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The Independent
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Legacy of Miami Showband ‘is more than music, it is bringing people together'
The legacy of the Miami Showband is about more than just music, it is bringing people together, a survivor of the loyalist ambush which targeted its members has said. Singer Fran O'Toole, guitarist Tony Geraghty and trumpeter Brian McCoy were shot dead on a roadside close to Newry on July 31 1975 after having been pulled over at a bogus security forces checkpoint. Two of the loyalist terrorists from the Ulster Volunteer Force were also killed in the incident, when a bomb they placed on the bus exploded prematurely. Survivors Des Lee and Stephen Travers were among those who gathered at the roadside where the atrocity happened on Thursday to remember their bandmates. It was the first of a series of events, including in Newry and Dublin, being held on Thursday to mark the 50th anniversary. Mr Travers said 50 years of tears have dried up and they want to tell the whole world of the legacy of the Miami Showband. 'It's far more than a band at this stage because bands come and go, and music comes and goes, and styles change, and if you were to ask anybody under 50 years of age to name all of the members of the Rolling Stones, I'm sure they'd have a problem,' he said. 'These things come and go, but the legacy of the Miami Showband is one that I am enormously proud of, and it is simply this: when people came to see us, whether they were Catholic, Protestant, Unionist, Nationalist, they left sectarianism outside the door of the dance hall and they saw each other as human beings, and they danced with each other, and sometimes they even fell in love.' Father Brian D'Arcy opened the commemoration at the site on the Buskhill Road, hailing the survivors as 'proving that music and goodness survives'. 'That's what we're celebrating today, the survival of good, music and peace, and joy and bravery,' he said, adding a prayer for peaceful rest to all who died at the spot. All those gathered said the Lord's Prayer together, before the hymn Abide With Me was played. First Minister Michelle O'Neill did not attend the event, but in a message said she could not be there but described a 'deeply traumatic event for everyone, and remains a painful reminder of our troubled past'. 'I commend you all for your commitment to remembering your friends by celebrating their lives and the joy of music they brought to so many in their tragically short lives, I truly hope that while never forgetting the pain of the past we continue to move forward as a society towards a peaceful, inclusive and better future for all of our people,' she said. Earlier, Mr Lee said he remembers 'every single thing in the finest detail' from the atrocity in 1975. 'It was the most horrendous scene I have ever seen in my life, when I got up off the grass and I had to make a run up that embankment to get help. 'When I got onto the main road, it was the worst sight anyone could ever imagine,' he told the BBC Radio Ulster. 'They were my brothers, you know, three of my brothers.' While there has been criticism of a loyalist band parade planned to take place in Portadown on Saturday to remember one of the attackers, Mr Lee said he has 'no problem with that whatsoever'. 'They are entitled to commemorate their dead as much as we are entitled to commemorate ours,' he said. He was, however, critical of the UK Government over its handling of the past, saying he feels they are doing a 'dreadful job'. 'They're trying to push all the families under the carpet and hope that it all goes away, and as long as I'm alive, I will fight for Fran, Brian and Tony,' he said. Mr Lee said he expected the anniversary will be an 'extremely difficult day'. 'My whole philosophy in life now is forgive and forget and move on,' he said. 'I don't hold any grudge. What happened to my friends was appalling but I don't want to live for the rest of my life living in the past. 'But there's one thing we must never forget: Fran O'Toole, Brian McCoy and Tony Geraghty.' He described their only weapons as having been instruments to entertain audiences 'during that awful time' in Northern Ireland in the 1970s. 'Fran had a microphone, Brian had a trumpet, and Tony had a guitar. That was the weapons that they had during that awful time in Northern Ireland, bringing two hours of peace and joy and happiness and dance and love and kindness and everything that went with it,' he said. 'That was our job to entertain those people for two hours, no matter what religion, no matter what creed. 'We were a band that were mixed, and we had never any problems regarding religion or anything. Our job was to entertain people, and that's what we did.'
CBC
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Toronto fans mourn death of metal legend
Fans in Toronto are mourning the death of Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne, who died Tuesday at the age of 76. CBC's Tyler Cheese explores his legacy — and his influence on GTA musicians.
