a cup of tea with the Prince of Darkness, and it turned out he was a really nice bloke. It's a real shame that successive generations only know him as the sometimes incoherent, grumpy old man of the TV show, The Osbournes. As in his heyday, he was the funniest and most disarming of all of the 1980s rock gods. Van Norris, Hampshire I was lucky enough to see Black Sabbath at Download festival in 2012. Ozzy was already a huge legend but hadn't done a show in a while and we went genuinely thinking that it may be the last chance to see him. When he wobbled out on to the stage, clearly a bit frail, I was worried. Oh no, I thought, this is a cash grab and he's really not up to it anymore ... but then he opened his mouth, and wow. His voice was still all there – it was like listening to him in his heyday. I'm still agog at how good he was. And he was clearly enjoying himself immensely. We've lost a great. Coral Pearce-Mariner, Norfolk In February 1972, during the Master of Reality tour, my father was due to pick me and my mates up after the gig at De Montfort Hall in Leicester, but was delayed by the bad weather. We hung round the back stage door and eventually the band came out. We spoke to all of them but it was Ozzy and Bill who gave us the most time. Ozzy threw the first snowball at us. We then had an amazing snowball fight with Ozzy and Bill which seemed to go on for ages. Ozzy, laughing and out of breath, thanked us for the fight and left with Bill covered in snow. For four kids from a small rural town it was magical. The gig was incredible. Gazza, Leicester I saw Ozzy when I was 17, at one of the very first gigs they played as Black Sabbath, at a mini festival organised by the Midlands Arts Centre for Young People in Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham, on bank holiday Monday, 1 September 1969. They'd originally been billed as Earth, but by the time they went on stage, they had become Black Sabbath. Rumours abounded that they had played at a school dance at the Convent of the Holy Child Jesus school in Edgbaston, where they had performed with a huge inverted crucifix on the stage behind them, much to the outrage of the nuns who ran the school. Because we knew most of the security crew at the festival, we watched them from backstage. Though they didn't have top billing, it was clear even then that they were the best band on stage that day, and that Ozzy had incredible charisma. That autumn, before they became nationally famous, I remember they occasionally used to turn up in the coffee bar at the arts centre where I and my friends hung out. Did I ever dare to speak to the Prince of Darkness? I doubt it, but he might once have asked me for a light ... When their first album came out the following year, I decided to model my own look on the spooky proto-Goth lady, dressed all in black, on the front cover. To my mind, that's still their best album, and I have it still; it sums up for me the cusp between the 60s and the 70s, and the awkward but euphoric liminal space between my adolescence and adulthood. Jenni Mills, Wiltshire The importance and significance of both Ozzy and Sabbath only truly sunk into my brain during the Back to the Beginning gig on 5 July, which I saw on live stream. It was a wonderful day seeing so many of my favourite bands pay tribute. The nail was finally hit on the head seeing Ozzy at the end. Some members of the crowd were in tears to see him performing well despite his physical deterioration. I wasn't sad for him at all – he looked like he was having the time of his life. I've also seen plenty of Ozzy live and am blown away by his stage persona. Thanks for everything, oh Prince of Darkness! George Heron, Liverpool
Daily Mirror
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Ozzy Osbourne's chilling admission about own mortality resurfaces after death
Black Sabbath's Ozzy Osbourne made comments about death five years ago which have now resurfaced following the news from his family tonight that he died this morning The late Ozzy Osbourne spoke about his mortality in an interview that has resurfaced this week following the news of his death. It was announced tonight that the singer-songwriter died this morning with his family by his side. His family shared earlier that Ozzy had died, aged 76, just weeks after his farewell concert, Back to the Beginning, with his band Black Sabbath. His family, including his wife Sharon Osbourne, 72, issued a statement together. Ozzy, who faced various health issues over the years, had spoken about his mortality in an interview released in January 2020. It was published just days after he announced that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Addressing whether he thought about when his "time" would come, he told Kerrang! that he didn't expect to live into his late eighties, adding that he didn't have "much longer" left. He said: "I think about it; I don't worry about it. I won't be here in another 15 years or whatever, not that much longer, but I don't dwell on it." Ozzy said that it's "gonna happen" to everyone