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CTV News
37 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Fans recall Ozzy Osbourne's performance in Kitchener 44 years ago
Al Ridley posed with an autographed program from the Ozzy Osbourne 'Blizzard of Ozz' tour stop in Kitchener, Ont. (Colton Wiens/CTV News) As people around the world mourn the loss of the 'Prince of Darkness,' people in Waterloo Region are fondly remembering a stop he made in Kitchener exactly 44 years ago. On Tuesday, Ozzy Osbourne's family confirmed the death of the music icon and frontman of Black Sabbath. On July 23, 1982, shortly after he had been kicked out of the band, Osbourne made a solo appearance at Centre In the Square for his 'Blizzard of Ozz' tour. 'He was you and me. He wasn't this big huge rock star – he didn't hold court with his people,' Al Ridley recalled. 'Seeing this guy out on stage who suddenly became somebody else, with the white jumpsuit and the white tassels off the arms and the screaming – and this was Centre In the Square!' 'I was thinking, Centre In The Square - everyone sits in their chairs and they're comfortable and they listen to the KW Orchestra or cultural events. And here's this rock 'n roll mad man,' he said. Ridley can still picture the crowd holding up their fists and flashing devil horns as the deafening music enveloped the crowd. 'It was a fantastic evening of theater,' Ridley said. Ridley was just 15-years-old at the time and was part of a catering group for the event. He still has an autographed program from the performance. Al Ridley Ozzy Osbourne signed program Kitchener, Ont. Al Ridley posed with an autographed program from the Ozzy Osbourne 'Blizzard of Ozz' tour stop in Kitchener, Ont. (Colton Wiens/CTV News) Ridley told CTV about an experience few others can lay claim to: in the green room, he watched his friend's mom ask Osbourne to stop swearing so much. Later, he had a more personal moment with the musician. 'At the far end of the hall, Ozzy Osbourne and his manager come walking out, and they walk down the hall towards us. I thought this is the opportunity. So I said, 'Hey Ozzy can you sign my program?' 'Yeah, sure mate, sure.' And he signs the program, gave me a pat on the shoulder and walked on,' Ridley said. While Ridley didn't think too much of it at the time, it's a memory he cherishes to this day. Al Ridley Ozzy Osbourne signed program Kitchener, Ont. Al Ridley posed with an autographed program from the Ozzy Osbourne 'Blizzard of Ozz' tour stop in Kitchener, Ont. (Colton Wiens/CTV News) Sean Jasmins was 16-years-old when he saw the show in Kitchener. Jasmins said the performance was amazing and included Randy Rhoads on guitar. 'I remember our seats were front row balcony, Ozzy and Randy rocked the house!' Jasmins said in an email. 'I was a big fan and expectations were high. Ozzy delivered with a blistering show!' Jasmins told CTV News it may have been the first rock act to play at Centre In The Square, and he recalls hearing the venue didn't book any rock shows for quite awhile after that. Mark Logan, who is now the owner of Encore Records Ltd., was also there in 1981. He was 17-years-old at the time and stood at the front of the packed crowd. 'It was amazing. At the time, we didn't know. It was his first tour before he did big rooms. It was sort of testing things out. Band was great. [We] got to see Randy Rhoads,' Logan said. 'Ozzy, I remember, came out across the stage, shook hands. His hands were really sweaty, and I remember him standing at centre stage, shaking and not really moving as he's known now for running around and clapping and 'go crazy.' He was pretty scared.' Mark Logan Ozzy Osbourne Kitchener, Ont. Mark Logan carried Ozzy Osbourne albums at Encore Records Ltd. in Kitchener, Ont. on July 23, 2025. (Colton Wiens/CTV News) Logan calls Osbourne's passing incredibly bittersweet after he performed with Black Sabbath earlier this month. 'For him to get to experience that level of adoration that normally you see after you pass, I think it was really special,' Logan said. 'It was one of those things where you wouldn't be shocked if you heard it. But yet, conversely, never expected to hear it because he just kept going no matter what happened to him.' Logan said customers are now looking for Black Sabbath and Ozzy albums at the store. Industry experts say Ozzy's legacy will always live on. Ozzy Osbourne records Ozzy Osbourne records were seen at Encore Records Ltd. in Kitchener, Ont. on July 23, 2025. (Colton Wiens/CTV News) 'The influence of that music led every other rock band to follow, from Guns N' Roses to Metallica to Motley Crue and Poison right up until Green Day, and every 16-year-old kid that picks up a guitar now is eventually going to get into Black Sabbath and Ozzy. That's just the power of the influence that they have,' Eric Alper, a music industry expert said.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Black Sabbath members honour 'dear friend' Ozzy Osbourne
On Tuesday, a representative for the Osbourne family announced that the rock music icon had died at the age of 76. Following the sad news, Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler posted a photo of frontman Ozzy during his last-ever show at Villa Park in Birmingham, earlier this month. 'Goodbye dear friend - thanks for all those years - we had some great fun. 4 kids from Aston - who'd have thought, eh? So glad we got to do it one last time, back in Aston. Love you.'
