PHOTOS: Ozzy Osbourne in Hamilton through the years
frontman of Black Sabbath
, a pioneering heavy metal band, died July 23 at the age of 76.
As one of his producers said he '
humanized metal
.'
Kevin Churko remembers being close enough to Osbourne to 'feel the spray of saliva.' Afterwards, with his face wet, Churko pondered, 'man, do I wipe this off? Do I leave it on and just take it all in and feel the joy of this moment?'
A signed Ozzy Osbourne picture in a fan's home in Hamilton. The signature references the 2002 show at Copps Coliseum.
Osbourne made many fans feel the same way. Just a few weeks before his death, Osbourne concluded his final live show in his hometown of Aston, Birmingham in England. More than 40,000 people attended the farewell performance live, and millions more livestreamed.
'Ponderous, predictable, pretentious, definitely un-pretty … and absolutely awesome,' described
one of Ozzy's last shows in Hamilton
back in 2014.
About 14,000 fans attended the Friday night show at FirstOntario Centre, with ages ranging from 14 to 40. Osbourne, appearing with Black Sabbath, later performed at the same venue in 2016, the band's last show in Hamilton.
NEW YORK (AP) — There are pioneering music figures, and then there is Ozzy Osbourne, the
While Osbourne had a large fanbase, some of the younger generations may have been introduced to him as a reality TV star. In 2002, 'The Osbournes' premiered, following Ozzy, his wife Sharon and their kids. Osbourne transformed from 'The Prince of Darkness' to a more relatable father figure through the show.
Ozzy Osbourne's image — and reality TV — forever changed with the 2002 launch of his family reality show 'The Osbournes.' (July 22, 2025)
Here's a look back at his 2014 and 2016 Hamilton shows, and other memories he created in the city.
The announcement comes just weeks after his final farewell performance at Villa Park in his
Black Sabbath performing in Hamilton in February 2016, for their The End Tour, their last show in the city.
Ozzy Osbourne with Black Sabbath at First Ontario Centre in 2014.
Mason Doerr, a 17-year-old Bishop Ryan student, performs Ozzy Osborne's 'Crazy Train'
during the Brott Music Education Concerts 2016 at Mohawk College.
Black Sabbath at the First Ontario Centre in April 2014.
Ozzy Osbourne and guitarist Tony Iommi on stage with Black Sabbath in April 2014.
Ozzy Osbourne in April 2014.
Ozzy Osbourne and guitarist Tony Iommi in April 2014.
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