News broke this morning (July 23) that Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary frontman of Black Sabbath and pioneer of heavy metal in his own right, has died.
The Morning Rumble found out the devastating news while on-air this morning, and Bryce quickly penned a heartfelt tribute for the late legend:
The Prince of Darkness once sang, “No more tears.” However, sadly, around the world today, there will be plenty.
As he performed from a throne on stage at Villa Park less than three weeks ago, Osbourne told fans, “You've got no idea how I feel. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Ozzy Osbourne, the Godfather and the pioneer of heavy metal with his band, Black Sabbath, started in 1968.
He was fired 11 years later from the band but that didn't matter because Ozzy launched an extraordinary solo career, releasing 13 solo albums.
Ozzy Osbourne sold over 100 million albums, has Hollywood Stars, and Global Icon Awards. He had it all.
And most importantly, to Ozzy, he had family. You are his family.
He had a new kind of fame at the start of the century, with the launch of MTV Reality Show, ‘The Osbournes’, which followed Ozzy and his wife Sharon, their kids, Kelly and Jack, in a hectic Hollywood house, launching 'em on a global stage to a new horde of fans.
He was inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame, the US Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, for both Black Sabbath and as a solo artist.
As a child who grew up in times of poverty in Birmingham, Ozzy struggled with dyslexia and instead of fighting the teasing and the bullying, he gave in to his nickname. ‘Ozzy’ became his stage name years later, and his dyslexia became the reason that music became Ozzy’s life.
Ozzy was a survivor. He died twice and had many other close calls. And while many may have laughed or scoffed at his demeanor, make no mistake, Ozzy Osborne remains sharp as a sword.
Ozzy Osborne, the epitome not of a ‘rock star’, but of a Rock God. The guy who seemingly could never die, who bit bats’ heads, snorted ants.
There's a great Sabbath song called ‘God Is Dead’ and for many today, it may feel that way.
A true part of the furniture here at The Rock, the first name on any Mount Rushmore list.
You mean so much to so many people. It's the unbelievable thing about a musician like you, that even though we don't know you personally, we feel like we do.
It's an extraordinary gift to share your art and have it mean so much and have such an impact on so many people.
‘Legend’, the word gets overused, not with you.
It's moments, it's memories. It's family. Ozzy, The ultimate Hell Raiser.
Thank you for letting us ride that crazy train.
Bryce Casey.