France 24
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- France 24
Remembering Ozzy Osbourne: The heavy metal pioneer's ten most memorable songs
There are pioneering music figures, and then there is Ozzy Osbourne, the larger-than-life frontman of Black Sabbath, whose personal mythology is eclipsed only by the strength and immortality of his songs. A godfather and force of heavy metal, Osbourne died Tuesday at 76, just weeks after his last performance. The English icon's idiosyncratic, throaty voice launched generations of metalheads, both through his work at the reins of Black Sabbath and in his solo career. Across his repertoire, there are songs with total global ubiquity and lesser-known innovations with his unique, spooky aesthetic quality. To celebrate Osbourne's life and legacy, we've selected just a few songs that made the man, from timeless tunes to a few left-of-center selections. It would be a challenge to name a more immediately recognisable guitar riff than the one that launches Black Sabbath's 1970 megahit 'Iron Man.' It transcends the metal genre – an all-timer heard around the world and in guitar stores everywhere. One of the great Vietnam War protest songs, Black Sabbath's 'War Pigs' is a rare moment where hippies and metalheads can agree: 'Politicians hide themselves away / They only started the war / Why should they go out to fight?' Osbourne sings in the bridge. Osbourne's heaviest performances are at least partially indebted to Black Sabbath's bassist and lyricist Terry 'Geezer' Butler, and there is perhaps no better example than 'Children of the Grave,' the single from the band's 1971 album, 'Master of Reality.' 'Must the world live in the shadow of atomic fear?' Osbourne embodies Butler's words, a sonic fist lifted in the air. 'Can they win the fight for peace or will they disappear?' Black Sabbath were in a creative rut in the period leading up to 'Sabbath Bloody Sabbath,' the opening track from their 1973 album of the same name. It's almost hard to believe now – the song features one of their best-known riffs, and its chorus features some truly ascendant vocals. Would the world know what a vibraslap sounds like without the immediately recognisable introduction to Osbourne's first solo single, 'Crazy Train?' To call it a classic is almost a disservice – it is an addicting tune, complete with chugging guitars and Cold War-era fears. Another classic cut from Osbourne's debut solo album, 'Blizzard Of Ozz' – released one year after Osbourne was fired from Black Sabbath for his legendary excesses, – the arena rock anthem 'Mr. Crowley' pays tribute to the famed English occultist Aleister Crowley and features Deep Purple's Don Airey on keyboard. The title track and coda of Osbourne's second solo studio album, 'Diary of a Madman,' runs over six minutes long, features big strings and a choir so theatrical it sounds like they're scoring a medieval war film. He wanted big, he wanted dramatic, and he nailed it. It wouldn't be inaccurate to call 'Mama, I'm Coming Home' a beautiful-sounding song. It's unlike anything on this list, a power ballad featuring lyrics written by the late Motörhead frontman Lemmy and a welcomed deviation. When Black Sabbath comes to mind, most fans jump to an unimpeachable run of albums released in the '70s and early '80s. But 'I,' a cut from Black Sabbath's too often overlooked 16th studio album, 'Dehumanizer,' is worth your ear. And not only because it is the first Sabbath album to feature singer Ronnie James Dio and drummer Vinny Appice since 1981's 'Mob Rules,' though that's an obvious plus. Late in life Ozzy Osbourne was generous with his time and talent, often collaborating with younger performers who idolized the metal legend. One such example is Post Malone's 'Take What You Want,' which also features the rapper Travis Scott. Osbourne gives the song a necessary gothic edge – validating the otherwise balladic song's use of a sprightly guitar solo.
