Ozzy Osbourne Embodied The Spirit Of Heavy Metal

Forbes

3 days ago

(MANDATORY CREDIT Koh Hasebe/) Ozzy Osbourne Band, live, Moscow Music Peace ... More Festival 1989 at Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow, USSR, 12th and 13th August, 1989. Ozzy Osbourne (vocals). (Photo by Koh Hasebe/)
Few contemporary artists have shaped an entire genre the way Ozzy Osbourne has. Without Ozzy, the heavy metal genre would not be what it is today, and iconic bands from the likes of Metallica, Slipknot, Pantera, and so many more would simply not exist. From his early work in Black Sabbath, which pioneered the heavy metal genre, to his solo work throughout the '80s which created the blueprint for arena metal, the impact that Ozzy Osbourne had on the genre will forever be second to none.
For these reasons and so many more, the metal community has always shared a deep love and reverence for Ozzy Osbourne. The outpouring of love showcased from fans and fellow musicians since Osbourne's death is telling, and it's a clear sign that his loss will be one of the most significant moments in the genre's history.
Ozzy Osbourne Died Doing What He Loved
The loss of Ozzy Osbourne is the end of an era, however, the ending was far more magnificent than what any rock star or musical icon could have dreamt of. Osbourne died only weeks after performing at Back to the Beginning – his final show with Black Sabbath – which has since become the highest-grossing charity concert of all time. To achieve such a feat in one's final hour is beautifully poetic and a genuine showcase of the passion that Osbourne had for performing and connecting with fans through metal music. Given the serious health issues Osbourne was going through leading up to his final bow, particularly his battle with Parkinson's disease, it's all the more incredible that he was able to perform in front of fans and the world one last time.
Ozzy Osbourne Was A Metal Mentor
Many of the bands that performed at Back to the Beginning shared a history and deep connection with the late singer. Metallica, for one, were brought on their first arena tour in 1986 as direct support for Ozzy Osbourne during The Ultimate Sin tour. This tour had a monolithic impact on Metallica, exposing them to thousands of fans that would soon hear their 1986 opus Master of Puppets, and Metallica were just one of many bands that Osbourne took under his wing in their early years. Mötley Crüe, Slipknot, Lamb of God, System of a Down, and so many of metal's biggest acts owe Ozzy Osbourne for giving them their first huge breaks on tours, in addition to the mentorship he and his wife/manager Sharon Osbourne would provide.
Not to mention, Ozzfest, the legendary touring metal festival founded and curated by the Osbournes, brought metal into the early 2000s and exposed dozens of bands who are now household names in the genre. The way in which Ozzy Osbourne directly kickstarted careers for so many was unprecedented, and it was a part of his personality that endured and was admired until the very end.
Ozzy Osbourne's Persona Was As Big And Loud As His Music
Ozzy Osbourne's outlandish and often chaotic behavior earned him a reputation in the eyes of pop culture early on in his career. Whether it was him biting the head off of a bat, or getting banned from the Alamo in Texas, Osbourne's wild persona made him the perfect poster child for heavy metal, specifically in the eyes of pop culture. Later on in his career when he and his family ventured into reality TV with "The Osbournes," viewers got a glimpse into the life of Ozzy Osbourne.
What was revealed amidst all the hilarity and chaos was someone who was authentically himself and beloved by his family for it. While his crude behavior and aggressively loud personality wasn't for everyone, Osbourne was genuinely himself whether he was on stage or on camera, and that aspect alone gave so many millions of viewers the idea that it's okay to be authentic.
Ozzy Osbourne's Musical Legacy Is The Gold Standard
Whether it was his albums with Black Sabbath or his solo records throughout the '80s and '90s, the multifaceted success Ozzy Osbourne saw has since cemented him as one of the most influential musicians in rock. A huge reason why Osbourne embodies the spirit of heavy metal is simply because he helped invent it. Every band whether they're hard rock or death metal, has in some way, shape or form been influenced by the music of Ozzy Osbourne.
Between his albums with Black Sabbath and his solo career, there isn't another artist in hard rock or heavy metal that has as many masterfully crafted albums in their discography as Ozzy Osbourne. For that and so many other reasons, Ozzy Osbourne will forever be remembered as the godfather of heavy metal, and moreover, as the Prince of Darkness who ironically was a shining light to so many.