Latest news with #GeezerButler
Malay Mail
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
War pig, iron man, madman: Ozzy Osbourne's metal legacy in five tracks
PARIS, July 24 — Britain's Ozzy Osbourne, who died Tuesday at the age of 76, was an pioneer of heavy metal music as lead singer of Black Sabbath, producing songs with a powerful and often sinister mix of distortion and dark lyrics. Here are five of his most memorable songs, three of which are from Black Sabbath's most successful album Paranoid (1970). 'Paranoid' (1970) Often listed as one of the greatest heavy metal songs of all time, Paranoid came about largely by accident, being written at the last minute because the album of the same name was too short. Describing a man's depressed state, the 'rapid-fire chugging' of the song was 'a two-minute blast of protopunk', Rolling Stone has said. After leaving Black Sabbath in 1979 and going solo, Osbourne continued to perform the classic at the end of his concerts. 'War Pigs' (1970) Another icon from Paranoid, this is a classic anti-war protest song often associated with the Vietnam War of the period. It was originally entitled Walpurgis — a reference to a satanist festival — but this was changed on the recommendation of Black Sabbath's record company. Described as 'dense' by Rolling Stone magazine, it compares military commanders to 'witches at black masses' and criticises politicians for starting war and 'treating people like pawns'. 'Iron Man' (1970) Black Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler said he wrote the lyrics to this piece, also from Paranoid, when Osbourne described a dark riff by guitarist Tony Iommi as sounding 'like a great iron bloke walking about'. It tells of a man who is unable to communicate and feels rejected, and so wreaks revenge on the world. Osbourne 'gave metal a sense of menace during his first 10-year tour of duty with Black Sabbath, approximating the sound of a nervous breakdown on songs like Paranoid and Iron Man,' Rolling Stone wrote in 2018. 'Crazy Train' (1980) After being sacked by Black Sabbath in 1979 because of his abuse of drugs and alcohol, Osbourne reinvented heavy metal during an epic solo career, 'picking up the pace of his songs and injecting them with baroque noir,' Rolling Stone said. Crazy Train, the first single from his debut solo album Blizzard of Ozz in 1980, deals with the Cold War pitting the West against the Soviet Union, and fears of mutually assured destruction. In 2019, Osbourne was reported by US media, as having complained to US President Donald Trump after the Republican used the song unauthorised in a social media video which mocked the 2020 Democratic Party candidates at a debate. 'I Don't Want to Change the World' (1991) Continuing his successful solo run into the 1990s, I Don't Want to Change the World appeared on the multi-platinum winning No More Tears album — his last before retiring for the first time. Osbourne won a Grammy award for his live performance of the piece in 1993. It deals with the attitude of religious-minded people towards him, and his own views of them. The lyrics say, 'Tell me I'm a sinner / I've got news for you / I spoke to God this morning and he doesn't like you'. — AFP
Malay Mail
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
Fairies wear boots — and one just walked off stage forever: The incredible impact of Ozzy Osbourne
LONDON, July 24 — Ozzy Osbourne, the 'prince of darkness' and godfather of heavy metal, has died aged 76, just weeks after he reunited with Black Sabbath bandmates for a farewell concert in his hometown of Birmingham in England. His family posted a brief message overnight: 'It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning.' John Michael Osbourne changed the sound of rock music and leaves behind a stellar career spanning six decades, numerous Grammy awards, multiple hall of fame inductions — and a wave of controversy. An agent of change In 1969, from the ashes of various bands, Geezer Butler (bass), Tony Iommi (guitar), Bill Ward (drums) and Osbourne formed the band Earth. Realising the name was taken, they quickly changed their name to Black Sabbath, an homage to the 1963 Italian horror anthology film. With the Summer of Love a recent memory, Black Sabbath were part of a heavy music revolution, providing an antidote to the free loving hippies of the late 60s period. Despite making their first two albums cheaply, Black Sabbath, released in February 1970, and Paranoid, released September that same year, they were a global success. Their approach was laden with sarcasm and irony. American audiences mistook this for satanic worship, positioning them as outsiders (albeit popular ones). After Black Sabbath's early successes, they