Daily Mail
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Will Ozzy Osbourne's death finally mend his daughters' feud? How vastly-different siblings Aimee and Kelly reunited for their father's final days after admitting they weren't on speaking terms
To the naked eye, the Osbourne family were considered one of the strongest in showbusiness, with patriarch Ozzy's children rallying round to care for him ahead of his death. And while the Black Sabbath legend will no doubt leave a lasting music legacy, his passing has also sparked fresh hope that it could bring an end to a long-running feud between two of his daughters. Kelly Osbourne, 40, and her sister Aimee have had a fraught relationship for years, after Aimee, 41, decided to move out when she was 16 to avoid appearing in her family's MTV reality show. In recent years the vastly-different siblings had admitted they weren't on speaking terms, with Kelly saying in an interview they just 'didn't understand each other.' But following Ozzy's death in the wake of a six-year battle with Parkinson's disease, The Mail revealed that both Kelly and Aimee were present in their father's home during his final days. A source shared that the sisters were both there to care with their father as recently as last week, after flying over from Los Angeles. They said: 'Kelly has been at the house a lot in the last week or so, so has Aimee. It is terribly sad for all of them, they really hoped he would be able to carry on for a bit longer. 'But it's so lovely that he had his children around him during his last days.' Ozzy shares daughters Kelly and Aimee, as well as son Jack, with his wife of 43 years Sharon, and also had three children, Louis, Jessica and Eliot, from his first marriage to wife Thelma Riley. The Osbourne family shared the news of Ozzy's death in a statement, where they said he died 'surrounded by love' after battling Parkinson's disease for six years. The message was signed by his wife Sharon, and four of his children, Jack, Louis, Kelly and Aimee, showing how the siblings had come together ahead of his passing. Kelly first revealed that she had been estranged from her older sister back in 2021, admitting they hadn't been on speaking terms for many years. Speaking on Dax Shepherd's Armchair Expert podcast, she said: 'We don't talk. We're just really different. She doesn't understand me and I don't understand her.' Back in 2015, Aimee admitted to The Independent that she and Kelly were not on close terms and said: 'I wouldn't say there is an ease between us, but there is an acceptance. Do we socialise? No.' Prior to Ozzy's death, the family had rallied round to support him for Black Sabbath's final show earlier this month, with Kelly getting engaged to her boyfriend Sid Wilson Aimee is on much better terms with her brother Jack, with the pair both running production company Osbourne Media together. Aimee - who is also a singer and performs under her initials ARO - was born in London and raised in California until the age of 16 but moved out of the family home as filming for The Osbournes began in the early 2000s. Reflecting on her decision to not appear on the show she said: 'Back then, I still felt I was trying to figure out who I was in the chaos of family life, so why on earth would I want that portrayed on television? 'I wanted to protect myself, my parents, my siblings, too. They were very young, very impressionable.' She later defended her decision in 2008 and told The Independent: 'I'm not some weirdo depressed daughter that's afraid of the world and locks herself in her room all day. 'I just didn't choose to do the show. I want to be a singer, and I felt if I'd stayed with the Osbournes and done the whole thing I would have been typecast right away. '[Sharon] was hurt, and we definitely had a tough time with disagreements. I'm more reserved and my private life is very important.' Sharon also admitted she was devastated when Aimee moved out, saying on The Talk in 2018: 'She felt too that she didn't want to grow up on camera. She hated the idea - it was appalling to her. 'And so she left at 16 and I regret every day that she did. It broke my heart when she moved.' In recent months, Aimee had made a slow return to the spotlight, sharing snaps to promote her new music on Instagram, and she has also appeared to have patched things up with her parents, having been pictured with her mum Sharon in May. Aimee's life choices were a stark contrast to Kelly, who featured in her family's reality show, and has carved out a career as a presenter on shows including Fashion Police, The View and Project Catwalk. Kelly has also battled addictions to prescription pills and alcohol, revealing she has been admitted to rehab seven times for drink and drugs, as well as two mental institutions, and has been sober since 2017. Ozzy's death was announced in a statement shared by his family on Tuesday. In the statement, his family said: '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.' It comes after Ozzy revealed earlier this year that he could no longer walk amid his six-year battle with Parkinson's disease. However, he still managed to reunite with his bandmates Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi and Bill Ward for their final gig earlier this month. The Black Sabbath star died on Tuesday aged 76, surrounded by his wife Sharon, pictured with him at the 2020 Grammy Awards, and their children following a battle with Parkinson's Ozzy was born John Michael Osbourne in Birmingham in 1948, and dropped out of school at the age of 15. After serving two months in prison for burglary, he decided to pursue his love of music and by 1970 Black Sabbath had gained a huge following in the US and UK with the release of their first album. Ozzy quit the band in 1978 and divorced his first wife Thelma, who he had two children with, four years later, amid his ongoing substance abuse problems. He went on to marry second wife Sharon Osbourne, who helped him transform into a successful solo artist and the couple had three children together. Ozzy gained a whole new audience of fans with the family's reality TV show The Osbournes in 2001. He is survived by his wife Sharon and his five children, Jessica, Louis, Aimee, Kelly and Jack.
