OZZY
The Prince of Darkness Lives On
John Michael Osbourne • 1948-2025 • Forever in Our Hearts
The Prince of Darkness Lives On
Born John Michael Osbourne on December 3, 1948, in Birmingham, England, Ozzy's journey from a working-class kid to the Prince of Darkness is nothing short of legendary. His raw, powerful voice and magnetic stage presence would captivate millions around the world.
Ozzy's career spans over five decades, working with legendary musicians including Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward in Black Sabbath. His solo career featured collaborations with Randy Rhoads, Zakk Wylde, Jake E. Lee, and countless other guitar virtuosos who helped shape heavy metal forever.
Beyond the darkness and theatrics, Ozzy's vulnerability and humanity touched millions. His struggles with addiction, his love for his family, and his perseverance through Parkinson's disease showed fans that even rock gods face real battles. His music became a beacon of hope for outcasts and misfits worldwide.
Ozzy's battles with substance abuse and mental health were as public as they were personal. His journey to sobriety, his openness about his struggles, and his eventual triumph over his demons inspired countless fans facing their own darkness. He proved that redemption is always possible.
The Osbournes TV show revealed Ozzy's loving family side, showing the world that behind the Prince of Darkness was a devoted husband to Sharon and father to Kelly, Jack, and Aimee. His love for animals, his humor, and his genuine kindness contradicted his dark persona in the most beautiful way.
Even as Parkinson's disease challenged his mobility, Ozzy's desire to perform never wavered. His final live performances were emotional triumphs, proving that the fire within him could never be extinguished. He got his wish to rock one last time, leaving fans with unforgettable memories.
"I have a genuine love affair with my audience. When I'm on stage they're not privileged to see me. It's a privilege for me to see them!"
Today, the world feels colder. A part of my soul, our collective soul was ripped away with the passing of Ozzy Osbourne. And while the headlines may call him the "Prince of Darkness," to me, he was so much more: a voice, a light, a friend I never truly knew but somehow always did.
I saw Ozzy live over 30 times, and every single show was a storm of magic. But nothing compares to the very first time with Randy Rhoads beside him. That night still burns in my memory like it happened yesterday. The chemistry between them, the sheer rawness, the unchained power they weren’t just performing; they were channeling something bigger. It was a spiritual awakening for me, and I knew at that moment I’d follow that voice anywhere. And I did.
Through decades. Through different bands, different albums, changing eras but always the same Ozzy: honest, wild, and unapologetically human. I even had the honor of meeting him once in the early '90s. Just for a moment. But at that moment, I saw past the myth, the media, the madness. I saw a real man gracious, gentle, and humble. He thanked me for being a fan. What he didn’t know is that I had spent years thanking him silently every time his music lifted me when nothing else could.
Ozzy didn’t just sing about insanity, love, war, and the afterlife. He lived through it. He carried a whole generation of us who felt like outcasts, who needed someone to scream with, someone to feel with. He showed us that even broken souls can be beautiful, that scars are stories, and that the darkest nights can still echo with music.
Now he’s gone. But somehow, he’s more eternal than ever. Ozzy, thank you for the sound, the fire, the truth. Thank you for Randy, for Sabbath, for Diary and No More Tears, for that mad laughter, for surviving when no one thought you would, and for showing us all how to live on our own terms. You weren’t just a legend. You were ours.
🤘Rest loud, brother. See you on the other side. 🤘
Brian Wilson: A lifelong fan til his dying breathe RIP OZZY