Ozzy Osbourne, who has passed away at seventy six, refuted his ‘national treasure ‘ status- he was far too rebellious for that. The Brummie rock legend was most recently known for his warped reality show The Osbournes but he’ll first and foremost always be the game changing frontman of Black Sabbath, heavy metal band and an iconic solo artist.
For me though, it was his zingers. The man was never PC, but often hilarious. When asked if he spoke to his wife during sex, he quipped, “Only if she phones in the middle of it”. Ouch! About tattoos, he opined, “If you really want to be individual, don’t get one. Everyone’s got a tattoo nowadays” . And he could laugh at himself too, which was endearing. “I’ve got a little demon in me that keeps me drinking”, he once said, ” I’m the Dean Martin of heavy metal”.
Getty images.
He had a tough upbringing, for sure. Raised in Aston, part of a big working- class family, he survived sexual violence as a kid, and horrible bullying, probably partly due to his dyslexia, and became an addict in his teens. Stories of his substance abuse were widespread, and his erratic behaviour on and off stage, but he got clean and sober in 2013 after a lifelong battle.
Sadly he became diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2019. He was one of rock’s most recognisable singers. What presence, what a sense of humour. We need more unfiltered characters like Ozzy these days. Rest in peace, John Michael Osbourne, you were a one-off.
Hit The North 
hi. I didn’t know much about him. it’s heartbreaking to learn that he was battling such a terrible disease. from what you’ve shared it sounds like he lived his life fully, on his own terms and with great strength. he will be remembered fondly by many, and his impact won’t be forgotten.
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They broke the mould with Ozzy. Black Sabbath were amazing, so influential
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I had no idea the correlation between their music and punk until a friend pointed that out to me and had me listen to Master of Reality once, in about 1993. Will never forget that listen. Went back to it with vigor this week too, that album. Has been fun spinning through those first handful. I think I’ll keep going. Thanks for this loving ode!
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The film, God Bless Ozzy Osbourne, screened at the weekend too here in the UK. Very touching and funny film. Sabbath rules!
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