The Independent
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
10 songs to memorialize Ozzy Osbourne, the great Black Sabbath frontman
There are pioneering music figures, and then there is Ozzy Osbourne, the larger-than-life frontman of Black Sabbath, whose personal mythology is eclipsed only by the strength and immortality of his songs. A godfather and force of heavy metal, Osbourne died Tuesday at 76, just months after his last performance. The English icon's idiosyncratic, throaty voice launched generations of metalheads, both through his work at the reins of Black Sabbath and in his solo career. Across his repertoire, there are songs with total global ubiquity and lesser-known innovations with his unique, spooky aesthetic quality. To celebrate Osbourne's life and legacy, we've selected just a few songs that made the man, from timeless tunes to a few left-of-center selections. Read on and then listen to all of the tracks on our Spotify playlist. 1970: 'Iron Man,' Black Sabbath It would be a challenge to name a more immediately recognizable guitar riff than the one that launches Black Sabbath's 1970 megahit 'Iron Man.' It transcends the metal genre — an all-timer heard around the world and in guitar stores everywhere. 1970: 'War Pigs,' Black Sabbath One of the great Vietnam War protest songs, Black Sabbath's 'War Pigs' is a rare moment where hippies and metalheads can agree: 'Politicians hide themselves away / They only started the war / Why should they go out to fight?' Osbourne sings in the bridge. 1971: 'Children of the Grave,' Black Sabbath Osbourne's heaviest performances are at least partially indebted to Black Sabbath's bassist and lyricist Terry 'Geezer' Butler, and there is perhaps no better example than 'Children of the Grave,' the single from the band's 1971 album, 'Master of Reality.' 'Must the world live in the shadow of atomic fear?' Osbourne embodies Butler's words, a sonic fist lifted in the air. 'Can they win the fight for peace or will they disappear?' 1973: 'Sabbath Bloody Sabbath,' Black Sabbath Black Sabbath were in a creative rut in the time period leading up to 'Sabbath Bloody Sabbath,' the opening track from their 1973 album of the same name. It's almost hard to believe now — the song features one of their best-known riffs, and its chorus features some truly ascendant vocals. 1980: 'Crazy Train,' Ozzy Osbourne Would the world know what a vibraslap sounds like without the immediately recognizable introduction to Osbourne's first solo single, 'Crazy Train?' To call it a classic is almost a disservice — it is an addicting tune, complete with chugging guitars and Cold War-era fears. 1980: 'Mr. Crowley,' Ozzy Osbourne Another classic cut from Osbourne's debut solo album, 'Blizzard Of Ozz' — released one year after Osbourne was fired from Black Sabbath for his legendary excesses, — the arena rock anthem 'Mr. Crowley' pays tribute to the famed English occultist Aleister Crowley and features Deep Purple's Don Airey on keyboard. 1981: 'Diary of a Madman,' Ozzy Osbourne The title track and coda of Osbourne's second solo studio album, 'Diary of a Madman,' runs over six minutes long, features big strings and a choir so theatrical it sounds like they're scoring a medieval war film. He wanted big, he wanted dramatic, and he nailed it. 1991: 'Mama, I'm Coming Home,' Ozzy Osbourne It wouldn't be inaccurate to call 'Mama, I'm Coming Home' a beautiful-sounding song. It's unlike anything on this list, a power ballad featuring lyrics written by the late Motörhead frontman Lemmy and a welcomed deviation. 1992: 'I,' Black Sabbath When Black Sabbath comes to mind, most fans jump to an unimpeachable run of albums released in the '70s and early '80s. But 'I,' a cut from Black Sabbath's too often overlooked 16th studio album, 'Dehumanizer,' is worth your ear. And not only because it is the first Sabbath album to feature singer Ronnie James Dio and drummer Vinny Appice since 1981's 'Mob Rules,' though that's an obvious plus. 2019: 'Take What You Want,' Post Malone with Ozzy Osbourne and Travis Scott Late in life Ozzy Osbourne was generous with his time and talent, often collaborating with younger performers who idolized the metal legend. One such example is Post Malone's 'Take What You Want,' which also features the rapper Travis Scott. Osbourne gives the song a necessary gothic edge — validating the otherwise balladic song's use of a sprightly guitar solo.
