Goodnight to the Prince of Darkness: The End of a Metal Era

 “No More Tears” plays on my phone, and yet the tears keep coming. There will be many more for the loss of an absolute legend.

Ozzy Osbourne’s impact on music and culture as a whole cannot be overstated. What he accomplished in the early days of Black Sabbath, alongside three equally talented friends, was nothing short of revolutionary. Together, they gave birth to a genre that made space for the outcasts, the macabre, the ones drawn to darker chords that literally create a sense of doom in your brain. Metal would not exist today (at least not in the form we know and love) without the groundwork Sabbath laid.

Even after his departure from the band, with the unwavering guidance of a woman who loved him fiercely—Ozzy went on to carve out an astounding solo career.

For nearly 60 years, Ozzy has been part of the cultural zeitgeist. Between Black Sabbath and his solo work, his songs are recognizable to nearly everyone, metalhead or not. For many of us, though, it was The Osbournes reality show that introduced him. It was a staple in my home growing up, and like a lot of folks around my age, that’s where my love for Ozzy began. The music came later.

Through that show, we got a rare glimpse behind the curtain. The Prince of Darkness turned out to be a devoted father whose love for his kids always came first and shined through. His marriage to Sharon had its ups and downs, but I fully believe that without her, we wouldn’t have had Ozzy for as long as we did. And who knows what would’ve happened with his solo career? Together, they built an empire.

The metal community mourns deeply today. We've lost our godfather, but the music, the legacy, and the massive influence he had on generations of artists and fans will always remain.

Rest easy, Ozzy. I hope you’re raising hell on the other side. Maybe one day we’ll share a beer.
Rock on forever.