(Photo Credit: Zamrznuti Tonovi/Shutterstock.com)
Ozzy Osbourne, the “Godfather of Heavy Metal,” left an impact on the world of music and pop culture that will be felt for generations to come. Whether your introduction to Ozzy was through his time with the groundbreaking and genre-defining group Black Sabbath or came during his legendary solo career as a heavy metal icon, his raw, unfiltered vocals and uniquely magnetic personality were undeniable, capturing the essence of rock ‘n’ roll in a way that few singers ever have. His instantly recognizable voice, his passion for heavy metal and its fans, and his history of working with some of rock music’s most celebrated guitarists have all cemented his place as one of the most iconic musicians in rock.
As the founding vocalist of Black Sabbath in 1969, formed in the working-class town of Birmingham, Ozzy helped take rock into a darker, heavier direction with their iconic first album, Black Sabbath. He’d continue on as lead vocalist through 1979, adding his voice to megalithic hits like “War Pigs,” “Sweet Leaf,” “Supernaut” and “Iron Man,” which are still as popular today as they were in the band’s heyday. Along with bandmates Tony Iommi on guitar, Geezer Butler on bass and Bill Ward on drums, Ozzy Osbourne toured the world with Black Sabbath, spearheading their new, darkly energetic take on blues rock.
Pictured: Tony Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne and Geezer Butler at Black Sabbath's Guitar Center Rockwalk Induction (Credit: Robert Knight)
“Any of the bands currently doing well in the heavy metal/hard rock end of the music spectrum, all cite Black Sabbath as a major, major influence and inspiration. It’s really down to what they put together, this very unique and special sound which eventually got the title of ‘heavy metal.’ So, they owe everything to Black Sabbath.” – Rob Halford (Judas Priest)
“We didn’t want to sound like anyone else—so, the only way you could get a record deal in those days was to be original, which we were. All the ‘heavy metal’ and all those tags came about six or seven years later. It was just rock music to us.” – Geezer Butler (Black Sabbath)
“Nobody in this world plays them like the original four … Nobody sounds like Tony Iommi. Nobody sounds like Geezer Butler. Nobody sounds like Bill Ward. It’s just one of those unique formulas that’s captured.” – Ozzy on Sabbath
Even before parting ways with Black Sabbath, Ozzy had already become a bona fide legend—an everyman who was also a rock god and the voice of multiple heavy metal anthems. But his legacy would only grow from there, as he kicked off his iconic solo career in 1980 with Blizzard of Ozz. Not only would he surpass all expectations with his debut album, but he would also help introduce the world to one of its most renowned guitarists in Randy Rhoads, who also wrote many of the album’s hits, including “Crazy Train” and “Mr. Crowley.”
After Randy passed in an unfortunate airplane accident during a 1982 tour of America, Ozzy faced the arduous task of replacing him. But in striving to meet the standard Randy had set, Ozzy would discover some of the best heavy metal guitarists of the day, including Jake E. Lee who appeared on Bark at the Moon and The Ultimate Sin, and Zakk Wylde who would play with Ozzy on six albums. But whether it was for one track or an entire project, Ozzy seemed to have an ability to select the best musicians, determined to deliver quality heavy metal to his legions of fans with each release.
Pictured: Ozzy Osbourne's Rockwalk Handprints
While he is, and always will be, known for helping to pioneer darker, heavier music which went on to inspire countless bands, artists and subgenres, the Prince of Darkness ultimately created far more light in the world. From his powerful music, the often unbelievable (but usually true) stories and his electric stage presence, to his time as one of television’s most beloved personalities, Ozzy Osbourne has left a legacy that reaches far beyond the heavy metal community. He will be missed but never forgotten.
"I got rabies shots for biting the head off a bat, but that's okay—the bat had to get Ozzy shots.” – Ozzy Osbourne
On November 18, 1992, he joined a legendary group of musicians immortalized on our Rockwalk, where he was inducted both as a solo artist and as a member of Black Sabbath. We will be forever grateful for the decades of music from Ozzy, and his indelible influence on rock and heavy metal.