Salley: Bidding farewell to an absolute icon
Musician, reality TV star, philanthropist, family man: Ozzy Osbourne truly did it all
Mama, he went home.
On Tuesday, July 22, the world lost a singer, songwriter, entertainer and a generous philanthropist, when the Prince of Darkness, Ozzy Osbourne, lost his battle with Parkinson’s disease.
I didn't know the man personally, but he has been one of the most pivotal influences on my life. He made a profound impact on me, from creating content and sharing my love of pop culture to learning his songs on my electric Ibanez guitar.
I grew up listening to a lot of my mom's and dad's music. When I was around the age of 12, I remember my dad introducing me to Osbourne through the through the album "Tribute." The live version of "Paranoid" was an eye-opening experience; and followed by "You Can't Kill Rock and Roll" and "Crazy Train," I was infatuated and officially obsessed.
After the car ride home, I remember taking a deep dive on YouTube, learning more about the singer and discovering what would be one of my top 5 favorite bands, Black Sabbath. Osbourne made me understand what the term "heavy metal" truly meant.
He and the rest of Black Sabbath pioneered a genre of music that now has 14 billion people streaming on Spotify. That is an incredible legacy to leave behind, and I will never forget the first day his haunting hums grazed my eardrums.
I have so many memories tied to Osbourne and his music, from listening to him in car rides to the bookstore with my mom or getting Slurpees and Hubba Bubba bubble gum with my dad, to seeing him play live in August of 2018 with my cousin. "Iron Man" was the very first song I learned on my first guitar.
Ozzy was an individual who came around once in a lifetime. He could make you laugh, cry, sing and scream for more, and he would always fulfill that desire.
He was a humble and kind man, who recently wrapped his reunion tour with Black Sabbath in Birmingham, England, where he raised more than $190 million for Parkinson’s research, multiple news outlets reported.
Ozzy loved life on stage, and most importantly, he loved his fandom. He loved the people who admired and appreciated his music, his creativity and his restless spirit.
Now, we must let his spirit rest; he deserves a long and peaceful one.
It's heartbreaking to face loss, and when we lose people who matter to us, it hurts. Ozzy Osborne is a heavy loss for the rock 'n' roll and music communities, and we will remember the great memories he gave us through his music.
May Ozzy Osborne rest in peace as a loving father, husband and rock legend. Ozzy, I hope you're enjoying a frosty cold one with your old pal, Randy Rhoads.
Cheers mate.
Carter Salley is a rising senior majoring in media arts. He is the co-host of Central Michigan Life's pop culture podcast "Raving Geeks," the resident film critic and a diehard music lover and creator.
