The legacy of Ozzy Osbourne, the 'Prince of Darkness' who changed heavy metal

Ozzy Osbourne , who died this Tuesday at the age of 76, was a key figure in the history of rock, recognized for redefining heavy metal with a deep, dark sound that established him as the legendary Prince of Darkness.

Born John Michael Osbourne on 3 December 1948 in Aston, Birmingham, central England , Osbourne left school at 15 and worked in various jobs before joining his childhood friends to form the group that would change music forever.

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In 1968 , together with Tony Iommi, 'Geezer' Butler and Bill Ward , he founded Black Sabbath , a transgressive group that became a benchmark of hard rock, with anthems such as 'Paranoid', 'War Pigs' and 'Iron Man' and that sold more than 70 million records.

The band captured themes of war, social chaos and the supernatural in their lyrics, marking a before and after in rock music, with powerful riffs, dark atmospheres and memorable performances, such as when they bit the head off a bat in 1982 .

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He later explained that it was actually an accident, that he thought it was a rubber toy that had been thrown at him on stage, and that he had to be treated for rabies.

With a raspy voice and a defiant attitude, the musician proclaimed himself the Prince of Darkness , a nickname that stuck, matching his black hair, pale complexion and dark glasses.

His departure from Black Sabbath - which had initially been called The Polka Tulk Blues Band - in 1979, due to internal tensions and personal problems, did not slow down his career.

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He launched a successful solo career with more than a dozen albums, including 'Blizzard of Ozz' (1980), which includes classics such as 'Crazy Train' and 'Mr. Crowley' , which captivated several generations.

These years include albums such as 'Bark at the Moon' (1983), 'No Rest For The Wicked' (1988) and 'No More Tears' (1991) , all of which are references in the genre.

In the 1990s, Ozzy and his wife and manager Sharon Osbourne also founded Ozzfest, one of the most successful music festivals held in the United States and some European countries.

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The singer, who suffered from several addictions, also made a name for himself in popular culture with the reality show The Osbournes from 2002 to 2005, which depicted the chaotic yet authentic everyday life with Sharon and their children Jack and Kelly at their home in Los Angeles (United States).

Since 1997, Osbourne has reunited with Black Sabbath on several occasions , most recently on July 5 at the 'Back to the Beginning' concert at Villa Park, home to his beloved football team Aston Villa , where numerous stars paid tribute to him.

Diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2019, he performed sitting on a black throne, accompanied by colleagues such as Anthrax, Metallica and Guns N' Roses .

Ozzy Osbourne was one of the most successful artists of all time, with five Grammys and 12 nominations throughout his career , but his legacy transcends music.

The Birmingham native leaves an indelible mark on global musical culture, remembered as an innovator, rebel, and rock icon, along with an intriguing and ironic personality.

EFE