Ozzy Osbourne Just Wanted to Get…see more
In the latest episode of Rolling Stone Music Now, Ozzy Osbourne’s life and legacy are explored in depth, following his passing on July 22 at the age of 76. Known as one of the most iconic and influential figures in heavy metal, Osbourne also harbored a surprising sense of insecurity. Despite his fame and impact, he often felt unworthy of success—an attitude shaped by a difficult and impoverished upbringing. According to Rolling Stone journalist Kory Grow, who joins host Brian Hiatt on the episode, this feeling of inadequacy not only contributed to Osbourne’s battles with substance abuse but also fueled his drive to constantly improve and achieve more. “He didn’t think he was a winner,” Grow notes, “and I think that mentality really pushed him forward.”
The episode traces Osbourne’s entire journey—from his early years with Black Sabbath to his eventual solo stardom. It recounts the groundbreaking moment when he and his bandmates unintentionally helped invent heavy metal music. Interestingly, much of Black Sabbath’s dark and ominous image was not something the band deliberately cultivated. For example, the eerie church bells that open their song “Black Sabbath” were added by a producer without the band’s prior input. Similarly, the upside-down cross in the album’s artwork came as a shock to them. All members had Christian backgrounds and were actually uneasy around occult themes—so much so that they found films like The Exorcist unsettling.
The podcast also revisits Osbourne’s departure from Black Sabbath in the late 1970s. This significant turning point led to the birth of his solo career, which gained momentum thanks to his collaboration with the late guitar virtuoso Randy Rhoads. From that point on, Osbourne’s solo work achieved widespread acclaim and commercial success. Grow, who had multiple interviews with Osbourne over the years, provides a personal insight into the singer’s later life and health struggles.
When Osbourne made a return to the stage in 2022, Grow recalls him being in good spirits and hoping to perform more than just a couple of songs at his concerts. However, the rock legend also openly shared how physically difficult things had become. He dealt with severe mobility issues and often spoke of the challenges he faced. In each successive interview, Grow observed that Osbourne’s voice grew weaker, though his mental sharpness remained intact.
- Despite his declining health, Osbourne managed one final performance shortly before his death. He appeared in his hometown of Birmingham, England, for a massive farewell charity event titled Back to the Beginning. Seated on a throne, he performed solo material and even reunited with Black Sabbath one last time. The event was a celebration of his lasting impact, featuring tributes from major rock and metal acts like Tool, Metallica, and Guns N’ Roses. As Grow puts it, their participation reflected just how much Osbourne meant to the genre. “That speaks volumes,” he said, “that these bands would come together to honor Ozzy’s legacy and the music he gave the world.”
