He bit the head of what he thought was a rubber bat that someone threw on stage.

Turns out it was not rubber.

As for the rest. He was an icon. It's hard to see after the fact why something is revolutionary. Retrospectively it all seems obvious.

Like Newton and gravity, or calculus.

It doesn't look mind-blowing because everything that comes after it is influenced by it, and being first to start a new sound is only obvious if you look at the timeline.

Black Sabbath, of which Ozzy was the frontman, is considered to be either one of around three, or the one founder of heavy metal. It may not be entirely right to say so, because there was a development going on around that time, but the entire giant metal genre goes back to these few guys, with Ozzy being one of them, in this timeline.

This heavier and more aggressive music was paired with a more krass and evil image to distinguish it more. That's where a lot of the dark, evil and satanic themes come from. Both of these are why he is the lord / prince of darkness in our circles.

It was just part of the metal zeitgeist at the time constant escalation of pretend evil/darkness.

He’s kinda been grandfathered in.

But it caused plenty of controversy back then too.

Then he rehabilitated his rep with the Osborne show where he was this messed up shuffling pity type figure.

So in short the culture changed but Ozzie changed with it and by then he was too fucked up to be cancelled.

Not claiming it’s rational but culture rarely is.

Additionally Ozzie claims he thought it was a fake/prop but was so fucked up at the time he just went with it.

Also it happened once it wasn’t like he was out doing it every week!

As someone who listened to the music, it’s surprising to see this as the top comment.

Yes their lyrics are dark. That was the point.

Eating animals isn’t what comes to mind for me. I also rationalize it that 100s of millions of animals are slaughtered every day, especially birds. Which one of those facts is darker?

It’s surprising to see what people are remembered for.

He's in everyone's good graces because he's now known as a kookie old man from the MTV show _The Osbournes_ that aired in the mid-2000's. Same reason why Michael Jackson, arguably the most famous person of the 90s, isn't as popular after his death given his reclusiveness and scandals. We tend to remember stars for the last impact that they had — not what they started off with.

Legend has it that he was handed a live bat at a concert and thought it was a prop -- was almost more surprised than the bat.

Also - animal rights were still gaining traction re: the arts. It was only in 1972 that the first "No animals were harmed in this film" was aired.

also worth mentioning there are at minimum tens of millions of people that eat animals that are still alive - some dishes in some cultures are served not-entirely-dead. and many more cultures (american) that literally boil animals alive all the time (lobsters).

animal cruelty doesn't spark the backlash you might think it does, and especially not 40 years ago when ozzy did that

> Ozzy fans, can you help me understand why few people seem to care?

Because this is at best an anecdote for someone who had such a troubled life with alcohol and drugs?

Because his music is so great and influenced so many other great artists that we know that he didn't do those things as a gimmick for attention?

Because I know we shouldn't be looking at rock stars as paragons of moral virtue?

Ozzy has bitten the head of a bat because it was thrown on to the stage by an fan and he was expecting it to be a fake, rubber, bat. As far as I know he has not intentionally hurt an animal.

I don't think this fully explains, but the way society as a whole thinks about animals has changed an awful lot over the last 50 years.

I also think that the boundaries of "polite society" and the law were different in scope.

(Not justifying, but considering figures like Strom Thurmond had no problem remaining in office despite issues arguably more human adjacent it does not surprise me.)

Satanic panic kind blew it up into something it wasn't.

Ozzy leaned into it a little and I think it helped his profile.

Other rumours were that he had ribs removed so he could better suck his own cock. The head biting and the rib story was later transferred on to Marilyn Manson.

Isn't it odd to think that a man covered in pentagrams caused such an outrage? How the world has changed.

When people die, folks usually share relevant stories about them, not inane nonsense.

Do you have any other half-remembered urban legends to share with the class? I heard that Marilyn Manson had some ribs removed so he could suck himself off.

I'm fond of pigeons, I don't want a rock star to bite their heads off for preference. However I don't think it matters very much. I probably wouldn't watch it more than once if that had been Ozzy's act, which it wasn't. But "crucified in the courts of public opinion" is just some bullshit. Public opinion shouldn't have a court, and courts shouldn't crucify people. So the most you'll get out of me is mild disapproval with a note about mitigating circumstances, regarding whatever addled headspace Ozzy was in in 1981. I think his career (and sanity) was somewhat shaky at that point, although the much admired Blizzard of Oz was released the same year, which makes up for the doves thing, which as I say I'm inclined to regard as somewhat trivial given that he didn't make a habit of it, wasn't in his right mind, and we eat them anyway.

~43 years ago he bit the head off a bat accidently: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/ozzy-osbourne-...

I'm not sure how that turned into "he’s bitten the heads off of various animals"

"That night in Des Moines, someone threw a live bat. “I thought it was a rubber bat,” Osbourne said. “I picked it up, put it in my mouth, crunched down, bit into it, being the clown that I am.”"

One of my favorite Ozzy moments had nothing to do with his music, but was equally awesome. He was on the Howard Stern radio show shortly after 9/11:

Howard: Ozzy, what are your thoughts around 9/11?

