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Our History Of The Ozzy Osbourne Black Sabbath Years looks back at the catalog and story behind the years that Ozzy Osbourne spent as the lead vocalist of Black Sabbath. For many fans, especially those of Ozzy Osbourne, it’s hard to separate Ozzy Osbourne from Black Sabbath. They are thought of as one of the most important groups in classic rock history that sparked the genre of metal music. Just about every band that has come after them from Soundgarden to Metallica and more have referenced Black Sabbath as one of their most important influences. Of course, Black Sabbath has shined with many other lead vocalists, especially the years with Ronnie James Dio. Nonetheless, this article takes a look at the Black Sabbath Ozzy Osbourne years.
About Ozzy Osbourne
Born as John Michael Osbourne on December 3, 1948, the man fans identify with as Ozzy Osbourne officially began his music career in 1967 as he hooked up with Geezer Butler and Tony Iommi to form a band that would eventually call themselves Black Sabbath. Born and raised in Birmingham, England, Ozzy Osbourne served as the band’s lead singer that had a total of eight studio albums recorded and released between 1970 and 1978. From 1979 until 1997, he enjoyed a solo career before reuniting with his former bandmates. In 2013, as the lead singer for Black Sabbath again, 13 was released as the group’s final studio album. This was followed by a farewell tour before officially disbanding in 2017.
The span of Ozzy Osbourne’s career has labeled him as “Prince of Darkness,” a moniker he earned for himself as the frontman of Black Sabbath. As his own man, he’s also seen as the godfather of heavy metal. Speaking as a fan, where would heavy metal be if it wasn’t for Ozzy Osbourne? Aside from his accomplishments as Black Sabbath’s lead singer, Ozzy Osbourne enjoyed a successful solo career. With seven of his thirteen studio albums released that achieved multi-platinum status worldwide, it’s safe to say Osbourne earned his place as one of the best-selling recording artists of all time.
In addition to enjoying such a stellar musical career, Ozzy Osbourne has also enjoyed the status of television celebrity, thanks to The Osbournes. This was a reality television show that ran from 2002 until 2006. Fans got to see a whole new side to someone who was attempting to live his life out like any other human being. He, along with Sharon Osbourne and their children, was one of the favorite families to watch in the form of reality TV while it ran on the air.
Going Black
Although Black Sabbath began as a band in 1968, this wasn’t the name they started out with. Once upon a time, they were known as Earth before realizing another British-based band had that as well. Out of necessity, the founding members of Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi, and Ozzy Osbourne realized they needed to change Earth into something else. In 1969, the inspiration behind the group’s new name came to Butler while he was doing a rehearsal in a studio that was across the street from a theater. At the time, it featured a 1963 horror flick, Black Sabbath. It was observed with fascination how so many people would stand in line just to watch a scary movie. This, however, marked the beginning of a musical era that started with the band doing more than simply changing its name. They also shifted from a heavy blues music style to something darker.
When the band made its debut with its first album in 1970, the critics seemed unsure of what to make of it. The fans, however, loved it. The timing of Black Sabbath’s influence in the music industry eventually cast them as the pioneers of the musical genre of heavy metal. In addition to the release of their self-titled debut album in 1970, there was also Paranoid. This would become Black Sabbath’s most popular studio recording as it became a multi-platinum seller worldwide. In 1971, Master of Reality was released to a growing fan base that loved Osbourne’s vocal performance, as well as the musical style delivered by the British-based band.
By the time 1973’s Sabbath Bloody Sabbath was released, Black Sabbath’s critics finally started to come around as heavy metal music continued to make strides as rock and roll’s subgenre. As time continued to wear on, Black Sabbath reached the height of its popularity as one of the most recognizable British bands, along with Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin. Clean through the first half of the 1970s, these three bands dominated hard rock and heavy metal that wasn’t limited to the UK audience. Their popularity was worldwide. By the time 1973’s Sabbath Bloody Sabbath was released, the music critics seemed to come around, as well as mainstream media. After this, it was Sabotage, which was released in 1975. Black Sabbath fans may recall Sabotage as a rather angry recording compared to the rest of the group’s worth. This was due to the legal dispute that raged on between the band and their previous management as they felt they were sabotaged from every angle. Sabotage was used as an album for each band member to pour out everything that was eating away at them.
Goodbye Ozzy
The 1970s was a wild decade for Black Sabbath, the music industry, and Ozzy Osbourne. Over time, his abuse of drugs and alcohol began to take its toll. This never really became a big issue until after Osbourne’s motorcycle accident in November 1975. Not only did this shorten Black Sabbath’s road tour at the time but inflicted enough injury to Osbourne that there was a need for painkillers. At one point, the situation became severe enough that Osbourne briefly quit Black Sabbath without notice in 1977. He returned in 1978 but that return was also short-lived as the passion he once upon a time felt in 1970 was no longer there. In order to fill the void, his reliance on drugs and alcohol in order to cope was compromising his ability to perform.
