Farwell to Ozzy

So, I know it’s taken some time to do this. Some of which are due to time restraints, resulting from classes, and others are due to processing. Ozzy snuck into my life in 1986; the tape was Bark at the Moon. I got it and remembered hiding it under my bed, terrified at what my mother would say. From the first chords of the cassette, I was hooked. I had always been into Metal, be it KISS or Twisted Sister, I was a fan. But this is Ozzy we're talking about—one of the Godfathers of Metal. I didn’t hold back after that, as I rented The Ultimate Sin concert video from the local video store, and my father first learned I was listening to it. While I didn’t get Sin, I did buy No Rest for the Wicked, on vinyl, nonetheless. I remember putting on my headphones, lying on the couch, and listening to the glory of the record. If Bark started the love of Ozzy, Sin continued it, and Wicked sealed the deal.

            One of the cassettes that I had on heavy rotation, during my long treks home from school, was No More Tears. It was that album that made me realize my love of the bass guitar, and I eventually picked one up. I wanted to have a rhythm section like Ozzy’s. The standout song for me was the title track. I fell in love with the bass line and what Mike Inez accomplished throughout the whole record. The chemistry between him and Randy Castillo was glorious. (Why are there only pictures of Randy Rhodes and Ozzy reuniting and not drummer Randy?) I even had my father buy me my first band shirt, which was Ozzy’s No Rest for the Wicked. Sadly, dumbass me would accidentally bleach the shirt and ruin it, or so I thought. It wasn’t black anymore, that was for sure, but it looked like smoke. So, I wore it until it fell apart.

            Overall, I’d have to say my favorite Ozzy song must be “Perry Mason,” for two reasons. First, the bass line is killer! I can’t help but keep counting when I hear it. The other reason was that it was heavily rotated on Rock 103.5 here in Chicago at the time, and I had just met my wife. So, those songs from 1995 mean something to me. As of September 11, 2025, my wife and I will have been together for 30 years. Hard to believe that song is the same age. While my favorite bands had changed three times under Ozzy, almost in quick succession, he remained constant. He’s even part of my playlist that I write to. It’s hard to write when he comes on because you want to rock out to him.

            Ozzy’s been a massive part of my life for nearly forty years, and I can’t believe that the music has ended—so many great songs. The Oz-man was a once-in-a-lifetime performer, singer, and songwriter. He changed the industry in a way none of us can ever explain. He and Sabbath are the reasons why I am the way I am, listening to the groups I do. When I was younger, I used to laugh when the cashiers would mistake me for him. I took that as an honor. Now, I look like an older George Romero when I don’t shave and let my hair grow. (I’ve been dying it black since 1993) One thing can be said about Oz: he lived a whole life! That man lived and went out the way he wanted to. I saw Back to the Beginning, and except for Axel's voice, the entire thing was great. What a way to honor the Prince of Darkness.

            Thank you, Ozzy, from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for being there, even when you're not. Your music has soothed and helped me through many dark times. It saddens me that there’ll never be any new music from you, at least, not until I pass on to the next realm with you. I hope you and both Randy’s are jamming with Cliff Burton, that would be one hell of a lineup. So, with a heavy heart, and yes, I’ve been listening to Ozzy the whole time I’ve been writing this, I’ll bid my fellow monarch a bitter farewell. I might not like it, but you deserve the peace you seek. Thank you again for being there when I needed you. Thank you!

K