Ozzy: It was terrible; one of those things you'll always remember where you were and what you were doing when you first heard the news.

Howard: Where were you when you first heard about 9/11?

Ozzy: I can't bloody remember.

I'm sure it was staged, but it really hit the spot for me after all the tragedy of 9/11. RIP Ozzy.

Funny growing up in the 70s and 80s watching the Moral Majority lose their collective shit over Black Sabbath. Satanic panic was real: I had to hide my records from my dad and only play them when he wasn’t home. I still prefer Dio but ozzy had more of an impact on culture.

War Pigs is the most metal anti war song ever which is why the religious right hated it so much. Nothing to do with satanism, more about speaking truth to power. Still as relevant in 1970 as it is today.

A weird tech-related aspect to this for me. A few weeks ago I saw a viral video of his daughter saying that the final show really was his “funeral” and that he knew it would be his last show. I’m not a fan of his really so the video kinda passed me by, and I didn’t even realize it was AI generated. Upon his death now I’m struck by how accurate the video was. And, how it was emotionally very….accurate? I had internalized it as “truth” because I didn’t care enough to verify. But, in a weird way, it was “truth” even though the specific facts of it may not have been accurate. I don’t know if I have a particular point here, just that the experience of AI infiltrating in this sideways method is …concerning.

I’m a child of the early 80s and I consider myself fortunate to see the “original” Black Sabbath lineup at Ozzfest in Milton Keynes (2001). I was convinced I was witnessing his last gig not just because of his age but due to him tipping buckets of ice water over himself and the various electrical equipment on stage. What a gig though. What a showman. I’m surprised he lasted this long to be honest.

RIP prince of darkness, you mad, mad bastard.

An absolute legend.

I missed my chance to listen to Black Sabbath in 2015 or 2016 during the Rock am Ring because the last day was cancelled.

I'm happy for what Ozzy did in his sixties and seventies, and what a way to go.

And let's not forget, the most likely reason he's been able to get this far with his lifestyle post-80s and 90s is Sharon

What a loss. Hope he's rocking with Randy somewhere out there.

Don't miss the recent tribute of Mr. Crowley with Jack Black on vocals. It was truly awesome.

https://youtu.be/hm-M8GvgYws?si=10CEt7SXhbEITqA0

Goodbye, Ozzy :(

Two of my favorite Sabbath songs:

Zeitgeist, 2013 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ofrYzMU6cw Planet Caravan, 1970 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bm2N2nHqITY

RIP to a legend who had a profound impact on me as a young musician.

To quote my favorite song of his:

I've seen your face a hundred times Everyday we've been apart And I don't care about the sunshine, yeah 'Cause mama, mama, I'm coming home

Kinda funny that after everything he did Parkinsons was what got him.

I met him in a "Bark at the Moon" contest and shook his hand. Not sure he noticed, lol! Anyway, Bark at the Moon is one of his top songs! Here's howling in sorrow for you Ozzy, RIP.

Wow the last Black Sabbath show really was the last one.

Ozzy’s music and fearless spirit changed the world and inspired generations. His unforgettable voice and boundless creativity brought comfort, energy, and joy to millions. Thank you, Ozzy, for sharing your talent and your heart with us all. My deepest condolences to Sharon, his family, and all who loved him. The Prince of Darkness will never be forgotten - his legacy will live on forever. Rest in peace, legend. Sincerely, Thomas Berbas

Those who made it to the Birmingham show were very lucky

RIP :( This is how I'd like to remember him: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0hfg1htnM4 (video of Ozzy during an interview being clueless about Justin Bieber)

Did his last show and immediately keeled over. Legend.

Saw him live back in 1986 at the Long Beach Arena with Metallica opening. And I think I saw Sabbath at on OzzFest with Slayer. He was a great frontman and certainly lived a full life. We should all be so fortunate.

The Prince of Darkness will be missed. What a legend.

I know it's not the most tasteful thing to speak about right now but Sharon and Ozzy have been vocal about their full support for euthanasia, Sharon watched her dad suffer with Alzheimer and it defined her views in the matter. So given this news plus their las gig being just weeks ago I assume it's likely what happened, or at least something that is arguably the same (e g. stopping life sustaining devices, not necessarily taking anything)

Last stop for the crazy train, see you on the other side!

A life well lived, and his work touched millions. Rest in peace.

Rolling Stone has a great obituary. There are some crazy stories in tech, but rock and metal still have the crown.

>“You couldn’t write my story; you couldn’t invent me.”

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/ozzy-osbourne-...

one of the few (auto?)biographies i've ever read, and it was a really entertaining read. seemed like a complicated but good guy.

To me, his solo stuff from the 80s and mid 90s sounds so much more musical and awesome than his work with Black Sabbath. The Ultimate Sin (1986) and No Rest for the Wicked (1988) are just incredible. I must have listened to at least one of his songs every day between 1985-1991.

Goodbye, Ozzy. Your music was a big part of my high school and college life.

Iconic singer. He’s finally flying high again.

One of the great ones are gone. RIP Ozzy.