at some point. When asked if he was happy, he said that wasn't, adding: "I haven't got my health." He went on to say that he "worried" more about death when he was younger though. Ozzy had spoken about his health in recent years, including about his Parkinson's diagnosis, with him having raised awareness of the condition. Following the news of his death, two charities have been among those paying tributes. Parkinson's UK chief executive Caroline Rassell said: "By speaking openly about both his diagnosis and life with Parkinson's, Ozzy and all his family helped so many families in the same situation. They normalised tough conversations and made others feel less alone with a condition that's on the rise and affecting more people every day. All of our heartfelt thoughts are with his family, friends and fans worldwide. His memory and the impact he left on the world will live on in all of them." There's also been a tribute from Cure Parkinson's. It had been previously been announced that profits from his farewell concert in Birmingham earlier this month would be split between Cure Parkinson's and two other charities. Helen Matthews, chief executive of Cure Parkinson's, said: "We are devastated to hear the news about Ozzy and all our thoughts are with Sharon and his family. It seems incredible that a couple of short weeks ago Ozzy, Black Sabbath and all the acts that contributed to Back to the Beginning produced the most phenomenal and vibrant concert at Villa Park. We are so grateful to Ozzy for all he has done to put a spotlight on the work of Cure Parkinson's, Birmingham children's Hospital and Acorns Children's Hospice. On behalf of us all at Cure Parkinson's - thank you." The news of Ozzy's death was announced by his wife Sharon and four of his children, Louis Osbourne, Aimee Osbourne, Jack Osbourne and Kelly Osbourne, tonight. His family issued a joint statement earlier this evening. It read: "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. Sharon, Jack, Kelly, Aimee and Louis."
Daily Mirror
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Bring Me the Horizon fans just finding out band got name from 'inspiring' film
Bring Me the Horizon - the British rock band formed in 2004 - have released several albums and singles over the years, but not everyone knows the history behind their band name They've scooped up seven Kerrang! Awards and have been in the running for two Grammy Awards, yet some fans of Bring Me the Horizon are still scratching their heads over the origins of the band's striking name. The Sheffield-born rockers, comprising Oli Sykes, Matt Nicholls, Lee Malia, and Matt Kean, burst onto the scene in 2004 and dropped their first album 'Count Your Blessings' just a couple of years on. Since their early days, they've soared in popularity, becoming a staple for many who adore pop rock. Hits like 'Can You Feel My Heart', 'Drown', 'It Never Ends', 'Shadow Moses', 'Sleepwalking', 'The House of Wolves', 'Chelsea Smile', 'Throne', and 'Diamonds Aren't Forever' have cemented their status among the genre's heavyweights. Yet, the tale behind their moniker remains a mystery to some, prompting a curious soul on Quora to pose the question: "How did Bring Me the Horizon get their name?" Frontman Oli Skyes credits a moment from ' Pirates of the Caribbean ' as their muse, revealing to Spin: "Right at the end of the film - it might even be the very last line - Johnny Depp says, 'Bring me that horizon.' That was really inspiring." He reminisced about his youth in Sheffield, England, saying, "I was still living with my parents in Sheffield, England, when the movie came out [in 2003]. For me and the band, playing music was always wrapped up with the idea of touring and traveling and seeing the rest of England and the rest of the world." Their dreams of globetrotting seemed far-fetched, but it was what they yearned for. Skyes added, "We never thought doing that was possible, but that's what we wanted to do. So that quote sort of stands in for our feeling of wanting to see what the planet had to offer." However, the band also flirted with the idea of a photography-themed moniker. He quipped: "This Evidence in 8x10s, which could refer either to photographs or pieces of lumber. It may be the worst band name ever. It's good we didn't use it." A Reddit user was intrigued by this tidbit, commenting: "Today I learnt the band Bring Me the Horizon is named after the final line from the first Pirates of the Caribbean film, 'Now, bring me that horizon'." Another chimed in with: "Scene kid pop quiz trivia." A third reminisced: "I remember seeing this band at various gigs in the North West, in front of 50 people maximum when there were first band on. I remember them nearly getting booed off stage in Manchester too. "They never struck a chord with me and personally, I saw fame change Oli Sykes, but hats off to them for their success and keeping the original Yorkshire crew together after all these years." And yet another added nostalgically: "Man, it has already been 10 years since I saw those guys live in Hamburg...."
