Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary Black Sabbath frontman, performed his final concert on July 5 with original band members before passing away at 76. His farewell show at Villa Park featured a star-studded lineup and heartfelt gratitude from Osbourne to his fans. Despite battling health issues, including Parkinson’s and a history of substance abuse, Osbourne left a lasting impact on rock music, cementing his place as one of the genre’s greatest icons.
The Black Sabbath frontman was known as much for his indelible mark on the music industry as he was for his larger-than-life personality, be it on stage or in front of a camera while filming the immensely popular reality show, ‘The Osbournes.’ Two weeks before his death, he reunited with Black Sabbath to perform at a star-studded farewell show in England, an appropriately dark and electric send-off for one of rock’s greatest legends.
The 10-hour show, hosted by Jason Momoa, featured performances from Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Jack Black, and Steven Tyler. At one point, legendary drummers such as Danny Carey, Chad Smith, and Travis Barker battled with their drumsticks while playing a cover of Sabbath’s ‘Symptom of the Universe.’ For the closing set, Osbourne was lifted to the stage while sitting on a black throne accompanied by skulls and topped with a black bat, singing hits like ‘Crazy Train’ and ‘Mama I’m Coming Home’ while remaining seated throughout the set. ‘You have no idea how I feel,’ he told the crowd, ‘Thank you from the bottom of my heart.’
Ozzy, born John Michael Osbourne on Dec. 3, 1948, earned the nickname ‘The Prince of Darkness’ for his shadowy heavy metal persona. He turned to music after listening to The Beatles’ ‘She Loves You’ as a child, which he described as a divine experience. After leaving school at a young age, he spent six weeks in prison after being convicted of robbing a clothing store. In 1967, he was recruited by Geezer Butler to be the vocalist for a band that would become Black Sabbath, whose sinister sound helped pave the way for heavy metal. Their first three albums, ‘Black Sabbath,’ ‘Paranoid,’ and ‘Master of Reality,’ are credited as pioneering works in the industry.
After achieving commercial success, releasing three more albums, and touring for a few years, Osbourne pursued a solo career in 1978 with ‘Blizzard of Ozz.’ He later rejoined Black Sabbath but was expelled three months later due to his substance abuse issues, replaced by Ronnie James Dio. His struggles with addiction, as detailed in his memoir ‘I Am Ozzy,’ led to his eventual ejection from the band. In 1982, during a performance in Iowa, Ozzy bit the head off a bat, claiming the bat had bitten him and requiring treatment for rabies. He then married his manager, Sharon Arden, in 1982, forming the power couple that became iconic in the rock world.
Ozzy’s career was also marked by personal hardships, including a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease and ongoing health issues. Despite these challenges, he continued to create music and reflect on his legacy. ‘Survival is my legacy,’ he told People magazine, emphasizing his determination to keep performing despite his physical limitations. After his death, the Osbournes released a statement expressing their deep sorrow and honoring their beloved husband and father, stating, ‘He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family’s privacy at this time.’ His legacy, marked by both musical innovation and personal resilience, has left an indelible mark on the world of rock music, inspiring generations of fans and musicians alike.