| English singer and composer Date of Birth: 03.12.1948 Country: Great Britain |
John Michael Osbourne was born in Birmingham, England, on December 3, 1948, to Lilian and John Thomas Osbourne. As the fourth of six siblings, he grew up in a modest three-bedroom house where his parents worked at General Electric. Osbourne's nickname, "Ozzy," was bestowed upon him during his childhood.
From an early age, Osbourne was captivated by music, particularly inspired by The Beatles. After leaving school at age 15, he worked in various odd jobs before trying out for a band called Music Machine, performing in only two concerts. He then formed The Polka Tulk Blues Band, which evolved into Earth before finally settling on the name Black Sabbath in 1969.
Black Sabbath emerged as one of the pioneers of heavy metal music. Their self-titled debut album (1970) is considered a genre classic, while "Paranoid" (1970) propelled them to international fame with songs like "War Pigs" and "Iron Man." Osbourne contributed significantly to their success with his distinctive vocals and on-stage antics.
After leaving Black Sabbath in 1977, Osbourne embarked on a successful solo career. His 1980 album "Blizzard of Ozz" featured the iconic anthem "Crazy Train." Subsequent albums like "Diary of a Madman" (1981) and "No More Tears" (1991) solidified his status as a heavy metal legend.
Osbourne's wild lifestyle and public scandals became synonymous with his image. He struggled with substance abuse and engaged in bizarre on-stage behaviors, such as biting the head off a dove and throwing pieces of flesh into the crowd. Osbourne has also been in several high-profile relationships, including his marriage to Sharon Arden, who became his manager and played a pivotal role in his career.
Osbourne is widely regarded as the "Godfather of Heavy Metal." His groundbreaking contributions to the genre, along with his influential vocals and enigmatic persona, have earned him a place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and numerous industry accolades. Osbourne continues to release music and tour, cementing his legacy as one of the most iconic figures in rock history.