Miami Herald
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Iconic 2000s Rocker, 50, Has Fans Saying the Same Thing in Unexpected Video
As fans of The Darkness know, frontman Justin Hawkins is one of the most entertaining rock stars around - both on and off the stage. His social media followers never know what to expect from the hilarious one recent video still managed to come as a surprise. The 50-year-old musician took to TikTok this week to share a clip of himself performing an impromptu rap called "Cars Are Like People" with a little help from girlfriend Desiree Mishoe. "Cars are like humans cause they go rusty and then they stop working just like humans do," Hawkins began, as a beat played in the background. "When cars are rusty and they're in a the scrap yard, then it makes me do the opposite of smile, cause I think about all the times I might just die when I'm getting older, and I get rusty like a car that's in a scrap yard," Hawkins continued, as Mishoe laughed and danced along. Fans in the comments were definitely amused. "He's a rapper guys," joked one person, with a second quipping, "Love that the darkness are going in a new direction." "The undisputed king of rap," declared someone else, as another agreed, "He should start a rap career." While Hawkins probably won't be releasing a hip-hop album anytime soon, he did open up about evolving as a musician in a recent interview with Kerrang!. "It's about getting to a certain age and realizing that the world's changing, and you've gotta change or that's you f-ked, you get left behind," he said, adding, "And that's rock. It's actually from the perspective of rock - rock is a middle-aged guy in a world full of people who are just generation…whatever the f-k it is now, and it has to wake up and be part of it." Related: '90s Rock Heartthrob, 58, Is Practically Unrecognizable in Recent Video Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
The Irish Sun
23-05-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Who are Represent co-founders George Heaton and Michael Heaton?
GEORGE and Michael Heaton are among the youngest people who made this year's Rich List. The dynamic duo are behind the luxury fashion phenomenon Represent. Here's what we know about George and Michael. Advertisement 6 George and Michael Heaton are the owners of the brand Represent Who are George and Michael Heaton? George Heaton was born in April 1993. According to his LinkedIn, he studied graphic design at Runshaw College. He later studied graphic design at the University of Salford, graduating in 2014. Michael Heaton was born January 1991. Advertisement Read more on Rich List celebs It is unknown if he went to college or university. The brothers grew up in Horwich. Mike, 34, and George, 32, claim to be 'two brothers from Manchester, who don't really belong in fashion'. Speaking to The Face, George said: 'Me and Mike grew up skating, surfing and snowboarding. Advertisement Most read in The Sun 'We didn't really look like everyone else in the North of England. 'Everyone had skinheads and wore tracksuits, whereas we had long hair and wore oversized tees, skinny jeans and big shoes.' Who are Represent co-founders George Heaton and Michael Heaton Michael added: 'We used to sit there watching Scuzz and [the TV version of] Kerrang! – no one in our school did that.' 'We really leaned into this look through school and college, and eventually that [aesthetic] became our brand: what personally represents us,' George continues. Advertisement Thinking back to 2011, George had what he describes as a bit of an epiphany while studying graphic design at uni as he realised the typical 9-to-5 just wasn't for him. 'I didn't want to do graphic design. I didn't want that life. Our dad owned his own business and I thought: 'I want to be like that, I want to do my own thing.' So I started printing T‑shirts and selling them to my friends via Facebook.' Before long, he'd moved things over to a Big Cartel site and brought his older brother, Mike, on board to handle the design side of things. George took charge of marketing, sales, and sourcing suppliers. Advertisement That early split has stuck to this day: Mike's now at the helm of graphics and footwear, while George leads the way on brand direction and product development. 6 The pair are said to have a net worth of £122million Credit: Instagram Their designs quickly gained traction among their mates up in the northeast. Instagram had only just launched, and George took the reins on posting and the momentum started to build. Advertisement After graduating in 2014, their dad pushed them to make things official and turn Represent into a limited company. He even marched them down to the accountant's office with a pile of handwritten receipts. 'The accountant turned around to us and said: 'If you've not got, say, 50 grand in your account by now, this is probably not worth doing,'' George said. 'I had £150,000 in my PayPal account, so I was like: 'Looks like we're on, then!'' Advertisement On Instagram, George has 284,000 followers, while Michael has over 91,000. 