were managed by the notorious Don Arden, whose daughter Sharon Levy was the receptionist. More than any musical bond Osbourne had in his life, Sharon would be the most influential character throughout his life. Osbourne recorded eight albums with Black Sabbath (some to critical acclaim) and was then kicked out (by Sharon) due to his troubles with drugs and alcohol. Ozzy solo Osbourne's solo career has always been managed by Sharon. While recording his second solo album, Diary of a Madman, guitarist Rhodes died in a tragic light plane crash. Osbourne was close to Rhodes and fell into a deep depression, after never having lost someone so close. Sharon and Osbourne married only months after this incident. His struggle with drug use did not stop him from making further solo records alongside various guitar players, continuing with moderate success throughout his career. On the road, Osbourne put the John Farnham's last tour trope to shame. He held his last ever gig more times than one can count with names like No More Tours (1992–93), Retirement Sucks (1995–96) and No More Tours 2 (2018–19). This lament for touring led to the most successful era of Osbourne's career. After being rejected for the 1995 Lollapaloza festival bill, Sharon (and their son Jack) started Ozzfest; initially an annual two-day multiband festival headlined by Osbourne, held in Phoenix, Arizona, and Devore, California. Subsequently becoming a national — and then international — tour, Ozzfest led to a successful partnership with MTV, which led to the reality TV show The Osbournes premiering in 2002. Here, his previous and ongoing battle with drugs was obvious, proudly on display — and ridiculed — to huge global audiences. The spectacle of a rich rockstar and his family, featuring a constant barrage of swearing, battles with lavish TV remotes, canine therapy, never-ending chaos, and Osbourne constantly yelling 'Sharrrooon' like a twisted maniacal loop of A Street Car Named Desire. Struggles and controversies Osbourne suffered multiple health conditions over the years, rarely concealing the state of his physical or mental wellbeing. Notably he's struggled with drug and alcohol abuse his whole career with drug recovery centres using Osbourne as an exemplar. In 2007 he disclosed he suffered from the Parkinson's adjacent condition Parkinsonian syndrome. In 2019 he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. This resulted in him being unable to walk for his final Back to the Beginning show in Birmingham on July 5, 2025. And Osbourne's career had more than its fair share of controversy. He bit the head off a dove and a bat (celebrated with a commemorative toy), and urinated on the Alamo cenotaph. He was taken to court multiple times, but was never convicted. Ozzy and me As a white middle-class boy growing up in the Brisbane suburbs in the 80s, heavy metal music appealed to my testosterone and pimple filled body. Exploring the secondhand record shops of Brisbane, I would've bought my first copy of Black Sabbath around 1985. The sound of thunder and a distant church bell before the first drop-D riff enters seemed like the antithesis to sunny Queensland and 80s pop. As my life became obsessed with the recording studio and the vociferous music scene in Brisbane in the post-Joh era, and those drop-D riffs influenced a new style that swept the world in the early 90s. Osbourne's influence was huge and through grunge, his sound was reborn. Grunge was a marriage of the Sabbath-like drop-D riffs with the energy of punk and the melody of the Beatles. Listening to Black Sabbath and Ozzy records, equipped me with a sonic palette ready to capture the wave of alternative music emerging from the Brisbane scene. While Ozzy's death is no surprise (except for those who never thought he'd last this long), we should take pause and remember an icon with an endless energy for entertaining, a passion for music, and changing the expectations of popular culture for more than 50 years. — Reuters
Fox News
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Rock legend Ozzy Osbourne spent final days with family in England home: report