Associated Press
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Photos show emotional music fans paying tribute to Ozzy Osbourne
Fans pay tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, the lead singer of the pioneering rock band Black Sabbath on both sides of the Atlantic. Osbourne died on July 22 at age 76. This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ozzy Osbourne tributes pour in from Alice Cooper, Foo Fighters, Elton John and more
Ozzy Osbourne's death has seen the music industry unite in showing their love and support for one of rock's most legendary icons. The Black Sabbath singer and reality TV star was 76 years old when he passed away on July 22, with an official statement saying he died 'with his family and surrounded by love'. Amongst the global show of support for the After Forever singer, Alice Cooper, Foo Fighters, Elton John and many more titans of music have shared tributes. Read more: What every Black Sabbath bandmate said after Ozzy Osbourne death Black Sabbath co-founder Tony Iommi told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'It is really a shock. It's really hit me today to be honest, but yeah, a terrible shock.' Regarding the band's recent reunion in Birmingham for their farewell gig, he added: 'It was brilliant to be with all the guys again… and it was brilliant for Ozzy because he really wanted to do that, you know, he felt at home there and it was really good for him. 'It was good for all of us, and lovely to be able to get together for a final thing. I mean, we didn't realise it was going to be this final. We didn't expect him to… but he hasn't looked well for a while.' Rolling Stones musician Ronnie Wood posted on social media: 'I am so very sad to hear of the death of Ozzy Osbourne … What a lovely goodbye concert he had at Back To The Beginning in Birmingham.' On Instagram, Elton John shared a picture of himself with Osbourne, writing: 'He was a dear friend and a huge trailblazer who secured his place in the pantheon of rock gods – a true legend. "He was also one of the funniest people I've ever met. I will miss him dearly. To Sharon and the family, I send my condolences and love.' Rod Stewart wrote on Instagram: 'Bye, bye Ozzy. Sleep well, my friend. I'll see you up there – later rather than sooner.' The band Pantera posted: 'Thank you for all that you did for metal & Pantera. We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you.' Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong shared a picture of Osbourne on his Instagram account, saying: 'No words. We love you Ozzy.' Led Zeppelin's Robert Plant wrote: 'Farewell Ozzy … what a journey … sail on up there ... finally at peace ... you truly changed the planet of rock!' Alice Cooper said that Osbourne had 'earned immense respect among his peers and from fans around the world as an unmatched showman and cultural icon.' Another Birmingham band also showed their support, Duran Duran, writing on Instagram: 'What can you say about Ozzy? Whatever it is, it's in a Brummie accent. "Hard to imagine a world without him, Ozzy brought so much joy, humor and raw power to the world, in a life of many chapters. Ozzy was a cat who had way more than nine lives. Thanks for the ride Ozzy, love from the other Brummies.'
CNN
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- CNN
Tributes to rock legend Ozzy Osbourne from Black Sabbath bandmates and stars of music world
Ozzy Osbourne has been remembered as a 'pioneer,' a 'fearless talent' and a 'dear friend,' in an outpouring of tributes from fellow musicians and his former Black Sabbath bandmates following his death on Tuesday at the age of 76. 'It's really a shock,' Black Sabbath co-founder and guitarist Tony Iommi told BBC Radio on Wednesday. 'It's really hit me today to be honest. A terrible shock.' News of the rock icon's death came just weeks after Black Sabbath reunited for one final concert in their native Birmingham, England, where Osbourne, the band's hellraising front man, performed seated on a throne. 'It was brilliant to be with all the guys again,' Iommi added. 'It's brilliant for Ozzy because he really wanted to do that. He felt at home there, it was really good for him, it was good for all of us to get together for a final thing. We didn't realise it was going to be this final, we didn't expect him to (pass away) but he hasn't looked well for a while.' Fellow Black Sabbath band member Bill Ward posted on X, asking: 'Where will I find you now? In the memories, our unspoken embraces, our missed phone calls, no, you're forever in my heart.' Friends from across the music industry also paid tribute to Osbourne. Elton John, who featured on the title track of Osbourne's 2020 album 'Ordinary Man,' remembered his 'dear friend' as a 'huge trailblazer who secured his place in the pantheon of rock gods' and 'one of the funniest people I've ever met.' Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood said he was 'so very sad' to hear of Osbourne's death, while Queen guitarist Brian May noted that his final concert at Villa Park 'was a glorious way to say goodbye – the love in that place for him was gigantic.' Birmingham's love for Osbourne was once again on show on Wednesday as fans turned the city's famous Black Sabbath bench and mural into makeshift memorials for him. As well as the customary flowers, candles and notes, someone left an Aston Villa scarf, referencing Osbourne's love for the soccer club. Osbourne was often referred to as the Godfather of Heavy Metal, a title he brushed off, but which alluded to his enormous influence over hard rock and heavy metal music. Bands like Metallica, Pearl Jam and Nirvana all referenced the impact his music had on their own in their tributes to him. 'It's impossible to put into words what Ozzy Osbourne has meant to Metallica,' the band said in a post on X. 'Hero, icon, pioneer, inspiration, mentor, and, most of all, friend are a few that come to mind. 'Ozzy and Sharon believed in us and transformed our lives and careers. He taught us how to play in the big leagues while at the same time being warm, welcoming, engaging, and all around brilliant.' Nirvana, too, thanked Osborne for 'the inspiration,' calling Black Sabbath the 'template for heavy rock.' Meanwhile, Pearl Jam's Mike McCready recounted discovering Black Sabbath's music when he was a high school student, remembering that 'it was Ozzy's voice that took me away to a dark universe. A great escape.' And Aerosmith called Osbourne 'a voice that changed music forever,' who 'redefined what it meant to be heavy.' Other bands paid tribute to Osbourne while performing live on stage on Tuesday evening. Among them were Lady Gaga, who wore an Ozzy Osbourne T-shirt while performing in San Francisco, and Coldplay's Chris Martin, who dedicated his band's show in Nashville 'to the incredible, genius talent, characterful and gift to the world that was Ozzy Osbourne.' CNN's Hilary Clarke and Diego Mendoza contributed reporting.