6 George is seen with model Ashley Moore at a Represent Los Angeles store opening in 2024 Credit: Getty Images Neither appears to post much about their personal lives, including whether or not they are in relationships. However, in 2024, George was seen kissing 31-year-old American model, Ashley Moore. Advertisement What are the Heaton brothers' net worths The pair are thought to be worth around £122 million, according to the That puts them among the 40 richest people under 40 in the UK. It has been a good year for the Manchester brothers founders of the streetwear label Represent, whose £180 hoodies and £110 T-shirts have been worn by Kim Kardashian, Justin Bieber and Sales jumped more than 65 per cent over the past years, sending their wealth up £41million. Advertisement The pair took a total of £3 million in dividends. When did the Heatons start Represent? Represent was founded in 2012, and the brand now has 150 stockists worldwide including Selfridges and Harvey Nichols in the UK. Over the past few years, the brand exploded. Represent has a modern 30,000 sq ft head office in Bolton, Greater Manchester. Advertisement 6 George says he became a fitness fanatic during lockdown Credit: Instagram It was during the Covid-19 lockdown that the brand exploded with online orders. George stated: "We were such a small brand then, but we decided to start launching consistent products. "Everyone was at home looking at their phones and so we were doing that every week, and we got this huge snowball of customers when a lot of brands just couldn't do that consistently. Advertisement "It made a new way of thinking for us and how we could run the business. Last year we turned over a record figure for us, and we aim to keep growing from here." According to the Manchester Evening News, George said: "I was 18 when we started this, it has been going a long time but we've kept our customers from day one. My focus is to become a great designer and a great businessman, and to build Represent into a brand that can last forever in the fashion industry. George Heaton "We've always had that mindset to always be better, we nail it, and then we will always have bigger ambitions - the bigger you get the more you want. Advertisement "I think it's because we are so authentic as brothers and designers , everything we do is for the brand. "The people who love the brand are like us too, and they're so into what we do.' Still, he's quick to point out that it wasn't some overnight success. 'Instagram started the brand and that's how it grew: organically. I didn't have to pay for any kind of advertising or marketing – I didn't even know what that was. I didn't know what PR was. Advertisement 'I didn't know anything about business. We had a PayPal account, a Big Cartel and Instagram, and it just started stacking slowly over time.' They began the brand on the basis of making their own clothes that they would wear with luxurious fabrics but at an affordable price point. 6 The company net worth is supposedly £18.1million Credit: Instagram For the next few years, the brothers juggled uni by day and ran the brand in the early mornings and late into the night, packing orders and replying to a growing stream of followers. Advertisement Their Instagram began to gain traction with the likes of Justin Bieber wearing their brand. The brothers are now also known for their passion for exercise and following a healthy lifestyle. They share this on Instagram and encourage their team to follow this ethos. According to Men's Health, George discovered his passion for fitness during the 2020 lockdowns. Advertisement Frustrated with the bland, one-size-fits-all look of mainstream gym gear, he decided to create something that matched both his personal style and his relentless, always-on mindset. That's how the Represent training range, 247, was born. It's quickly become the go-to kit for anyone who takes their workouts seriously but still wants to look effortlessly cool. He said: 'It was during Covid and everyone was working from home. Advertisement 'I wanted a pant where I could wake up, put it on, go running, sit at my desk and then go to CrossFit in the evening, all while maintaining a look that would transcend all those activities. 'It needs to look great in the office and be able to partner up with a shirt or a tank.' Represent have also had a collaboration with Motley Crue and plan to launch home and beauty products. 6 The multi-million pound global lifestyle brand with a legion of die-hard fans Credit: Instagram Advertisement According to Drapers, George stated he was particularly proud of the brand's hit Terrier sneaker which has sold out multiple times. He said: 'As a creative, demand for your design is really humbling. "Without doubt, it is the best feeling you can get. 'The biggest lesson I've learnt has to be the importance of patience, and the importance of trial and error. Advertisement "Everything is a process, and every process tells a story. "Each garment requires many hours to design, create and adjust before coming to life as a final piece.' George hopes that Represent will join the ranks of classic As of 2025, Represent had a net worth of £18.1million. Advertisement