Ozzy Osbourne's final days in England are being shared. The Prince of Darkness died Tuesday, July 22, after battling a number of health issues over the years. He was 76. The Black Sabbath singer was at "peace" before his death, and was "surrounded by family" before he passed, according to People magazine. "[Sharon's] deepest hope was fulfilled, and this is her focus now," a source told the outlet. "Ozzy's final days were spent in England, surrounded by family, music and in the place he called home. He was in peace," the source added. Two weeks before his death, Ozzy 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. During his final show on July 5 at Villa Park, Osbourne expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support as the band, including Tony Iommi, Terence "Geezer" Butler and Bill Ward, performed together for the first time in 20 years. For the closing set, the legendary rock star was lifted to the stage while sitting on a black throne accompanied by skulls and topped with a black bat. He sang hits like "Crazy Train" and "Mama I'm Coming Home" while remaining seated during the entire set. "You have no idea how I feel," Osbourne told the crowd. "Thank you from the bottom of my heart." An insider told the outlet, "That show meant everything. It brought his career full circle." Ozzy's sisters, Jean Powell and Gillian Hemming, recalled the last time they saw their brother was before his final concert. "He was frail, but it still came as a shock," Powell told The Mirror about her brother's death. She wasn't aware of the "details of his death," but was very "thankful he died in England." She noted that her last conversation with her brother was ahead of his Black Sabbath farewell performance. "I got a text from him as he drove down Lodge Road, where we used to live near the stadium," Powell said. "He said he couldn't believe all the crowds were walking down our old street to watch him perform." Powell added, "It was upsetting because he could not stand up straight, but he was still our John, still cracking the jokes." The 10-hour show was hosted by Jason Momoa and featured performances from Metallica, Guns N' Roses, Jack Black, Steven Tyler and others. At one point during the show, which was livestreamed in the U.K., legendary drummers, including Tool's Danny Carey, Red Hot Chili Peppers' Chad Smith and Blink-182's Travis Barker, battled with their drumsticks while playing a cover of Sabbath's "Symptom of the Universe." After his death, the Osbournes released a statement to Fox News Digital. "It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning. He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family's privacy at this time." Osbourne is survived by wife Sharon, daughters Kelly and Aimee and son Jack, in addition to daughter Jessica and sons Elliot and Louis from his first marriage to Thelma Riley.
News.com.au
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Medics ‘worked for hours' to save Ozzy Osbourne
New details have emerged of rock legend Ozzy Osbourne's death, with a report that paramedics 'worked for hours' to save the ailing star's life, after rushing to his mansion via helicopter. The Daily Mail reports that a Thames Valley air ambulance landed in a field near Osbourne's English countryside mansion at 10:30am Tuesday, local time, with medics rushing inside to respond to the call for help. The outlet claimed the medics attempted worked for two hours to try and save the 76-year-old rocker's life, but to no avail. 'We can confirm that our helicopter was dispatched to provide advanced critical care at an incident near Chalfont St Giles yesterday,' a spokesperson for Thames Valley air ambulance confirmed to the Daily Mail. Osbourne's family released a statement yesterday announcing his death and revealing that the rock legend was 'with his family and surrounded by love' as he passed. 'It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning,' the statement read. 'He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time.' It was signed: 'Sharon, Jack, Kelly, Aimee and Louis.' Osbourne, known as the 'Prince of Darkness' for his wild on stage antics, performed his final gig with his Black Sabbath bandmates just this month on 5 July in Villa Park in Birmingham. The band – including Osbourne, Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi and Bill Ward – played a short five-song set, which was touted as 'the greatest heavy metal show ever'. At the time, he made it clear it would be his final performance as a result of his deteriorating health related to Parkinson's disease, which he'd first opened up about in 2020. It was the first time he had performed with Black Sabbath for 20 years. Osbourne's death came just days after his daughter Kelly had publicly railed against a cruel A.I. video circulating online, showing an AI-generated likeness of her father announcing that he was 'dying', and that he'd made peace with the fact doctors couldn't offer him any help. 'What the f**k is wrong with you people?' Kelly asked. 'Why would you spend your time making a video like this?' Osbourne, 40, insisted that her father was 'not dying,' adding, 'Yes, he has Parkinson's, and yes, his mobility is completely different than it used to be, but he's not dying.'
Yahoo
6 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.'