By 1979, his bandmates had enough and kicked him out of the lineup. Replacing him as lead singer was Ronnie James Dio. After this, Black Sabbath was never the same as Osbourne’s departure also led to a series of lineup changes. As it turned out, Osbourne wasn’t the only member of Black Sabbath that had to deal with personal demons. Interestingly enough, while Black Sabbath dealt with these issues, Ozzy Osbourne’s career as a solo artist really took off in a positive direction. By then, most of his own personal demons were dealt with, which he credits to the loving support of his wife, Sharon Osbourne.
Black Sabbath’s Legacy
Going into the 21st century, Black Sabbath has since been inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame, as well as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They were also presented with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019. The legacy of Black Sabbath continues as the impression they left on their fans was inspiring enough for some of them to burst out as recording artists themselves.
Black Sabbath’s Paranoid marked the start of an era that seemed to wake up the global audience to a musical style much heavier than what was played previously. Hard rock and heavy metal music not only added so much energy to an industry that thrived in the 1970s but served as cultural influences that would keep rocking the world to this day. Before bands like Diamond Head, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Metallica and so many more, there was Black Sabbath. What Black Sabbath did to classic rock was blast open doors that didn’t exist before. While Ozzy Osbourne was with the lineup, he started a revolution that would evolve into something that did so much more than dictate the direction of pop culture.
Black Sabbath Studio Albums With Ozzy Osbourne
Black Sabbath
Album was originally released on February 13, 1970
CD Track Listings:
1. Black Sabbath (6:20)
2. The Wizard (4:24)
3. Behind The Wall Of Sleep (3:37)
4. N.I.B. (6:08)
5. Evil Woman (3:25)
6. Sleeping Village (3:46)
7. Warning (10:28)
Paranoid
Album was originally released on September 18, 1970
CD Track Listings:
1. War Pigs (7:56)
2. Paranoid (2:49)
3. Planet Caravan (4:25)
4. Iron Man (5:55)
5. Electric Funeral (4:49)
6. Hand Of Doom (7:08)
7. Rat Salad (2:30)
8. Fairies Wear Boots (6:14)
Master of Reality
Album was originally released on July 21, 1971
CD Track Listings:
1. Sweet Leaf (5:05)
2. After Forever (5:27)
3. Embryo (0:45)
4. Children Of The Grave (5:00)
5. Orchid (1:30)
6. Lord Of This World (5:26)
7. Solitude (5:02)
8. Into The Void (6:13)
Vol. 4
Album was originally released on September 25, 1972
CD Track Listings:
1. Wheels Of Confusion / The Straightener (8:02)
2. Tomorrow’s Dream (3:13)
3. Changes (4:45)
4. FX (1:43)
5. Supernaut (4:39)
6. Snowblind (5:34)
7. Cornucopia (3:54)
8. Laguna Sunrise (2:56)
9. St. Vitus’ Dance (2:29)
10. Under The Sun / Every Day Comes And Goes (5:51)
Sabbath Bloody Sabbath
Album was originally released in November 1973
CD Track Listings:
1. Wheels Of Confusion / The Straightener (8:02)
2. Tomorrow’s Dream (3:13)
3. Changes (4:45)
4. FX (1:43)
5. Supernaut (4:39)
6. Snowblind (5:34)
7. Cornucopia (3:54)
8. Laguna Sunrise (2:56)
9. St. Vitus’ Dance (2:29)
10. Under The Sun / Every Day Comes And Goes (5:51)
Sabotage
Album was originally released on July 28, 1975
CD Track Listings:
1. Hole In The Sky (3:59)
2. Don’t Start (Too Late) (0:49)
3. Symptom Of The Universe (6:28)
4. Megalomania (9:40)
5. The Thrill Of It All (5:54)
6. Supertzar (3:43)
7. Am I Going Insane (Radio) (4:15)
8. The Writ (8:10)
Technical Ecstasy
Album was originally released on September 25, 1976
CD Track Listings:
1. Back Street Kids (3:49)
2. You Won’t Change Me (6:44)
3. It’s Alright (4:06)
4. Gypsy (5:11)
5. All Moving Parts (Stand Still) (5:06)
6. Rock ‘N’ Roll Doctor (3:34)
7. She’s Gone (4:57)
8. Dirty Women (7:08)
Never Say Die!
Album was originally released on September 28, 1978
CD Track Listings:
1. Never Say Die (3:49)
2. Johnny Blade (6:28)
3. Junior’s Eyes (6:42)
4. A Hard Road (6:06)
5. Shock Wave (5:16)
6. Air Dance (5:17)
7. Over To You (5:24)
8. Breakout (2:35)
9. Swinging The Chain (4:07)
13 – (The final Ozzy Osbourne Black Sabbath Studio Album)
Album was originally released on
CD Track Listings:
1. End Of The Beginning (8:07)
2. God Is Dead? (8:54)
3. Loner (5:06)
4. Zeitgeist (4:28)
5. Age Of Reason (7:02)
6. Live Forever (4:49)
7. Damaged Soul (7:43)
8. Dear Father (7:06)
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