“There would be no metal without you”: Jack White, Tom Morello and the guitar world react to the passing of Ozzy Osbourne
Founding Black Sabbath vocalist and overall metal legend Ozzy Osbourne has died at the age of 76, just weeks after performing his farewell show with the band. His family released a statement today reading, “It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning. He was with his family and surrounded by love.”
Osbourne leaves behind an immense and totally incomparable musical legacy. Ozzy joined forces with bassist Geezer Butler in 1967. The band had recruited guitarist Tony Iommi and drummer Bill Ward and officially landed on the name Black Sabbath by 1969.
Across the 1970s, Sabbath’s music formed the basis of an entire genre. A driving rhythm section, massive guitar riffs and Ozzy’s wail all formed the basis for heavy metal as we know it, driving hard rock into darker, doomier territory. There’s a reason that so many huge names from the world of metal came out for Black Sabbath’s farewell show – it’s undeniable that without Ozzy, Geezer, Tony and Bill, metal as we know it would not exist.
Aside from forging an entire genre, Ozzy also had a keen eye for guitar talent. He used his solo material to highlight some incredible guitar talent, from Randy Rhoades and Jake E Lee, to Zakk Wylde and Gus G.
Tributes have begun flooding in from the guitar world, with artists from metal and rock and, indeed, far wider, honouring the Prince of Darkness and his impact on music.
“I just can’t believe it,” writes Ozzy’s Black Sabbath bandmate Tony Iommi. “My dear, dear friend Ozzy has passed away only weeks after our show at Villa Park. It’s just such heartbreaking news that I can’t really find the words, there won’t ever be another like him. Geezer, Bill and myself have lost our brother.”
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A post shared by Tony Iommi (@tonyiommi)
Metallica, who performed at Sabbath’s farewell show at Villa Park, have made no secret over the years that they wouldn’t exist without Black Sabbath. In their tribute post, they share an image of James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett, Lars Ulrich and Cliff Burton with Ozzy.
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“RIP Prince of Darkness,” writes Smashing Pumpkins guitarist Kiki Wong. “Thank you for all you’ve given back to the world. There would be no metal without you.”
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A post shared by KIKI WONG (@kikiwongo)
Tom Morello, who served as the Musical Director for Back to the Beginning, writes simply: “God bless you Ozzy.”
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A post shared by Tom Morello (@tommorello)
Ozzy’s influence stretched far and wide, not only inspiring legends like Metallica to play music, but younger acts like Yungblud, too. In his tribute post, he writes: “You were so full of life and your laugh filled up the room…
“I will never forget you – you will be in every single note I sing and with me every single time I walk on stage. Your cross around my neck is the most precious thing I own. You asked me once if there was anything you could do for me and as I said then and as I will say now for all of us the music was enough. You took us on your adventure – an adventure that started it all. I am truly heartbroken. You were the greatest of all time.”
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Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready reflects on the time he discovered Black Sabbath in high school. “War Pigs as terrifying and mesmerizing at the same time,” he says.
“It was Ozzy’s voice that took me away to a dark universe. A great escape. Then when The ‘Blizzard of Ozz’ record came out I was instantly a fan. Randy Rhoads was an influence on me to play lead guitar. Luckily I got to play on the song “Immortal” on the last record. Thanks for the music, Ozzy – it makes our journey in life better.”
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Jack White’s tribute meanwhile, uses few words, but says it all: “He made it.”
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A post shared by Jack White (@officialjackwhite)
Tributes have also come from the likes of Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood, blues guitarist Jared James Nichols, Tetrarch’s Diamond Rowe and Sophie Lloyd, who reshares a video of her covering Sabbath classic Paranoid.
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A post shared by Ronnie Wood (@ronniewood)
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A post shared by Jared James Nichols (@jaredjamesnichols)
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A post shared by Diamond Rose Rowe (@tetrarchdiamond)
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A post shared by Sophie Lloyd (@sophieguitar_)
This is devastating news,” says Joe Bonamassa. “A one of a kind singer, artist, personality and larger than life performer. I had the privilege of playing a solo on his Undercover album 20 years ago. I will always consider that as one of the great honors of my life.”
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A post shared by Joe Bonamassa (@joebonamassa)
Rest in peace Ozzy your music and creativity will be dearly missed,” adds YouTuber Rob Chapman. “Some of my earliest musical memories were from Black Sabbath… even my first vinyl records after I bought Postman Pat were the first four Sabbath albums… Amazing that [his] farewell gig raised so much for charity as well – one incredible family.”
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Slipknot frontman Corey Taylor has expressed his sorrow at Ozzy’s death, writing on his Instagram story: “Without Ozzy, there is no me. My heart has broken.”
This is a developing story.
The post “There would be no metal without you”: Jack White, Tom Morello and the guitar world react to the passing of Ozzy Osbourne appeared first on Guitar.com | All Things Guitar.
Source: www.guitar-bass.net
