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Ozzy Osbourne: Legacy of a Madman
A look at the career and music of the most important man in metal history.
On October 19th, 2024, Ozzy Osbourne finally took his rightful place as a solo artist in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Zakk Wylde, Wolfgang Van Halen (son of Edward), and Tool’s Maynard James Keenan, among others, paid their respects by performing three of his classic songs. Ozzy regaled his subjects with a short and humble speech from a throne befitting the Prince of Darkness.
It was a poignant scene, and I’ll admit to getting a little choked up. Ozzy’s health has been an issue recently, and it showed. When he eventually moves on to the other side, it will be tough for the metal community.
It is not an exaggeration to say that no person in history has done more to shape heavy metal than Ozzy Osbourne. Legends like Ronnie James Dio and Lemmy Kilmister deserve their appropriate reverence, but Ozzy was there in the beginning.
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