Ozzy Osbourne, the iconic singer of Black Sabbath, who went on to a wildly successful solo career after being fired, is the epitome of heavy metal singer in so many ways, much of which are common knowledge at this point by even casual fans.

During his 10 year stint to front the world's first great metal band, Black Sabbath, Ozzy and his bandmates (Tony Iommi on guitar, Geezer Butler on bass, and Bill Ward on drums) released eight studio albums containing songs that would dramatically change rock music.

Classics like “Paranoid,” “Iron Man,” “War Pigs,” “Sweet Leaf,” “N.I.B.,” “Fairies Wear Boots,” and “Children of the Grave” influenced anyone who dare enter the darkness of the genre.

With all respect to Ronnie James Dio, a more than worthy successor to that mic, no one could belt out “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath" in that screechy, scary way like John Michael Osbourne.

Once released from his duties with Sabbath in 1979, he bit the head off a dove in a CBS boardroom in Los Angeles in 1981; took a leak on the Alamo in '82 while wearing his wife Sharon’s dress; bit the head off a live bat onstage in Iowa later that year; snorted a line of ants poolside of a motel in San Antonio in 1984 while a young Motley Crue watched in awe; and in 2002, he starred with his family in TV's first hit reality show thus opening that Pandora's Box and creating that genre we are still being cursed with.

As luck would happen, shortly after being kicked to the curb by Sabbath for being an uncontrollable drug and alcohol abuser, the Heavens blessed him with a 23-year-old Randi Rhoads and together they created massive hits like “Crazy Train” (1980) and “Flying High Again” (1981) that are still being heard in arenas around the world every night to set the mood.

Sadly the partnership would only last a few years as the guitarist died in a tragic plane crash in 1982 when he was just 25 years old.

Other than the two bangers above, the pair also produced “Mr. Crowley,” “I Don’t Know,” “Revelation (Mother Earth),” “Suicide Solution,” “Over the Mountain,” “Steal Away (The Night),” “Diary of a Madman,” and “Goodbye to Romance,” which most artists could coast with the rest of their careers.

Ozzy, though, had more in the chamber: “Bark at the Moon” (1983), “Shot in the Dark” (1986), “No More Tears” (1991), “Mama, I’m Coming Home” (1991), “Changes” with his daughter Kelly (2003), “I Don’t Wanna Stop” (2007), and “Take What You Want” with Post Malone and Travis Scott (2019).

Back in 2003, our beloved Prince of Darkness was seriously injured after crashing a quad-wheel motorbike at his Buckinghamshire estate, breaking eight ribs and a vertebra in his neck. It was a spill he never quite recovered from because in January 2019, he aggravated those injuries when he fell at his Los Angeles home while walking to the bathroom in the dark.

“I did my last show New Year’s Eve at The Forum,” he said in a 2020 interview on Good Morning America. “Then I had a bad fall. I had to have surgery on my neck, which screwed all my nerves.”

Ozzy later revealed he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, which slowed his recovery. In 2023 he was forced to cancel what would have been his final tour with Judas Priest on the bill.

He wrote a heartfelt note on his social channels explaining the situation:

This is probably one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to share with my loyal fans. As you may all know, four years ago, this month, I had a major accident, where I damaged my spine.

My one and only purpose during this time has been to get back on stage. My singing voice is fine. However, after three operations, stem cell treatments, endless physical therapy sessions, and most recently groundbreaking Cybernics (HAL) Treatment, my body is still physically weak.

I am honestly humbled by the way you’ve all patiently held onto your tickets for all this time, but in all good conscience, I have now come to the realization that I’m not physically capable of doing my upcoming European/UK tour dates, as I know I couldn’t deal with the travel required.

Believe me when I say that the thought of disappointing my fans really FUCKS ME UP, more than you will ever know.Never would I have imagined that my touring days would have ended this way.

My team is currently coming up with ideas for where I will be able to perform without having to travel from city to city and country to country.I want to thank my family....my band....my crew....my longtime friends, Judas Priest, and of course, my fans for their endless dedication, loyalty, and support, and for giving me the life that I never ever dreamed I would have.

I love you all...

Later that year he also removed himself from the inaugural Power Trip slot he had, handing that over to Rob Halford and Priest.

Now just a few years removed from those cancellations, Ozzy is set to perform this weekend at the Back to the Beginning farewell concert with Black Sabbath, reuniting the original lineup at Villa Park in Birmingham on Saturday, July 5.

It will be the first time that the original members have all played together in 20 years.

The show should also be a celebration to the band that took rock to a higher, darker place, thanks in a huge part to Iommi's wicked riffs and melodies.

Back to the Beginning will be curated by Tom Morello, and will feature Sabbath as the headliners with a supporting cast of Alice In Chains, Anthrax, Billy Corgan, Chad Smith, Dave Ellefson, David Draiman, Duff McKagan, Frank Bello, Fred Durst, Gojira, Guns N' Roses, Halestorm, Jake E. Lee, Jonathan Davis, K.K. Downing, Lamb Of God, Lzzy Hale, Mastodon, Metallica, Mike Bordin, Pantera, Papa V Perpetua, Rival Sons, Rudy Sarzo, Sammy Hagar, Scott Ian, Slash, Slayer, and Sleep Token's unidentified drummer II.

The show begins early morning in the USA: 10am Eastern, 7am Pacific and 3pm in the UK.

It will all be live streamed for just $30. Gain access through the Back to the Beginning website.